and I lost.
I trusted President Obama to keep his promise.
I literally prayed, I called and I begged friends to call him.
This was months before he was elected. He PROMISED that he would vote for me. He would vote to make sure my rights weren't violated again.
Don't recall what that was about?
Let me refresh your memory.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/...
Obama missed the February vote on that FISA bill as he campaigned in the "Potomac Primaries," but issued a statement that day declaring "I am proud to stand with Senator Dodd, Senator Feingold and a grassroots movement of Americans who are refusing to let President Bush put protections for special interests ahead of our security and our liberty."
Sens. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) and Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) continue to oppose the new legislation, as does Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). All Obama backers in the primary, those senior lawmakers contend that the new version of the FISA law -- crafted after four months of intense negotiations between White House aides and congressional leaders -- provides insufficient court review of the pending 40 lawsuits against the telecommunications companies alleging privacy invasion for their participation in a warrantless wiretapping program after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The Bush white house was spying on us through the phone company. The only way to get to them was by suing them. Barack sold me out, and gave the phone company immunity.
But you know what. I wasn't stupid. I knew that he was still going to be better than John McCain. But I had learned my lesson. I wouldn't "bet" on him anymore. Before I was just going to sit by and vote for him.
I decided, instead of despairing, I would help him get elected (I spent more than 200 hours on this during the fall, and 200 dollars despite getting a paycut).
I started reading daily kos. I supported those who would rant for me. I would also make sure the right congress-people and senators heard from me and got my money.
So today, I say to the diarist on top of the rec list, if we I get the public option, it will be because we pushed and cajoled. And if we don't, well, I hope you get embarrassed enough to help on the next battle, instead of wasting your time fighting with fellow progressives
UPDATED: i struck the last sentence out because, I'm doing what I'm mad at the other diarist about.
My final Update (from a comment below):
My central point here, that wasn't expressed well, is that I thought I could get what I wanted by simply voting and not getting involved.
I.e. I was "betting" instead of working.
Now I'm involved, calling and donating.
I need to taking a writing class.
Thanks for reading.