Just sharing what was shared with me. I believe this is something we can accomplish together. If you feel there should be more information or links in this post, just say so and I will do what I can to accommodate. Constructive suggestions are most welcome. Thank you.
* * * * * *
One year ago, we elected this remarkable and brilliant man. The stadiums were rocking, the spirit was burning bright. People all over the USA -- and the entire world -- were excited.
We were going to see the birth of a "new politics". All this old crushing institutional deadness was going to be swept away by a beautiful man with a clear eye and a strong heart and the wisdom and the grace to make it happen...
And yesterday, in the USA national elections -- it was as if the Obama administration and the democrats were calling forth the memories of that moment -- almost a call to "the good old days".
I wanted to write you this afternoon -- because I am sensing not only the need to revitalize the spirit-power that was excited by Barack Obama -- but to suggest some new ways that it might be possible to excite that energy again.
I don't want to say too much -- because these are big ideas, with a lot of power behind them. Right now, I just want to softly knock on the door, briefly say hello, and invite any thoughts anyone might have.
For me -- it's all about the creation of a new politics.
And right now, today, in Washington DC -- for me -- all I am seeing is the old politics dressed up in some new colors.
It's not screaming stadiums full of "Yes we can" spirit. It's that charming Robert Gibbs behind the microphone of the daily Whitehouse press conference, taking a few very limited questions from a few very elite reporters -- and telling us to keep the faith...
Where's the power? Where's the energy? Where's the change? Where's the spirit?
From my point of view, we're right back where we were before -- with a new guy steering the same old tired bus. I for one, don't think it works.
I think we can do much better. I think we gotta do much better. I think Barack Obama called us from the beginning to find ways to act, and make possible something more beautiful and more true and more alive.
We gotta find a way to turn up the amps. We got to get the spirit of USA.CAN burning bright.
How can we do this?
Think about it a little bit.
And for something to trip on -- take a look at the recent U2 concert blasting through YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/u2official#p/u/
What I am seeing -- is wide-band network integration -- amping this spirit of Yes We Can -- and vastly increasing the political bandwidth of this country.
I think that's what we need. "Political Bandwidth".
Obama promised it, and we felt it. And then he got locked in the Oval Office, and the lights went out...
I think it's up to us.
"ground control to major tom......"
"commencing countdown - engines on..."
Thanks for being there.
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Comments: 81
That's a lot of expectation to put on one man, and yet it is so vaguely defined that it can mean any thing and nothing. And this is a big part of the problem. People projected their undefined hopes and dreams onto an inspirational candidate and invested him with their expectant optimism. How could any real world administration meet such expectations? Could anything they do be enough to satisfy those pie-in-the-sky expectations?
You say: "I don't want to say too much -- because these are big ideas, with a lot of power behind them. "
And yet you offer no details whatsoever about what these ideas are, except perhaps to suggest something about "wide-band network integrations" of the "Yes We Can" spirit. But to what end? To accomplish what exactly? And that is the rub: you have to have a goal, a concrete real-world goal to pursue to make this network meaningful.
I say all of this not to be critical, but to bring your enthusiasm down to earth. Because to accomplish anything in this world we must first have our feet planted firmly on the ground.
Please remember that I already stated that I was sharing what was shared with me. This was not intended to begin an argument.
What is your goal? Where do you want this country headed?
Curb my enthusiasm? Not by you. What I find most discouraging is the apathy of the citizens of this country. The low number of voter participation in the November 3, 2009 election. That is what is discouraging.
And yet you offer no details whatsoever about what these ideas are...."
I guess that was my point..........
Just sharing what was shared with me. I believe this is something we can accomplish together. If you feel there should be more information or links in this post, just say so and I will do what I can to accommodate. Constructive suggestions are most welcome. Thank you.
President Barack Obama said from the start that he could not achieve all these changes alone. It would take all of us working with him. I am.
Again, what "changes" are we talking about here??
I merely feel Elizabeth is simply promoting "change" without any real details of what that "change" may eventually entail........
Remember that I am not promoting anything in this post. I am sharing what was shared with me.
I want us to work together and not be so combative. Ultimately, what is good for the individual is good for the country. The economy was, in my opinion, destroyed by the previous administration. "W" never took responsibility for anything. We have inherited an absolute mess and it is going to take time and hard work to correct.
We need jobs in this country. Green or whatever color. Jobs that are not outsourced.
We need health care reform. Health insurance needs to be affordable and employers need to offer this benefit to more of their employees. In my experience employers keep work hours low so they don't have to offer health insurance.
We need to limit access to the President, Senators and members of Congress. That is something that I feel is very important.
Didn't finish that thought.
The constitution, actually, doesn't allow for "getting rid of lobbyists" ...
That's what makes this country the best! ... and worth fighting for.
I understand his motives and sympathize with them. But he might be better served with enacting his agenda with his majority quickly then later attempt partisanship. He has given his enemies too much time to attack him, distort and confuse issues and alientate the voter. He has sought the middle road on privacy, torture, GITMO and the Bush legasy seeking, as he sees it, the better health and security of the nation by avoiding the most devisive issues. Prudent governing has cost him the illusion of "change."
I had to take stock of myself when I saw that level of frustration and impatience rising in my own mind.
I was thrilled and excited to be able to help elect someone that would finally 'change the bullying tone abroad and rehabilitate our reputation as a peace loving people' in the world. Then I instantly became impatient when he didn't use those old ways here at home to storm the Halls of Congress using his heavy weaponry to destroy the opposition by beating them with a club.......just like the last guy did!
President Obama has always said that 'change' won't come FROM him but THRU us so each of US has to decide how hard we want to fight for the changes we deem important to ourselves and what methods we have to use to stay focused on the work that must be done. Anyone that is just going to stand around and wait for more parades and flash to motivate them to keep working really won't have much to show for it.
We do need to focus on the desired changes. President Obama can't do it alone. He needs us to work with him. WE need to let our Senators and members of Congress know what we want them to do and continue sending those emails, faxes and phone calls. These emails, faxes and phone calls are so much more important than most people can imagine.
You are so appreciated.
But, sometimes this "Majority Rules" thing ain't all it's cracked up to be........
"Johnice R. Nov 5, 2009, 10:09am EST
Why allow that to interfere with your individual efforts, when we were born there was no guarantee of success stamped on our bottoms. We do what we can and make an effort to except small defeats as a unit, family, City. State, and Nation. We are not dead yet as a Nation so there is opportunity, hope and optimism!"
What were you "scolding" me for, Johnice??
For disagreeing with you or for merely feeling, thinking, and seeing things differently than you do??
What do you want?
It is not I who ever suggested, implied, insinuated, or posted an article suggesting that anyone needs to do anything to "improve these United States."
What do I want??
What I would like right now is for you to at last, in your own words, state clearly and precisely what it is you want............
Commenting without being aggressive is a talent and BERF your tone is cold and distant and I do not like it!
BERF is entitled to his opinion. I have chosen to take the higher road.
I was discouraged yesterday but it is not easy to keep me down. I am now a much stronger woman. I will continue my work with the citizens of these United States, California and my community. Actions speak volumes.
"Actions speak volumes." Here's to Actions! Cheers! :)
Cheers to you!
I was being neither cold nor distant towards Elizabeth......
I was trying to understand where she was coming from, what she was really trying to say, how she really felt, and what her actual motives were for writing what she wrote.......
Which is a lot more than either one of you were willing to do for me.
Thanks for everything.
I agree that writing to senators and congressmen is the best way to influence the change we want. But it frustrates me because I feel that the senate/congress is ruled by a mob mentality with real threats over their heads. They listen to that before they will listen to hundreds of thousands of different opinions of what the people want.
Phone calling is great, but it's going to take more than phone calls to fix what's broken ... we need legislation. The conundrum has always been this: the politicians need the campaign contributions to run for re-election ... they're not going to sponsor legislation to put themselves out of a job ... Human nature anyone?
Isn't this what most people thought was going to be "changed" by Obama? Didn't people think that their voice would be heard, finally, if they voted for him? Isn't that what "Yes we can" meant? ... "power to the people right on"?
I heard a lot about "getting the corporate interests out of Washington" during President Obama's run for the White House.
I agree with you that people had their own unique visions about what "change" would be - perhaps more of a projection of their own dissatisfactions with the way things really are in their own lives (that's why the "change" concept has always been a brilliant campaign strategy). But if you listen to what people are saying now, they're discouraged because things still work the same way as they ever have in Washington.
Politicians in power want you to believe that there is some "angry mob" of citizens who are scaring politicians not to vote for "change" ... the fact of the matter is that it's not the people, it's the corporations with their army of lobbyists. The House and Senate have the majorities they need to pass legislation. They don't need the Republicans.
Like I pointed-out earlier, the problem is Corporatism. It's how business is done in Washington that needs to be changed. Both parties do it the same way. Most Americans know this instinctively, but their thoughts need to come full-circle.
For the future of this country, please, stop allowing yourselves to get distracted by partisan politics.
Politicians in power want you to believe that there is some "angry mob" of citizens who are scaring politicians not to vote for "change" ... the fact of the matter is that it's not the people, it's the corporations with their army of lobbyists. The House and Senate have the majorities they need to pass legislation. They don't need the Republicans.
The corporatons need to be reigned in. How do we accomplish that? Frankly, I don't know. I am as frustrated as the rest of you.
The President can't do it alone and the Legislature is failing us miserably.
And, as cynical as it may sound: What good does that do??
What happens when people do "communicate with their Senators and members of Congress," and those people are basically ignored and the politicians go right ahead and do what they were already going to do anyway??
To this question, I am sure, your answer will be: "Vote them out of office and replace them."
Replace them with what??
New politicians who promise "Change," yet, once they get to D.C., they merely imitate their predecessors??
This is still true. Do you know your Senator or member of Congress. I can say that I personally know my Congressman. I will hold him responsible for his actions.
What do you plan to do do, Berf? What do you feel needs to be done beyond continually asking questions? I am open to constructive ideas.
What do I plan to do about what, Elizabeth?
If you can not tell me what it is that you think I should be "planning to do," then how am I supposed to answer your question??
Lets see, we have more pro communists i the Cabinet than we have ever seen in capital hill,
We have criminals as Czars, we have a guy that suppports Man Boy love in charge of our schools, and a woman who has stated to High school graduates that Mao is one of her favorite Political Pholsiphers, as Communications Czar.
I meen how much more of a wonderful Administration could we ever hope for? Isn't this just a great change?
And look. Since they got in Office, they have taken unemployment to a new low, as we're seeing more businesses close. Man isn't this just a great change?
Now we're about to get more taxes, and a medical system that will add more deficit to our failing economy, and worse care. Could we ask for a better man in Office?
Afterall, we're all nothing but a bunch of bitter, antipathic, anti-immigration, anti-trade yokels, clinging to our guns and using our religion as a way to explain our misguided and ignorant frustration......
So I do hope they get the sarcasm in that post, and not that I actuall support any of that crap...
However, if all we do is whine and complain, as some people do, we will simply deserve what we get. If I am nothing more than bitter, antipathic, anti-immigration, anti-trade yokels, clinging to our guns and using our religion as a way to explain our misguided and ignorant frustration...... then all my work is worth absolutely nothing.
I refuse to give up.
It wasn't sarcasm....it was a direct quote........
Now when these same people suppoert their protesters after store fronts are smashed, cars burnt, and so on, and then they cry that they are being picked on by the Government because they threw rocks and bricks at people and shops, and got arrested for it, they are victoms...
WHat gives???
I choose to use ther word, and our Marxist government ignores us. I choose a peaceful approach and become labled terrorist. Should I protest like the left, and destroy property and/or injure innocent people, to be heard and respected?
I, for one, have not been involved in violent protests. That is not the way to get the desired results. I have lived and worked in the Berkeley, California area so I know how a proper protest is accomplished.
There are the extreme people in both parties. Not all people on the left are out there destroying property or injuring innocent people. We are using a broad brush to classify many people.
This is simply my opinion.
I could name a lot of names of those that cannot state a view without attacks.
It is to the point now, there are only a few from the left I even want to hear from on Gather, because they can express views without bashing all non followers. James C., and Lloyd are two of them there. We do not agree on much, but we can do so without all the attacks. I don't mind opposet views, it does make one think. I just hate the name calling and personal atacks, that has been defended by the left on here for so long.
Have I ever participated in a protest? Yes. When the herring are running in Capitola, California the fishermen need to limit their area of fishing. The pelicans are chasing the herring and get caught in the netting. Most of the people at that demonstration were senior citizens. The reason I was there was primarily due to a client. She really wanted to be there but couldn't drive. I took her and found her a place with friends. This courageous lady was in a wheelchair. We had signs and got people honking. Absolutely no violence from these senior citizens. They had a cause and made their point.
With that said, I do not mean to be confrontational, Dan. I am experiencing the name calling and personal attacks from all directions. Right, left, independent and so on. You may be experiencing the extreme left as I do from time to time. However, the people on the right are not without fault.
I hope this makes some sort of sense, Dan. This is not a personal attack on you. These are just my observations.
First instruction with the Obama campaign was to always be considerate and polite. When we were calling the battleground states if someone was argumentative, we simply thanked them for their time and went to the next call. It helped teach us patience. I did experience some extreme people. My life has been changed for the better for having this experience.
Thank you for your input, Dan.
Yes we have seen the extream on both sides, I go towards the moderate, and lately information has lead me more right than left, but that does not mean I do not look and think about what is going on.
For those reasons, I cannot listen to people like Rush or hannady, they arfe way too extream, and go way off their rocker at times.
I do protests, and make my voice heard, and stand on the grounds I believe is right, but we all have to do that.
I refused Obama and McCain during the election, because I felt both were bad for the Country. I choose Barr,m because even though there were issues I disagreed with, most of his views I felt were dead on.
With Obama I found more questions than answers, and the answers I found, I did not like. McCain I found a lot of Answers, but I did not like a lot of it either, I liked where his wife stood, she had a better stance than he does. LOL
I liked Barr's view of how tro fix the economy, and world view, as both tied in very nicely, and realistically.
Hey at three of the Tea Parties, we had Democrats, Republicans, Independants, Greens Party, whites, blacks, asians, hispanics, young middle aged, and senior, and a few in strollers, all standing together for a common view. And not one word of hate, nor act of violence.
Hows that? :)
Hey at three of the Tea Parties, we had Democrats, Republicans, Independants, Greens Party, whites, blacks, asians, hispanics, young middle aged, and senior, and a few in strollers, all standing together for a common view. And not one word of hate, nor act of violence.
Hows that? :)
It is very quiet where I live. We can't even get the voter to participate. I would have to travel 50 miles north or 50 miles south to get involved in a protest.
I do not listen to Rush or Hannity. You have a point. They are too extreme.
I respect that you chose a candidate other than Barack Obama. He has been elected and I am doing what I can to work with his administration. We need to work together at some point. We need to find a common ground. I wish I were wise enough to be able to solve these problems. I do not have the wisdom of Solomon.
Thank you for this discussion, Dan.
We need to be a nation of more civil behavior. We need to have respect for the opinion of other people. If someone doesn't answer your question the way you want, then let it go. You will never get exactly what you want that way.
Voter apathy in my area is troubling. It would appear this is not unique. People feel their vote does not count. When we had the primary election there were 67,000 registered voters and only 14,000 voted.
We need to stop being snarky and end the name calling. Everything starts with us. Can we meet that challenge?
That's all I was asking for.............
We need politians to LISTEN TO US!!!!!but they dont... How can rich people relate and understand how the poor or middle class people lives.... even if they didnt come from money, once they start making it... the little people are soon forgotten...
Now, these politians need to tell the truth, dont write checks with your mouth that your rear end cant cash..... Its simple.... telling the truth is good for your soul..
They need to quite worrying about if they offend someone, then they will not get their votes... Big deal...they need to think of the country first... What is best for it.... If we had some limits on how long these people in the White House could stay in office... they wouldnt have to worry about loosing votes because they did or didnt vote for something..
They All need, to take and accept responsiblity for their own faults... Dont play the blame game for years to come....Admit that you voted for something, or did something wrong..
Select people who dont come from backgrounds of not paying taxes, cheating on taxes, has moral issues, has radical backgrounds, associate yourself with honest good people...
Not have all of these Czars to do your job for you because you dont know what to do....
Take some of Nancy Peloskis and Harry Reids power from them... They seem to be running the show...
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are in their offices as a result of being voted in. If not them, it would be someone else and they could definitely be worse.
I live in Calfornia and am working with the leadership here. Since you are in West Virginia I recommend connecting with your Senators and member of Congress along with all the local politicians. We make more of an impact when communicating with them. Since that anthrax scare, getting an actual letter to them is difficult if not impossible. Send those emails, faxes and phone calls. They to listen. We are their connection to the people they represent.
I was discouraged and disheartened yesterday, but I have changed my outlook.
Never give up!
Should be:
They do listen.
I know one member of Congress who prints out her emails to show other members of Congress that people are communicating.
I get so discouraged with all politians anymore... I think Washington is so far removed from us.... they are all rich...
Please don't give up. The more people who contact them the better.
Call DC and ask your wealthy, Harvard-educated agent of change if he's up to that.
HH
Thank you for the HH.