Posts with the tag ideas

STEAL THIS

Fredrich from Roanoke, VA — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:42:23 EDT

We should have a rally titled "Take My America Back" ~Basically, instead of protesting, we have workshops...a workshop on how to manage your finances with credit cards--taught for free, by pros; workshop for easy how-to's to create less of a foot print on earth--all under 100 dollars (easy 'go green' meets HGTV); workshop on hospital terminology--so we can understand what doctors are actually telling us, now, and make better future decisions, now!; workshop on CPR--....enough said really; workshop on cooking for a family of 4--under 50 bucks a day; workshop titled 'xxnumber of ways to start losing weight--tomorrow' (take the steps, stretch more, really tho. Why do we only stretch when we have or anticipate the idea of future pain due to our own out-of-shapeness?;is that a real word?; workshop on being a new driver--partially taught by teens from that very same community; workshop titled 'not for me'-- workshop for young adults planning for their futures (only own what you can afford!); workshop on indentifying financial leakage--we dont 'need'...eeeeverything!; workshop on real third world countries--a humbling lesson learned when you see how good we really have it; and finally (cuz I really could go on forever)a workshop titled 'explain, please?!'--help people understand how to effectively utilize their cell phones (explain things like social networking/SMS/MMS/BBM/AIM/Apps/WAPs/GPS/VVM...wow!)

The Catch:

1)...I dont want to organize it by myself LOL 1.5) its FREE for all! 2) I would love to have each 'rally' have at least one local person in each and every workshop = dedicated AMERICANS giving up their free time to help other PEOPLE...and yes, I meant PEOPLE, all of them. 3)Ideally: head to toe voluntary...no one gets paid, its all voluntary!; not the sponsors, not the organizers, not the appearences, not the musical acts, not even the clean-up crew...I mean really...we have a ton of unemployed people sitting around with countless degrees and experience and nothing else to do. Lets step up! 4) Lastly, if this ever came to pass, I would love to present a check to the President of the United States, that day, on the National Debt (cummulation of tax free donations created from these events, by people who believe in helping others for the sake of helping others) This is our country...we already own it, so lets own up to it! I owe it to YOU! This is me taking ownership of my America (insert picture of Uncle Sam--ironic) America, you down?!

U.S. Health Care Reform Ideas - add your ideas and comments

Unknown user — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:07:55 EDT

Using the principles of capitalism to find solutions to Health Care Costs and providing Health Care coverage as a safety measure to prevent death, the negative impacts on the U.S. economy, harmful perceptions, increase the health and productivity of the U.S. population, and increase economic growth.

Major objectives are to Reduce Costs, Guarantee Choice, and Ensure Affordable Care for all. The impact of health care and its costs on the capacity and productivity levels of the whole U.S. population, on the U.S economy.

The root and cause of health problems and increasing health care costs in the U.S. is the U.S. diet. obesity epidemic, heart and stoke, and cancer.

A monopoly and control over health by the medical community. The deteriorating health of the U.S. population would indicate that there has been some kind of failure by the medical community or some kind of contribution to it. incentives for costly solutions and profit, pharmaceuticals linked to costly solutions and increasing demand for their products, controlled information and documentation, self regulation

Concepts of law or human rights - Every person has a right to the safety and security of their person.
Concepts of policyy - Get tough on things that contribute to or increase health care costs.

EV's Fast track to dominant the world.

The Idea Man — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:14:56 EDT

My view on the auto industry is that it will be 25 to 50 years till electric vehicles will be the dominant not the hybrid in auto sells. But if congess provided the prize money for Nascar EV's races, nationwide in trucks, cars, drag, tractor pulls, motocross and Baha, competing independents and the Big 3 will move that date forword, based on ticket sales at the stands and the popular support in the pits. The only industry that will be affected is oil, as EV,s have low need of it. New jobs galore will happen if the prizes are large. Three to five Years should do it.

A Home Relief Plan With Merit and Consequences

LOL — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:42:36 EST

Here is a better way to address the failing housing market. The government opens up a new hosing department. One that is understood to have a hopefully temporary life span. This new agency will negotiate a new value for the home. The new housing authority will then buy the house from the bank for whatever “payoff” is. They get their money back. If they had planned on that interest coming in, they are no different then the home buyer who though he would be employed and healthy for 30 yrs. “You guessed wrong. Here is your consolation prize, your money back.”

People who sign onto these programs are relinquishing the ownership of the house. The difference between the payoff value and the newly negotiated market price becomes a debt to the participant. Strict limits would be placed on their ability to hold credit. The ex-homeowner has proven by their situation that they do not grasp the risk of credit. A 5% increase in their taxes will be asses in order to pay off the remaining balance.

INVESTING IN AMERICA

Marcus from Houston, TX — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:57:14 EST

Investing in America.

My name is Marcus E. Hytche, I reside in Houston Tx. Bellow outlined is a plan to save American jobs, promote technologies and spark idealism, while creating large amounts of capital for investors:

Currently I am 42 years of age, I consider myself sort of a father of invention. Reason for saying such, God has BLESSED me with the gift of ideas, but not just ideas actual designs ie: At the age of about 8 , I was given the idea of a cd player, not knowing what it was nor what to do with it . Now I have understand what God gives me.

Southwest Region Press ReleaseFor Immediate ReleaseRelease No. ASW 05-04
September 23, 2004
Contact: John Clabes, Roland Herwig
Phone: (405) 954-7500 FAA Tests Radar to Detect Birds Near RunwaysFORT WORTH — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is testing a new bird detection radar at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The radar — if the tests are successful — might be used to warn air traffic controllers of a potential danger to aircraft.The FAA's airport technology research and development branch is testing a small, portable short-range radar near the ends of several runways at DFW. The radar, with a three-mile range, can track movement of flocks of birds and alert airport authorities of a danger to arriving and departing air traffic. About 2,500 flights a day operate in and out of DFW.Short range radar wow how much more money can one waste. I have more than one invention that will keep all birds away from flying planes that is so cost effective. So someone please help me, let us make some money as well as save human lives.

I have been in a wheelchair and homeless for several months now and it has thought me several things. Several 2-3 layers of cardboard glued together is as rigid as sheetrock, makes an outstanding insulates, paintable and a lot more cost effective; I find it by the bundles, as trash. I know of a very cost effective way to turn cardboard into sheetrock like substance or even geenboard, and reduce land fills.

Currently I produce specialty lamps, Lamps with live fish inside low maintnce they overwhelm people when they see them, but I don’t produce many of them, I am afraid of someone stealing my idea, and the fact I am homeless and have 0 income. nowhomeless@yahoo.com

OVERVIEW

There are lots of people in this world like myself who have great ideas, ideas that could produce large amounts of capital as well as put communities to work.

Ideas from Americans that put American workers to work.

Along beside a patent researcher and several successful small business owners who sit on the board of a company that purchase ideas after reviewed by patent researcher and the board to see if freezable, marketable and the likes thereof

PLEASE HELP SAVE LIVES INCLUDING MINE. Homeless and hungry nowhomeless@yahoo.com

Economic Stimulus and Recovery

Faron, NC — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:08:17 EST

Unemployment: Regardless of the tax breaks, housing issues and all other ideas in any proposal. If you don’t stop the unemployment and put people back to work so they actually have money to benefit from the tax breaks and housing benefits proposed and so they can start purchasing items, getting loans for homes and vehicles, investing in stock and or otherwise spending money, then regardless of the amount of the package, you will not have stimulated spending or our economy. JOBS are the foundation of stimulation.

JOBS: It is vitally important that the jobs created are created throughout the country with various skills. I assure you that those that have lost their jobs and will lose their jobs are from various locations and with various skills. So specific projects, proposed in any bill, will not suffice since they are limited in both location and skill.

How do you create Jobs?: I continuously hear everyone say, including the President, that our small businesses are the backbone of job creation and our economy. Why is that? It’s because they are all across the country and provide a variety of jobs and they borrow and spend?
How do you stimulate small business?: Normally small businesses which are existing or that which wish to start up seek private funding through investement, loans and federal assistance. However due to the current economic EMERGENCY, the private sector options are no longer available. This leaves only Federal funding for small businesses.
Our Federal agencies hold many applications from small businesses.: Various agencies have applications from small businesses that want to do work, some of which the government is requesting to be done. Some of which they have come up with on their own, which are called “unsolicited proposals” but which could still be of value. Some of this work is manual labor, some of this work is research and a lot of it is a variety of other opportunities.
Some funds could already be available!: Many of these Federal agencies most likely already have some funds set aside for Grant funding or other funding. These agencies could pull all small business applications and Grand Total the amounts needed to fund all of them and the stimulus package could authorize additional funds, which may or may not be needed. The stimulus package and/or a Directive by the President should order these agencies to "clear their coffers". This may seem like an extreme measure, but these are extreme times.
Some may argue that this will diminish private investment opportunities.: Contrarily by providing these small businesses with funding to start up or perform work, they can begin to invest and seek investors with the capital which is provided to them and/or with their success as they grow .
Perhaps some of the funds being directed to the TARP packages could be redirected here.: Since the issue for our financial institutions is not neccesarily having the money available, but rather a way to move the money, our small businesses can provide for two means of helping with this issue. First they can provide the monies through creating bank accounts and/or making deposits into existing accounts. They will conduct daily business that will begin to rotate these funds and stimulate the economy.
The definition of small business has already been defined.: The Government has already defined the term "small business", so there is no need to redefine it or figure out what articulates into a small business.
These small businesses have already gone through the Grants.gov verification processes!: Before applying for Grants, SBIR’s and/or STTR’s each business must go through a verification process.
There are already established monitoring systems set up.: Government auditing, reports and etc..are already established by each agency.
Grants.gov already has bank routing numbers for each business.: As a requirement during the verification process, Grants.gov requires that a bank account already be established. The funds could be dispersed quickly and put to use quickly.
Unfortunately the amounts they offer, $100,000 to $150,00 in most case are not sufficient to actually start a business. A business beginning with nothing has to have the funds needed to buy supplies, lease property, purchase equipment etc… and cover salaries for at least a year to allow the business to grow and build a customer base which can sustain them. Another source for small business interest is the Small Business Administration.
It is important to provide enough funding: to allow for these businesses to start and to have enough to sustain them for at least a year, two years would be best, so that they can build a customer base to sustain themselves. Not all will succeed and it could be required that unused funds be returned if they fail. But I believe there will be many more that will succeed and some may even provide us all with some unexpected benefits.
So have theses agencies, a list of Granting Agencies is on Grants.gov, pull all small business applications and provide funding. Open up more opportunities for small businesses. These small businesses are ready, willing and able to begin work and put others to work, so let them.
What is the real benefit of small business?
They employ, they buy, they bank, they borrow, they invest, they provide investment opportunities and they spend all across the country.: This stabilizes current businesses and allows them to hire more employees, to buy, to borrow and to spend. They all pay taxes to their states, they pay for permits from municipalities, counties and/or other forms of government, creating State and local revenue. They are perpetual, in that they continue, whereas a stimulus check to Americans may help, it does not provide a continuing of spending and rotation of capital as small businesses would while conducting daily business. They do not require any trade agreement specifications or a “Buy American” provision.
Their employees buy, bank, invest, borrow and spend all across the country.: They pay State and local taxes which creates revenue for them.

In the end, the only real stimulation you could provide which can do what needs done, is through creating jobs all across the country with a variety of work skills. To meet that objective effectively you have to build up your small business base.

Taxes: This is another key part of the stimulation and recovery. Tax cuts can clearly help to build business and encourage spending by both the businesses and the workers, however to reiterate, if you don’t have a job, it does nothing.

Housing: Can be a part of helping and some legitimate proposals along these lines should always be considered.

State Aid: Some state aid can help, but keep in mind if you’re putting people to work you can reduce a large amount of funding for unemployment and Medicaid since it want be needed.

In closing, let's create jobs, create futures, stimulate capital rotation and continue this rotation and provide the ability to help pay back the debts incurred by the Federal Government. If small business is the backbone, then let’s support our back so we can stand up and walk, then maybe as we walk, we can soon begin to run again.

That way when all the other bills such as TARP and others can actually do some good.

Americans have a way of pulling themselves up. Give us a chance to show you how well we can do that and help us, help you, help us all.

Small Businesses, existing and new, could play a big part of stimulating our economy and progression to recovery. It should be included in conjunction with other ideas which are currently a part of the plan.

Citizens Briefing Book

Tim Schram — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:00:37 EST

Has anyone heard about the future of the Citizen's Briefing Book. I thought it was an excellent idea and would love to see it included in the "white House" site. It would be wonderful to have that kind of voice throughout the administration and maybe from this point on with subsequent administrations.

Sacred Cow #5 - Eating Away At Self-worth

Rheanni — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:04:44 EST

Have you ever decided not to do something because you've imagined that what you have to offer doesn't fit in with the common definition of what is acceptable?

Somehow I doubt that you and I are the only ones who have had that experience. So I have decided to go after a very special herd of Sacred Cows.

These bovines sneak around behind the scenes supporting the premise that our worth and value is determined by something outside of us.

They eat away at our good ideas, intentions and hopes for the future.

OBAMA has already affected change!

Tanja _ Obama Accessory — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:26:18 EST

Has he affected you in any way? Especially as it relates to the fact that nearly 2 million jobs have been lost over the course of not even one year? GM announced the other day that it will close its doors for at least the next four weeks! Another 145,000 jobs are in danger!

BUT - Barack Obama states that he has asked his economic team to devise an economic recovery plan to save or create at least 3 million jobs, while rebuilding our infrastructure and improving our healthcare system as well as school systems at the same time - from an environmental standpoint the promise to us of reducing the dependency on oil (rumors say could cost us $400 Million or more).

There are several aspects, especially with a new government and the changes that will come along with it, on how you can get back to jump start your life! We need to start implementing new strategies, new ideas and help one another to get back on track. We owe it to ourselves, to our loved ones, friends, neighbors and especially our kids - who will be OUR future leaders! It is in our hands to make the most out of our life, create values again and make our lives enjoyable - but all we need to really do is slightly change our way of thinking!

This is a subject that can definitely not be discussed with just one blog - but I would like to tap into different areas and different subjects as it relates to our new government, our new president and our future on a frequent basis and hope to steer interest in each and every one of you, exchange thoughts and together come up with new ideas and strategies.

One area I would like to touch upon today is the survival of the information age - "Turning an unread generation into a reading generation." We are all in the information age and information is more accessible today than it has ever been. History has proved that human success was largely based on the "who you know" concept of networking and "butt kissing".

However, today human success is more based on "what you know" with faint shadows of the "who you know" concept still lingering.

Finally, the ability to learn fast and acquire vast amounts of information can actually be used to get ahead and succeed. This new age of information has rolled out a giant welcome red carpet for independent artists, small businesses or anyone with a great idea. Are you talking advantage of it?

In the industrial age Barack Obama could have never became president of the United States. I believe it is the age that we are currently in that made it possible for him to succeed. The information we have access to and the interest in each individual to create better lives for ourselves and our children is available.

Basically, we have a smarter nation and I see it natural for us to have chosen the candidate we relate to the most. There is an old saying that was very popular and relevant in the industrial age that "only the strong survive." I believe this saying still holds some validity; however I believe that we should be adding a new phrase to that, which is a bit more current and useful for today's times - "It's not what you know, but what you don't know that will hurt you." Crucial knowledge is what stands between millions of talented people, today, and their success and so many of us are still not reading or trying to gain as much knowledge as they should. I read whatever I can get my hands on. It's thought that to keep knowledge away from certain people, simply put it in a book, because most people do not read. Here is an example for you: A friend of mine owns a company that makes accessories and home décor out of newspaper and magazines and it wasn't until he read more about money, marketing and business that he reached the level of success he has today! You can see his Obama line at Obama Accessory. So when looking through his merchandise for items I like, I find myself looking for articles and words from the images that are available. The bottom line is - there is so much information out there today and in the age we are in, with a new president, with times changing, we need to make that necessary shift in our way of thinking and get out there, acquire the knowledge we need and create the happiness in life we want to achieve! TOGETHER WE CAN!

Collective Intelligence - Idea Generation to Realization (Tool Suggestion)

Jason Ty Bridge — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:42:12 EST

I am excited to hear your the plans to tap into the collective intelligence of the nation (and possibly the world).

My rational mind has trouble grasping that from the diversity of the crowds and wisdom of collectives, come brilliance beyond belief. However, my life experiences both professionally and personally, continues to validate the power of the collective.

To that end - I recently ran across a company - BRIGHTIDEA (www.brightidea.com). I am investigating collective intelligence and collaboration tools. This one struck me to have covered some powerful components needed to open up idea generation to the public, with visibility, prioritization, and management.

You and your team may want to check them out if you have not already.

FULL DISCLOSURE:

I have yet to see product demo.
I have not used the product.
I am not affiliated with the company in any way at this time.
I have yet to evaluate the market and other similar products.

Words

Adam Riff — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:01:48 EST

Sometimes its hard to express what your idea is in words. Pictures are sometimes no help either. You have an idea, you know what it is and how it will help but you can't articulate it.

I know how you feel because I sometimes feel the same way. But look, we can't let that hold us back. We may not all be eloquent but the substance is what matters.

I have a lot of ideas that I'd like our administration which I believe will keep its promise of goverment by the people to listen to, really listen to and consider. I'll use this blog to do that.

Re-Tool America

Ed — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:11:24 EST

Time to invest in America and her people.

Manufacturing built this country and for too long we have given away the technology and jobs of producing products for profits.The idea is to have a law that specifies American Content in Government purchased products. Although there is the "Buy American Law", it doesn't go far enough nor has it been enforced to truly start the rebuilding of America. We need a "New Deal" approach.

I'm not talking protectionism, I’m talking reinvestingism (my word) in the very people who make this country great. Investing in our citizens through job creation is the surest way to guarantee we have the best, highly skilled workforce in the world.

Our National Security depends on the ability to manufacture our country's defense products especially in the time of need. Americans have always pulled together when necessary to protect our freedoms, now is the time to re-invest in America and re-tool our ability to sustain and win handily in the future.

Tax dollars should be required to be spent at home whenever possible with strict guidelines for these government contracts of billions of dollars a each and every day that is put out for bid.

We attract the result

Ed — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:54:01 EST

We attract the result:

We as consumers and middle class workers reap what we sew. We are the benefactors of inaction and the recipients of our actions.
Basically what this means is we perpetuate what happens through our actions or in-actions.
We are constantly fed “bad news” about:

            The economy
            Society
            Government
What happens is when we start to believe all of the “bad news”, it perpetuates more bad news.
“People are tightening their belts”
“Fear of layoffs”
“Retail outlook not good”
“Bad day on wall street”
Looks pretty gloom and doom doesn’t it?

What would happen if people started saying:
“I’ll spend the same as I always do, maybe more”
“I’m not buying it, there’s not going to be layoffs, it will get better”
“Retails sales will grow”
“Wall street is doing better than expected”
“We are going to have an American Made Tanker for our country’s defense”
“We will create good paying American jobs”

Or how about this one:
“Now that the Bush led Republican administration have successfully ran this country into the ground at our expense, there is hope on the horizon and although it will be challenging, we are going to make it through it and be better for it.”

The bottom line is simple. When we as a society accept what we read and hear as the truth, we perpetuate what happens next. Do we succeed or fail? My answer is always, we will overcome any obstacle thrown our way.

METHOD OF OPERATION BY THE AUTO INDUSTRIES & GOVERNMENT

Kimberly from Stoughton, MA — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:30:56 EST

IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE TO THINK THAT THE ELECTRIC CARS THAT ARE ON THE MARKET TODAY WILL WORK OR SELL FOR WHAT PEOPLE NEED AND ALSO CREATE JOBS?

Tell me how will a plug-in to charge electric car work if a person lives on the 15th floor of an apartment in Queens or living in any apartment if they can only park on the side of the road? This situation will cause many obstacles and hazards. If a family has more that one electric car, the aggravation and process of charging all the cars over night will cause people to go back to buying gas powered cars. The situation can be compounded when dealing with these dilemmas during bad weather? Worst of all, the many jobs that gas companies provide like truck drivers, gas station owners and workers and countless associated jobs will be lost and cause more people to be unemployed. The best type of electric cars are "Rechargeable Battery Exchange Cars". These cars will create more jobs. The way it will work, will be that when the battery runs out of power, the car owner will go to a station that sells gas for cars, but also has an area for battery exchange to switch the rechargeable battery that went dead for a battery that is fully charged.

How Will it Work:

Pulling up in front of a Battery Extract and Input System (BEIS) machine to exchange batteries. Swipe the credit card and select on the keypad the type of batteries. The options base on affordability could be two 50/50 batteries for 100 miles, 150 miles or 200 miles, a single battery for 50, 75 or 100 miles, the 50/50 batteries for 200 miles. Attached the BEIS tube to the car and select on the keypad the option to extract one or two batteries (process in less than a minuet). After which there will be a beeping signal to select the input batteries button . This process would takes less than a couple of minuets to complete. Remove the tube from the car and get receipt for the transaction.

The Bigger Picture:

Each state would have multiple energy farms of various types such as wind, thermo or solar energy generated and stored in warehouses geared solely for battery charging. These batteries would be picked up and placed on special delivery trucks from the warehouses. The batteries would then be delivered to Battery Exchange Stations and Engine Replacement Auto Centers. Every states have the same standard for fittings and sizes of batteries. Each state will have their own price for their batteries, there would be standards set for the minimum/maximum price of each battery nation wide. Batteries will be well insulted and automatically switch off on impact.

How the process will come together.

the Storage Facilities:
Wind, thermo, solar energy farms or a combination;
Warehouses for storing energy;
Rechargeable car batteries warehouses;
Battery defect detector and process warehouses;
Replacement engines plants to create rechargeable battery engines in cars already owned by consumers.

The Supporting Services:
Companies that develop equipments to build energy storage facilities;
Companies that provide rechargeable batteries, the systems and kits to operate and support the batteries;
Companies that will develop replacement engines suited for running a vehicle on electricity for cars currently running on gas;
Delivery trucking companies;
Battery Exchange Stations;
Engine Replacement Auto Centers;
Road side assistance companies;
Construction companies;
Many jobs in construction, delivery, engineering and support services of these jobs.

The Consumer Products:
Kits -recharge batteries at convenience;
Battery Exchange Stations;
Engine Replacement Auto Center.

The Delivery Services:
Battery handling systems. The battery itself will not be removable by consumers. Instead a Rechargeable Battery Extract and Input System (BEIS) will be used.

This system will have spacial locking mechanisms that will be equipped in Battery Exchange Stations activated upon payment and attachment to the vehicle where the battery is held.

BEIS will also be used in Battery Exchange Stations and road side assistance trucks;

Delivery trucks will transport batteries from the warehouses in large amounts to Battery Exchange Stations and in smaller amounts to Engine Replacement Auto Centers;

Engine Replacement Auto Centers will have road side assistance trucks specially equipped to hold BEIS.

The Advantages and Benefits:
Environmentally Safe;
Energy Independence from foreign means of acquiring energy;
Faster services at energy stations;

Option to charge the vehicle battery at convenience;
Efficient management and tracking of rechargeable batteries;

Working with the resources that is already available;
Lower prices as the market grows;
Job for various occupations;
Car companies to get a head start on creating the new engines for the cars of the greener future.

Things to Consider:
Laws and regulations;
Battery Standards;
Community Input;
Location for facilities;
Length to create a stable operation;
Financing the operation;
Who will lead this operation.

Companies like Valence (http://www.valence.com/) who according to them provide Lithium Phosphate U-Charge® Power System offers the optimal combination of performance, safety, cost, reliability and environmental characteristics. Also Beacon Power (http://www.beaconpower.com) - according to them designs and develops advanced products and services that support stable, reliable and efficient electricity grid operation and sustainable energy storage technology.

Let's give it a try.

Job Creation

Tony — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:03:25 EST

Greetings everyone, Obama's team could make a special web page on the website and have people import their online resumes into an emergency state or federal job application. This may not be possible, or legal untill January of 2009. If we can start doing background checks on people beforehand it would speed up the process. This would also give a morale boost to people all over the nation and give them hope that no matter what, there is work to be done if you have the will.

I myself just lost my job installing sprinkler systems for a local company (sigh). I go to college full time and could help modernize schools with ethernet and network computers.

God Bless.

Transition Reading 101

Ken — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:29:23 EST

A few good books to catch up on things as we get ready for inauguration. Can't afford to get blindsided!

The Wrecking Crew by Thomas Frank

How Race Survived US History by David Roediger

Tuned In by Craig Stull

Water Wars by Vandana Shiva

Welcome to the Terrordome by Dave Zirin

and, if you haven't read it yet, Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein

NEW IDEAS TO HELP AMERICA NOW

Ed from Fort Lauderdale, FL — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:43:41 EST

Congrats, even my 80 year old mother in Indiana voted for you which was no small feat.
I am a college professor in Fort Lauderdale and I made sure all my students went out and voted but I want to tell you, I admire your managerial skills, more than anything. One of the main things is getting people involved, when a person believes what they are doing is their idea or benefit to them, they always perform much better. Never before have I seen this applied enmasse as you did with our volunteers and donaters, which brings me to my point.

As a professor, I have noted that you already have a majority of the young people in college with you and now feeling part of our success. They are involved in your presidency and a year ago they did not even know who the vice president was. It is a entire new attitude from the young people, I love it. I have never seen this in 25 years of teaching.

My suggestion.. .offer a scholarship competition for the best energy efficient vehicle design,energy use in building and interior design, new energy sources and so on and so forth. Allow it developed at the university level in team effort so cross over skills in various programs can be utilized. Whenever ideas are exchanged between different majors thats when innovative new ideas occur Have a top 3-5 winner range,reward all members of the TEAM , faculty involved and school and do it annually.

You have a fired up base, students as well as educators. The minds are here to help America solve our energy crisis, competition always leads to perfection,drive and purpose. The reward increases all of these.

I am working in holographic technology we have already took 200 dollars worth of equipment and a couple months ago made a HD TV display the objects as holographs in front of you. This technology would decrease the need to travel by virtually putting someone in a conference room with complete interactivity without being there. If you watched CNN on election night they did this with an alternative method of broadcasting a live person.

This is here and it is available now.

Anyway, all America needs is a push in the educational system to develop it cheaply and enmasse.

If new jobs and new energy is what we need, we need new inovations and lets put our young minds in this manhanttan project and become the technology leaders of the world.

Campaign Suggestion-- "Barack's Give It Back Campaign"

Debbie Albert — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:20:40 EDT

I believe that Barack Obama is "Change We Can Believe In" I have read all of his books. I believe in his integrity, and all that he stands for. He has shown great judgment in troubled times, and his VP pick, Joe Biden is strong support on Foreign Policy. I even respect him suspending his campaign to visit his ailing grandmother. Barack Obama is a good man, and I believe that he is what this nation needs. I have heard all of the cries of foul from Republicans who believe that he is trying to buy this election, so I am suggesting a very strong idea that I hope others will ECHO. I call it "Barack's Give it Back Campaign" I have given money even when it tightened my wallet throughout this campaign, and I know others' have also, but WHAT IF remaining funds left from this campaign were funnelled right back into the U.S. budget? WHAT IF the first time in history a President was lucky enough to be left with tons of money in his account, and he decided to do the right thing for a nation with a broken economy. I think that this website could continue to collect funds, and the American people could even voluntarily help our nation help itself. So many good things have developed out of this campaign. By starting off the Presidency with a "Barack's Give it Back Campaign", I just don't see how any American could criticize our new President or the change that he plans to bring to the table! Yes, we can!

This is Change we Can Believe In!!!

-- Debbie Albert, RN, Ph.D.

Message to Obama: Bring on some Serious Change!

The IdeaMan — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:55:41 EDT

Senator Obama, I am a big supporter of your campaign - but as a business owner, veteran and long-time Democrat I am pretty concerned with how you are responding on the economy issue. This is a real opportunity for you to show us all exactly how serious you are about making a real 'change' in the way things are always being done.

Let's bring on some Serious Change! So far I don't see anything seriously new or "changed" in your economic suggestions. It's frankly the same old stale approaches and rhetoric that we've heard from every other politician. Ok, it's indeed better than anything McCain has suggested....and your Obama charm does a great job to make the rhetoric "sound" exciting, but the bottom line is - there is still nothing creative, new, different or which represents a fundamental 'change' in the way things have been done. Your approach so far hasn’t been any change at all – its’ simply an using different words to make it sound better.

Senator Obama, if you really want to show people like us that we can 'believe' you represent change, we need you to suggest solutions that are more transformational, unique, creative, and innovative than anything that's been done before. Serious solutions that help quickly....deeply...effectively and without costing taxpayers more huge sums of money.

Innovative solutions perhaps like:

- Immediately capping adjustable mortgage interest increases (so homeowners don't have to worry about higher payments or foreclosures)...

- Putting unemployed people back to work rebuilding our deteriorating infrastructure (roads, mass transit, parks, environmental protection, schools, security, etc)....

- Creating a short term ‘bridge' insurance program (similar to the FDIC) that will enable banks to defer payments for up to 120 days when someone loses their job due to a company closure or layoff (this won't require assuming ownership of the underlying asset, and could greatly enhance bank lending confidence)....

- Creating a ‘Foreign Displacement Tax’ for each job large companies create overseas (instead of in the US)

- Capping the retail price of gas and heating oil (so oil companies stop gouging consumers and are forced to seek more profitable alternative energy themselves)....

- Requiring the Iraqi's to PAY us for the security our troops are providing (from the billions in our oil money). This might even help end our involvement quickly.

Senator Obama, you are by far the better candidate, but in this economic mess, please show us that you can deliver the change you promise. Show us that you can be an innovator, a leader, a change-agent and an "Idea man". Your political future - and our entire country's economic future - are at stake. Now is the time.

PRE-WEEKEND BROWARD PLANS & STRATEGIES

Broward Amateur Strategist ( FL ) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:08:07 EDT

if your read the whole thing you'll appreciate it!! alot of info.. BUT SEND TO AS MANY FIRENDS AS POSSIBLE AND COMMENT!!!!! ''Maria Shriver said 8 inspirational words..
'We are the ones weve been waiting for'
but
'the world is the ones whos been waiting for us!'

waiting for us to lead on Global Warming..etc...ect.. (IND- favorablities)

(i think obama should use that as closgin campaign.)

Hello Everyone!! This blog is my ideas/suggestions for the weekend before the November election. We all now the United States is well aware of a massive movement that has swept across the country red and blue, he actually created a new American ''electoral color'' -- PURPLE. The human brain remembers alot, but when you vote on a Tuesday and your out on the weekend and you see massive...i mean M A S S I V E support for Obama that memory is going to stick with that person for that very important vote 3 days later. Broward County could/will offset the physical geography advantage of the conservatives in Florida (Broward County had risen to almost 1.8 million people, and increased by 10.1% between April 1, 2006 and July 1, 2006. This number is accounted for by an increase to 441,678 (25.3%) in its black population and an increase to 408,335 (22.8%)..Broward County is now "minority-majority". voter registarion needed though..35% of Floridas population in tri county area .I've listed resources and links to certain sites pertaining to the suggestion/idea.1. FRIDAY SATURDAY NIGHT (halloween/voters going out on the town)---We need big exposure in certain areas-las olas-a1a-downtown Ft. Lauderdale-downtown Miami-sawgrass mall-combing the beach-South Beach-Weston-Coral Springs-Parkland-swap shop-movie theaters in areas of higher dem pops/ & hispanic.. Also If you see parents try an angage!!!! A. FLAG WAVING-- Flag waving (Obama & American & State flag) visual is nothing but a positive.. 2 Areas of Flag Waving Needed (1)up and down las olas and a1a-downtown ft laud downtown miami south beach....(2) on major instersection/major offramps *oakland park-sr7*95-broward & 95-Sunrise-Borwas Blvd.*75 royal palm blvd area (coral springs)* YEARD SIGN ARE INMPORTANT IN ALL AREAS BUT ..in my opinions registration is over---go to the area with least supp. (w signage) http://www.united-states-flag.com/fl3x5p.html- FLORIDA STATE FLAG - PRICEhttp://www.united-states-flag.com/usflagprinpo1.html- USA Flag - PRICEhttp://bestcustomflags.com/- OBAMA FLAG/CUSTOM B. YARD SIGNS-BUMPER STICKERS-CONVERSATION-- I'll fist start off with bumper sticker (my niche is marketing/advertising) a bumper sticker is a visual advertiseent that us in south florida get an est. 800 cars a day that see that bumper sticker. (so i said it =)----Yard signs: We all know theres a sign war that has been going on for years but in this county the percentage is decresed because of the poltical lean in Broward - LIBERAL- but the point is agin VISUAL - READ THIS------------needed in all major broward (also tri county) instersections and offrapms to INTERSTATES/EXPRESSWAYS)There is growing interest in mental imagery for good reasons. First, imagery has ample potential for drawing information stored in long-term memory into working memory. This phenomenon has been called "high elaboration" by MacInnis and Price (1987), and tapping long-term memory is believed to lead to greater communications effectiveness (MacInnis and Jaworski 1989). Second, mental images have potential to be more personally relevant because they are anchored in the person's experience base and generated by his/her own mental processes. Strong relevance is a desirable facet of persuasive communications (MacInnis and Jaworski 1989). Next, imagery has the capability of being multisensory and thus could provide for multiple avenues of information processing. Triggering multiple channels of information processing is believed to enhance advertising effectiveness (Rossiter 1982; Lutz and Lutz 1978). Also, images are experiential rather than discursive; thus, they afford a richer base of raw stimuli. Finally, it can be argued that because imagery is believed to be more closely linked to long-term memory, is more personally relevant, and is richer, its effects on consumer attitudes and intentions will be more robust than stimuli which do not engage such depth and breadth of information processing. In fact, Richardson (1983) claims that the consequences of self-initiated thought imagery are indistinguishable from its genuine sensory counterparts. This contention underpins what should be the strong appeal of imagery to advertising strategists.--Conversation--conversate with people..example..''in the grocery line see a mag with obama- make a positive comment see there reaction-analyze it pos or neg...neg stae pos...pos well then...have a moment..lol =).... C. Media--keep ckeacking the event listing in the 150 mile range and if enough people call in and say theres 200 events going on today..belive they'll play a story. <---thats a big oneWell.. In my conclusion I am just a 22yo gay male working at technical support call center division in an internation satellitee company (whoms customer only get international channels 80% middle east i might add)..i make 10.00 an hour...I am just what I am but damnit I want this man in the white house!

A Battle of Ideas and Philosophy

Jamari from Herndon, VA — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:17:21 EDT

My Fellow Americans:

Ultimately, this election is not about Barack and Joe or McCain and Palin. This election is about a set of ideas and a philosophy about America's future. Taking a quick look at the Bush record, and particularly Bush's record of substantially increasing the footprint of the Federal Government and the amount of Federal debt, it is quite clear that we cannot, and must not continue with these failed policies of "big government". When we look at our economic situation, and the economic assault that we're under from China, we must remember that Congress, with its "big government" economic policies has effectively rendered America unable to compete via laws and regulations. America needs change!

If we wish to place blame for the current economic situation in America. Look no further. The Federal Reserve and Congress are to blame via their inept attempts to centrally plan an economy based upon a mirage of housing and debt. America must change. American must change away from the "big-government" policies of the Bush administration and today's congress!

So, remember, this election is about a competing set of ideas and philosophies. On one side, we have Barack and Joe, interested in continuing the "big government" policies of the past administration and on the other side we have McCain and Palin, interested in returning freedom and liberty to the people of America. My fellow Americans, that is the change we need.

Yours truly,

Jamari Jones

Solution to Foreclosure/Housing/Economic Crisis

Carol — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:59:51 EDT

It may be that in the problem there is a solution.

Millions of properties are currently in or moving into the foreclosure process. Many of these homes have persons renting them who are being forced into the street because the rents they paid to landlords are not being paid to banks. I just viewed a news story yesterday about a police official refusing to evict tenants who have been paying their rent.

Ideally, banks currently owning mortgages would set up a program where rent-to-own becomes the driving force of tenants becoming homeowners. A pool would be established for rent paid by tenants, which would accumulate on the home they occupy. When the minimum down payment amount is reached, the occupant would begin the process to purchase the property.

Less desirable would be for the government to buy these bad mortgages and then they set up this program.

Tenants have already chosen the homes where they live. A portion of the rent paid would be placed in a pool, eventually becoming a down payment for purchase. Homes would be occupied saving them from vandalism as well as deterioration of the surrounding neighborhood. This solution offers access to home ownership for families and individuals who currently do not have the savings required to purchase a home.

Families or individuals would instantly become invested in their neighborhoods or communities. I believe that Americans will quickly step up to the opportunity to own a home with money that they are already spending on rent.

The economy might be restored quicker than waiting for investors to take over these mortgages and then waiting for tenants to occupy them.

The Final Debate

Michele — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:03:59 EDT

Here are some ideas I think might resonate with Americans if introduced at the debate:

1. Introduce legislation for credit report amnesty for anyone who has had to declare bankruptcy due to medical bills. This is for decent bill paying Americans who for no other reason than a devestating catastrophic or chronic illness or traumatic accident has had their savings and credit ratings wiped out. To add to their misery, their credit records are destroyed. Limit of medical bankruptcy on a credit report to one year and prevent medical bill balances to affect FICO scores.

2. Tax credits to the Big 3 automakers to create hybrids and natural gas fueled cars.Remember when we cranked out B-24s AND B-52s? Why can't we do that again with E-cars?

3. Tax credits to any American to buy hybrids, etc. Not SUV tax credits for companies like the Bush Administration advocated.

4. Or start a "Lease a Saver" program. Create a "patriotic car" brand similar Smart Car and or the American version of the Prius. Crank them out like the Model T. Provide a cheap lease, no credit or money down. Dealers hold the title, drivers pay the dealers. Go on television and ask the American people to do their duty and turn in their gas guzzlers.

5. Allow a one time tax allowance if people turn in a gas guzzler. Many people are locked into a 5-year car loan or lease on a gas hog. Many people want to drive an economic vehicle but can't. Provide a way offset for the hit they will take prematurely ending a lease. This is serious stuff, we must find a revolutionary way to change the game and get Americans on board.

6. Encourage everyone to have AT LEAST - solar powered domestic hot water. Crank out these solar panels in Ohio or Michigan. Find the most depressed city in the nation and make it solar capital central. Make them plentiful and affordable. Jobs created to make them, Jobs created installing them on roofs, Jobs for plumbers making the conversion. National goal to have one on every roof. Power of the Bully Pulpit - make people ashamed if they don't have a solar panel on their roof. Promote solar panels as a natural badge of honor - a patriotic status symbol. Heck with lapel pins and magnetic car ribbons, get your hot water from the sun- do it because you love your country.

7. From the debate floor, provide a list of 5 things that you can ask the American people to do, starting the minute the debate is over. We are dying to be useful. Give us a list. It could be as simple as " I ask everyone watching tonight to replace the incandescent lightbulbs with energy saver bulbs." "Please stop speeding. And if you are behind someone going the speed limit and you are annoyed, please put your agressive driving aside for America's sake." This will save lives and save oil. On and on. Give us something to do! People made fun of Obama for the tire pressure thing - so the list could be more substantial, but while it seems obvious, we need to be told what we really want to be doing!

8. Go for the Pickens Plan big time. T.Boone Pickens is ON IT. He is dead serious and he is dead right. Obama needs to own this plan.

9. Announce your short list of candidates for some cabinet positions. This will make news.

A Fatal Cancer To The Republican Party

mhanch — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:58:42 EDT

Once, in my foolish youth, I considered myself a conservative. I certainly do not today. I am sure that I have written before that it was towards the end of the first Bush administration that I began my change, and living in Russia and meeting people from other cultures continued that change. But in this interview with Conservative author David Brooks, he brings up another thing that I had noticed, which has become much more prominent lately. (my emphasis)

Barrack obama/ speech skills

Katie from Colby, WI — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:51:48 EDT

Hello.

I am 14 years old and not able to vote in this election.

However, I think that barrack obama is sincere, trustworthy, and ready to lead our country into the future. I'm sorry but really can our great country take another 4 years of the same old junk that Mccain will bring.

Mccain kept talking about buying up the bad loans and houses. He talks about helping the Companys and never says anything about the middle or working class. And his speech making IS just that, a rehersed speech. He is not talking to you, just trying to sell himself.

Barrack, speaks to you, explains what he would do in a calm matter and you can tell that he is not just saying what he rehersed he is just talking to you like a person.

I believe what he says, Mccain just wants votes.

And They want to start drilling in the U.S.A, in Alaska. That is the one place we have not ruined! the one last pure place in our country we can't destroy that.

And it will not solve the problem, we will still be depending on the oil. We need to look for alternative fuel sorces.. This is what barrack wants to do .

So, lets look at what Presedint bush has done over the past 8 years and look at our econemy and then imagine 4 more years of it. We can't afford more of the same.

Sure barrack may be young adn not as experenced as other canidates But he has fresh ideas and we need something new..

Mr.Obama if you are reading this i wish you well and hope that you will lead our country back into greatness.

Best wishes

sincerely

Katie

Yes We Can, Too: McCain and the Politics of Imitation

Michael from San Francisco, CA — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:51:41 EDT

In light of the recent financial crisis, McCain's campaign released an ad with the slogan "enough is enough." Amid all the turmoil, the word choice seems unremarkable, but I couldn't help noticing that this is the same phrase Obama used a week before in his frequently quoted response to ads alleging sexism.

Then again, last Sunday, an article on Bloomberg.com quoted McCain saying "Obama offers 'absolutely no new ideas...'" A phrase that both Obama and his democratic allies have practically turned into a rallying cry against the GOP.

As isolated incidents, these little echoes could be written off as coincidence. After all, it's not like either side is coining new phrases. But they come at a time when McCain is busy reversing his economic philosophy and forgetting his anti-regulation history with an Orwellian vigor. And they come on the heels of a Republican National Convention that pitched their nominee as the (new) Candidate of Change, complete with a not-old, not-male vice presidential nominee to prove it.

Ear to the ground in Alexandria, VA

For Prezobama — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 19:59:22 EDT

What I overheard was disturbing. The message the loudmouth was giving was that "This is a white man's country. We are fighting a white man's war. The last thing I want is to give the country into hands of a Black Muslim at this time."

1. It's too late to change people's deeply ingrained mentality against the black man. Obama needs to play up his 50% whiteness to win this election.

2. "I am not a Muslim" needs to be established firmly. It is hobbling the campaign. Obama needs to publish pictures of him praying in front of Jesus or some other strongly Christian image to win this campaign. Can the Pope bless Obama? That could do the trick. Recruit the evangelists please.

Please Make a Donation in Honor of Sarah Palin

Louisa Rigali — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:50:22 EDT

Instead of sending around e-mails about how horrible Sarah Palin is, let's all make donations to Planned Parenthood in her name! The best part: PP will send her a card telling her that a donation has been made in her honor!!

Proposed Ad Contest

Cynthia A. Casby — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:57:58 EDT

Do you remember the contest that MoveOn.org ran during the 2004 election asking supporters to create their own political advertisements? It would be even easier to do today, thanks to YouTube. If the community supported it, we could use all this talent and computer power and hope and drive to create a terrific online ad. Yes, there are many such videos already on YouTube, but most are not of the quality needed to make undecided voters see that the Obama-Biden campaign is the one with the talent, intelligence, experience and plans to repair all the damage done to this country in the last eight years, improve their lives and keep our country safe.So I propose a contest. The prize is bragging rights over hit counts. Here are the rules, based on what is truly persuasive, IMHO:

Be creative but accurate. McCain and Palin have flip flopped more than any campaign I can remember. Find clips and quotes to show their inconsistency, ignorance, or bravado and let them make your point for you, in their own words.
Be professional - No personal endorsements. Do not personally appear in your video. Voters don't care what you think because they don't know who you are (unless you are a celebrity, then this rule doesn't apply). A series of person-on-the-street interviews is acceptable.
Cite your sources- use major media to make your point; quote your sources so people can check the original for themselves.
Don't be profane, lurid, or sensational - it only makes people skeptical of your motives.
Be civil - Keep the tone and volume reasonable - when you are right you don't have to shout.
Be respectful of these two politicians and what they have done in their lives - dissing the opposition makes you look emotional, irrational and overblown.
Be positive - show why we are right, not just why they are wrong
Pick a single theme - you can put up as many different entries as you like
Keep the video to no more than 30 seconds - maybe we can get the campaign to put the best ones on TV!
Have fun.

Post your entries on YouTube, and submit a link by pasting the link to a blog post here on myBarackObama.com (click on My Blog on your Dashboard) Include a title and short description of your video. Put "Ad Contest" in your blog post title. Everyone can vote by putting videos they like in Favorites on YouTube, Sharing the best videos, and using any YouTube techniques to increase the ranking of the best videos. You can do this, even if you have never posted to a blog or made a video before. We have so much talent, computer power and Google-ability in our community. We need to use it to help the campaign. I'll have my entry up in a couple of days. Watch here for more.

ROAD TO NOWHERE

bingading — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:06:06 EDT

So Palin's famous "bridge to nowhere" is actually a "road to nowhere". She took the money for the bridge and put in a road. Wouldn't it be a great slogan for the Republicans rather than "country first"...how about "road to nowhere". I'm visiualizing an ad with a desolate landscape, the fog rolling in, with an empty road leading to the abyss. That, my friends, epitomizes the Republican party. Leading us absolutely NOWHERE!!!!!! Obam/Biden have a clear vision of where they want to take this country. The imagery that could be used here is all you need to show the contrast between the Republicans and the Democrats.

OBAMA CAMPAIGN....USE THIS...CAPITALIZE ON THIS....There's too much material out there to be ignored. I'm a graphic designer and would be happy to show these ideas to you on paper. I'm willing to do anything to EXPOSE these corrupt people!!!!!

Pre-Announce Key Cabinet Posts: The Power of the Team

Michael Piacentini — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:34:40 EDT

Actions Speak Louder than words: Smart Women and Health Care
Today's creative idea is to use selective pre-announcements of key nominations to make news. This could be partnered with another news activity or just used as an announcement "event." Properly packaged, this could result in multiple press events. The idea is: "Obama believes in a team effort of smart people, not just media stunts like the Sarah Palin nomination."

The pre-election nominations would be strategically chosen to make a point about having a real plan of action as well as a strong statement of "team to work for you." An example announcement would be: Hillary Clinton as Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Monica Morrow as Surgeon General. (Bio in Extended Post)

*************************************************
Example Press Release

Obama's Team Emerges: Women's Health First
(Washington) Presidential Nominee did something today no presidential candidate has ever done before, announced key appointments BEFORE election. "The American people are not just electing a president, they are electing a team of professionals whose charge it is to make a difference in the future of America. That team begins with me and Joe Biden, but American deserves to see the team that will make a difference in their lives going forward. Well America, here is our team and they will start to work, not next year but right now. Americans have said ENOUGH talk and "swiftboat" politics. We want action. We want progress. We want change that we can see. And that is exactly what we are going to do."

Two of Obama's key nominations left Washington today to get to work--weeks before the election. Senator Hillary Clinton was nominated as Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Monica Morrow as Surgeon General. (See Dr. Morrow's bio below.) Senator Clinton said: "The Bush administration did nothing for 8 years. Dr. Morrow and I agree, enough is enough. And we are starting now!"

It's not about "believin"..."watcha gonna DO, man?"

Penny from Emeryville, CA — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:10:57 EDT

Barack needs to talk to the people!!!If the masses in this country are going to vote for Barack they need to see that he has some REAL ideas about things that will affect them directly. Social Security, for instance. Or potholes in their roads. Better care of our Vets; their damaged kids. Or how to keep people from losing their homes. Educating our kids so there's someone else who can run for president in 20 years. He needs to talk to the people.

He needs to do more than point out the problem. He needs to propose some ideas...making it clear that he can't do them without Congress's cooperation...but he certainly can't do it without being elected.

McCain has NO ideas. But no one expects him to. Barack has lots, I assume. But Barack is too intelligent for the masses to understand him. He talks above them. In metaphors. "What's that, man?"

I have a REAL idea for fixing Social Security going forward, but I don't know how to get it to him. Does anyone know how to communicate with him or his key people to pose a serious suggestion?

The New Democracy???

Meghan from New York, NY — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:05:46 EDT

Obama needs a title for all his policy proposals that he can market and people can remember. A way to sell what he believes... People always respond:

FDR: The New Deal

Kennedy: The New Frontier

Johnson: The Great Society

Reagan: Morning in America (different than above, I know, but still works)

(I'll even give the Republicans their Contract with America)

Obama needs a neat way to package his ideals so people can talk about them. "change" now is too generic. Anyone have any ideas?

New Democracy? New Day? There's got to be something clever out there!

Bullwinkle Supports Obama and Biden

Bill from North Las Vegas, NV — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:40:31 EDT

Just an idea for ads... Bullwinkle Supports Obama and Biden!

Let's get serious!

A. Moses — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:52:39 EDT

LET'S GET SERIOUS

The gates are open, and the real race is on. That whole nomination thing... yeah, that was a warm up. Now are the moments that really matter more than any that came before. Every action is scruitinized, every attack is measured, every movement counts.

We need to start organizing smarter than ever to break down McCain's assult.

They have some very effective weapons. Nasty, unethical, and even underhanded. They use them because they have worked in the past and that's all they have to their advantage this time.

Why have the Republicans done so well the last 12 years or so? Because they understand marketing.

All you need to get your marketing to work is a better than average first impression. That's it. Nature takes care of the rest as people build up these beliefs that we use in our daily life to frame our existence. The Republicans realized a while back that if you define a term your way or create a slogan that is accepted to be true, you can MAKE REALITY.

One of my biggest gripes has been that the Dems have by, and large, been nice and fair-game playing folks. Well, I want that in my office and I DO want that in my politics, it just can't hold a candle to someone who's cheating.

Does that mean you HAVE TO be just as dirty? NO! You can do it without lowering yourself, but you have to get serious about it. Attack them on all the legitimate fronts. Keep a consistent theme throughout your 2nd tier supporters letting them know the angle you're approaching this from.

For example, the fact that Palin supports creationism, is a TOTALLY VALID point. You don't criticize her for her beliefs (not only does she have the right to have her own, but so do the voters that associate with them), but you can attack her on her desire to place creationism in public science class.

Attack them because they don't have details. And you can't just leave it with a platitude... "uh... McCain doesn't have... uh... enough uh.... details...." Most Americans will tune out by the second "uh". Its too flat, doesn't stick. Isn't at all musical. And certainly doesn't have the sensational sting that causes it to reverberate in the media.

Remember IT IS MARKETING! Think about all the ads you get bombarded with. If you see an ad that says it can fix all your life's ills, you probably wont believe it. But if it has a sincere enough slogan or pitch (and human association and emotion are big points towards that) IT WILL WORK. Just look at "Male Enhancement" and other snake oil promotions.

Most people go off that first simple human impression which is a combination of subtle details. Those' "uh..."'s of Barack will kill him in debates or anything else on TV. Empty pauses are better than Uh's.

To be fair, McCain is worse than Barack in this regard (have you seen his smile?), but Palin is not. And neither is their 2nd tier supporters who get the Talking Points memos and go to town with B.S. line after B.S line.

Here's what I suggest:

   1. Collect a pile of things we've identified over the past few months in which McCain/Palin have either flipped on or been caught looking very stupid because of. Every time they said something that we can make a case against. Need examples, refer to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
   2. Run an Ad blitz showing the faults. Tear down their credibility. Bottom line is that we've sat around and let them generate too much credibility. No pictures of Barrack or Biden though. That's not necessary. In fact, its better to credibility if the sources are clippings from Fox or CNN. For a closing, maybe simply direct people to a website to "get the facts" where detailed (an unbiased as possible but still marketing oriented) arguments are made.
   3. Follow up later with credibility building statements and representations, images that project "the feel" of Barack's no-nonsense but shades of grey approach. People don't yet realize that he's a nuanced individual that can see both sides. Refer to Barack's own acceptance speech for the ingredients for that measured entrenchment.
   4. Start fighting McCain's so-called strengths. Again Barack did an excellent job in his speech. If you didn't notice, its not the liberal line you should be looking for, but where he offered olive branches and attacked McCain's own support base's claims.
   5. This one is all on Barack. Take a crash course in dropping the "uh". He's a chrismatic guy otherwise. But its just one of those things that, although work fine in person, doesn't translate to TV.
   6. If Hillary and Bill are willing, set them loose. Being in their position they are not directly associated with Barack (especially with the distance Hillary has put between her and Barack in the primaries). Have Hillary rip Palin apart. She was all prep'ed to do McCain too, so I think if she could find time to do that too it would help.

The No. 1 important thing to remember is we can't mess this one up! Kerry was a shoe-in, and he failed. We do this again, and I'm moving to another country to avoid the idiocracy Apocalypse.

Media Marches On

Coach Cubas — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:10:37 EDT

This posting was a reaction to Missteps in a Campaign August 24, 2008

To My Fellow American Colleagues,

We were on the silly side of petty in responding to McCain's real estate woes. These arguments come across as so petty on the 20th round of punditry! Showing McCain is out of touch is a no brainer. The mistake in the arguments is punishing people for being wealthy or marrying "well." That's hypocritical. George Stephanopolis kept pounding on this issue until it sounded ridiculous. The continuous pounding by talking heads actually does more to derail messages that are perceived to be corrected. It confuses the issues.

The Roosevelt’s and Kennedy's did so well with their message of public service. Everyone knew they were wealthy, not to mention the bootlegging legacy from which it came. They delivered for the public. Their actions spoke louder than words.

How many houses McCain owns is a non-issue. A bigger issue is how people read Barack's response to Rick Warren's question on when life begins. Unfortunately, the populace isn't good at nuance so the "above my pay grade" comment went over their heads. That's why Republicans position Barack as elitist; he has a vocabulary and speaks in complex sentences. During the Rick Warren program when you compare McCain's clipped answers to Obama's thoughtful musings you see what I mean.

The American public has a short attention span. (Think 30 frames per second. And, you can thank Sesame Street for that.) Plus, the media has created sound bites and combined the online style of reporting and blogs can be dangerous. We all need to wake up and view the landscape for what it is. This is not about punishing wealthy people. When statements about "re-distribution of wealth" rears its head, it can be miscontrued as socialistic or communistic.

Real change requires courage to take a stand for a vision. A vision, by its nature, is ephemeral. The challenge is moving the vision to manifest and ask the questionable questions and say the unspeakable things.

Let's shift gears NOW! It's getting late. If you have doubts, ask yourself why this race is so close if the Bush years are so disgusting. Rather than focus on "gotcha's" and who was right, let's structure a path people can follow. Obama is sometimes too vague for the average bear. He must use more concrete language to create a mental image for a steel worker or stay-at-home mom. For example, driving the Ivy-League credentials is an example. Mainstream Americans are lucky to go to community college let alone Harvard. Biden is capable of this language.

From my coach training, I would like to offer a tip: Clients often talk about a topic, not the emotions or depth of the feeling beneath the topic. That's what I see us doing. Get to the heart of it, relate emotionally, not intellectually. It's more about how people feel about themselves when they can't feed their families, not that they can't feed their families.

We would do well to adopt Thom Hartmann's philosophy about framing the argument. I'm a staunch Democrat and believe Thom Hartmann, http://www.thomhartmann.com/, when it comes to framing the conversation. His book, Cracking the Code, could be our handbook. It's brilliant.

Please let me know how I may serve. Our future is at stake.

Best regards,
Michelle Cubas, Enterprise Business Coach

Republican Convention

Harold from Oakland, CA — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:09:05 EDT

I couldn't watch much of the Republican Convention, even though I know I should have.

Of course, the attendees to the convention are all committed to the Republican Party, so all the cheers for the attacks on Democrats, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, the press, and community organizations were not unexpected.

I am 60 now, and I grew up in Indiana. In my youth I was oriented to the Republican party - don't forget that the Hoosier State was once a KKK bastion and the freeway billboards of my youth called for the impeachment of Earl Warren. I will admit I even voted for Nixon in '68 - he was going to end the Vietnam War after all!

That being said, the Republican Party of my youth did have a moderate wing. Eisenhower was a war hero, but was also someone who really loved his country, and was a good president for his time. Rockefeller, Ford and Senators Everett Dirksen and Howard Baker were a different breed of Republicans. While I wouldn't agree with their agendas today, at least they promoted ideas!

Now all we get from the Republicans are lies, half-truths, and thinly concealed racism.

The brash double talking about the treatment of Sarah Palin as sexism and experience wuld be laughable if the results of McCain's fraternity prank of choosing Palin were not so dangerous.

I feel sorry for Sarah Palin's children. I happen to know something about the intense parenting required by the parent's of a Down's child, so I don't think she is going to have a chance to get the loving parental cocoon she needs.

I am not 'pro-abortion' , as the right-wing would characterize me, but I am pro-choice. This means I support the choices that the Palin family has made. I do decry that they would not support the choices that another family would make.

Finally, I would like to mention the 'ideas' that the Republican ticket promotes. Though the Republican party has run out of ideas in general, now they are running against George Bush, while supporting most of his failed ideas. Lying about Obama's tax program while maintaining the huge tax giveaways to the very rich is dishonest and cynical. Pursuing 'energy independence' through drilling is an obvious lie as well as a nod to Exxon, et al, who are more than willing to ruin our one and only planet for their personal gains.

And, I have heard just about enough about McCain's POW experience. I can't imagine how he survived such treatment, and I have to admire his courage. I do agree with those, such as General Clark, who point out that this PTSD episode is not likely to be a positive for the demeanor of a POTUS in this time of a dangerous world.

McCain's "F**k You!" choice of a VP running mate says it all to me - this election has to be about the judgment that the two candidates display. I look forward to the debates - especially the first two. Gwen Ifill looked positively giddy at the prospect of hosting the VP debate. It will be interesting to see how good the Palin coaching team is at guessing what the questions will be!

Oh Boy Obama!

KendraWantsChange — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:28:32 EDT

OhBoyObama! is the unofficial campaign think-tank. Created by Obama supporters for the purpose of giving the Obama grassroots a platform to submit and vote on ideas to better the 2008 general election campaign of Barack Obama. All supporters are welcome to participate. Just register a new account and submit a "scoop" or start voting.

Oh Boy Obama!

Reel In the Hillary Voters Today!

Jarrett in Florida — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:15:03 EDT

Sensitivity Training: How To Talk To Hillary's Voters

My name is Jarrett. I am a life-long Democrat who campaigned and voted for Hillary Clinton in the highly contested swing state of Florida. Once again, Florida will decide the Presidential Election for the year 2008/09.

I have now switched my support to Barack Obama because his policies and outlook are far closer to my ideals than those of John McCain. The decision was easier for me than it will be for many Hillary voters because I am more familiar with the cut-throat nature of politics.

What I've noticed, since joining the Campaign for Change, is that many long-time Obama supporters don't really know how to effectively communicate with Hillary's supporters. Without further delay, I will explain the "do's and dont's" concerning the way we should solicit support from a Hillary Clinton voter like myself:

Remember H.I.L. (Humility, Interest, Love)

Humility - Hillary voters don't want to hear about you are the best and you beat them... They don't agree. We know that Hillary Clinton actually won the popular vote in swing states that will matter later on... If Obama supporters seem unaware of this inconvenient fact, they will appear foolish and egotistical to a Hillary supporter. The best thing you can say to a Hillary voter is "We REALLY need your vote/help in this election... We can only do it with support from motivated and knowledgeable folks like yourself."

Interest - Take a moment to hear what Hillary voters have to say and brace yourself... They might want to talk about how Hillary was railroaded by the media, about how sexism prevented her from winning, or about how she had the right idea concerning Universal Healthcare. You must NOT take these statements as a threat to the Obama campaign, but rather assume that these statements are a SUPPORT for the Democrats as a whole. Show the supporter that you agree with their concerns and that is why we need to stick together... Just remember that letting a Hillary voter do the talking will satisfy them - they want to educate YOU, not the other way around. The only thing they want to hear from you is that you are against Bush/McCain.

Love - Hillary solicited votes from Women, Young People, Gays and Lesbians and African Americans by speaking gently and lovingly about how much she cherishes each and every supporter. She speaks at great length about how amazing and inspiring each and every supporter is. You probably missed this if you were watching the mainstream media - but her supporters got wonderful HTML emails expressing gratitude and gifts and warm wishes. At her rallies, Hillary spent hours waving and smiling and shaking hands, and LISTENING to others. Quite frankly, this seems missing from the Campaign For Change because we are approaching crunch time. We need to always keep in mind that these are our neighbors, grandmothers, best friends, classmates and teachers. We have waited our whole lives to see a Female President of the United States of America and we are VERY concerned about Healthcare for our loved ones. Hillary voters WANT to support Barack Obama, but any percieved insult or indifference to Hillary as a person will steer them FAR away from that goal. Do not distract us with old arguments from the past. This is the NOW and we are all friends again.A good thing to say regarding this might be, "Gosh, it's really unfortunate that they wound up running against eachother in the primary because they are both such wonderful candidates."

Hillary voters MUST be reassured of the following things:

Barack Obama likes Hillary and appreciates her support in his campaign.
That Michelle Obama will be a phenomenal First Lady that we can all be proud of - JUST LIKE HILLARY IS.
Hillary is still in the game. She is a great asset to the Democratic party and to Barack Obama's campaign.
That Obama takes Healthcare very seriously and will create a path for Hillary's vision of proper care for EVERY American whereas John McCain simply does not care.
We LOVE Hillary too and we were never really "against" her... It's a race against John McCain and the corruption within the Bush Administration - Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton share a common vision and will work TOGETHER to clean up America!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and please forward it to only your friends who are active in the campaign so we can continue to Ba-Rock the Vote together.

- Jarrett For Obama/Biden '08

Prosperity's Blog w/ Creative Talent & Artistic Ideas: In Politics

Darla from Chester, PA — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:20:21 EDT

Prosperity4us2day.biz presents Creative Talent and Artistic Ideas in Politics. I have volunteered in my community for the "Phone Calls for Change" event and wanted to invite you to do the same. Prosperity4us2day begins when you get started, I believe today is an excellent day to begin. My desire for you is that you would prosper and be in good health. Remember to pray for those in authority. Psalm 122: 1-9 starting at verse 6: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (your city, state, country, nation); May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say "peace be within you" For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity. Take A Stand for Change. mybarackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpgllp Prosperity4us2day.biz
Darla Y. Wilson

OBAMA Needs to IMPRESS!

Sam — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:28:38 EDT

Everyone is excited about events, plugging along campaigning, but let's not forget to look around: JOHN MCCAIN IS CATCHING UP. The Obama campaign must now be PROACTIVE, and not REACTIVE. And Senator Obama must link the BUSH POLICIES with the FAILING ECONOMY. He must link JOHN MCCAIN WITH BUSH - irrefutably, so that the public can see what Senator Obama means by change. And he needs to do this simply, in a slogan fashion, so that people can get behind it. We must move from YES WE CAN to NOW WE WILL. And then spell out what the plan is - simply and soon! Let's not lose! Let's win. Let's campaign smarter, and leave the Republicans in the Dust, giving their voters an alternative to McCain.

Motivational Note

Friends of President Barack Obama — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:19:02 EDT

Even though it may not look like it or feel like it, you are making progress.

Continue working towards progress instead of perfection.

Nothing or no no one is perfect.

Just keep taking steps.

Keep making those phone calls.

Continue following your plan.

Remain focused on your goal.

Do what you have to do right now to get to the next level.

Complete every task.

Keep every promise and commitment.

Don't look back.

Stay on track.

Let no one weaken your walk of faith and determination.

Remain teachable.

Place yourself in a blessing position by associating with people on-the-grow.

Talk with teachers.

Walk with winners.

Climb with champions.

Study successful people.

Something great is about to happen for you!

Start giving thanks right now before you can even see the outward manisfestation of your prayers and desires.

Everything you do from this day forward will take you further away or closer to your potential for successful living.

-by Dr. Jewel Diamond Taylor, Motivational Speaker & Author

PRE WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER VOTE IDEAS ------------YOU NEED TO READ THIS

Broward Amateur Strategist ( FL ) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:14:26 EDT

''Maria Shriver said 8 inspirational words..'We are the ones weve been waiting for'

guess what....... 'the world is the ones whos been waiting for us!'

Hello Everyone!!

This blog is my ideas/suggestions for the weekend before the November election. We all now the United States is well aware of a massive movement that has swept across the country red and blue, he actually created a new American ''electoral color'' -- PURPLE. The human brain remembers alot, but when you vote on a Tuesday and your out on the weekend and you see massive...i mean M A S S I V E support for Obama that memory is going to stick with that person for that very important vote 3 days later. Broward County could/will offset the physical geography advantage of the conservatives in Florida (Broward County had risen to almost 1.8 million people, and increased by 10.1% between April 1, 2006 and July 1, 2006. This number is accounted for by an increase to 441,678 (25.3%) in its black population and an increase to 408,335 (22.8%)..Broward County is now "minority-majority". voter registarion needed though..35% of Floridas population in tri county area .I've listed resources and links to certain sites pertaining to the suggestion/idea.

1. FRIDAY SATURDAY NIGHT----------We need big exposure in certain areas

-las olas-a1a-downtown Ft. Lauderdale-downtown Miami-sawgrass mall-combing the beach-South Beach-Weston-Coral Springs-Parkland-swap shop-movie theaters in areas of higher dem pops/ & hispanic.-

A. FLAG WAVING-- Flag waving (Obama & American & State flag) visual is nothing but a positive.. 2 Areas of Flag Waving Needed (1)up and down las olas and a1a-downtown ft laud downtown miami south beach....(2) on major instersection/major offramps *oakland park-sr7*95-broward/university*75 royal palm blvd*

http://www.united-states-flag.com/fl3x5p.html- FLORIDA STATE FLAG - PRICE

http://www.united-states-flag.com/usflagprinpo1.html- USA Flag - PRICE

http://bestcustomflags.com/- OBAMA FLAG/CUSTOM

B. YARD SIGNS-BUMPER STICKERS-CONVERSATION-- I'll fist start off with bumper sticker (my niche is marketing/advertising) a bumper sticker is a visual advertisemtn that us in south florida get an est. 800 cars a day that see that bumper sticker. (so i said it =)----Yard signs: We all know theres a sign war that has been going on for years but in this county the percentage is decresed because of the poltical lean in Broward - LIBERAL- but the point is agin VISUAL - READ THIS------------

There is growing interest in mental imagery for good reasons. First, imagery has ample potential for drawing information stored in long-term memory into working memory. This phenomenon has been called "high elaboration" by MacInnis and Price (1987), and tapping long-term memory is believed to lead to greater communications effectiveness (MacInnis and Jaworski 1989). Second, mental images have potential to be more personally relevant because they are anchored in the person's experience base and generated by his/her own mental processes. Strong relevance is a desirable facet of persuasive communications (MacInnis and Jaworski 1989). Next, imagery has the capability of being multisensory and thus could provide for multiple avenues of information processing. Triggering multiple channels of information processing is believed to enhance advertising effectiveness (Rossiter 1982; Lutz and Lutz 1978). Also, images are experiential rather than discursive; thus, they afford a richer base of raw stimuli. Finally, it can be argued that because imagery is believed to be more closely linked to long-term memory, is more personally relevant, and is richer, its effects on consumer attitudes and intentions will be more robust than stimuli which do not engage such depth and breadth of information processing. In fact, Richardson (1983) claims that the consequences of self-initiated thought imagery are indistinguishable from its genuine sensory counterparts. This contention underpins what should be the strong appeal of imagery to advertising strategists.

--Conversation--conversate with people..example..''in the grocery line see a mag with obama- make a positive comment see there reaction-analyze it pos or neg...neg stae pos...pos well then...have a moment..lol =)....

C. Media--keep ckeacking the event listing in the 150 mile range and if enough people call in and say theres 200 events going on today..belive they'll play a story. <---thats a big one

Well.. In my conclusion I am just a 22yo gay male working at technical support call center division in an internation satellitee company (whoms customer only get international channels 80% middle east i might add)..i make 10.00 an hour...I am just what I am but damnit I want this man in the white house! C'mon you guys pick it up the polls are tied!

An idea for a commercial.

Jack — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:19:29 EDT

Close up on an eye. Slow pull back to reveal Richard Nixon’s face. Switch to Nixon saying ’I am not a crook.

Switch to Reagan, still, but live, while background rolls quarter size pictures of the Ayahtollah Khomeini, Olli North, Some contras standing over dead innocents, Rumsfeld schmoozing with Sadaam Hussien.

Still shot of people lined up outside an unemployment office.

Switch to Bush 1, saying ’read my lips’.

Still shot of a hobo sleeping on a bench in winter.

Switch to Bush 2 in a flight suit on the carrier deck giving the thumbs up, saying ’mission accomplished.

Then a fast series of full screen pictures. The Enron Building and logo, Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling, Worldcom building and logo. Saudi Prince Bandar walking hand in hand with mad king george.

A quick film of georgie staring at that childrens book, dumbfounded at the news that NY City is under attack.

Another quick series of pics. Lady Katrina Sat pic in full glory. Suffering victims, the guy waving on a roof, acres of trailers sitting empty, piles of ice melting nowhere near the gulf

A quick clip of Bush with his arm around FEMA director Brown, saying ’heck of a job, Brownie....

Still shot of a family, wet and wrapped in a blanket, forlorn.

A series of quick familiar cameoshots,. The Usual Suspects....

Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, Condi, Gonzales, Rove, Lott, Bill O’reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich.

Still shot of Jack Abramoff on the steps wearing the black trenchcoat and hat...

Film burns as we pull away from a tv screen being watched by ’The Candidate’ sitting at a serious desk reminiscent of the desk in the Oval Office.

He turns to the camera and just says:

"Please. On November Fourth go to your polling place and vote Democratic to restore Democracy to America."

Still shot of a single polling booth with an American flag next to it.

Fade to black.

Come on in! Share your thoughts and ideas!

Lisa Caid — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:45:51 EDT

Welcome to the Canyon Texas for Obama site. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that if you create a My Barack Obama account, and join this group, you should be able to post blogs to this site, and your own.

For the buzz in Canyon, when the election wheels start turning in earnest, this is a great little communications tool to keep us all current. Everyone's thoughts and ideas are welcomed. I hope to have a bit of good, clean fun in the process, and I hope you all feel the same!

Lisa Caid

Obama needs some guts, he's going to lose us.

Mike — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:55:13 EDT

I will say this about our candidate-he needs to step up and show that when he talks about change he means it. I can already feel my zeal diminishing over this FISA fiasco. I hope he was paying attention to Keith Olbermann last night, and comes out with a statement that is audacious enough to renew our hope.

Solution to the oil problem and more

Bob from San Jose, CA — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:55:33 EDT

Here is a simple solution to the gas problem that can be done now with minimum cost.

Simply give a three year stepped taxbreak to companies that allow a percentage of their employees work from home. With today technology, (internet, e-mail, cell phones, PDF files, computer video cameras, etc.) there isn't the need for many people to actually go to a company building to work. The tax break would offset any costs to the company. Here are some of the advantages.

As an example: if only one million companies across the US (there are way more than that), were to let three employees work from home, there would be three million cars off the road every day. If each car only used two gallons a day in gas, that would free up six million gallons of gas a day, there would be less traffic which would decrease traffic jams and those cars would use less gas and decrease polution, there would also be three million cars off the road that would not be poluting at all. On the company side businesses could move into smaller buildings with lower rent, they would need less electricity for lights and air conditioning, lowering their operation expenses and potentally lowering the cost of power. Smaller benefits would be that those that worked at home and had kids could keep them at home instead of paying day care cost (the stay at home parent that works). This would free up extra cash and in a minor way may help the economy. Also there would be less use of roads and bridges which may lead to a minor drop in repairs and upkeep. Don't forget, this is only three employees at only one millions companies. Think of five employees at twenty million companies working at home. 100 Million cars off the road. 200 million gallons of gas saved every day. What type of jobs could work from home, data input people, customer service, phone sales, accounting, tech support, graphic designers, etc.

Of course not every job can be done from home and to keep people feeling that they are part of a company, people may have to go into work once a week to touch base. It would be a little harder for companies at first. Companies would have to plan things out and become deadline and goal oriented. The govenment may have to form training seminars to help companies transition to this new way of thinking. But the benefits to both the employer, employee and the country are great. Best of all it is can be done NOW with what exists.

Central Florida Newsletter Update (Part II)

Chris — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:26:48 EDT

Well, I decided to step out of my comfort zone a bit about attracting readers and contributors for the newsletter. I sent an e-mail to friends and family, all of whom I knew supported, or would tend to support Barack Obama in the election. Mostly it was people in central Florida, but I also included friends in places like California and Alaska who had ties to central Florida. So far, four more people have expressed interest in the newsletter. I'm fired up!

I'm going to the I-4 Corridor for Change meeting in Altamonte Springs on Sunday, and perhaps I can get even more people interested in the newsletter. If anything, I'll meet some like-minded people here in my area, and find new ways of helping out the cause.

Thanks to all my friends and family for the support you've shown this newsletter idea. I believe it can help make a difference. To anyone reading this, you don't have to live in central Florida, just anyone who might be reading, and has ideas for inspirational quotes or stories, or just ideas about the campaign and the issues, please let me know...

A Better Slogan?

E. Bruce Bushong — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:22:43 EDT

I am not a new supporter but I am a new visitor to the Obama site and a new subscriber. When I first visited the site I was impressed with the idea of a “store”. What a great way to increase the dissemination of campaign material! Of course the lawyer in me is wondering whether or not such “investments” are campaign contributions. I expect not, since it is not really a donation because you get something for your money.

In this blog I will also share the ideas that I have sent to the campaign. If you agree, or disagree, with the idea please respond. Since I believe that opinions are never wrong, (although sometimes poorly supported) please share them here. I do not look for agreement but rather for refinement. So here it goes, my first idea:

One of those things that I saw at the “store” site was of course campaign literature. I noticed that the slogan on much of the material was “vote for change”. That sounds nice. But I think that adding one word would make it better. Thus, I propose the following amended slogan: “vote for a change”. This slogan gives a duel meaning. It says vote for the change candidate, Barack Obama. And it points out that the nation needs to change its apathetic approach to voting. So, “vote for a change”.

Well there it is; the first idea. Let me know and let Senator Obama know what you think.

First Topic: Abortion

tanyaec — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:06:22 EDT

OK, so maybe not the best choice for a first topic - But I do believe that it is relevant.

I am a "pro-life" woman. I hate the idea of choosing abortion over birth. However, I am also a woman who had found herself needing to make that decision in her life. Due to health, financial, and family situations I honestly believe I had no choice. I chose abortion.

With this is mind - consider this. I watch these protests - I watch these doctors and nurses putting their lives on the line to help women like me who believe that this is the "right" thing to do given their circumstances. Things are so much better than they were - I can remember a time when you couldn't go a week without hearing about violence at an abortion clinic. But, the rhetoric continues, and this political season once again brings abortion to the forefront. I want this debate to be over. But, I don't want it to be illegal. I don't want it to be a court regulated law. I want to change this issue from pro-life to pro-women.

The AMERICAN President AMERICANS Have Been Waiting For

David H. Stern, M.D. — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:05:24 EDT

Usually, when I post links to or quotes from other stories on the Internet, those links only serve as a launching point for interjecting my own commentary. This one is an exception, and for good reason: I have nothing to add that would further advance or enhance the argument.

This article by Harold Meyerson in the Washington Post, accompanied by

this commentary and analysis from Chris’ Inside-Out the Beltway

offer something far closer to perfection than anything I could possibly assemble.

Please read both of these fine articles, and pass them along to others.

Thank you.

DHSmd

The Times They Are A Changing...

Jim — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:19:08 EDT

I grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY where IBM ruled. They owned the town. They ruled the world. A job with IBM meant lifelong security and benefits. There were beautiful buildings nestled on high bluffs overlooking the Hudson river, hidden away from everyone, where really, really smart people could spend their days looking out on the river and the Highlands while figuring out what to do next with computing. These were seriously smart people. There was a thriving corporate culture. Everyone had the word THINK pasted all over their workspaces. They could do no wrong.

Meanwhile, some kids like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs tinkered around in their garages and before anyone knew it they dominated the tidal wave of change. Not IBM. It is hard to know exactly what was going on in the minds of the really, really smart people back at IBM. I'm sure there were people whose job it was to keep an eye on "other" developments. Either they didn't have these people or those people missed the information. Was it arrogance? Ignorance? Bottom line? IBM nearly went bust. After decades of the ultimate in security, IBM laid off people, whole towns nearly died, people committed suicide and Microsoft and Apple, among others, dominated the field that "should have" belonged to IBM.

Sometimes changes come along and we are unable to see. The British didn't quite get what was going on in the colonies. Horse and buggy manufacturers didn't quite get the automobile. China missed the boat for centuries. 9-11 revealed how disjointed and malfunctioning our "intelligence" was. In spite of really, really smart people in the CIA, FBI, NSA, etc. no one, it turns out, could "see" shifts in the Arab world, patterns in global attacks and the rise of militant Islam and Al-Qaeda. Was it ignorance? Arrogance? Or, like IBM, was it smug, "efficient" embedded bureaucracy, so sure of itself, its management and its team that it was no longer able to put the pieces together in real life?

Which brings us to Hillary Clinton and Bill. They forgot to read BLINK or THE WORLD IS FLAT. They were so sure of themselves. They just knew they'd put the old team back together, gather the big donors, get the Hollywood stars to align in their favor and all would be okay. The White House would be theirs again. The Clintons are Spinal Tap. While Bill and Hillary adjusted each other's tuxedos and brooches prior to their next big Black Tie event, Obama and his team were netting millions of on-line supporters at 25 or 50 bucks a pop. While Mark Penn and Terry McCaulife were dusting off talking points from the Newt Gingrich cage fighting days, Obama and his team were developing a network of supporters who, with sleeves rolled up, were going door to door with a message of Hope, Change and a New Way of doing politics. Surely someone in the Clinton camp was assigned to looking for signs of "change"? If not, at least Bill and Hillary must have been reading the New York Times, or watching the Daily Show or reading the Huffpo or listening to Bill Maher? Or talking to junior representatives who were already aligning with Obama? Arrogance? Presumption? Hubris?

And Chelsea? How many "kids" have had to teach their parents how to use E-Mail, surf the net, use a cell phone? Where was Chelsea in this? Star struck or subservient?

Its one thing to miss a change. You can smack yourself on the forehead and think, "What a dope I've been", sell the horse and get a truck. Its another thing when change is smacking you on the forehead shouting, "what a dope you're being" and still not get it. And here we are. On to West Virginia...

Introducting OhBoyObama.com

OhBoyObama.com — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:38:40 EDT

Oh Boy Obama is the unofficial campaign think-tank. Created by Obama supporters for the purpose of giving the Obama grassroots a platform to submit and vote on ideas to better the 2008 primary and general election campaign of Barack Obama. All supporters are welcome to contribute.

Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright - National Press Club Speech

Patty in Colorado — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:22:23 EDT

Unlike many others, I have a favorable reaction to, and very few criticisms of, Dr. Wright's speech to the National Press Club, which he gave on Monday, April 28, 2008. I'd like to share my thoughts with you.

The symposium was titled "Faith, Social Justice, and Public Service." I think Rev. Wright's speech adequately and passionately addresses these issues. His point of view is clearly seasoned with over half a century of experiences - experiences which many of us white folk will never have. As we strive to understand the meanings of his words and gestures, let us remember to have compassion for the man.

I learned a lot from listening to Rev. Wright over the last few days. I watched the interview with Bill Moyer's, I saw the speech given to the NAACP, and I viewed the speech to the National Press Club. In all of the presentations, I saw a man who has many facets of personal expression. Not once was I offended. More than once, I was brought to tears by the painful and joyful truth of what he said and how he said it. I'm not a practicing Christian, although I was one in my youth 40 years ago. I'm rethinking that now...provoked by Rev. Wright's "performances", where he is doing so well what every Christian is taught to do - spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I believe that there are several big gold nuggets of truth from the message of Rev. Wright's speech to the National Press Club. He said that the recent coverage of him preaching to his church by the media's incessant force-feeding of the American public with cherry-picked soundbites (he termed it "an attack on the Black Church") would result in the reality of the African American church no longer being invisible. I think this is so true. Many people have no idea what goes on in an African American church.

Reverend Wright also pointed out that honest dialogue between people of all races and religions can now begin, brought about by Obama's calling for it through his speech on race relations, which he gave in Philadelphia not long ago. As a white woman in my late 50's, I really think that it's been far too long and ardous of a trail from the civil rights movement of the 60's, to have such little to show for it, in terms of the level of discrimination that still exists in America. There's no time like the present to bring the civil rights movement forward and manifest some real change.

Reverend Wright's words echo in my mind and heart. We must bring the efforts toward equal social justice for all out into the open (from being relatively invisible), to INVALUABLE. We must move, as a nation, from alienation and marginalization to RECONCILIATION.

Reverend Wright illuminated the three core principles integral to the function and ministry of his church as being liberation theology, transformation, and reconciliation. Liberation theology, as he described it, means to exercise the liberation of captives AND captors, the oppressed AND the oppressors. Barack Obama certainly alludes to this when he says that he not only wants to end the way politics has been practiced negatively in this country, but also end the mindset that leads to such politics. This makes tremendous sense to me! This is one of the reasons I"m voting for Barack. He's not just saying it - he's also doing it in his campaign.

Rev. Wright called real change TRANSFORMATION. Positive, meaningful change comes about, he said, because there is a desire for radical change in a social order that has gone sour. Certainly we have seen much go sour in the last eight years under the Bush Administration. Case in point: human beings being tortured in illegal prisons, the torture being denied and approved by the government - just consult the Center for Constitutional Rights for details on the cases they are pursuing. Another case in point: the illegal Iraq war. The list of sour things is long. Discrimination itself is a long-standing and serious contradiction to what America stands for.

Yes, Reverend Wright brought up some controversial and widely misunderstood ideas. You can't defend those ideas, nor are you required to. All we need to do is to listen, and if anything inspires us to get more information, we can research it ourselves and become informed. What use is it to "kill the messenger" ? We don't have to follow every voice we hear. What if the message is true?

Reverend Wright calls us to examine some very scary and threatening possibilities. This requires us to face our fears. The path to freedom is filled with these types of challenges. Liberation from racism, transformation of history, and reconciliation of truth does not come easy.

As you can tell, if you've read this far, I give Reverend Wright a lot of credit for having the courage to speak out about these issues. Barack Obama will not get elected if we, as a nation, do not defend and practice - with our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies - the principles of liberation, transformation, and reconciliation.

McBillary on Colbert, Barack should be next!

CorpusMama — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:03:10 EDT

Tell anyone you know who goes to UP Philly to be in the audience & politely shout out your feelings about McBillary to her on our behalf. And the rest of us should boycott watching the show to lower the overall ratings for her

Everyone knows that Hillary will lose this debate tonight. She can't remember her canned lines past the first hour.

However I think to distract the focus from talking about the debate she is doing Colbert which will be all the buzz on MSM all week long.

I think Obama needs to do The Daily Show And Colbert because they go out of their way to make their guests look good. It would also make him look (dare I use this term) less "elitist". I know he feels most comfortable talking issues but he needs to show his laid back side.

Vote in Pensylvania

Johnb86 — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:08:00 EDT

There has been some controversy about what Barack said in Pennsylvania. He said that voters there are "Bitter". I would like to know what you think about the things he said. Any ideas?

RUN FOR IT

Audrey Rose — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:15:02 EDT

I’ve got an idea about how to contribute in my own way, to the Obama campaign: Run for it. Running has long been a thrill of mine, an excitement I love to share. There’s a new train of thoughts on my mind, perpetually bouncing around: Run to build awareness, inspiration, and to demonstrate the sheer feasibility of improving upon one’s physical health, overall life, and chances for a better ultimate survival…but that’s what all good runners do! This morning the idea became something more.

There is an urgent need for additional support in Senator Obama’s presidential campaign. It is more than phone calls from pollsters at dinner time and talking heads on TV. Issues today touch the lives of all of us. Based on the decisions we collectively make next year, our well-being may be drastically compromised. Indifference and frustration for a dismal display of irresponsible authority in our current administration has brought confidence in this country to its knees. Our image abroad has been stained and no small miracle will help to fix the messes we’re in. The work of our next president can seem like an insurmountable feat. Yet people continue to stand by the sidelines and watch – or worse – just look away. There’s no shortage of mental clutter or distraction in this technological world, with information superhighways, and a barrage of instant (yet often meaningless) gratification.

It is a time like no other and it requires immediate change. We are smart and innovative enough to solve many of the biggest problems that together, we face. This involves a brazen step forward, into a vast field of unknowns, a task few people want to deal with. Running the whole way I will show them, yes we can. I am never shy about voicing support for something I believe in. Running to get people on board, far and wide, will not only generate positive publicity for the campaign, but also for improving personal health, and finally, it puts a spotlight on a single person’s inner drive to help accomplish something big.

Guidance is welcomed at this time, because as of yet, it’s little more than a fledgling thought, but I am willing to go the distance – I’ll try any marathon you request. I’ll run until I’m battered, bloody and bruised. I know the effort will be well-used.

So…how do I begin? Who do I ask? What do I do? The plan requires travel, race entries, running gear, and shoes. I’ll do some research – find all the practical marathons and put together a feasible calendar. I’ll keep it as cheap as possible. I’ll be as green as I can. Please let me know if there’s help out there to get me running for Obama, the future, and desperately needed adjustments to our “modern living” ways.

Voter Registration Thoughts

Jeremy from Greensboro, NC — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:39:38 EDT

The Political Science Club/SGA at GTCC in Jamestown has decided to host three days of Voter Registration from 8am until 1pm. GTCC For Obama, Triad For Obama, and the Street Team for soon to be Senator Bruce E. Davis has all expressed the desire to help out but why?

Voter registration drives play such a key role in the way that our citizens will turn out and vote. Unfortunately there has been an overwhelmingly large number of American citizens that have never voted before because they didn't believe in any of their candidates or, as in the case of younger voters, allowed the older generation to handle politics.

Now it is time for the torch to be passed along into the hands of those who have been trampled over as they watched, disgusted, by what they saw in the last handful of years from our government.

The call for change has never been heavier than it is at the moment. Any politician hoping to achieve victory by manipulating the system or running on the tired old values we've heard over and over again are destined to sink.

Politicians need to keep their eyes open and their ideas fresh; young people today know what's going on in our country, PLAN TO VOTE, and will no longer listen to hypocritical statements they know you have no intention of fulfilling.

Hopefully anyone who took the time to read this understands the importance of holding these drives? What would happen if enough emphasis wasn't placed on registering our citizens to vote?

Addressing the issue of Child Abuse and Pedophiles.

Florida4Obama — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:20:28 EDT

Greetings Mr. Barack Obama, The suggestion I have for you is one that I have not heard any of the candidates address, but millions of Americans would be affected by it. Including you because you are the father of 2 little girls. That suggestion is to: TOUGHEN LAWS AND CONSEQUENCES AGAINST PEDOPHILES and CHILD ABUSERS. I am the mother of a victim of child molestation. The Justice System completely screwed me and my child. We had an extremely solid case. My child reported the crime within 30 seconds of it happening. Yet it took nearly a week to arrest the offender. Then it took 2 yrs just to get in court. My child was treated like the criminal and the offender treated like a victim. To make a long and difficult story short, the offender had to violate probation 5 times and commit a drug related crime for the second time, before he was incarcerated. Mr. Obama, there are 8 new child sex/abuse cases reported everyday in Miami. There are millions of children and their families who are enduring hell mainly because of the way the Justice System handles these cases. Mr. Obama I guarantee this issue will make your lead stronger than ever, especially with women and in Florida where pedophilia is rampant. Florida in the last couple years has had pedophile cases that have made it to national media status. Let's not forget politician Foley who was sexually enticing underaged male interns. Our government let him off the hook with not so much as a slap on the hand. Mr. and Mrs. Obama, As parents of two beautiful little girls I strongly urge you to take a stand on this. Anyone's family can be affected by this. Rich or Poor, everyone's children are vulnerable. Your competitor, Hillary Clinton who touts feminism has oddly failed to bring up this important issue and I'm very surprised. The elementary children here in Florida , including mine, support you because of your stance against FCAT and teaching to the test. Give them another reason to tell their parents to vote for you and take a tough stance against CHILD SEX CRIMES & ABUSE.

THE OBAMA MINUTE -Takes a Minute, Helps Us Go Forward!

Jill 4 Obama — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:49:22 EDT

Everyone in Pennsylvania Obama Groups!

Here is a fantastic site to use for News, Photos, and Grassroot Ideas!

http://obamastraws.blogspot.com/search/label/got%201%20minute%3F

Please Leave Comments on What You Especially Like

So That You and Others Can Find Ideas, Read, and Use

I wrote an unofficial campaign song for the Obama Campaign - What do you think?

Peter from Chicago, IL — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:05:11 EDT

I've been thinking, Senator Obama has a lot going for him, but his campaign needs, something, a certain something. I know, it needs a campaign song!

Something easily singable. Not a Fleetwood Mac song. Something suggesting basic values & the need for change.

So I came up with this. I'll bet half the nation is singing this within a week.

Well, maybe not. But I had fun doing it. Then I had to take out all the bashing. LOL.

Still, it was fun. What do you think? Please, use the comments section to tell me what you think!

I'm Going to Vote for Obama

I'm going to vote for Obama
he's our next President

I'm sick and tired of the same old rut

they took our money and spent, spent, spent, spent, spent.

What we need is a leader

who can steer us right back on course

'cause if we don't - make some kind of change -

things in America could get still worse!

So first, he needs nomination

then, he needs our support

then, we get out voter registration

So in the end we won't fall just sho-o-ort.

Obama can heal the nation

join the Obama campaign,

get - on - the Obama bandwagon - you'll be - glad - you came!

© 2008 PJF and The Peter Files Blog of Comedy, Satire, Jokes, Commentary, and Videos, http://ThePeterFiles.Blogspot.Com All Rights Reserved

Important! This song has not been endorsed by Senator Obama.

Peter, Chief Editor and Spelling Wrecker

The Peter Files Blog of Comedy, Satire, Jokes, Commentary, and Videos

...Just some ideas

Brendon — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 04:24:15 EDT

Let's come up with some good talking points on how to get Sen. Clinton on defense on "Experience"

Have an Obama Surrogate and general public demand Sen. Clinton prove her 35 years of experience, So Sen. Obama can stay on message and above it all.

"False Advertizing"

"Prove it"

"I dont take a Used Car Salesman's word, I look under the hood"

"If your'e going to claim it, prove it"

Think of your own talking points for this subject, and post them here.

GOOD IDEAS UNLIMITED

Andrea Jean from Everett, WA — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:06:41 EST

"GOOD IDEAS UNLIMITED" could be the name of Obama's campaign bus and/or airplane. It should be the next slogan of OUR campaign, and it should be followed up with an unlimited number of GREAT, REASONABLE, REALISTIC, INSPIRED, NEEDED, PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR PROGRAMS that the Obama organization believes in and wants to deal with and work on throughout OUR administration.

Let's think this through. GOOD IDEAS are positive and constructive and they are the most natural thing in the world to occur to anyone, democrats and republicans inclusive. Good ideas imply true ideas. The good and the true result in constructive ends. They build a better person, a better campaign, a better U.S., a better world. Who would be interested in anything less? A campaign built on reinforced, concrete, truthful ideas and facts will lead to building a GREAT NATION.

BAD IDEAS we are all, all to familiar with. They are the ones that get us into trouble sooner or later. When our mom and dad, husband or wife, or the I.R.S., find out that we've been lying to them, WE get grounded. It takes real time and sweat to come up with bad ideas, and I would venture it leaves everyone involved with a raging headache simply because it goes so against everything that corresponds to humanity's humanity. A campaign built on shifty, sandy lies will implode. And NOBODY wants a country based on implosion.

Let's keep standing and building on GREAT IDEAS!

This blogger would like to have a discussion here BASED ON THE RULES OF BRAINSTORMING, i.e., no critisism of others' ideas, but positive input about any and all related ideas.

Whoever heard of a Fortune 500 company brainstorming for bad ideas?

Whoever heard of an investor knowingly investing in a bad or untruthful company?

IDEAS GENERATE IDEAS

Andrea Jean from Everett, WA — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 06:34:42 EST

WHY NOT be the first one to respond to my own blog post? My first idea of using kids and cute slogans to add to an upbeat campaign has just given me another GREAT IDEA. WHY NOT, instead of waiting for the very busy official Obama campaign organization to latch on to this idea, each of us could JUST DO IT! Find one or two or twenty of your favorite photos of your cutest kids and make your own posters, t-shirts, signs for your businesses, bumper-stickers for your cars, ETC. The only way that Hillary could borrow this idea would be to also begin running a clean campaign. Hey, maybe I should send her the idea too!

This blog could be the "official" posting place of all your end products, i.e. your signs and posters in stores or on your lawns; you wearing your t-shirt; you and your family and friends wearing your t-shirt; newspaper clippings showing you and your campaign product! Who knows, this could be FUN!

CPC! (CLEAN POLITICAL CAMPAIGN!)

IDEA FOR POSITVE CAMPAIGN

Andrea Jean from Everett, WA — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 06:07:38 EST

Open letter sent to the Obama website: Great idea for positive campaign posters etc. Get supporters to submit their cutest kid photos with a short, cute "VOTE / SUPPORT OBAMA" message. You would get thousands to choose from and they could be put on your website, posters, bumper stickers, t-shirts, etc. No doubt the media would love it, and it would definitely put a smile on the faces of the voters. All of us need something to put a smile on our faces now.

Critical Tactical Move for Obama

Josh — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:39:48 EST

Hello Friends.

It is my firm belief that if Barack Obama is going to maintain momentum in the national conversation, his next tactical move MUST be to call attention to Hilllary's new Bush/Rove-ian strategy.

Over the last few days, I have seen Hillary Clinton resort to fear mongering and scare tactics in her campaign, and win 3 out of 4 Primaries. From the "ringing phone" commercial to her rhetoric about "experience needed to be commander in chief," her campaign has begun to embrace the kind of fear-based positioning that helped George W. Bush stay in power for 8 years. It's an effective campaign trick that must be put to a stop before it ruins our country.

By bringing the issue to light, Obama can not only make the point that REAL CHANGE begins with breaking away from political tactics of the past, he can also emphasize that her new campaign strategies are the same strategies that were used by the man who, over the last eight years, dragged our country to the state its in.

Now, I'm just a guy in massachusetts, typing on my computer. My voice is too small to be heard. But I believe this to be a pivotal point in the campaign, and if we as a community begin to discuss this issue - it may find it's way beyond my reach.

Thank you all for supporting this campaign, I'm sure many of you have done so much more than I.
Sincerely,Josh

Get get in the Game already.

Deadeye — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:10:52 EST

I have noted that in the last couple of weeks the media coverage of this contest has really changed. I reserve the right to concede that the commentators and pundits did not actively engage either campaign on the merits and let the candidates espouse their own narratives.

However, of late the Clinton campaign has been dictating the narrative and the Obama campaign seems to be responding from their heels and rather meekly at best. When surrogates do try to ratchet up the rhetoric they sometimes commit the type of passive aggressive faux pas that befell Ms. Power recently. I do note with some despair that lately the news programs appear to be saturated with Clintonistas armed with the daily talking points which sadly is dictating the narrative. I am tired of seeing the same Clinton Hacks (credit McCains Buddy to keep the Plagiarism Gestapo of my doorstep) Pundits on the various Panels every evening.

We need to get out there with some qualified surrogates to make our case (Sorry, but the honorable Sen. from TX has been benched), perhaps assemble a Legion of qualified debaters or trial lawyers who are used to presenting arguments and able to think on their feet. They must be very well briefed and capable, and then send them forth as representatives of the campaign to challenge the flood of misconceptions. Saturate the News Outlet, News Magazines, TV Journals, Morning Shows, Late Night, anybody with a camera, microphone, typewriter, or Dictaphone. Stand on the street corner if you must, just get the message out.

Live With Dave Abrams Show Email

Lashawn from Inglewood, CA — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:59:42 EST

I wanted to post my comments that I sent to the Live with Dan Abrams show about for the POed part of his show. I had some good ideas and hope someone can let me know what they think.

Example idea that I sent (I am new at this so bear with me...):

"Segment about contracts to foreign companies
I work for one of the two companies (I wont say which one because I am not speaking on their behalf) but you would think that yes American jobs would be key in awarding these contracts, but the superior technology used, which helps keep our superior edge military wise, would be paramount. Surely, Hillary Clinton and her "vast" national security experience that supposedly has over Obama would tell her that. Also, someone please remind her that there were two companies that won the contract one well known American aerospace company and one well known fore gin aeronautics company, Does she really think that those planes will be built overseas? (would we even allow that?)"

Click Read More for the rest....

Obama's Dilemma and What To Do Now

Joe — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:12:27 EST

Obama’s Dilemma and What Do About It

Obama broke out about even this past Tuesday. In fact he seems to have gained some through the Caucus in Texas and with Super Delegates. He still holds over 100-delegate lead over all. But make no mistake about it; it is going to be a tough period of Campaigning in the weeks ahead, He has to be aggressive in the weeks ahead. If his staff will listen, here’s how he should go against Senator Clinton.

Hillary has been hitting him over the head on the experience issue, He needs to put it to rest, here one -way how. Ask how being a First Lady, while an honorable position; make her an expert in policy matters. Did she have security clearance? Bill Bradley mentions that she did not have that clearance. Did she study all the documents that led to our involvement in Iraq or just go along with the recommendation of President Bush?

In other words, she might have been an asset in diplomatic terms, but on security issues she has no more experience than any other Senator in Congress,

Obama cannot waffle on NAFTA. He need to point out that NAFTA hurts countries like Mexico and even contributes to the Immigration problem. Mexican economy and culture is based on agriculture, especially corn. Small farmers raised their crops and sold it on the market. When NAFTA came along, American crops were sold at cheaper prices and the farmers could not survive. They came to the cities of Mexico and eventually to the United States to find jobs.

There two things we can do here. End NAFTA or buy Mexican corn. The corn we buy from Mexico can be used for Ethanol and our own corn can be used to consumption on American tables.

Lastly, Health Care has to be addressed. Ask Hillary what she would do if any American does not want to be part of her health plan. Draw her out, either through ads or debate. Draw contrasts to her plan by showing that your plan is voluntary and if you want to be part if it, there are ways to get help to pay for it through the government. Draw a definite contrast. End any doubts on your plan, compared to Hillary.

Next time she brings out Rezco, mention that it was no different than Whitewater. Constantly remind people that there is Whitewater to consider. If Hillary wants to play it tough, then throw it back. Be as tough as she is. Stand up to her. If she complains and cries then tell her there is no crying in politics.

The Beginning

Josh Woods — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 11:02:11 EST

I am setting up this blog for Obama supporters to share their ideas. Obama is a unique leader thus we need unique ideas about how to approach this political process. I will make some suggestions as I think of them, but please add your own thoughts as well. Every idea is a stone in the foundation of something bigger so please don't hold back in fear of looking stupid. Many of my suggestions will surely be silly in nature. Thanks to all of you who read and contribute to this effort.

"An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come." --Victor Hugo

First Idea: A New Way to Campaign

I think we should campaign for Obama by demonstrating his message rather than just talking about it. What I mean is coming up with ways to improve our community through campaigning. Typically we knock on doors and make tons of calls. As an Iowan (though I know this wouldn't work everywhere), I can imagine us helping people with their groceries to their car while talking with them about Obama. Or maybe just making a statement by going through the community with several people picking up trash. I think these types of action would draw all sorts of media attention, let people see the power of Obama's message, and demonstrate the reality of this movement.

Some thoughts on the race overall...

MelaniaApril — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:23:56 EST

02/19/08
Just some thoughts on the presidential race OVER ALL. If ANYONE can seriously look at the condition that the United States is in right now and NOT feel URGENCY for change… they are crazy. Or perhaps blind? Why would anyone want AT LEAST 4 more years of the same? AND why would anyone want to move backwards? People talk of a certain "fondness" for that time (Clinton years)… DID THEY FORGET HOW HIS TERM ENDED?? Any "strong woman" would NOT stay with a man or in a situation like that. Perhaps the accusations have been accurate; she only stayed with him to HELP herself out (in her future campaigning). And I don't believe I really need to reiterate what most of the nation is feeling about the current president. Who, in their right mind, would vote someone in to continue right where he left off? It's not hard to see that the policies have not been working in the white house for MANY, MANY YEARS. Look where we have ended up! Perhaps one of the most important (and obvious) issues being the economy, and another(recently heated issue) being health care.
I can't think of any good or sane reason why we wouldn't embrace change with open and welcoming arms.

Feb 27th, 2008 -- Walking and Talking

Michael Tenery — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:34:51 EST

We hear the word meme banded about lately to explain how a thought infects the world. Meme is really just a twenty-dollar word for a single specific idea. Senator Clinton has said that Senator Obama is all words and no action and she is the one who gets things done. It is ironic that she thinks so because even the statement “all words no action” is an idea stated with words. She has gone so far as to decry that if you are too good at speaking then you are a phony but this is un-winnable argument because you have done the very thing you accuse your opponent of, namely using the power of words to demonstrate the weakness of words.

So really what this campaign and all campaigns are is a contest of ideas and personalities. You can’t erase an idea. Once released it can only be countered or replaced. Obama has presented many ideas and a clear positive message that I am sure most here believe is one of the strongest reasons he is in the position he is today. He has also countered and outright replaced some of the nonsensical ideas his opposition has offered up.

Present your ideas!

EMK — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:15:30 EST

Hey everyone!

Don't forget, Obama wants to hear our policy ideas! Just go to "ISSUES" and click on any issue on the list. Most of them have a link around the top third of the page called "present your ideas" where you will be taken to a webform. You can choose the policy issue and fill out your idea on the webform. When you submit it, you will be taken to a webpage where you can email up to 10 of your friends. However, if you don't like to spam, you can just skip it since you already submitted your idea.

EMK

(P.S. Don't forget to read all the PDF's concerning the policies so that your idea won't sound like you weren't aware of his position prior to filling out the form.)

How Obama Wins all Future Debates

Michele — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 09:44:12 EST

1. Take a page from Ronald Reagan and talk about getting rid of government waste. Remember the $1000 toilet seat? That got people fired up. Cite example after example of government graft and waste. This used to be John McCains best asset and calling card and he isn't even talking about it this election. It also will offset the big government fears people have about liberal Democarats. But there is nothing Republican or Democrat about waste and fraud (well, maybe there is) but Americans of all shapes, colors and creeds certainly will rally behind getting rid of waste. Don't underestimate how important this issue is to moderate Democrats, Independents and Republicans.

2. It's Rosie the Riveter time again folks. When we were in a Depression and on the verge and in the WWII, Roosevelt initiated several public works programs. He also was able to LEAD his people, dare I say, with his effective oratory skills, into making willing sacrifices for a common good. They called it the Greatest Generation and that deserving title was earned in no small part by being led by an effective president who could motivate the people to do great things. So, in that vein:

a. Abandoned factories retrofitted to make solar panels. That region becomes the solar panel capital of the US. Goal, like Kennedy's to get a man on the moon -goal is to get a solar panel on everyone's roof by 2020.Think of the construction people who will be kept busy. Cost to retrofit offset by the infusion of working people spending and investing their paychecks. Tax credits to homeowners to put them on. But they will be made more affordable by mass production.

b. GM, FORD, CHRYSLER - start churning out Hybrids, electric, hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles. Huge corporate auto tax credits to invest with incentives to start NOW. American people given tax credits to buy them. Corporations and businesses too. Put these gas hogs out of business. After 2001, when GWBush had the whole country eating out of the palm of his hand, he asked nothing of us. Not to recycle, not to conserve, not to buy American - Nada. Sen. Obama's big talent is that he can motivate us to do great things willingly and voluntarily. If asked effectively and nicely and not ordered to but called upon, we will make the sacrifices needed and we will do it with smiles on our faces. We want to help.We want to feel useful and needed.

c. Australia has these two button toilets everywhere. For conservation. One button for solids and one for liquids. Makes sense to me. Back to the toilet theme again! Someone came up with the idea and put it to use. So Kholer, American Standard and all the other porcelain assembly lines - start churning out new toilets! in all the fashionable colors! Every home will want one - a gotta-have item. Tax credits if you do!! Think of all the plumber cracks exposed installing these thrones of innovation =an added benefit (ha!) FLUSH out the old way of thinking!!!!

3. College tuition. In Delaware, if you have a G.P.A. of 2.5 in high school, you can go two years at Delaware Tech Community College and now, two years at UD Associate of Arts. It is called the SEED program. Rather than make this a federal program, create a grant program or incentives that funds each state to come up with a similar plan. If not tied to HS G.P.A., make it tie into a term of public service such as Sen. Obama referred to in his speech in Wisc. I would also make corporations ante up - if they want all these loopholes - they have to pony up with significant scholarships.

4. Mike Huckabee had a good idea. We may not need another lane on I-95 but there is infrastructure in the US that needs attention. It got us out of a depression - it can forestall a recession or stop the bleeding we are now in. Every state has its specific needs. Every state has talented people out of work.That can change on Jan.. 22, 2009 with President Obama.

5. Health care. Make it a state by state program. 50 states following a general model,but 50 states each setting their own conditions, limits. Underwritten by the federal government. If Delaware pays say, 500 for procedure A and I need same procedure in California and they charge 650, then my plan only pays DE part. I have to pay the 150 difference. Each state can better manage its own infrastructure rather than an out of control federal program. Most large employers already offer health care so we are only talking about the unemployed, pre-existers and young. The ones currently feeling the fear. These people can join established local companies' health plans and will pay a graduated premium based on income. Fed gov will underwrite the rest. This would work like auto assigned risk. Every agent has to take on bad drivers and offer them coverage. They all have to do their share - companies who assume a percentage of the uninsured as policy holders would receive tax credits in much the same way they do when they hire targeted retrainees or through work programs or interns.

Offer doctors reduced or redacted student loan payments for terms spent providing health care to people on these plans.

Barack Obama, Big Ideas, and Civic Republicanism

Will Forbes — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:11:40 EST

Michael Tomasky wrote a very smart insightful piece about the Democratic Party in the May 2006 issue of the American Prospect. Andybody interested in understanding some of the context and history surrounding the Obama campaign will find this article interesting.

A line that has stuck with me from that piece since I read it almost two years ago seems to have great relevance and foresight today.

"The task of today's Democratic Party isn't just to eke out electoral victories; it's to govern, and to change our party in profound ways." -Michael Tomasky, "Party in Search of a Notion"

Link:

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?articleId=11400

Simple ways to help

Lindsay Eyink — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:18:45 EST

Know Obama supporters? Of course you do! But, not everyone is going to think of getting signs, stickers, signing up to volunteer or phonebank. So, make it easy and fun for them!

Here are a few things I did that made a huge difference.

Get signs and stickers for your friends
Visibility is SO important, especially in OH, TX and PA. Seeing more Hillary than Obama in your town? Fix it!

Go to your local Obama HQ, get as many as you can! (Donate if you need to).
PUT them in the hands of your Obama friends
Have them vow to put them in their yards, windows and on their cars within a few hours
You have just gotten 20 more signs up for Obama. Go you. Wasn't that easy?
Repeat!

Take your friends to an event
They are infectious.

Meet before hand. Have some lunch or coffee.
Show them how fired up the Obama supporters are! This changes most people.
I started volunteering after attending a rally with a friend. Now, I'm writing this. See? :)

Take friends with you to your local HQ
Sounds crazy, I know.

The HQs are an inspiring site. So many people that I took in there (just to get signs and whatnot) were so inspired.
The HQs show your friends that this is really a campaign run by passionate volunteers.
They don't have to do anything. They will on their own.

Use ALL of your campaign schwag
Signs from other states, stickers, posters, you name it. Use it! Hack it! Make sure it's visible!

Take the bumber stickers and cut them into 2 stickers! Obama logo + "Obama '08". Bam. Double the stickers!
Old signs? So what. No one can see that my signs say "Nevada" in my CA window.
Be creative with literature. I makde "stcikers" out of some flyers. Instantly, my neighborhood was covered with Obama.
Have extras? Go to http://www.obamacycle.com to see who in the country needs it!

Change your online icons to Obamicons
Myspace, Facebook, AIM, MSN Chat. You name it, you have an icon. Change it to an Obamicon!

I've gotten tons of compliments on my AIM icon and many people have also taken it on as their own.
My Facebook now has "OHIO for Obama" as my profile picture. Wath your friends' slowly change too.
Official icons are here: http://www.barackobama.com/downloadsv2/

Your enthusiasm goes a long way. A ____long____ way. You are more infectious than you think. Now, let's do this!

OH-BAMA!

New Slogan!

Matthew and Janna Luke — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 10:41:49 EST

I have come up with what I feel is a great new slogan for us Obama supporters. The most common problem I encounter with people is belief that the Obama campaign is all feeling and no substance. I propose this: T-shirts and buttons they say this: YES WE CAN! ASK ME HOW!

It is becoming clear that YES WE CAN is not enough. We need to inform folks that Obama has detailed plans for all the problems we are facing at this point in history. I think the new slogan would start that dialogue with people and move us on to victory. What do you guys think?

YES WE CAN!

ASK ME HOW!

Ideas for a Powerful New Government (revised)

N.Koizumi - Gigadime, Inc. — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:55:52 EST

The following are concepts intended to resonate dramatically with the new American voter which we would like to throw into the ring with hopes of Mr. Obama embracing for this election. Below are simply broad stroke explanations of more in-depth concepts which we would be eager to expand upon. These ideas have been fashioned through observations of the last decade and earlier, awaiting a reactive candidate and electorate who would welcome them. Please react and respond to us if they resonate with you. Thank you.

Niels Koizumi, Founder - Gigadime. (I am a writer with a background in advertising, hospitality and marketing with close friends on ex-Pres. Clinton's staff.)

RESTORING FAITH IN WASHINGTON:

PRESIDENTIAL "NO CONFIDENCE" BILL: In lieu of the current administration, a bill amending the Constitution should be voluntarily presented by the succeeding President, advocating that Congress should have the ability to call for an Executive No-Confidence Vote at any stage in a Presidency. The voting criteria and the majority percentile needed are crucial details to be decided by prudent discussion, but this country should never have to endure a standing President with an alarmingly negative public approval rating. This would be an enormous offering in the restoration of public confidence.
A "TRUE-DEMOCRACY" POLLING PLATFORM: The next president should promise to establish a point-by-point online polling platform (by way of SS#) to gauge public sentiment throughout his Presidency. Show America that he/she intends to represent their interests (a la: BarackObama.com) through an ongoing national consensus. Petition congress to create a federally funded 'intra-net' (possibly built by competing tech partners, ie: Google, Microsoft, IBM) where citizens will essentially be able to vote on every key issue on American life on a daily basis. Results could be in an easily digestible percentile-value format forcing both the press and bi-partisan support because the President's decisions will be based on the public's wishes.
INTRODUCTION OF A 'TRUE' THIRD ("COALITIONIST") PARTY: To end the stagnation and 'Hatfield & McCoy" feuding in Washington, a legitimate new party needs to be introduced into the legislature to push both Dems & Reps. At worst, it would be a tie-breaker allowing majorities to be more easily formed and government to start moving again. President Obama would invite select members from both sides of the aisle to join the new party. (It could be called the "Coalition Party", Federalist Party", "Independent Party", Nationalist Party, etc)

FOREIGN POLICY / WAR:

THE MOST EFFECTIVE ANTI-TERRORIST STRATEGY: If we are going to have to fight terrorism, we should attack it at the source.... The wars we fight with soldiers take innocent lives & cost taxpayers hundreds of billions. They are archaic and destructive to our world image. We should instead commit to spending half or a quarter as much (an enormous amount still) on covert penetration and espionage into the Jihad community. The U.S. public will instantly see this as a more effective and sustainable strategy, esp. since it will result in a more favorable national image. Even an actual bold-faced announcement of this will cause paranoia and thus dysfunction within Jihadist ranks. We must get inside of them, before they get inside of us. Prudent Aggression.
THE MOST EFFICIENT IRAQ STRATEGY: "The Iraqi Mandate": Organize the international community via the U.N. to challenge the Iraqi public to end violence and unite around a functioning government OR face an promise by the U.N. to strike and disrupt (tactically & economically only) any regime which emerges that is not "inclusive" and continually oppresses and kills its own people. This would give the U.S. and the International Community long-term leverage against any insurgent takeover of their political system. The plan would require U.S. / U.N./ OPEC to keep a concentrated tactical force present in remote, protected bases for emergency strikes only until stability is reached. There should be a deadline on foreign military police forces on the ground exposed to danger on going.

SOCIETY:

THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT OF THE FUTURE ...BEYOND RACE: Which group of Americans has their constitutional civil rights violated more than any other today? ...The answer is Children. PROPOSAL: A Civil Rights Act for Minors (C.R.A.M.). A President to appeal to the supreme court to consider the inarguable statistics of the sexual, emotional and physical abuses inherent in the daily lives of children today to mandate schools, hospitals, religious organizations, etc to adopt a preemptive strategy since children are incapable of reporting abuses waged upon them and cannot organize and march like adults. (Novel designs in strategy would enable this proposal to be an almost 100% privately funded initiative and a 'feel gooder' for the public likely to receive bipartisan support in government. In addition, an intentional marketing strategy would leave all parts of society inclined to support it as the strategy is rife with "win-win" scenarios. A comprehensive plan is available on how to establish, communicate, and implement all. Such an initiative could be hugely popular here and abroad considering current child atrocities committed worldwide. Please inquire).
AN OVERHAUL OF EDUCATION VS. INCARCERATION: First, inform public of our greater spending on incarceration than on education. Second, establish high-powered study group (a la: Iraqi Baker/Hamilton) examining the actual costs to the public and how both broken systems are interconnected. How much it costs the country in terms of competition, long-term affects on crime and education, present and future. Initial Focus: Rally support with the public first, demonstrating the raw costs vs gain & societal affects. A concerted informational campaign needed first, a la: 'Inconvenient Truth' for the environment)
SENIOR CITIZEN / CHILDCARE INITIATIVE: Seniors are in need of having a daily purpose & additional income while parents are in need of affordable & trusted childcare. RESULT: A mutually beneficial partnership valuing the needs of both groups, a 'New Age/New Deal" work program to stimulate the economy subsidize those most in need of bettering their emotional well-being and station in life.
HOMELESS-FOR-THE-HOMELESS INITIATIVE: Create a body to train and employ the homeless to do grassroots rehabilitation of fellow homeless. (please inquire)

ENERGY:

THE GAIA PROJECT: Our smartest and cleanest source of energy sits right under our feet. With the proper investment, scientists are capable of tapping into the never-ending seismic energy (magma) that we fear for exploding volcanos and moving earth's plates. New nanotechnology can facilitate "plugging in" at the source of volcanoes and elsewhere to excavate the most potent and readily available energy source in our planet. Almost every country will have the ability to access it for themselves with 0 environmental cost.

Please encourage discussion and the pushing of ideas into the fray. With people there is unstoppable power.

Ideas for a Powerful New Government

N.Koizumi - Gigadime, Inc. — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:15:40 EST

I BELIEVE Mr. Obama represents the possibility of IDEAS to people and that the following simple concepts would resonate dramatically with the general public. These are simple, broad strokes of more in-depth concepts which we would be eager to expand on. Please react and respond us if they resonate with you. Thank you.

- Niels Koizumi - Gigadime. Founder

* (About Myself: I am a writer with a background in advertising, hospitality and marketing with close friends on ex-Pres. Clinton's staff.)

RESTORING FAITH IN WASHINGTON:

A "TRUE-DEMOCRACY" POLLING PLATFORM: State a promise to establish a point-by-point online polling platform (by way of SS#) to gauge public sentiment throughout his Presidency. Show America that he intends to represent their interests (a la: BarackObama.com) by ongoing national consensus. Lobby congress to create a federally funded 'intra-net' (possibly built by competing tech partners, ie: Google, Microsoft, IBM) where citizens will essentially be able to vote on every key issue on American life on a daily basis. Results would be in easily digestible numerical (%) format forcing press and bi-partisan support because the President's decisions will be based on the public's wishes.
INTRODUCTION OF A 'TRUE' THIRD ("COALITIONIST") PARTY: To end the stagnation and 'Hatfield & McCoy" feuding in Washington, a legitimate new party needs to be introduced into the legislature to push both Dems & Reps. At worst, it would be a tie-breaker allowing majorities to be more easily formed and government to start moving again. President Obama would invite select members from both sides of the aisle to join the new party. (It could be called the "Coalition Party", Federalist Party", "Independent Party", Nationalist Party, etc)

FOREIGN POLICY / WAR:

THE MOST EFFECTIVE ANTI-TERRORIST STRATEGY: If we are going to have to fight terrorism, we should attack it at the source.... The wars we fight with soldiers take innocent lives & cost taxpayers hundreds of billions. They are archaic and destructive to our world image. We should instead commit to spending half or a quarter as much (an enormous amount still) on covert penetration and espionage into the Jihad community. The U.S. public will instantly see this as a more effective and sustainable strategy, esp. since it will result in a more favorable national image. Even an actual bold-faced announcement of this will cause paranoia and thus dysfunction within Jihadist ranks. We must get inside of them, before they get inside of us. Prudent Aggression.
THE MOST EFFICIENT IRAQ STRATEGY: "The Iraqi Mandate": Organize the international community via the U.N. to challenge the Iraqi public to end violence and unite around a functioning government OR face an promise by the U.N. to strike and disrupt (tactically & economically only) any regime which emerges that is not "inclusive" and continually oppresses and kills its own people. This would give the U.S. and the International Community long-term leverage against any insurgent takeover of their political system. The plan would require U.S. / U.N./ OPEC to keep a concentrated tactical force present in remote, protected bases for emergency strikes only until stability is reached. There should be a deadline on foreign military police forces on the ground exposed to danger on going.

SOCIETY:

THE MOST IMPORTANT CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT OF THE FUTURE ...BEYOND RACE: Which group of Americans has their constitutional civil rights violated more than any other today?...Children. Idea: "C.R.A.M. - The Civil Rights Act for Minors" would appeal to the supreme court to look at inarguable statistics and mandate parents, schools, hospitals, etc to adopt a preemptive strategy since children cannot organize and march like women and minorities. Novel designs in strategy would enable it to be an almost 100% privately funded initiative and a 'feel gooder' for the public likely to receive bipartisan support in government. In addition, an intentional marketing strategy would leave no one wanting to oppose it for risk of becoming demonized. Strategy is rife with "win-win" scenarios. (* A comprehensive plan is available on how to establish, communicate, and implement all. Such an initiative could be hugely popular here and abroad considering current child atrocities committed worldwide. Please inquire).
THE EDUCATION VS. INCARCERATION INITIATIVE: First, inform public of our greater spending on incarceration than on education. Second, establish high-powered study group (a la: Iraqi Baker/Hamilton) examining the actual costs to the public and how both broken systems are interconnected. How much it costs the country in terms of competition, long-term affects on crime and education, present and future. Initial Focus: Rally support with the public first, demonstrating the raw costs vs gain & societal affects. A concerted informational campaign needed first, a la: 'Inconvenient Truth' for the environment)
SENIOR CITIZEN / CHILDCARE INITIATIVE: Seniors are in need of having a daily purpose & additional income while parents are in need of affordable & trusted childcare. RESULT: A mutually beneficial partnership valuing the needs of both groups, a 'New Age/New Deal" work program to stimulate the economy subsidize those most in need of bettering their emotional well-being and station in life.
HOMELESS-FOR-THE-HOMELESS INITIATIVE: Create a body to train and employ the homeless to do grassroots rehabilitation of fellow homeless.

ENERGY:

THE GAIA PROJECT: Our smartest and cleanest source of energy sits right under our feet. With the proper investment, scientists are capable of tapping into the never-ending seismic energy (magma) that we fear for exploding volcanos and moving earth's plates. New nanotechnology can facilitate "plugging in" at the source of volcanoes and elsewhere to excavate the most potent and readily available energy source in our planet. Almost every country will have the ability to access it for themselves with 0 environmental cost.

Speech Nugget for Barack

Brady of Joetown — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 08:18:48 EST

This is what I hear when I think of a stirring speech given by Barack.

We are a nation that will no longer tolerate lies, deception, manipulation and division. We are a country that hungers deeply for unity and progress. We feel this great changing of America today in our very core. I believe it is the beginning of a rebirth of democracy in the shape that our forefathers had set forth and hoped for. Each and everyday that passes we feel it. We feel it making us stronger, making us more active, giving us confidence and creating a palpable bond between each other. It fuels our fire and we see it in every man, women and child eyes every second of everyday. And it is hope.

This crazy american (political) life

Michael Parker — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:01:41 EST

Well, let's see. Our economy is in the toilet, the war isn't going so well (like those of us with brains thought it was really going too? YEAH RIGHT!), and the world in general hates us.
     So what is an American to do? I have a friend of mine who has suggested for a few years now that we should just chuck it all and appeal to England to take us back in a sort of 'crying home to mama, prodigal son' approach to world affairs, or at the very least we should (separately not as a collective group of the nation) just pick up and move to the country of our choice and admit that the 'great experiment' didn't work.

     Then came the 'Great White Hope' (in the form of a black man...)

                                      Barack

     Now I will admit I have been a political junkie for a long time. I have followed it ever since my father watched the national conventions in 1988 and (if for no other reason to just be different than my parents) I was a supporter of Michael Dukakis. I am also a historian and I know many of my nations great speeches by heart as do most Americans if they were really honest. One of the things that has always fascinated me about our past great presidential leaders is their gift for rhetoric and the formation of the English language into almost an artful song of patriotism and hope.

     Until the junior senator from Illinois stood up at the Democratic Convention in 2002, I thought the time for eloquent men was over.

but I was wrong...

Listen to any of his speeches and you'll understand.
This is a time of great men with great plans, and great passion with great intelligence.

This time didn't die with Washington or Lincoln or King or Kennedy (or Kennedy, both men were capable of this kinda of rhetoric)

Obama brings new hope for those starving for this kind of politics again. The reason why so many young people have captured the Obama spirit is very simple. We have never heard any one talk like that in our lives, in person, alive, before. It was all written down as great deeds of dead men, not living breathing history in our time.

He is our generations
John,
Martin,
Abraham,
Thomas

And he will win...

Because our nation needs it
deserves it
hungers for it
wants it
strives for glory
and in the end will receive its reward
by the providence of God

Amen

courtychatsw/PIMP People In Movement =Power!

PEOPLE N MOVEMENT — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:08:58 EST

T his is the place to network! Share! and get it going!

I am Courty Let's Chat! PIMP stands for People In Movement =POWER!

Ladies & Gentlemen it's time! This year most of my heart felt dreams have come to be! All because of HOPE, A Plan, and taking steps towards it! Reality! We have raised ALOT of $, Filled a stadium, and birthed a modern Day Movement! Thank You All!

For those whom I have invited, this is your movie screen to share your campaign/ life Experience strengths & Hopes! Also the failures, Ahh yes! Learning experiences. So Let yo! Fingers Fly!

Now is the time to do phone calling, Nevada!!!!!! Organize for state caucus and ATTENDING IT!!!!

Let's Rock You All! Thanks Courty ImagineBelieveCreateHopeFreedomDemocracy!!!!!!!!!!!

Reaching out for everyone's support!! FIRED UP!!

Caroline of Staunton, Virginia — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:06:50 EST

Work Hard for Obama like he is working hard for all of us! This is an email thread, please read it and let's ALL get together with ideas and support!!

School Video about the Campaign

Asher Heimermann — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:29:42 EST

I'm creating an video about the campaign and I need some ideas to get this video done. If you can share one or two ideas, please leave them by leaving a comment on this post.

HUGE DEBATE OPPORTUNITY

Steve — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:58:23 EST

BEFORE: ("A Day Later, Clinton Embraces Spitzer's License Effort." New York Times. 10/31.)"Senator Clinton... supports such a plan" AFTER: ("Clinton Now Against Licenses For Illegal Immigrants" New York Times. 11/14.) Senator Clinton "will not support" such a plan
SENATOR OBAMA, here's what you do! 1. Print out both articles. 2. Take them with you to the debate tomorrow. 3. When asked if Hillary flip-flops, there's your cue. Hold up both articles, one in each hand. 4. Keep it short and sweet. Make it a perfect soundbyte. Read the titles to the audience; say "YOU decide".

Book Title Ideas

Asher Heimermann — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:17:55 EST

Does anyone have any ideas for the title of my upcoming small book that I'm writing? I'm getting ideas and at the end of the week, people will be able to vote for the best one.

How to Individually Help Obama (repost all over the net)

Mr. Mr. — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 08:14:55 EDT

There are many of ways to help Senator Obama get elected for President:

*DONATE to the OBAMA campaign (barackobama.com)

*REGISTER New Voters

*GET CONNECTED with a local OBAMA groups and their events

*MEET UP in your area! SPEAK for OBAMA in your neighborhood or community.

*ORGANIZE an OBAMA Playgroup

*FUNDRAISE Online for OBAMA (barackobama.com)

*Recruit 5 friends or family to support OBAMA

*Paste an OBAMA bumper-sticker on your car, laptop, stroller, etc.

*WEAR your OBAMA shirt when you run your errands, shuttle the kids to school/activities, walks, at the gym, at your next family or friend reunion, etc.

*WEAR your OBAMA button everyday - put on your purse or hat

*ADD an OBAMA website or message as your EMAIL signature

*ADD OBAMA as your #1 Friend on MYSPACE

*POST OBAMA comments and bulletins for your friends in your ONLINE Community

*BLOG about OBAMA

*POST an OBAMA sign on your front lawn or in your front window of your home

*HOST an OBAMA House Party or bar-b-que

*Post OBAMA articles and flyers on community boards at school or in your community

Name recognition and knowledge about Obama will gain votes. Your personal story of why you support Obama is the sincerest way to communicate why Barack Obama should be our next president.

Thank you for all your efforts,
Louise...Moms for Obama

From David Plouffe, campaign manager, Obama For America

lionanimal — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 22:51:17 EDT

The following is text with links of an e-mail from David Plouffe, campaign manager, Obama For America dated April 23, 2007.

Your Ideas To Improve the Obama Campaign Website

wheelbarrow — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:49:08 EDT

Do you have some features in my mind that you think the Obama campaign website could use? Any new tech tools? Do you have creative ideas to improve the Obama web experience? Share them in comments.

For instance, I've let the Obama technical team know about the importance of getting downloadable videos and podcasts. They are working on it.

I'll pass on your ideas to the Obama Tech team, so feel free to comment on what you'd like to see on the Obama website.

Ready for a New Day

Andrea — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:40:46 EDT

I am happy to hear how well Barack is doing fundraising this early in the game. It's encouraged me to put my money where my mouth is today. I feel a need for hope, vision, energy and possibility in our political future. I had it once with Bobby Kennedy and I feel it again with Barack Obama.

I know so many others who feel the same way knowing it is a new day, with new needs for new ideas.

I think we have the resources and talent in the US today to solve many current problems and we obviously have the money, which is being mis-directed in so many ways including the current war in Iraq.

I believe Barack Obama would bring out the best in us and stop the hemorraging of our special and unique resources. I want to see leadership that has courage and insight on how to change course and use what we have for the good of the human endeavor on this planet.

It's great to feel hopeful again.

What Do You Think?

Paul from Des Moines, IA — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 19:09:49 EDT

This campaign is about listening to people. Senator Obama’s days as a community organizer taught him about the power of grassroots efforts and the importance of asking people what is important to them.

He has continued to hold community meetings and townhalls throughout his more than ten years of elected office to make sure that the voices and needs of ordinary Americans are listened to in the halls of Springfield, IL and Washington, DC.

So here in Iowa, the Obama for America campaign centers around just that: making sure that the voices of ordinary Iowans are heard and have a chance to play an active role in developing, participating in, and moving this campaign and the country forward.

We want to hear about what matters to you, your family, your church, your local organizations. What do you think about healthcare and education? Use My Policy on the right side of this page to submit ideas, or post a comment below.

Ten Ideas for Education Reform

Beth — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:09:04 EDT

These are the ten main ideas I would like to throw in the debate for education reform.

1- Financing education equitably

This means not financing education with real estate taxes but with increased sales tax on non-basic and luxury goods and services.

2- Opening schools for early childhood education (2 to 5 years old)

Early childhood education allows the children to develop skills early. If this is too expensive to do on a large scale, this should be started at least to benefit the most at risk children in poor neighborhoods.

3- Adopting national standards for public schools

This would allow meaningful comparisons between states and help Universities select the students fairly.

4- Creating a national exam at the end of high school

Testing does not permit to distinguish exceptional students. SAT’s are just drills and students can prepare like robots to reach high scores. An exam with meaningful essays and problem solving would better evaluate the students.

5- Testing to diagnose and act locally, not testing to judge, compare unfairly and punish

Schools should rely on tools to evaluate learning and help teachers improve students’ achievement. Accountability is important but the instruments need to be fair.

6- At the Federal level, spend less on war, more on education

Democracy in other countries should not be forced upon people. Self-liberation and respect of each country’s sovereignty must prevail. United States should be fixing their own problems inside the country before giving lessons to others. Stopping wars would free money for education, when education reform is much needed.

7- Define what competencies are required to be a “highly qualified teacher”

NCLB proclaims teachers have to be highly qualified without listing the precise

skills needed to be a highly qualified teacher.

8- Create university programs aligned on these teacher’s competencies

Once the skills have been defined, University should align their programs to help students become highly qualified teachers.

9- Define success differently and adapt the curricula accordingly

It is important to redefine success. Many students think that show business, business, medicine, and law are the only valued avenues to be considered successful. Graduating as a qualified teacher, nurse, electrician, plumber or auto-mechanic should be valued as much as the other "prestigious" jobs. "Blue collar" should be taken out of the dictionary and all jobs should be advertised as useful to society

10- Improve, develop and advertise vocational schools

The number of vocational schools should be increased to provide quality education to students who are not interested in graduate studies but want to become qualified and respected professionals.

WHO IS SANDY KRESS?

Beth — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 09:18:33 EDT

Sandy Kress's practice area is: Public Law and Policy (Translation=Lobbying)

Mr. Kress served as senior advisor to President Bush on Education with respect to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. He previously served as president of the board of trustees of the Dallas Public Schools.

It is a well-known fact that a Law degree qualifies you as a specialist in education!

Reporter Scott Parks on the Dallas Morning News drew attention to former White House senior education advisor who turn from public servant to corporate lobbyist. He is helping his employers (Akin Gump, Strauss Hauer and Feld, LLP) and clients benefiting from federal funds. Scott Parks reports that the flow of money goes to several large corporations and their lobbyists, particularly to the corporations specializing in standardized testing and supplemental education services. The re-authorization of NCLB will help them expand their profits...

According to dailykos.com, (story 2007, March 19, 123527/305), when Kress was serving as president of the Dallas school board, “fellow board members were calling then newspaper to denounce him as a racist and a bully. The fortunes of the reform movement and of Kress have risen together. He is one of the principal designers of No Child Left Behind, and has used his knowledge and connections to earn millions as a high-powered lobbyist for test publishers.”

Freelance reporter Emily Pyle researched Mr. Kress’s role in education, and she says: “If it seems peculiar that a system so good for business and so hard on public schools should also be packaged as the best answer for “disadvantaged” students, that’s the genius of Mr. Kress. Since returning to the high-profile lobbying firm, Kress has been teaching businesses to turn a profit helping schools meet the mandates of NCLB. In the process, he’s made about $4 million in lobbying contracts, in large part from companies that profit from provisions of the law.”

Emily Pyle also researched Kress’s relationship with Bush and the Dallas business community. Kress presented accountability to the school board in 1990 and the next year, he was elected to the school board. Black school board members saw accountability as an attempt to suppress extra money allotted to neglected black schools.

"As a paid consultant for the Governor’s Business Council, Kress traveled across the state pushing Bush’s education agenda," Pyle writes. "He also served as a board member of the Texas Business and Education Coalition, and a lobbyist for TBEC’s lobbying arm, Texans for Education. By 1998, Kress was working for Akin Gump. Through the firm, Kress held lobbying contracts for McGraw-Hill, the textbook publishing company that had long-standing personal ties to the Bush family. Kress was one of the architects of the Governor’s Reading Initiative, which eventually landed McGraw-Hill the lion’s share of the Texas textbook market."

And when Bush was elected, he took Kress with him. Kress re-designed Lyndon Johnson’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act in the Business Roundtable’s image, naming the new law No Child Left Behind. "The General Accounting Office predicts states will spend between $1.9 and $5.3 billion a year meeting the testing requirement of the law. But that’s only a fraction of the law’s costs; other provisions are even more expensive—and, to the suddenly burgeoning education industry, even more lucrative," Pyle writes.

To the private education-industry sector, Kress’s NCLB is unspeakably gorgeous, as Pyle explains: "No Child Left Behind requires states to produce ‘interpretive, descriptive, and diagnostic reports... that allow parents, teachers, and principals to understand and address the specific academic needs of students.’ Since few pretend that a standardized test given once a year can do anything so sophisticated, schools are finding they need separate ‘formative testing programs’ to meet the requirement. The formative testing model, according to the test publisher NCS Pearson, is to ‘teach, assess report, diagnose, and prescribe.’ Pearson, with other publishers, offers a full range of products for every step of the process."

But testing and assessment isn’t the only new revenue stream created by Kress’s NCLB. "Supplemental education services" represent a second stream, as Pyle notes: "Schools with high numbers of low-scoring students have three years to raise their scores before penalties kick in, and those are also expensive. The so-called ‘choice’ provision, with its passing resemblance to vouchers, has attracted media attention, but has proved unpopular so far. Only about 1 percent of eligible students made the transfer last year, according to data kept by the U.S. Department of Education. Instead, parents are taking advantage of another provision that requires low-performing schools to provide free after-school tutoring services, using a state-approved, ‘research-based’ tutoring program."

And "professional development" provides yet a third revenue stream: "The law also demands a highly qualified teacher in every classroom by the end of the 2006 school year. Though the definition of ‘highly qualified’ is vague, with states setting their own standards of quality, the requirement has opened up a new market in materials geared toward teachers. Most major publishers now offer professional development products and services, some of which provide general training in pedagogy, but many of which merely train teachers to use another of the publisher’s classroom products."

Then, Pyle puts two and two together, and she finds Kress – architect of Bush’s No Child Left Behind and designer of multiple revenue streams benefiting the biggest of business – holding the four with both hands. Pyle did her homework and filled in the gaps in Kress’s excellent adventure since NCLB was enacted.

What is the main perverse effect of No Child Left Behind?

Dailykos.com adds that a mounting body of evidence suggests the "Texas miracle" Sandy Kress used to sell accountability to the country is a sham. Critics point to Texas’ rising dropout rates and flagging scores on college entrance exams as signs that test-prep-centered teaching is taking its toll on kids—especially those who are black, Latino, or poor. Almost two out of five Texas high school students never earn a high school diploma, according to a report released this year by the Intercultural Development Research Association, which has tracked Texas dropout rates since 1986.

Dr. Albert Cortez, director of IDRA’s Institute of Policy and Leadership, explain that the tests, far from being a solution, have become part of the problem. Narrowed curriculum daunts some students into dropping out. Students who don’t think they’ll pass the high school test—a requirement for graduation—may stop going to school. Other researchers, including Dr. Angela Valenzuela of the University of Texas and Rice education professor Linda McNeil, say administrators under pressure to raise test scores may push potentially low-scoring students to drop out before the exam.

The main perverse effect of accountability then becomes obvious and the NCLB law is a "success": the children left behind are no longer left behind, because... they are bored and they leave!

Obama health care plan? Some thoughts in light of the Portsmouth community meeting

CW from Eugene — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:10:19 EDT

In a stimulating town-hall meeting event in New Hampshire on Tuesday, Senator Obama laid out several major elements that we can expect to find in his formal plan for universal health care, while engaging the audience for their experiences, ideas, and suggestions. Here Obama really began to show that he can tackle the nitty gritty policy details while staying true to his vision for a truly democratic polity. He showed that being open to ideas from all sources and deliberating the possibilities can produce better policy than simply promising half-baked quick fixes.

"Birthdays for Obama" fund-raising idea

Emily S. — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 18:21:59 EDT

Hello! For my husband's birthday, he asked his friends to make donations to Obama '08 as their birthday gift. He garnered hundreds of dollars' worth of contributions, and we wanted to share his "Birthdays for Obama" idea with you all.

All the best,

Emily S.

Welcome to Group Administrator's Collaboration Group!

Michael M. — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:43:43 EST

I want to welcome everyone to the group! I'm very pleased that we already have members from all parts of the country! I'm sure we'll continue to grow and that this will be a valuable resource for group administrators and organizers. Please share your ideas and strategies on this blog, or as one member suggested, you can post a link here to your own FTP site with your ideas. I look forward to working with all of you!

Thanks, Michael M, Group Administrator

The election and gamers

Kyle — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 19:53:00 EST

This is what i think Mr. Obama should do to get a couple extra votes

One Small Step Leads to One Million

Nathan Green (Sioux City, IA) — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 21:35:02 EST

Together there is nothing we can't do.

The sooner we start to mobilize, the better. The more ideas we enter into consideration the better. And most of all we should lend each other as much support as we can.

Seeing polls with Clinton leading can make an Obama victory difficult for some to visualize. Being from Iowa, I can remember the 2004 primaries well. Howard Dean entered Iowa with a massive lead. However after some hard work John Kerry left Iowa with a major victory, leading to his eventual democratic nomination.

One small step towards disinformation is reaching people who may not be as politically active on the web. Including people in the older age demographics that may not surf the web at all. I am sure there are web pages (if not we can create them) with PDF and other printable Obama info/fliers/cards. It doesn't have to be a lot just a page or two correcting misconceptions about Barack. Perhaps listing some valid reasons to consider supporting Obama like his exemplary voting record in the senate. We can print and hand these sheets out like business cards to spark interest.

After I have some coffee my ideas should improve!

U2 Fans for Obama 08: The Greatest Group on mybarackobama.com?

Barbara L. — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 23:35:44 EST

I just wanted to say thank you for joining U2 fans for Obama 08. And, while I'm thrilled that each of you has joined, I'm a bit disappointed that there aren't more of us.

Yes, I know the campaign has just begun, and I know this is what one might call a "niche group" (thank you, James), but I also know that we can't be the only ones who see the Obama/U2 connection! So tell your friends and get them to join us.

And if you've got any ideas about how to drum up more members, please let me know, or go ahead and try them. I've posted an invitation on the forums at interference.com (the U2 fan club site), for example.

Finally, if you can think of other ways we can make U2 fans for Obama 08 one of the most active, innovative, and impressive groups on mybarackobama.com, please share them. Feel free to add to the blog or email me.In the meantime, take care and keep the hope alive.

Barbara L.

Meeting to explore ideas

Sue Klaus — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 01:23:10 EST

I will check on the possibility of using a room at City Hall for a meeting to get some ideas from people about local campaigning . Also, I am checking on the hall at St Gerard Majella too for another meeting place.

I am thinking we need an initial meeting of whatever volunteers we can get to see if we can plan some events. I'll let you know what I find out, and if we can get some space somewhere (there is also the gym at McClaughry and the Park District), we can just have a meeting for people to get acquainted and exchange ideas.

Posts with the tag ideas

STEAL THIS

U.S. Health Care Reform Ideas - add your ideas and comments

EV's Fast track to dominant the world.

A Home Relief Plan With Merit and Consequences

INVESTING IN AMERICA

Economic Stimulus and Recovery

Citizens Briefing Book

Sacred Cow #5 - Eating Away At Self-worth

OBAMA has already affected change!

Collective Intelligence - Idea Generation to Realization (Tool Suggestion)

Words

Re-Tool America

We attract the result

METHOD OF OPERATION BY THE AUTO INDUSTRIES & GOVERNMENT

Job Creation

Transition Reading 101

NEW IDEAS TO HELP AMERICA NOW

Campaign Suggestion-- "Barack's Give It Back Campaign"

Message to Obama: Bring on some Serious Change!

PRE-WEEKEND BROWARD PLANS & STRATEGIES

A Battle of Ideas and Philosophy

Solution to Foreclosure/Housing/Economic Crisis

The Final Debate

A Fatal Cancer To The Republican Party

Barrack obama/ speech skills

Yes We Can, Too: McCain and the Politics of Imitation

Ear to the ground in Alexandria, VA

Please Make a Donation in Honor of Sarah Palin

Proposed Ad Contest

ROAD TO NOWHERE

Pre-Announce Key Cabinet Posts: The Power of the Team

It's not about "believin"..."watcha gonna DO, man?"

The New Democracy???

Bullwinkle Supports Obama and Biden

Let's get serious!

Media Marches On

Republican Convention

Oh Boy Obama!

Reel In the Hillary Voters Today!

Prosperity's Blog w/ Creative Talent & Artistic Ideas: In Politics

OBAMA Needs to IMPRESS!

Motivational Note

PRE WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER VOTE IDEAS ------------YOU NEED TO READ THIS

An idea for a commercial.

Come on in! Share your thoughts and ideas!

Obama needs some guts, he's going to lose us.

Solution to the oil problem and more

Central Florida Newsletter Update (Part II)

A Better Slogan?

First Topic: Abortion

The AMERICAN President AMERICANS Have Been Waiting For

The Times They Are A Changing...

Introducting OhBoyObama.com

Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright - National Press Club Speech

McBillary on Colbert, Barack should be next!

Vote in Pensylvania

RUN FOR IT

Voter Registration Thoughts

Addressing the issue of Child Abuse and Pedophiles.

THE OBAMA MINUTE -Takes a Minute, Helps Us Go Forward!

I wrote an unofficial campaign song for the Obama Campaign - What do you think?

...Just some ideas

GOOD IDEAS UNLIMITED

IDEAS GENERATE IDEAS

IDEA FOR POSITVE CAMPAIGN

Critical Tactical Move for Obama

Get get in the Game already.

Live With Dave Abrams Show Email

Obama's Dilemma and What To Do Now

The Beginning

Some thoughts on the race overall...

Feb 27th, 2008 -- Walking and Talking

Present *your* ideas!

How Obama Wins all Future Debates

Barack Obama, Big Ideas, and Civic Republicanism

Simple ways to help

New Slogan!

Ideas for a Powerful New Government (revised)

Ideas for a Powerful New Government

Present your ideas!

Reaching out for everyone's support!! FIRED UP!!