On Tuesday November 4th, Neighborhood Teams from Longmont to Carbondale met to celebrate our work over the past year and plan next steps on organizing for health insurance reform. The event in Grand Junction had 90 attendees. At the Capitol Hill event in Denver, volunteer Venita Currie signed-in more than 80 people.
West Denver Regional Field Director, Alfredo Fletes, and Community Organizer Pat Salazar-Vine were very happy with how many people came to their event. Pat has been working for health insurance reform with Organizing for America for months, and this was a wonderful confirmation of her hard work.
I loved the event. It gave me a renewed sense of optimism about the President and being an advocate of his legislative agenda. It was great to connect with some folks from the Obama campaign, and even more so, to say that I'm an active and involved part of what will eventually change the country.
Neighborhood Team Leader Laura Avant helped attendees sign-up to volunteer for “Finish Line” phone banks. Everyone was eager to take part in these events because they will send a strong message to our members of Congress when they need to hear from us the most – right before the votes!
Volunteers also shared stories from election night 2008, remembering how wonderful it felt to see our hard work culminate in real change by electing President Barack Obama. Everyone agreed that these memories are an important source of motivation as we move forward and continue to fight for change. Send a quick e-mail to OFAColorado@dnc.org to join up with the Neighborhood Team active in your area.
Update: Health Insurance Reform passes the House of Representatives!
Join us for a thank you event this Thursday, November 9th.
When elections are close the most important votes are always the ones that weren't counted and that includes especially all the votes that went to neither of the neck and neck runners, but to other candidates. Which of the top two would they have voted for?
Many folk are seeing the light in the two very tight Senate races. How would Instant Runoff Voting have made a difference? Then there are the controversial high profile appointments in Illinois and New York!
The editor of Denver Forgotten Communities Examiner says, "Instant-runoff voting has been tried in municipalities in the United States. It should be tried in statewide elections. The place to start would be in elections for U.S. Senate vacancies. Take the power away from the Governor to make an appointment and let the people vote in a single election with an instant runoff. We will end up with better senators." You can visit:
http://www.examiner.com/x-1173-Denver-Forgotten-Communities-Examiner~y2009m1d6-We-will-have-better-senators-with-instant-runoff-voting
to find out why he has come around to this opinion.
I have started a group: Obama Supporters for Instant Runoff Voting in Tompkins County, NY. Please feel welcome to visit us, help us, and see how we go about working on it locally.
Yesterday evening I moderated a community discussion group in Denver about Health Care Reform, the Environment and Education. The goal was to identify the biggest areas of concern within these topics and to plan service projects that would address the issues.
Needless to say those who attended became overwhelmed and quickly caught up in a haze of thoughts about where to start. Should we look for the person who started these problems? How intertwined is each issue with the next? How do ordinary citizens analyze where the corruption is and take ethical actions to help heal our country and then create new systems? It took a discussion that was sometimes very frustrating, but in the end rewarding, to realize that unless we address the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter in our communities that, among other things, medical care, the environment and education will take care of themselves – people might not survive long enough to need them.
Some of the concrete numbers of those ‘going without” are entirely frightening. An estimated 5 million seniors regularly sacrifice food to pay bills. At least 29% (almost 1/3) of Americans skip medical care to pay for basic food, clothing or shelter.
According to the US Department of Agriculture over 12 percent of Americans (36.2 million adults and children) did not have enough food to maintain active and healthy lives in 2007 and nearly two million US jobs have been lost.
The U.S. Energy Information Agency estimates that this year, heating a home with oil, will increase 33% from last year and is a 117% increase since 2004. The cost of heating a home with natural gas has gone up 30% since 2004. The cost of heating with propane, which heats homes in many rural areas across the nation, has increased 23% in the last year and 73% since 2004.
Foreclosures are up: 1.2 million. This number is a 42 percent increase from 2005. The percentage change in foreclosures is up a 700 percent from 2005 to 2006.
These numbers are not all about those you see living on the streets – they are also your neighbors. Some of them live in my nice, comfortable neighborhood in Denver – for now anyway, until they miss another mortgage payment and receive a foreclosure statement or lose their jobs and begin worrying about food and clothing and then can’t pay their mortgage or rent.
And does it really matter how it happened or who is responsible for fraudulent mortgages or overspending. Not really; not today anyway. The problem is way too big for blame.
What the community group decided last night was to begin a campaign of fund raising to help a family in danger of losing their home. One group, collecting money for one family – simple. Our goal – change. Another group we work with is doing a food drive in January - another action that doesn’t take weeks, months and years of planning, proposals, vetoes and votes. It’s just people helping people. Perhaps that’s where we went wrong way back – maybe we thought people were someone else’s responsibility.
The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.
Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.
Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when
Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.
Alternative EnergySource: David Apperson
url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy
Hi,
I have created a new website for progressives in the southeast Denver area suburbs. I hope you will check it out, let me know what you think, make suggestions, bookmark it, and check back often! My vision for this site is to post announcements, share information, and keep us all connected in between elections.
YES WE CAN!
Nancy Cronk
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Fireside Production is there as more than 100,000 people gather in Denver for Barack Obama's Early Vote for Change Rally.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfHuejYns_M
Please check it out, rate it, comment on it and SHARE!
All I can say is WOW!
This was our first Obama rally that we ever attended. We could never attend the previous ones because of our work schedules (he was always here during the weekday in the past). Let me just say that my girlfriend and I were totally overwhelmed by the massive amount of people at this rally. It started at 11:30 so we figured we'd get there about 10am. We thought this would be early. Boy, were we wrong. Driving through Denver, we were astounded to see lines (sometimes 4 or 5 people deep) winding around the entire Civic Center Park and snaking in and out of every single surrounding block. It was a mix of young and old, black, white, rich, middle class and poor. But what they all had in common was the hope for change and to get a glimpse of the man who has jumpstarted the whole movement and has given it a voice.
It took about 15 minutes to find a parking spot about 5 blocks away but we managed. While walking to the event, we were again dumbfounded to see the line of people stretching for a mile in all directions. We had NO idea where the line started or where it ended! After circling around an entire block, we finally found the end and settled in to make our way to the park.
What was so amazing about this crowd was that there was nothing but positive energy! Some people had been there since 7 in the morning (and some even earlier, I'm sure), but the crisp fall temperatures and breeze didn't dampen anyone's spirit! We ended up making quick friends with a couple from Denver. She was a staunch Democrat while he had recently made up his mind to vote for and even volunteer for Barack. He had never voted Democratic in his life. This is the type of story that has been echoed hundreds of thousands of times across the country. Hope and change knows no party affiliation!
As we winded our way through to the park past vendors flaunting t-shirts, buttons and signs, it became apparent we wouldn't be able to get into the bowl of the park to get close to the stage, so we were redirected by DPD to take an alternate route to the outskirts of the bowl. As we approached the park, we were once again astounded. For as far as the eye could see, there was a sea of people stretching in all directions, from the City Courthouse all the way back to the state capital building steps! Unfreakinbelievalbe! People were standing on garbage cans and the marble walls surrounding the park, on the tops of surrounding builidings, clinging to light poles and trees, and some even ventured to climb up the forklifts holding the massive speakers lining the park area...all just to get a glimpse of Barack!
My girlfriend and I literally got stuck a few times trying to get closer, but we decided to move to the outer perimeter onto the road separating the park and the state capital building. This turned out to be a pretty good place to be. it was amazing, we looked toward the park....tens of thousand of people...we looked back toward the state capital building...tens of thousands of people...to the right thousands...to the left thousands.
It was simply awe-inspiring to be part of history like this. It was heartening to know that so many have awakened from the "slumber" we've been in the past 8 years.
We did run into a couple McCain/Palin supporters, but we both held our comments. We are here to make a positive difference and include everyone. Unlike many of the McCain rallys I've seen on TV, where those with opposing viewpoints where figuratively "tarred and feathered", this crowd was nothing but positive, even towards the couple of guys holding "We Don't Want the Kind of Change Obama Offers" signs. It's America, they're entitled to their views. That's what made this country great and what the forefathers envisioned.
Although we were never able to get a glimpse of "the man" we were able to hear every word crisply. A few dignitaries spoke and right at noon, Barack emerged. Even he was suprised by the throngs of people. "Goodness Gracious!" he said, "Does Denver do anything small?" The crowd rebutted with "Never!" Much of the speech repeated the talking points of his past speeches with many comments aimed at Coloradans, interspersed with chants of "Yes We Can" and "O-B-A-M-A".
After 40 minutes, our feet became weary and our stomachs started to growl for lunch, but it was DEFINITELY worth it! If and when this man becomes president in 9 days, we'll be able to look back and tell our kids we were there to witness a little bit of history and be part of the change we've been waiting for!
Hi! This is our first single and music video, launched this morning while Obama was on his way to the rally in Denver: Obama Bacon Man... I was trying to find someone who could play the mp3 of this song once instead of those six songs that they played over and over and over at the rally, but that didn't happen.
You can't embed youtube videos on this site, so go here for the full Obama Bacon Man music video. Note: That is Michelle Obama you hear talking at the 1:04 mark. That snippet is from the June 18, 2008 episode of ABC's The View, where they're talking about breakfast foods.
Well this is my first blog post ever. Not just on Obama's page but ever...anywhere on the internet. Never really saw myself as the blogging type but I feel inspired lately.
I figure I should start this off with a little general information about myself. I am a 25 year old professional living in Denver, CO. I recently moved here from Florida after graduating from Florida State University. Go Noles!!!
Back on topic. --> Barack Obama is a very captivating figure with ideas that really speak to my demographic. I can't wait for election day! Hopefully smooth sailing until then.
OpEdNews has been the site of choice to post the growing list of major and minor newspaper endorsements for Obama. The Editorials are quoted generally in full, with interspliced commentaries from major editors and commentators, explaining what is behind the Editorials.
Part I Obama's Editorial Endorsements: including Washington Post, Fidel Castro, Richard Lugar, Chuck Hagel, & more!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Obama-s-Endorsements-The-by-Stephen-Fox-081016-633.html
*******
Part II Editorial Page Endorsements of Obama Denver Post, Chicago Tribune, San Francsico Chronicle, Los Angeles Times
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Editorial-Page-Endorsement-by-Stephen-Fox-081017-544.html
********
Part III New Endorsements: Salt Lake City Tribune, Bangor and Brunswick, Maine, Philadelphia, Miami, Portland, Kansas City
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Endorsements-Salt-Lake-Ci-by-Stephen-Fox-081018-476.html
More Obama Endorsements IV: Sacramento, Katie Couric, Malaysia, Houston Chronicle, Detroit, Waco Tx (sort of)
http://www.opednews.com/articles/More-Obama-Endorsements-IV-by-Stephen-Fox-081019-492.html
This weekend I had the opportunity to canvass for the first time. On Saturday my field organizer from Golden, Rory, took me out and showed me the ropes. We had a great time, and by Sunday I was comfortable enough to go out on my own.
For those of you that don't know me, I am a prime example for everything Barack Obama stands for. I'm gay, live with my partner of two years, am not recognized under his health insurance, and therefore am severely underinsured. I've had four surgeries this year, and am tens of thousands of dollars in debt to the medical industry and pay week-to-week for my medications because they're too expensive to pay for a months supply at one time. I'm a server, and over the past three years the industry has crashed, to where I'm making 1/3 of what I was four years ago. I badly need to finish my college education, but since the economy has tanked, no one will loan me, or my partner, money for tuition.
While walking this weekend, I learned that my story is not the only one. Of the several people I talked to, four did not have health insurance, either for themself, their family, or their children. How sad is it that there are six year old's living in the richest nation in the world without health care. I spoke with three men, all of whom are/were construction workers. Needless to say, none of them have a job. One of these men broke his foot and in the past year has racked up tens of thousands of medical bills due to complications from surgeries. A couple of families were stressed and in jeopardy of losing their homes. I spoke with four teachers in one day that were experiencing first hand the horrors of "No Child Left Behind".
This weekend's canvassing opened my eyes and my heart to the troubles American families are struggling with. For several months I was so focused on myself and the issues affecting my life, while not really noticing what my neighbors were dealing with. Seeing it on TV is one thing, but speaking with my neighbors, sitting down with strangers and learning what they're dealing with, has encouraged me to pledge to work harder to elect Obama and local Democrats. I'm not alone in the struggle to survive.
I ask everyone to speak to at least one person every day and find what is affecting their life. You'll learn that we're not alone. You'll also see why sitting on the fence until November 4 is not the answer to rectifying the crisis America is in. I urge everyone to contact your local Barack Obama Campaign for Change office and get involved. Open your hearts and learn of others' struggles and do your part to bring the change we so desperately need.
With hope,
Aydrian
Read the whole thing and pass it along!
... The problem was not Obama; the problem was that at the instant when Hillary Clinton at last conceded, the nature of the campaign changed. It was, I considered (perhaps under the influence of the kind smile and exhortatory squeeze on the arm bestowed on me by Jimmy Carter, president of my darkest adolescence, as he passed me in the doorway of a LoDo Mexican restaurant), like the change that might occur between the first and second volumes of some spectacular science fiction fantasy epic. At the end of the first volume, after bitter struggle, Obama had claimed the presumptive nomination. We Fremen had done the impossible, against Sardaukar and imperial shock troops alike. We had brought water to Arrakis. Now the gathered tribes of the Democratic Party—hacks, Teamsters, hat ladies, New Mexicans, residents of those states most nearly resembling Canada, Jews of South Florida, dreadlocks, crewcuts, elderlies and goths, a cowboy or two, sons and daughters of interned Japanese-Americans—had assembled on the plains of Denver to attempt to vanquish old Saruman McCain.Suddenly it was hard not to feel that we were, once again, teetering on the point of something momentous, but something different than the previous momentousness. It was time to get serious. It was time to put on a little Curtis Mayfield (whose “Move On Up” has been one of the campaign’s unofficial theme songs) and take stock of our forces, our resolve, and the odds against us. It was time to take the fight directly to the Padishah Emperor himself. Game on was the nerdy expression I kept hearing people use....
...
The problem was not Obama; the problem was that at the instant when Hillary Clinton at last conceded, the nature of the campaign changed. It was, I considered (perhaps under the influence of the kind smile and exhortatory squeeze on the arm bestowed on me by Jimmy Carter, president of my darkest adolescence, as he passed me in the doorway of a LoDo Mexican restaurant), like the change that might occur between the first and second volumes of some spectacular science fiction fantasy epic. At the end of the first volume, after bitter struggle, Obama had claimed the presumptive nomination. We Fremen had done the impossible, against Sardaukar and imperial shock troops alike. We had brought water to Arrakis. Now the gathered tribes of the Democratic Party—hacks, Teamsters, hat ladies, New Mexicans, residents of those states most nearly resembling Canada, Jews of South Florida, dreadlocks, crewcuts, elderlies and goths, a cowboy or two, sons and daughters of interned Japanese-Americans—had assembled on the plains of Denver to attempt to vanquish old Saruman McCain.
Suddenly it was hard not to feel that we were, once again, teetering on the point of something momentous, but something different than the previous momentousness. It was time to get serious. It was time to put on a little Curtis Mayfield (whose “Move On Up” has been one of the campaign’s unofficial theme songs) and take stock of our forces, our resolve, and the odds against us. It was time to take the fight directly to the Padishah Emperor himself. Game on was the nerdy expression I kept hearing people use.
Henry M
