I want to think that as a progressive, that as a active member of my county's democratic committee, that I can make a difference.
Can I?
The committee has no input on policy.
I doubt that I can change my senators Webb and Warner on their positions.
I know I cannot change Eric Cantor's mind on anything. I don't have that kind of money.
So what can I change? I already recycle, drive the speed limit, and try to show kindness to everyone around me.
For a while, I was helping Nepali refugees with their English and job search. But they did not think that they had to do anything to get a job. I asked them to create a master list to be used in applications: no one had one to show me the next week. I asked them to take a bus and show me proof by bringing in a bus schedule. No one did.
I know people who do not care. They think it is ridiculous to recycle or reduce, let alone reuse. Others think politics is not worth it and that it has no meaning or importance in their life.
So which windmill do I attack? Which windmill can I topple?
We did not topple Blanche Lincoln, but I think we knocked her around a bit. And when she loses in November without the backing of the Chamber of Commerce, will the rest of the Democratic Party think that maybe they need to listen to us? Or if she wins, will we be completely ignored?
One would think that Lieberman and Lincoln would be enough said.
There is someone running against Eric Cantor. A really nice guy, Rick Waugh. But he isn't going to win. Cantor probably won't even notice he is running. So am I going to help Waugh? No. Not worth it. He has never run for anything before. Not school board, not county commissioner, not a state delegate nor state senator.
I have helped other losing local candidates and I would help them again.
So which windmills do I attack? Which windmills can be changed?