I've been in a financial hardship for the past several months due to a major job loss. In this time, I have consistently put in resumes, conducted follow-up calls, and made in-person visits hoping to land a stable position. Unfortunately, the economy is not cooperating with me; nor are prospective employers, who can't afford to take on more workers. So here I am...I'm hanging on by a thread but I still believe that our President, for whom I voted, is still going to turn this country around in a positive way.
That's why it's so critical that even if you're not in the best financial shape, healthy constitution, or otherwise, we must ALL do our part by participating in EVENTS that make a statement and create a buzz to generate REAL support for the issues in which we believe. My primary goal is to get a universal health care program installed in our governmental system -- if all else fails, I'll opt for the public option -- meanwhile, some politicians and media talking heads are trying to say that it can't be done.
They're trying to say that we "can't" have it.
They're trying to say that they don't care about us.
They're trying to say that we don't matter.
Well, we DO MATTER. And God willing, if we put our hearts, minds, and spirits together, we CAN get this thing off the ground. Sittting at home yelling at the news channel is not going to accomplish anything. Sitting at our desks, keying rants and raves about how we feel is not going to get it done.
The ONLY WAY we CAN GET REAL HEALTH CARE REFORM is if we PUT OUR THOUGHTS and WORDS to ACTION. Participate in events, organize events, help orchestrate a candlelight vigil, a rally, a sit-in, a march...DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to MAKE THEM LISTEN.
We will not go gently into the night. We will not fade into the sunset...TODAY IS OUR TIME. WE ARE THE ONES WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!! LET'S GET GOING!!!
Peace!!!
So last night I set out organizing a meeting of local community democrats to sit down and talk about local issues, national issues, the upcoming elections, and how we want to try to organize. So far the response has been minimal. That's ok though! I'm not giving up yet, I promise this much. I am the currently the communications director for the Shippensburg University chapter of College Democrats. This morning I spoke with the president of the group and he let me know we're planning on having a health care rally next week! Very exciting stuff. We'll be meeting this weekend to workout the details and paint some banners. We're going to search for some information to print and make plenty of copies to hand out. I plan to tell the students to e-mail and write their senators and representatives to say we want healthcare reform now! Should be an exciting event.
-Joshua
If we are going to fight let's go for the real thing.
Enough with the Public Option, it covers, at best 5% of us, when Obama says, if you like what you have you can keep it, the most important statement is lacking: if you hate it, you can leave it. All the PO does is to create another entitlement for people to resent.
By eliminating the middleman, you pay a lot less and Drs get pay better.
Single payer is actually an easier sale, as it answers that very human question: "What's in it for me?"
http://healthcare4all.org/
...It's not easy, but Yes We Can.
Given the mob tactics and misinformation being spread by those who seek to profit from the sick and vulnerable, we must now stand up for those who cannot. We must talk to our neighbors, friends, co-workers, union members, family, and communities of faith to create real action on Health Care Reform today.
If you haven’t already, please visit OFA’s Health Care Action Center to find simple tools that will help you make a difference from home.
Also, join President Obama for a special strategy meeting on Health Care Reform this Thursday, Aug. 20 at 2:30pm Easterm Time.
And, for those of you who live near New York City, please join me this special event:
Unity Walk and Rally for Health Care Reform
Saturday, August 29, 2009 - 2 pm
NYC - Times Square
SIGN-UP HERE!
Health Care Reform Can't Wait!
State electeds and other guest speakers. Hosted by NYCforChange in partnership with Organizing for America, Obama supporter groups, and many more! We will show the nation that New Yorkers are UNITED in support of reform at this critical time before our Congress members go back to D.C. to vote on historic legislation.
Volunteers needed! Contact allie.feldman@gmail.com
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Join thousands of Americans at the largest health care rally in history!
Limited FREE buses
Meet at 5:30 AM at Union Square; leave at 6 AM
Back at 9:30 PM
RSVP to Naomi.Rothwell2@gmail.com
www.healthcare09.org
MyBo link: http://tinyurl.com/lwappy
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/m8bv64
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
Barack Obama came to Manassas, Virginia November 3, 2008 (A day before he got elected to be President of the United States of America). I showed up 12 hours early. Still tired from Canvassing in Manassas and Alexandria, I showed up early just for the opportunity to hold his hand. It worked. After his speech he walked right up to me. I screamed, Obama, I came from California driving just to see you. He was very polite and responded, "Thank you very much." Ahh!! Then I held his hand against my cheeck and kissed it as if he was the pope. I have never felt compelled to kiss anyone's hand that way, but I did. I was so excited!
Click Here to see the Photos from the Manassas, Virginia Rally
crossposted from: http://princesamwise.gaia.com/blog/2008/11/what_do_we_want_equality_when_do_we_want_it_now
(all pictures copyright to Samme S. Samareta)This is Samme blogging from Sacramento, capital of California at the Rally on Repeal Prop. 8, Marriage Equality March. Thousands of people, men, women, teens and children rallied peacefully around the Sacramento Capitol that started around 10:30 AM. This rally is also organized around cities large and small in America and around the globe who would like to show their support for love, equality and human rights. Proposition 8 won on the Nov. 4 election which bans same sex marriage and it fosters discrimination and hate not just for our gays and lesbians brothers and sisters but it is also a violation on people's basic human rights and constitutional rights. The fact that this peaceful rally is happening around the globe is a testament to love, positive change and oneness. Love will prevail and love will win. All of my photos from this rally are now uploaded at my Flickr account. Check out my Sacramento Marriage Equality Rally photos at Flickr by clicking here. Men, women, teens and children marched shouting, "What do we want? Equality! When do we want it? Now!" Let us hope that Prop. 8 which is a proposition of H8 (hate) be repealed and overturned. Love and equality to all! Thank you, SammePassionately blogging for peace, love and equalityThe following photos are just a few of my selected ones that I uploaded to My Gaia Photos.It is not all of it, otherwise it will take time to load this page. : ) More Change Is Gonna Come!Kudos to the Street Team volunteers!!! Thank you!The Sacramento CapitolLET FREEDOM RING!LET THE LIGHT SHINE AND SPREAD LOVE ALL OVER THE LANDS!
We will see how this will turn out in the Obama administration.
It's very possible that many of you attended Obama's historic rally at Manassas, VA on November, 3 2008. This was historic for many reasons, but mostly because Virginians helped put Obama over the top and volunteers, like us from MD, succeeded in our volunteer efforts towards turning our closest neighbor into a BLUE State!! :)
I hope that you enjoy some photos in this slideshow that I'd like to share with you on this historic event. :)
It was an exciting night at the Prince William Country Fairground. I got there early enought to be close enough to the stage to see his comfortable smile in spite of the hardships of travel and the loss of his grandmother!
Barack Obama's Final 2008 Campaign Rally in Manassas, VirginiaNov 3, 2008 November 03, 2008 C-SPAN Senator Barack Obama spoke at a campaign rally at Prince William County Fairgrounds in Manassas, Virginia.
Obama Campaigns in the Final Stretch - washingtonpost.com
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/11/04/GA2008110401199.html
There were 70-100,000 of us. We all shouted that we were "fired up" and "ready to go."
"I'm feeling kind of fired up. I'm feeling like I'm ready to go," Obama told nearly 100,000 people gathered for his final rally Monday night in Virginia.
"At this defining moment in history, Virginia, you can give this country the change it needs," Obama said to voters in a state that hasn't voted for a Democratic presidential nominee in 44 years.The Illinois senator's final day of campaigning was bittersweet: he was mourning the loss of his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who helped raise him but died of cancer Sunday night and never got to see the results of the historic election.
"At this defining moment in history, Virginia, you can give this country the change it needs," Obama said to voters in a state that hasn't voted for a Democratic presidential nominee in 44 years.
The Illinois senator's final day of campaigning was bittersweet: he was mourning the loss of his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who helped raise him but died of cancer Sunday night and never got to see the results of the historic election.
Thanks for reading this blog. I got in late last night and didn't get a lot of sleep, but it's time for me to head back to Virginia and get out the vote. I hope that some of our paths will cross at victory celebrations and on the mall in Washington for the inauguration.
Sincerely,
Henry M
This song is dedicated to Barack Obama. It is performed by Kate Schutt with an all-star band. To learn more about the band and why exactly the song was written, visit: http://www.myspace.com/songforobamaOr: http://www.kateschutt.comWe wrote this song in answer to his invitation to join him, to follow his lead and to be leaders ourselves. This song doesnt contain political messages or answers, but is about overcoming fear and moving forward, even if what lies ahead is unknown. Its up to us to make the future known. We cant wait for it to happen to us, but must make it happen, even if we are nervous or afraid.Arent people always nervous and a bit afraid before they do great things, however small? Think of the soldier who must walk, at all hours, down streets and alleys he doesnt know. Think of all public school teachers everywhere. What about the athlete before the whistle blows, or the artist faced with a blank canvas or page? This song is about people who live anonymous lives, who arent brave for fame. Its about us and the way we have to choose every single day between succumbing to our fears and anxieties or overcoming them.
You can also watch the video on YouTube directly at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBYHDs3ufK4/
Four days before Election Day 2008, I drove with a friend from my home in the San Francisco Bay Area to Henderson, Nevada, just outside Las Vegas, for a rally with Barack Obama. We arrived in Las Vegas on the Friday night preceding the Saturday morning event, which also happened to be Halloween. With little else to do before driving out to Henderson to take our places among the first in line for the Obama rally, we did what any other visitor does on a Friday night in Vegas: We went to the Strip. This was of course a strange prelude to the Saturday morning event, as apolitical a beginning to a political weekend as I can imagine. Surprisingly, among the crowds of revelers along the Strip in almost any kind of costume one can imagine, I didn't see a single Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden, or Sarah Palin. As always, Vegas seemed to occupy a world entirely its own.
Once we tired of the Strip, we drove the few miles out to Henderson on the southern edge of metropolitan Las Vegas and located the rally site, a local high school football stadium. By two or three o'clock in the morning, dedicated Obama supporters were already taking their places in line at the gate, and we soon took our places among them. I personally had never "camped out" for any kind of event, be it a political rally, rock concert, or movie premiere, but at this event I had no intention of being any further from the front than I had to be. Our diligence paid off, and once the gates were opened we and other early arrivals were able to take places along the rope line in front of a crowd that grew to number around 15,000 (see BarackObama.com, Las Vegas Review-Journal; photos available also at Flickr).
Obama's 25-minute speech contained many of the same points he has made throughout his campaign, but lacked nothing in excitement for being what one might describe as a "standard Obama stump speech" with a little extra dose of urgency just three days before Election Day. Introduced by Nevada's own Senate majority leader Harry Reid, Obama arrived at the podium to wild applause and screams of support, the energy all positive. I couldn't help but take wonder at how the overwhelmingly positive atmosphere at this event contrasted the ugly rage, bitterness, and hate we have all seen on video from McCain/Palin rallies. The one time booing started at the mention of John McCain, Obama reminded the crowd as at other rallies recently, "You don't need to boo. You just need to vote."
In his speech Obama reminded his supporters that the election has yet to be won: "Don't believe for a second this election is over. Don't think for a minute that power concedes. We have to work like our future depends on it in these last few days, because it does. But I know this, Nevada: The time for change has come." As he spoke, the tiny silhouettes of police and/or Secret Service lookouts could be seen atop buildings and other high points around the rally site, just in case anyone should wish to harm the Democratic nominee. Secret Service agents also patrolled the crowd and shared the open space between Obama's stage and the rope line with news photographers taking rapid-fire shots both of Obama up at the podium and of the cheering crowd. A helicopter circled over the rally site, too high to tell whether it was a news helicopter or police.
For us and others at the front of the crowd, the climax of the event came at the close of Obama's speech, as he began to make his way along the rope line to depart. Surrounded by Secret Service agents and rapid-firing news photographers, Obama moved along the rope line shaking hands, kissing babies, and thanking his supporters. The Secret Service agents pushed back against the metal barriers as the crowd surged forward to get a glimpse of Obama or shake his hand. My friend and I suddenly found ourselves with little room to move or even breathe as Obama approached and the crowd pressed in around us, holding their hands out in hopes of getting a handshake with the man they hope will be the next President of United States. We both did get handshakes with Obama when he finally arrived at our place along the rope line, and when my turn came I looked into Obama's face and told him the first thing I could think of to say: "You are going to be a great president." Obama looked back at me and said in all sincerity, "Thank you." Then he was gone.
Finally, as Obama moved away from us along the rope line shaking more hands and kissing more babies, we got a chance also to shake hands with Harry Reid. Having previously shaken hands with Ted Kennedy at an Obama event in Oakland just before the California primary, I can now say that I have shaken hands with three of the people Republicans most love to hate. One of those hands, I hope, will soon be holding the keys to the White House.
If you have any doubts left about what kind of president Barack Obama would make, just look at how he's run his campaign. When has anyone united so many people like this since M.L. King or J.F. Kennedy? For the most part, he kept it clean and avoided smear tactics too. And can you run a more organized campaign? If he can do that, he certainly can manage our government!
When I was at his rally in Leesburg VA on October 22nd, I was amazed at the crowd! They were as polite and happy a group as ever I've witnessed. And 35,000 of them at that! No nasty name-calling, pushing or shoving! Just people together, excited to see Senator Obama and there to support him. The group looked like the 1970s Coke commercial! Finally the America I have idealized and dreamed about really can come true.
It seems painfully obvious to me that Senator Obama is out to help and unite everyone, all Americans, all ages, sizes and colors! I truly believe the more people that know more about him cannot avoid seeing that. Please keep the support going these last few days!
It has been almost two months since my grandmother started her blog at 85andchange.com. Working on this project with her has been so exciting. She never ceases to amaze me with her energy and tenacity. She is a most amazing woman, and it means so much to me to have had this experience. I wish every grandchild could have a bonding experience like this with their grandparents. We have so much to learn from our elders.
Over the last several weeks have traveled to see Joe Bide, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton. Each speaker has been an inspiration and motivational. But today the excitement hits an all time high. Today we get to go downtown and see Barack, Michelle, and Bruce Springsteen! What an appropriate and fitting end of the campaign. We are both so excited, we can't contain ourselves! The only excitement that can compare to it will come on Tuesday evening when it becomes clear that the nation has chosen Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States!
Actress/civil rights activist/icon Ruby Dee headlined our Parade for Change rally here in New Rochelle, NY today. Intro You must enter an Intro for your Diary Entry between 300 and 1150 characters long. Actress/civil rights activist/icon Ruby Dee headlined our Parade for Change rally here in New Rochelle, NY today.
About 700 people turned out on a sunny fall afternoon to show the city's support for Barack Obama and Joe Biden with a rally on the steps of City Hall, and a 2 mile march to Library Green and back. Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Mayor Noam Bramson and City Councilman James Stowe joined Ruby Dee to address the crowd, along with rally organizers Angelique Francis and Caroline Graves. The gathering was representative of the diverse population of this small city (population 72,000) in Westchester County. Youngsters carried handpainted signs and us older folk shouted variations on favorite slogans from rallies and marches past. The goal was to remind our fellow citizens to Get Out The Vote; the mood was hopeful and collaborative, with people volunteering to help at the polls and hand out literature at the train station. The police were great; they blocked off part of North Avenue, the city's main thoroughfare, for our march, and for the most part our parade was greeted enthusiastically by motorists (who honked their horns gleefully and displayed their own buttons and tee-shirts) and pedestrians, who waved and yelled along with us.
We know New York is not a battleground state -- many of us have traveled to Pennsylvania over the last two months to help where we are needed -- but it felt good to create some excitement here at home.
