Grab some popcorn. Picture show at the end. A reminder of who we are.
But let's not let good news temper our fear of the GOP, or lull us into not voting, K?
It seems the members of the Tea Party mostly just Tea Party:
Seventy percent of the grass-roots groups said they have not participated in any political campaigning this year. As a whole, they have no official candidate slates, have not rallied behind any particular national leader, have little money on hand, and remain ambivalent about their goals and the political process in general.
WaPo spent months canvassing hundreds of local tea parties.
Who would have guessed?
If you have a few minutes, I recommend the reading the Washington Post report:
So, how does that explain Alaska's Joe Miller and Christine O'Donnell's ascendence?
the Sacramento-based Tea Party Express spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on advertising for Republican Senate candidates Joe Miller and Christine O'Donnell, respectively.
Other national groups, such as FreedomWorks and Americans for Prosperity, have also built organizations and spent millions of dollars on advertising, high-profile bus tours or other direct campaign tactics.
The Post's conclusion:
While the tea party groups may lack a unifying direction or vision at the moment, the results show that they are ripe for action. A remarkable 86 percent of local leaders said most of their members are new to political activity, suggesting that they could be turned into a potent grass-roots force heading into the 2012 elections.
Of course, their general lack of interest in politics also suggests that they could just as easily recede, particularly if the economy improves.
So, what do the tea party groups do?
Lisante, from Miami County, Ohio, said his meetings generally start with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer, and then a speaker and a skit - the most recent was about the bank bailout. (Lisante said it was very funny.) The point, he said, is not to organize political action but to educate members and encourage them to become active on their own.
"Basically, we say: 'Listen, guys: You can no longer be the one who doesn't vote,' " Lisante said. " 'If you want to have an impact, you've got to show up.' "
But let's not be too sure. Let's see the tea party as the threat it might be and could become. They are motivating, imo. I'm motivated to work hard so that they never grasp the reins of power in this country.
I think the tea party has set an example. Specifically, that creating many small working groups is a pretty good idea. And that lacking leadership is a pretty bad idea.
Why not take the good idea, work with some existing nationally dispersed progressive organizations, charge a steering committee with the task of keeping everyone focused and accountable, and become a true unified under one roof cohesive grassroots movement to be reckoned with?
I think that is what One Nation Working Together has the potential to offer.
I know we are busy with GOTV.
However, when we each have a quiet moment, perhaps we can take an inventory of our resources:
How much time per month could we dedicate to participating in a nationally affiliated movement designed to increase voter roles and turnout, etc.?
How much reluctance, shyness, or other obstacles would we have to overcome to become a joiner?
What talents do we have to offer?
Do we have any friends we could invite?
Can we be led? or lead?
What degree of patience do we have for the long haul? slow growth? group dynamics?
How motivated are we to make a difference?
Hubristically speaking, forgive me if this sounds too bold, but I have a vision of how we can accomplish a cohesive, on message, slow rising tide that can make the differences we need to move this country forward.
Yes, the obstacles loom large. And yes, we have some high solid barriers to break through.
But we are many and we are good and we want goodness for this country and our brothers and sisters. We aren't seeking unbridled power, wealth, and fame.
Perhaps we can spend some time reflecting about what we are seeking.
This is an invitation. An invitation to join. We can work out the details beginning November 3rd.
Never, ever forget who we are:
Such a huge contrast to the angry tea baggers:
ONE NATION
Yes, this is Dick Gregory
ONE NATION
Friends
ONE NATION
Mother and Son
ONE NATION
Mother and Son
ONE NATION
Chaplain Sylvia Jordan and her nephew Garland.
ONE NATION
Our Latino Sisters
ONE NATION
Father and Daughter with Ben Jealous
ONE NATION
BFFs, they said so. Best Friends Forever.
THE ONE NATION STAFF
Incredible people. They had to all be dog tired by the time the rally commenced, but they were always happy, gracious, and kind.
ONE NATION
United They Stood
Ben Jealous.
ONE NATION
Amy Goodman.
We are One Nation. And we are beautiful! Each and every one of us.
We are here together at this important juncture of history. There is a big mess to clean up. So many issues. So much injustice. And so much promise if we can unite and work together.
Let's work together and make a difference.
Let's help future generations avoid this: