I never donated to a political campaign until I donated to Barack Obama's campaign. I gave $110.03. I raised around $1000.
I'm not what you'd call a political type. I am not a power-broker. I am not a hob-nobber.
I'm a father and husband. I am employed in the helping professions. I've always believed that government power should be limited, and that we should use government to extend freedom to as many people as possible (and not to control, coerce, or threaten).
I voted Bush in 2000.
But today, along with a diverse group of progressive Tennessee bloggers, I'm asking you to donate to the Tennessee Democratic Party.
Why? I've got reasons a-plenty...
UPDATE: The Chip In online fundraiser has already brought in over $1,000 in just 4 hours and 20 minutes. Keep up the great work!
UPDATE #2, 4:52 PM CST - We're nearly at $2,000 in less than 10 hours ... that's serious progress!
- We can't go on allowing Fox News to inspire acts of domestic terrorism.
- TN GOP spokesman Bill Hobbs is trying to start World War III.
- The new TNDP chair has put the Republicans on notice.
- The TVA is destroying parts of Appalachian Tennessee.
- Al Gore is back.
- Tennessee is the 4th largest state in the country to vote McCain in 2008. But we have a majority of Democratic US House members (5-4) and a Democratic governor.
- Tennessee still leans Democratic as a state. But with electronic voting machines, no paper trail, and a newly selected GOP Secretary of State, the risks of voter fraud are higher than ever.
- The newly elected Republican majority in the TN State House seems more interested in political cannibalism against the new House speaker than in addressing college and university funding, gaps in healthcare for Tennesseans, or cleaning up the polluted environment (see #4).
- Have I mentioned that TN GOP spokesman Bill Hobbs is a crapweasel?
- TN Republicans are licking their chops as we approach redistricting in 2010.
- The Republicans in TN raised $1.4 million in one event last week. But they can't buy votes.
This fundraiser is about participation, not merely dollars. Hope you'll chip in.
UPDATED: I'm struck by this key statement from President Obama today, at the signing for the Children's Health Insurance Program legislation passed through Congress: "In a decent society there are certain obligations which are not subject to tradeoffs or negotiations."