Months ago I commented: OFA needs to start sending the message that what was started with Barack Obama's election must be continued - his election was not a silver bullet where with one perfect shot he would fix politics. EVERY election is important and has consequences.
I also commented that I was very upset with the new tactic by those who want to discourage Barack Obama's supporters e.g. supporting the fringe and tea-partyers with lies and exageration to activate their base to come out for the midterm elections. The prediction is for this midterm to be like other midterms e.g. only the disgruntled participate.
I hear people are getting discouraged because nine months have passed and President Obama has not brought the change he promised. Remember he said: change is about us not him. Look at how he has been treated by members of both his party and the opposition. Lobbying money is stronger than anything we have except our numbers. We can't help him if we do not vote to support him every chance we get. This is how we create change! Without us he has little power to accomplish anything on his own. In Congress both members of our party and the other party must know we support him and will turn out for him when asked.
Now I sit at home waiting for tomorrow night when I expect to hear how President Obama's election was a fluck because the change he brings is not the change WE wanted and this is why his support is falling. Tomorrow's win by Republican's mascarading as Conservatives will embolden them to work even harder against him and any change he may attempt.
I also hate being misused by the Democratic Party! We are bombarded with emails for support and solicitation constantly. We should be treated as an asset that can be exhausted and used when we are really needed which is exactly the same concept we are trying to communicate about our troops and war.
Its too late to ask you to go vote with me tomorrow but I ask you to not let another election go by without going to the polls.
Thank you.
It makes me a bit worried when seeing how violent the ones who lost the elections are. While I agree that things all over the world need to change, I want it to be a more enlightened world and not a more violent one.
It makes me kind of glad they lost because imagine if they had won. I could see a wave of genocide spreading and all under the banner of Freedom.
We should support change and the people's right to choose for themselves. If they felt that this change was not the right one for them and that this is not the direction they want to head in then we should honor that and not encourage violence against them.
Maria
Monday, April 13, 2009 According to a survey conducted by Haitian Priorities Project, 70 members were allocated in ten departments within Haiti monitoring the progress of the electoral contests for April 19 2009. Based on the findings, only 5% of potential voters nationwide say they are ready to go to the polls in order to elect 12 senators for the upcoming elections on April of this year. Two Consecutive lists were presented, one with the allowed names accepted by the Electoral College (CEP), and the other with the names of the candidates admitted by the CEP including those 12 candidates of Fanmi Lavalas. A great percentage of candidates admitted by the CEP, that the population is not familiar with, being aware of their names or presence in the upcoming elections in April. In the Nippes department, the majority who participated in the survey intend to stay home due to the inconsistency exhibited by the administration of President Préval and the international community wanting to practice exclusion, a system in which the people have been rejected since the fall of Duvalier 1986. The word of caution is that there cannot be credible elections with the exclusion of Lavalas. According to the statements received from individuals interviewed, hunger is rampant in the country, especially in Grand Anse, Central, North East, North West, South, West, Artibonite, and the Northwest of Haiti. In the West, no trend was developed on the ground in order to identify who is the likely winner for the April elections. Among 26,000 voters interviewed in the West Department, 95% find these elections were an aberration and a slap in the face of the people who took to the streets in order to elect Rene Preval President. Those voters interviewed did not understand why President Preval would want to have an election which excludes the most popular party in Haiti, Fanmi Lavalas. They reiterate the fact that they cannot endorse these elections if based on exclusions. The right to vote is a sacred issue due to the fact that countless numbers of people risked their lives to ensure that people can elect their own leader. It is also noteworthy to mention that the people interviewed were able to differentiate between Lavalas and the Hope Party (LESPWA) of President Preval. According to data received, the incumbent Hope Party does not exist as a political party or grouping, but is only a leech living off Lavalas’ legacy at this time. People can tell the difference they said. In the Grand Anse, frustration is increasing due to poor conditions of the roads; they emphatically stated that these elections are not a priority for them. They therefore promised to block any attempt by the government of President Preval to practice exclusion. In the South, many have argued their concerns that Preval has promised to initiate an agricultural program in the area during his election campaign, and to this date, nothing has been done to alleviate the suffering of the poor in the area. They believe the Center department is not given priorities in his governmental policies. The inhabitants of the Center have declared that they will not condone an unfair election; such violation could lead to their own demise. In the North, most people promise to stay at home, and it sound as if despite the large sum of money released for Moises Jean-Charles by Mr. Preval administration that, voters will this time take action so that no one ignore that Fanmi Lavalas is the undeniable force in the political arena in Haiti. In the north-east and north-west, the candidates are not well known with the exception of Luke Fleurinord of the Party MIRN. In the south-east, there was a fierce crackdown against the population. Lots of money was also distributed in order to buy the population votes from the incumbent party Lespwa. We at Haitian Priorities Project are currently cataloging incidents and or crimes committed by supporters and members of the party Lespwa in order to insure that these incidents never happen again. The survey was conducted by Haitian Priorities Project (HPP), from April 1 through 8 of this year among a sample of 65,000 people across the country. A margin of error was estimated at +or-3% in the national sample was noted.
www.hpp4haiti.com
Hi.
This is just a quick post to direct all to recent blog posts on the best electoral reform site bar none:
http://www.fairvote.org/blog/
t.tc
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.
Article from the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 'Hope' springs anew for Washington University grad students
November 19, 2008 -- Carianne Noga, a graduate student of art at Washington University, ties tags of hope onto a sculpture outside the University City Post-Office. Noga and fellow student Maya Escobar started soliciting people's hopes to place on the sculpture. (Christian Gooden/P-D) By Margaret Gillerman ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 11/29/2008
UNIVERSITY CITY — Georgia O'Keeffe found inspiration in the light and shapes of New Mexico.
Mary Cassatt found hers in mothers and children.
Maya Escobar and Carianne Noga, two graduate students at Washington University's Sam Fox School of Art and Design, found inspiration for their latest project from the long lines on Election Day at a Ben and Jerry's ice cream shop in the Loop.
There, on the sidewalk outside the shop, which was giving away scoops of ice cream to voters, the two women felt excitement and hope among voters. They said they found that same feeling across the street in the long line of voters waiting to vote at the Loop polling place.
Before the polls closed, they had begun to create their "I hope…" project.
They first staked out a site: outside the University City Post Office at 561 Kingsland Avenue.
They then provided people with bright red tags and paint markers for them to write down their hopes for a better future.
The tags then are affixed to a permanent lattice wood sculpture already on site outside the Post Office.
"As difficult as it can be sometimes to voice our wishes and dreams, it can be strengthening," the artists say in explaining their mission. "We can be reminded of the rest of the world outside our own immediate concerns. In this period of great change and near infinite possibilities, it is time for us to voice our hopes."
While the project is for all people, Escobar said it holds special meaning for young people.
"This is our moment to make a difference for our communities," Escobar said. "We need to be aware — of our national situation, of the economy."
Many of the hopes expressed — most recorded anonymously — so far are noble and universal: "I hope for world peace" and "My hope is that hate is no longer."
Some of the hopes are personal. "I hope to not fear death," wrote one.
Others have a distinctly political bent: "I hope we get out of Iraq and don't go to war with Iran." And some are just fun, like the person hoping for "chocolate cake for dessert ..."
A University City police officer named Hope — Reginald Hope — shared with them his own hope: for safety for police officers. A fellow officer was killed while on duty near the Loop last month.
Washington University Chancellor Mark Wrighton gave his hope and "wishes for better health and greater prosperity for all."
The artists also are encouraging people to submit their hopes online at togetherwehope.com.
[click here for full story]
PLEASE VISIT HTTP://TOGETHERWEHOPE.COM AND SHARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE
When it comes to winning elections, Obama has it made. I believe he has the best marketers in the world. Not to mention he has a charm no one can ignore. You either like him or you hate it. I personally, Like Obama, he has wisdom, and maybe new to this but I think he really means what he says, even if it is written out by his writers. He seems alot more personal then most people that elected to be president, much less anything in office. But his marketing strategies are very good.
Marketing in social networks
Marketing to the youth
marketing to single mothers
Marketing to people without health care
gold and silver coins with his face on them
Posters, shirts, pins, practically anything about him you can buy.
And, I think he's got some really nifty photographers too.
Like I said, I belive he has some good marketing going on and that as well as his followers, contributers, volunteers and helpers, etc all helped him get into office.
Despite his past, his mother, his pastor, and all the negative energy abound in this election-he still made it. And I think 4 years from now, he'll make it again in the next elections.
This has been the greatest week for me in a long, long time.
Like so many others, Tuesday night's election results were the culmination of a dream. Even now, four days later, reflecting on what happened brings tears of joy to my eyes. I know it does the same for many others I witnessed it just last night at a cocktail party.
While I understand we must manage our expectations, that a president does not act alone, and that the President-elect will not even assume office for more than two months, I know better days are coming. I have never felt so proud to be an American. What a great time for our country.
The other great thing that happened to be this week is that I learned that next year I will be transferred to Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. What an exciting assignment, and what an auspicous time to be going to Africa. I will be doing public affairs work there, promoting the policies of the new administration, and am so looking forward to that
YES WE CAN, WE DID AND WE WILL - a great week all around!
Hey Everyone click here to see my pix of Obama done for stitchers for obama!
Click
Later, LI
So my ballot has been casted and I have now joined numerous Americans in a historic moment in the story of our great republic. I can’t stop thinking that on this glorious day-- I have helped to make history.
I called my mom and she is happily waiting in line and making new friends, you're going to help make history I told her. Now I will patiently await the results, I think Americans understand what is at stake.
Clinton H.Wallace
Photomundo International
Beverly Hills,CA
Kahlil Gibran once wrote that our children are not our children but rather, on loan to us by the almighty. It is for us to pass on to them the virtues of life and what ever they become, would be the fruits of our labor. Sometimes this responsibility is past on to our parents, our children’s grandparents. When our fruit is an American President then our labors are immeasurable. One such quiet hero who tried to just do the right thing without seeking special rewards for their efforts was Madelyn Lee Payne Dunham
Madelyn Payne Dunham
Maya like Barack called her “Toot” too
A version of the Hawaiian word for grandmother tutu
Devoted her life to raising her grandson
Ensured he made use of a good education
Life was difficult on her but you’d never know
Young Barack toured with her before settling in Chicago
New car and new dress she put off unselfishly
Poured everything she had into raising young Barry
And when word of her death came it was a blow
Yesterday we lost someone the world ought to know
Not just a grandmother but she was the cornerstone
Encourage Barack to take chances and think on his own
Didn’t let him shy away from hard work
Used her strengths and taught him never to shirk
Now the fruits of her labors are ours to reap
Her sweat and toil will take us through a quantum leap
Americans all benefit from her extraordinary accomplishment
Madelyn Payne Dunham helped develop the 44th President
Costco, Walmart and K-Mart are all reporting runs on all kinds of chairs and stools.
The Little People are rushing to these and other retail outlets to make sure that on Tuesday they can reach the Obama-Biden lever at their polling booths.
More than ever before issues within my country are at the very top of my list. I have served my country and seen results of cut backs and war.
I have had the eye opening experience of venturing outside my safety zone and been ashamed of what I saw. To blindly believe or support a cause is just crazy and unfortunately, I was someone like that. Ripping a statement or two from headlines making it up as I went along quit working for me.
My first experience with news other than the three major networks had me brimming with questions that would have answers that not only shocked me, but they left me speechless. That's hard to accomplish. I believe that Mr. Obama can bring that change he is promising. His words do not feel empty and hopeless.
It's not easy to be the President and persons of good character are hard to find these days in a world full of mistrust. My loyalties had to be reorganized, I am now a Republican voting Democrat. When I selected to be a Republican at the age of eighteen was it to please my very Republican family? After all, it's all I ever knew.
I have had to sit up straight now and pay attention, paying attention has come at a costly price since my lack of attention before left me with little to say other than, "I got what I voted for, I can't really complain."
Mr. Obama, I have trust in you. I believe your words of HOPE. I believe your words of CHANGE. I lay my vote to you and Mr. Biden and I, like millions of others, believe in what you say. I am an American living in Lebanon and from the atmosphere here, the Lebanese that I personally know support you too. The world is counting on you and Mr. Biden, please be the CHANGE and HOPE our country desperately needs.
I had a dream: We are writing the year 2016, America has left behind the economy crisis of 2008 and developed to a green, social and prosperous society. The unemployment rate is down at 2.3 %, the number of poor people dropped from 37 to 9 million, the national deficit is only a fourth of that in 2008. Every American has affordable health care now, and Obama`s tax cuts have put more money into the pockets of the middle-class American, which led to higher consumption, re-fueled the economy, and created millions of new jobs. Above all 5 million new created green collar jobs and a better, more effective environmental policy with solar, wind and other renewable energies dropped America`s energy bill, air pollution and CO 2 balance by 25%, making the country cleaner and almost independent of foreign oil. America´s is about to become the world leader in green technology, especially due to the broad-scale introduction of US built hybrid cars. In foreign politics America has restored faith and regained respect in the world community of nations as a wise and peaceful mediator in all conflicts. This and other measures also led to an improvement of the national security. The dark Bush years are history and America has made the real CHANGE to a better future - YES WE COULD - And due to the great achievements of Barack Obama`s successful 8 years in national and international politics a committee was founded, proposing the extension of his presidency for 4 more years, as applied during the Roosevelt administration.
Was all of this just a dream ? - No, you can make it happen by voting for OBAMA next Tuesday - It is now up to you, America !
SHOP AMERICA SUPPORTS OBAMA
