One Week Later...

It's been a week since I started this journal. What a turbulent week indeed.

The economic meltdown is putting my children's future further in debt and in doubt. Don't get me started. That will be the subject of a separate post. My revulsion at the whole cast of players is intense. Why are they not being asked to answer the question: why weren't you paying attention? The only way our government, in this day and age, can pass legislation or agree on action is when they are forced to in a crisis or emergency. The checks and balances have collapsed. Every American citizen should be calling for heads to roll.

But on the campaign front, I feel cheered because I have begun to conquer my gloom through action. I MUST take action. Every single person matters in this batteground state and I must be able to look back and say that I, personally, did everything I could.

Event #1: I attended a "Women for Obama" rally on Friday in Sterling. Joe Biden spoke, along with Sen. Mikulski and a Virginia State Senator. His wife and some family members were also there. I was very close the stage and had a very good look at the man. The key words to describe him are authentic and committed. He talked about legislation he has passed to help women, including a bill to create national hotlines for battered women, "The Violence Against Women Act," I think is the name. I had no idea Biden was even involved in women's issues. Hearing him and the others renewed my hope and commitment. The crowd was a mix of races, ages and genders, as is every Obama event.

Event #2: Yesterday, Saturday, I joined a neighborhood canvassing effort. I was a little nervous at first, but quickly realized how incredibly important this face to face contact with undecided voters is. I knocked on about 50 doors. About half of those people were home.

There were several people I had conversations with that I think made a difference, in particular with two brothers in the late '20's. One of them is a Liberatarian and both of them were thinking about not voting; feeling disillusioned by the electoral process. Both were articulate, well-informed and well-read. I spent nearly 30 minutes at their doorstep discussing the economy, foreign affairs, the financial crisis, etc. We concluded the conversation with their promise to read more deeply into Obama's views and a promise to vote! It was time well spent.

Then I had another conversation with a woman immigrant from Kyrgistan (now obviously a US citizen). She told me that she came to the United States 12 years ago in search of freedom, but was now very afraid that if the Republicans win, that freedom she cherishes would be eroded (especially in women's rights). We talked for awhile and I recruited her as a volunteer for the campaign. We both said good bye with tears in our eyes, knowing how very much in our lives and the life of this country depends on the outcome in November.

The volunteers who spread out Saturday morning across my community were a beautiful tapestry: young, old (ladies with canes), men, women, different ethnic backgrounds. It gives me hope to know the support for Obama stretches so wide and deep.

Event #3: Saturday night I attended a town hall forum at George Mason University. The guests were Madeleine Albright, Richard Clarke and Cong. Jane Harman of Calif. The hall was packed! There spoke urgently about the state of the world and drew the stark contrast in approaches to our national and global problems we can expect from either candidate. I live for this stuff so it was invigorating and again made me want to take action to use my voice and words.

After the panel ended, Richard Clarke stayed and talked with some of us. One elderly woman was in tears almost (after hearing the list of global issues we must confront), saying "How can any one man do all that needs to be done?" We all wonder that, of course. He assured her Barack will surround himself with good people, that it is possible. A very honest question, though...

The panel had done 4 other meetings across the state of Virginia yesterday. Things are grim in other parts of the state. If I really want to get out of my comfort zone, I will take some time off work and go knock on doors in southwest Virginia or Hamptons Road area, truly another universe from my peers and surroundings. I'm giving it serious thought.

Every day matters a lot. I will do my best. Please post your thoughts. Thank you.