I was never actively involved in politics until the 2000 election, where I watched what little I understood about the American government and courts system be flushed down the toilet by the hands of powerful, pathetic (mostly rich and white) men. I watched as one African American after another pleaded for their voice to be heard, for their votes to be counted: they got nothing. I watched as America turned to a man never elected POTUS for guidance and help when faced with the worst tragedy in American history: we got nothing. I watched as our Supreme Court was hijacked twice, and while progressives made countless phone calls to their local politicians and sent hundreds of thousands of faxes and emails, well+óGé¼-ªwe still got NOTHING. I watched as American's greatest tragedy was replaced with the new greatest tragedy known as Katrina, and I sobbed for the people whose lives were destroyed, and are now displaced across the country, their last hopes dwindling as they recognize the fact that they too, will get NOTHING.
Why bother expecting anything?
But here, somehow, HERE...a red state is slowly but steadily turning blue. Out of anger, hope, disgust, and even boredom, I became involved with the Tim Kaine campaign early on in the race. I walked, knocked on doors, made calls, delivered signs; I don't want a medal, because I did the same as many of you here writing and reading. But I want those who may be acting passively, who may not "have the time" to help, who may think that apathy is ok for Americans; I want you to think again. The only way we will change the direction of this country is to work for it, and to work HARD. We can win this fight, and our children and grandchildren NEED us to win this fight. The more Americans we can get elected to fight for the common good and the Constitutional principles we all hold dear, THE BETTER.
They call us +óGé¼+ôAngry Dems+óGé¼-¥ like we should be embarrassed; excuse me, but the last time I checked, I am indeed a member of the Democratic Party, and yes, members of the MSM, the Republican/Conservative/+óGé¼-¥Just can+óGé¼Gäót bring myself to vote for a librul+óGé¼-¥ Party: I AM MAD. I am mad at your stupidity and reckless abandonment in times of tragedy. I am MAD at the deficit you have created. I am MAD that my friends in NOLA are still in a shelter in Texas, and my friends in NYC that died on 911 are in a graveyard, if they are lucky. I am MAD that so many young men and women are forced to say +óGé¼+ôYes, sir+óGé¼-¥ and smile bravely as they continue to fight an un-winnable fa+â-ºade of a war. I am MAD that you won+óGé¼Gäót listen to me, and that whatever I say is deemed unimportant because I have a +óGé¼+ôD+óGé¼-¥ listed on my registered voter card. I am MAD that people make less than a living wage, and I am MORE MAD that when a peaceful protest of said bad wages is held, Americans are arrested and placed in jail, which incidentally, costs the taxpayers more time and $$ in the judicial system. I am MAD that you lie, and I am MAD that your supporters claim polls don+óGé¼Gäót matter. I am MAD in the morning, when Bush supporters call Washington Journal and whine that Democrats and the +óGé¼+ôlibrul media+óGé¼-¥ hate the president for no good reason. I am MAD that you are willfully blind.
But+óGé¼-ªmy anger quells a bit each day. With every moment of every day that the party of corruption, greed, arrogance, and ignorance makes yet another mistake, or commits an act of grievance upon global humanity, we take a small step towards democracy for America. Every time an American loses their job to an overseas worker, a pair of eyes is opened. The soccer mom whose daughter ends up pregnant and must walk the line of shame at the clinic may quietly vote Democratic while keeping it a secret from her husband. The Mexican woman good enough to pick our veggies, cook our food, clean our homes, and take care of our children just may call in sick on future election days. A young citizen may decide to find a way to serve his or her country that does not involve bullets and non-existent armor. Politicians may start working for the good of all, versus the good of the few. The country is slowly but steadily crawling out of the fetal position. And that, my friends, is the first step towards freedom, liberty, and justice for all.
Take this moment to make a pledge with me: promise me, and more importantly YOURSELF, that you will never be apathetic. Promise me that when you here ignorance in the form of rhetoric or talking points coming from the other side, that you will not sit silently while the anger wells up inside. Promise me that you will work some elections and help some new Democratic and Independent candidates get elected. Promise me that you will educate your children, family, friends, and even strangers on the importance of accountability and fair politics. Promise me that you will actively engage yourself and as many people as you can in the act of taking America back from the American hijackers. Promise me that you will not stop fighting.
Yesterday, April 16, 2006, Easter Sunday, was my 27th birthday. Help me celebrate the anniversary of the day I was brought into this world by turning this country back to the America we all know and love.
Remember: this country was founded on fighting for rights. And this fight, my friends, is what DEMOCRACY looks like.
See you there!!!
Kathy
hmmm...
I have no Webb stuff to wear, so since it will be hot and humid, I will be in a tank top and goucho pants, plastered in webb stickers!
Lowell-I hope to see you too! This is going to be great!
Poll
Are you willing to go the distance to take our country back?
Yes.
HELL Yes.
HELL FUCKING YES.
Can I get Fuck Yeah?
Damn Straight, sistah!
You know it!
Yes, but only if the TV selection is crappy.
Yes, but beer must be provided.
No, because I am lazy.
No, because I am a useless Republican hack trolling progressive Dem websites bc my party hasn't jumped on the whole "blogosphere thing" yet and I am too much of a tool to do anything but rain on other people's parades.