Darcy Burner's Fundraiser
Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 10:12:54 PM PDT
I just came back from Darcy Burner's fundraiser here in the LA/Hollywood area. Although I am an irregular contributor here at dKos, I read this (and many other) blogs on a regular basis and consider myself to be a part of this community, albeit mostly a passive one. So, as a passive member of the community, I would like to share my experience with you.
First and foremost, Darcy is an amazing netroots candidate. She has a specific plan to end the Iraq war and really deserves your support. Please donate here.
Okay, now on to my personal experience at the fundraiser.
What a night! I met many web-celebs -- John Amato, Matt Stoller, Digby herself -- just to name a few. But what was most amazing was that I felt, something I haven't felt in years: empowerment, excitement, and the thrill of being a part of something bigger than myself.
More below...
I have been politically active for over a decade now, spending most of that time knocking on doors, phone-banking etc. I always got a good feeling from doing this kind of legwork because that meant I didn't have to deal with internal power struggles, egos and the like. I deliberately took a backseat during the Draft Wes Clark campaign in '04, and his subsequent failed presidential run, for that reason. I didn't want to be a part of the machine, but I wanted to do something, so phone-banking and door-knocking was my strategy.
But, as Dick Cheney oftentimes says, everything has changed. Indeed, the entire structure of politics and politicking (if that's a word) has been turned upside-down.
I went to this fundraiser and, being unemployed, could only contribute the minimum amount of $25. But I spoke with Darcy and told her that, while I don't have a lot of money, I do have a lot of time and would like to help in some way.
So, she pointed me to Matt Stoller, and from that conversation, I have set myself up to volunteer in a communications capacity, since that is my background and frankly my greatest personal strength. (For the record, my greatest personal weaknesses involve anything involving music and anything involving accounting and number-crunching. And yes, for the record, I am very jealous of you musical/numerical types.)
Finally, I have the chance to really make a grassroots impact that does not involve massaging egos and building and sustaining a power base. I can finally use my strengths more effectively to help some of the best netroots candidates out there without sacrificing my principles or being some sycophant looking for an angle.
Friends, for the first time in a long time, I feel empowered, inspired and motivated to do something for the good of this country. And I have the netroots to thank for that, especially all of you, who are such an amazing community of diverse, intelligent and motivated people. Whether you realize it or not, you all have inspired me.
And it feels great.
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