This afternoon (Sunday) I joined four other middle-aged professional woman for a moveon.org phone party. We were in NH calling numbers in VA provided by out hostess via the moveon.org system. I knew one of the other women very well (college roommate), one casually and had never met the other two although we live in a very small town. Most of us work elsewhere to make the money to make ends meet. We listened to the presentation on the laptop from moveon central, reviewed the paperwork and practiced our script with one another then separated to make the calls on our personal cell phones (weekends free may save democracy for the next generation).
I didn't know where we were going to be calling and was thrilled to be helping out in this race. The moveon system is brilliant in its use of technology and attention to detail. What is good information now will, in time become even more powerful as the information is refined and confirmed. So, I believe I helped not only this election but future elections as well. And, I could picture similar small groups all over the country doing the same thing. Many drops to fill the bucket. I even pictured five middle-age professional women in VA calling NH for the Hodes/Bass race. I think of stuff like that, it's why I'm a Democrat.
It's amazing that there are so many people in this country who just are not interested in politics. How can that be? Is it a failure of our school systems or a fatal societal flaw? One man said "I'm enjoying my Sunday afternoon" I wanted to say "I've given up my Sunday afternoon so the troops in Iraq can come home and enjoy theirs", but I didn't. Several said they were not interested and wouldn't be voting. I wanted to say, "are you interested in having air you can breathe and water you can drink and affordable healthcare and education" but I didn't. One said she was a "strong republican" and I wanted to say there was no such thing because the republicans are playing into our fears and weaknesses. But I didn't. I did mention that Webb worked for (choke) Regan and that many Republicans are supporting his because of his background and knowledge. And there were a few on each page who were following the election and were supporting Webb. One woman said she was originally from Illinois and was quite in VA about her politics because she leaned liberal. However, all her Republican friends were voting Dem. this year. And another said she was supporting Web as much to get the republicans out as anything else.
Afterwards we (the volunteers) shared stories ate the cookies, grapes, cheese and crackers we'd all provided. None of the others read or participate in blogs. I was the most knowledgeable and the gossip was appreciated as well. My former roommate foretold the end of democracy and total domination by this monster that sits in DC. I don't think so. This group and hundreds, perhaps thousands like it are the under the radar activity that is indicative of a system which if not health is at least still alive and kicking. If you've got some time and some free minutes log on to moveon.org and help the cause. Every little bit helps and we need all the help we can get!