Times like these are both invigorating and frustrating for liberal patriots who don't have the power to vote. Those of us who live in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and like me -- in Guam.
I just want to let you know great it is to hear the stories of you who are knocking door-to-door to get out the vote. It's even better to read about those of you who've already voted. Since we can't, you represent us even more than our elected congressional reps and delegates who work in Washington, but have little impact.
For our part, many of us have made sure to call our relatives who are Mainland U.S. residents. Long distance phone banking is rough and expensive, but you guys really provide inspiration to do our part. I want to know though, if any of you have ideas on how else we non-voting Americans can make an impact?
Living out in the middle of the Pacific, it's pretty easy to feel isolated from the Mother country. If you're not a member of the military stationed here, you have very little contact people who can actually vote absentee.
This leads to the problem of apathy in our community when it comes to national politics. I've met many people who want Obama to take the White House, but very few who feel they can do anything about it.
Obama fever was high in Guam during the primaries, where we helped push the tide (ever so slightly) in the right direction. Since then of course, activities have calmed down quite a bit.
For my part, I've been donating to the campaign and ActBlue a little from every pay check since March. People are normally taken aback by this when I tell them.
"Why? You can't even vote?," is the normal response.
I usually explain that I feel ever dollar I give helps to pay for ways where someone else who can vote will hopefully get the message and will ultimately vote when they otherwise wouldn't have.
Besides that and the calls to relatives, I want to know if there's more I can do to help. I can't fly to the states to go door to door (though I'd love to). I don't have much more money to give and my time zone is flipped day-for-night so calling people I don't know is a tricky proposition.
So I'm asking, are there any projects that we non-voters, non-statesiders, and non-travelers who can't spend money calling anybody can help with during this most crucial of crunch times?
We have a call to action, help put us to good use despite our circumstances.