Like most of you, I was furious yesterday with the FISA bill being passed in the House. I was, to say the least, disappointed with Barack Obama's response and apparent capitulation with the rest of the Democratic leadership over the issue of the warrantless wiretaps. I read angry diaries on Kos written by people swearing to abandon future support for Obama, or declaring that they would be voting "against John McCain" rather than "for Barack Obama."
Then I remembered why I support him in the first place.
This time, one year ago, I didn't know what FISA was. I didn't even know the name of my Congressmen. Things changed last fall when I began watching the presidential debates. Obama stood out from the others and I began researching him online. I remember downloading his 2004 Democratic Convention speech and feeling incredibly inspired. I remember getting excited and emotional hearing his Iowa victory speech. His mantra of "Yes We Can" reverberated in my head, and I felt hopeful about the future of this country again. I saw a movement among the people, a unlikely coalition of people of every race, religion, gender, and creed got together around a man and his message of change.
All of a sudden, I was politically aware. I read political news enthusiastically. I started learning the names of Congressmen, and not just my own. I could even tell the difference between the good ones and the bad ones! While my friends rooted for the Dodgers this season, I was following the Democratic Primary even more intently. I knew back in college that I didn't like Bush, but I didn't know what to do about it. Suddenly, I had found a channel for my activism. I wanted Barack Obama to be president. I donated to good Democrats, I educated myself Now, when the subject of politics comes up, I know what I'm talking about, and I try to educate those around me. This is so important, because if there's one thing we've learned over the last few years, it's that a democracy cannot function successfully without an active and politically-aware population.
This quote is displayed prominently on Barack's website:
I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to change Washington... I'm asking you to believe in yours.
I know he's not a perfect candidate, but I wouldn't even be writing this if it wasn't for Barack Obama. He brought me to this community. He made me an active citizen. He still inspires me.
Obama is still my candidate of change. He's already changed me.