So, the mid-term elections are 3 weeks away. If you're like me, you are obsessively checking DailyKos and other blogs, as well as four or five newspapers and news magazines online. You're looking at the polls and articles incessantly, hoping to find evidence that the Republicans will lose, lose
big, in November.
After about two weeks of bad news for Republicans, and hopeful news for Democrats in the polls, I am getting antsy. I want it to be over. I want Dems in control of House, Senate, state government, and the FDA.
Now, things seem to be looking up for the Democrats. The Republicans have exposed themselves (again) as caring more about power for its own sake than ANYTHING else, and willing to sacrifice ANYTHING to stay in power. And it seems to have entered the national dialogue that it's time for a change, and that it's time to throw some bums out. Why am I anxious? Because it hasn't happened yet. Because I've never been patient. I want Speaker Pelosi, and I want it
yesterday.
I know we're all working to close the deal. I know we're all focused on winning this election and getting our country (and Constitution) back. I'm writing tonight to tell you my plan for helping Dems get elected, and to ask that you share your stories with me.
My plan:
Give money to progressive candidates. I have donated through ActBlue to many of the Netroots candidates, including Larry Kissell, Joe Sestak, Jon Tester, Larry Grant, and Tim Walz. Sometimes I donated to everyone. I've also donated through ActBlue to the Bluewave candidates, like Ellen Simon and Larry Kissell (again - go Larry!). I'm not rich, but I tried to give to races that could use the money, and could change the political landscape.
Volunteer for a campaign. I am calling potential voters for Larry Kissell, who needs all the voter outreach (and cell phone minutes) he can get. I live in true-blue Boston, but I picked him based on a number of factors, including his amazing message, impressive momemtum, and his participation in DailyKos discussions. But Larry is not the only candidate who needs bodies and callers and canvassers. They all do.
Increase political awareness among friends and relatives. Many of my friends are progressives at heart, but not so politically active. I am telling them about things that I read (and discussions that happen on DailyKos), and getting them more engaged politically (and in the process, pimping DailyKos and ActBlue). Most of my family are Republicans. They will not be voting for Republicans this time. It's not all thanks to me, obviously - the Republicans have practically forced my parents out of the Party with the Medicare business. But I am talking to them about local candidates and trying to tell them there is a choice besides voting `R,' and not voting at all.
Increase voter turnout. I will make sure my friends and family are all registered on time.
I know that there are tons of Kossacks doing amazing things, much more amazing than what I'm doing. The point of this diary is not to highlight how awesome I am. With limited funds, and limited time, this is how I choose to help take back our country. I'd really like to hear stories from other Kossacks, to help me get through tomorrow, and every day until we win.