Organizing for America

Hoffwalls for Obama

The Glorious Fourth

Howdy, friends and family.

 As some of you may know, I'm taking October to work on the upcoming Presidential election. I am going to work for SEIU in Pennsylvania doing database coordination for the get out the vote effort, starting October 5th. Some of you have already so kindly offered me material support of places to stay, etc. and for that I thank you profusely in advance.

 You probably are aware that this may be one of the hardest things I've ever done. It's not the work; it's leaving my family for a month. The thought of doing this makes me twinge as I type this. I am unhappy at the prospect of a separation and I feel guilty about this. But I'm doing it, anyway, for a very selfish reason. I think the best way I can spend my time, money, and attention to help provide for the future of my family is to ensure the election of Barack Obama in November. I do not want to look back in December, or in 2012, or in 20 years, and think that there was something I could've done but didn't.

There's a tendency to repeat the phrase "this is the most important election in our lives" until it seems empty, but I feel convinced this is very much the case. It's not just the course of the next few years or decades that are at stake. We have such dire existential problems facing us, and such a crying need for sensible, reasoned, smart, and pragmatic leadership moving forward, and such a wretched example of the difference that a failure in leadership from the last eight years, that this election seems critical to whether we're going to have time to catch up with them.

 I'm also aware that many of you have already given until it hurts for this campaign, and that you have obligations that prevent you from doing what I'm doing. I am hoping I can carry the torch for my friends, family, and colleagues.

 And, I'm also asking if you can support my decision with just a little more by way of contribution to the Obama campaign. Even if it's only $10, I would take a small contribution as a sign of your support for my Excellent Adventure. Contribute through my personal Obama fundraiser page or in whatever way you can. If you have some time in the next month, find a local phonebank operation, or even better, do a little door-knocking. It's scary the first few times you do it, but people, even people who would seem to disagree with you, are crying out for a dialogue, some reasoned connection with their fellow citizens. It's not just about winning, it's about governing, and one of the things I've admired most about Obama is his focus on the ultimate importance of grassroots organizing -- which is us, talking to us, about our problems.I think this is the biggest difference between what the Republicans are offering us this election versus Obama's and that of the Democrats. The Republicans are obviously intent by a divide-and-conquer approach to the election and to governance. We have to remember Obama's stance, that we are one America, and that ultimately we will thrive or fail as we remember and act upon that.

 I use this as a reminder to myself when working through my own anxieties about separating from Mika and Duncan for a month that we conquer fear and mistrust with courage and love, and, yes, hope, to guide us. I do this with hope and optimism. This election is about the future, and about my son's future, and this is the time for us all to do whatever we can. Thanks for reading this far - I know I do go on, but this is a big month.

 With love and hope,

 Matt