I apologize in advance if someone else has posted this before, but I did not catch anything in a brief search of the archives.
Since Governor Palin's acceptance speech at the RNC convention in a locked-down St. Paul a week or so ago, there has been a lot of frustration and outrage at her insult toward community organizing. Similarly, there has been a lot of hand-wringing and nervous worrying over the last week about the tightening of the presidential race, the daily tracking poll horse-race, and the increasing sliminess of the McCain/Palin campaign.
If you want to know the antidote to all of this, read on below the jump...
The antidote is COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, or ACTION! This thing is far from over. It was never going to be easy. So, over the next 6-7 weeks, we need to be concrete and energetic in our attempt to win this thing. In that spirit, here are two good ideas that anyone, anywhere can do:
Idea #1: Postcards for Obama in Ohio
This is great and could be easily duplicated in other swing states...
Invite some folks over to your house for a postcard writing party and help the Obama/Biden ticket in Ohio.
Here is how it works: Get your friends and family to send 10 postcards to the address below and the folks there will mail them to voters in Ohio. Please remember how important Ohio is and that it is one of the states where GOP voter fraud was blatant in 2004. Just a couple of lines on 10 postcards showing off your home state! Your investment on postage if you send 10 cards will only be $2.70 plus 10 postcards You can make a big difference and it's possible to write a short note 10 times in an hour or so. This is a real grassroots personal outreach. Make a difference - write to Ohio this week!
Here is a more detailed step-by-step:
STEP ONE: Purchase 10 or more postcards representing your city, state or region. Get ones that have a significant monument or iconic image from your state. Purchase 27 cent stamps for each card.
STEP TWO: Write a brief, to the point message no more than 2-4 sentences long. Here is some sample language: "Dear Fellow Voter, I am voting for Barack Obama because he will get us out of the war in Iraq sensibly and will push out the special interests that have dominated our politics for too long. For a better economy, more affordable health care, better schools, a healthy environment, and a more sane foreign policy, there is really only one choice in this election. The Obama/Biden ticket presents the only chance to change directions from the tragedy of the last 7+ years of Republican dominance. Please vote for Barack on November 4 and spread the word! Sincerely, (Sign Your First Name, City and State)"
STEP THREE: Stamp each card, leave the return address and mailing address areas on each card blank (the cards will be addressed by volunteers), and mail all of your postcards together in an envelope(s) or box to:
WFO Post Card Campaign
193 E. Rich Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Please mail your postcards no later than September 20, 2008.
Yes We Can!!! Happy Writing!
Idea #2: Obama's Neighbor-to-Neighbor Tool
The Obama campaign has created a useful online tool, called "Neighbor-to-Neighbor," which is designed to put you in touch with people in your neighborhood who you might reach out to in your local organizing efforts. This is community organizing at its best. Here is how the website describes the effort:
This campaign is built on the belief that everyday Americans, when organized and focused, can change their country.
Now you can have an even greater impact on your community. Start today by logging in to our new voter contact tool to find voters near you to reach out to. You can go door to door or make calls at any time that’s convenient for you. There's no one who knows your community better than you do, so help us build support for Barack Obama and this movement for change by beginning in your own neighborhood.
When you log in you'll see that we’ve prepared all the resources that you need, including:
- A list of voters in your neighborhood who we need to reach out to
- A script you can use in your conversations
- A customized flyer you can distribute
- Easy interfaces to report back the results of your efforts to the campaign
- Support and training to answer any questions along the way
Check out the "Neighbor-to-Neighbor" tool by clicking here.
These are both GREAT, easy and practical ways to help the Obama campaign and beat back the slime, the smears, the distortions and outright lies emanating daily from the McCain campaign.
Let's show the McCain's and Palin's of the world the true power of community organizing...
Check 'em out and spread the word!