I'm supposing most kossacks are tuned into mybarackobama.com and have received an email enlisting our written support for federal spending (in all its incarnations) focussed on 3 things the American public really wants --or at least those of us to the left of the party of NO.
Here's what we find there...
The Plan:
Energy — Transforming America's economy to run on clean and renewable energy in order to create new American jobs and industries
Health care — Comprehensively reforming health care so that families, businesses, and government are relieved from the crushing costs that impede economic growth and prosperity
Education — Reforming and investing in America's education system so that citizens are prepared to compete in a global economy
Music to our ears, sunrise to our tired eyes, cheers! Which brings us to:
The Pledge:
I support President Obama's bold approach for renewing America's economy
I will ask friends, family, and neighbors to pledge their support for this plan
Upon pledging, which I heartily recommend for those who haven't done this yet, we are taken to a page that asks what you are doing for the cause:
Have you recently worked or volunteered in any of the following fields?
Energy, environment, or transportation
Health care
Education
I check the first item. Volunteering for the "Green Festival" in Denver come the first week of May. Hope to learn and share from the experience. Am also studying rainwater harvesting for the dry southwest where I live. But, crap, I'm driving a 100% fossil fuel car to get to Denver. Hopefully a better car in my future (more stimulus for green cars please! But I get ahead of myself...). Now the hook, and it's a good one, ask not what your country can do for you...:
How are you willing to build support for the President's economic blueprint?
Calling potential supporters from your own home
Attending and making calls at a phonebank
Hosting a phonebank
Going door-to-door in your neighborhood
Organizing a door-to-door canvass in your neighborhood
Hosting a house meeting
Attending an Organizing for America training
Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper
I flashback to the presidential elections. 1st time I've ever donated to any candidate or cause even though I am on a low fixed income (doable only because I own the cabin I live in). I detested all 8 years of GW and everything he stood for, so I donated and donated some more, and visited our local Obama campaign headquarters to register my partner to vote. But I couldn't quite bring myself to hitting the phones or do door-to-door.
My reluctance wasn't about shyness, it was rather about my feelings about candidate Obama's policies as outlined in "The Audacity of Hope", his 2nd autobio/ personal philosophy book. While I was comfortable promoting his campaign financially, I couldn't be a direct salesperson because there were too many things I had questions about, and a few outright disagreements that made it difficult to go door-to-door about. I also had absolute certainty that he was going to win, had I seen any evidence to the contrary, I would have swallowed my reservations and done whatever else was necessary to help avoid the possibility of a McCain/Palin nightmare White House.
So now we are free of the election nightmare scenario, only to find ourselves in the GW toxic-waste cleanup nightmare scenario, and we are being asked to help some more. So I signed the pledge -- it is very important to me that there is at least a visible headcount behind our President's policies that I agree with in principle. But once again, I cannot go the rest of the way. My reasons haven't changed, just as Obama hasn't changed. For those of you who are cheering the President for moving in a direction far superior to the previous 8+++ years, I'm with you. For those who say he's doing enough, we'll just have to agree to disagree. Here's the feedback I gave to Plan/Pledge, I don't expect any response, but I hope at least a sizable number of progressives continue to attempt to have our voice heard in forums such as these offered by our communicative President:
Education, healthcare and Energy Independence are each vital for our security and for our future. Presently, I believe President Obama is being far too cautious on the latter two issues. We need single payer options and MUCH more money to get us off of the oil and coal energy grid ASAP. You have a chance to inspire our imaginations and collective pride on the energy issue -- 15B$/year is too meek by a power of 10. Count on my active support if you act more boldly; at the moment I can only cheer you on from the sidelines.
thank you,
don
p.s., Regarding the energy policy, imo you're vastly underplaying a large segment of our population's desire for rapid change -- 15B$/year will not be enough to notice and your presidency will ultimately be viewed harshly from many segments of society if there is not much to show for 3 years of effort when you come up for re-election....
Finally, the site asks to send the pledge to family and friends and lovers (okay, I made the last one up) so our opinions can be seen by Washington and the media. Done, without reservation.
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p.s., I hope I'm completely mistaken. I hope the economy recovers rapidly, and that the green economy catches fire with the mild stimulus. Time will tell.