Hello folks...
Just popping my head back up for the first time in a long time. Between writing two books, working full time, and raising two delightful children, I haven't had much time for blogging. But I felt like sharing something I'll be doing with my family on Saturday, October 4th, and I hope your families will join us.
The event is called Families For Change, and it's an opportunity to get our children involved in a history-changing election, and one that means so much for the future of our children, and our nation.
More after the jump...
I got the idea one day when I was sitting with my (then) 4 year old son (now 5), trying to get him to put on his shoes by himself (while changing his 2 1/2 year old sister's diaper). After hearing him, in his best plaintive whine, declare "I can't!" for the 20th time, I said: "You should listen to Barack Obama, and say 'Yes I Can!'." (I know...using political slogans to teach life skills to a little boy is a little cheesy, but any parent out there can empathise with my tactics!) He stopped, looked at me, and asked "Who's Rock Obama?" FInishing up with his sister, I told him that Barak Obama was trying to be elcted President of our country. He then asked, with an incredulousness that only an almost-five year old can muster, "Why does he want to do that?" I then explained to him that Barack Obama wanted to make it easier for Mommy and I to raise him and his sister to be big, smart, and strong, and to make the world a better place. He thought for a moment, and with a delightful bounce in his voice said "Oh, that's cool!". He then ran to the couch and grabbed his big stuffed Sandy Cheeks (familiar to all Spongebob Squarepants fans) doll and said "Squirrel wants to help 'Rock Obama become Pres-dent!". I laughed, and then helped him put on his shoes...after all, we were in a hurry.
I thought about the exchange later, and thought about just how much of a history-changing election this really is. I also thought about how rare these types of races are, and about how cool it would be for him, as he got older, to be able to say that he had an opportunity to take part in it. At that point I decided that I would take him out to do some canvassing this fall, to have a Father-Son outing that would have the bonus aspect of taking part in history. I even thought of some friends with children that I could involve at the same time. Well, one thing led to another, and I made the decision to open this up to everyone.
After all, our children are the ones who have the biggest stake in this election. They're the ones who will have to deal with things like global warming after we're gone. They're the ones who will have to grow up in a nation without civil liberties if we don't restore the constitution. They're the ones who will inherit the bill for George Bush's budget busting tax give-aways, which will grow larger and larger under the rule of John McSame. They're the ones who will be hit hardest by the dismantling of Social Security, public education, and environmental degredation. They are the future that we are trying so hard to save, and they deserve the chance to take part in this campaign to safeguard their tomorrows.
The plan is simple...early on October 4th, gather the participating families together in some central location in your town to divide up the streets and blocks each family will cover. Inform everyone on just where to meet after all are finished with their territory. Then, hit the streets! Knock on doors, hand out literature, and talk to people on why it's important for them to turn out to vote for Barack Obama on November 4th. If your child is well spoken, then let them talk, too! If they're too young or shy to talk, let them hand out the fliers. Let's bring it home to people, especially the cynics, just who has the biggest stake in this election! Then, after everyone's finished, meet at a public park for a potluck picnic/barbecue. This will allow the kids to play, and might just attract smoe passers-by to check out what the occaision is. Every person we contact can make a difference!
So on October 4th, mobilize your family for the Change We Need!
Blessed Be,
Taliesin