Rebuilding the American Community Neighborhood by Neighborhood

I know the latest email from Howard Dean and the DNC was diaried earlier, but it has since scrolled off and I think it warranted more visibility.  And I rarely write diaries, so I can push down that guilty feeling a bit by telling myself I have some clutter capital to spend here.  And since I was against the illegal war from the beginning, I don't have to spend my capital on Iraq.  Anyway, the latest email from Dr. Dean is about a great event scheduled for April 29th.  The first 50 State Canvass.  Now this is why we supported Dean for DNC Chair (and President, for that matter).

I love the idea of a nationwide door knocking event six months ahead of the election.  And what is better is the simple door sign that the party has created for everyone to pass out.  Check out the image if you didn't follow the link above.  It provides that vision thing summed up on one small sheet.  It lists 6 bullets that Democrats will fight for in 2006 and beyond.

1. Honest Leadership and Open Government
We will end the Republican culture of corruption and restore a government as good as the people it serves.

2. Real Security
We will protect Americans at home and lead the world by telling the truth to our troops, our citizens and our allies.

3. Energy Independence
We will create a cleaner and stronger America by reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

4. Economic Prosperity & Educational Excellence
We will create jobs that will stay in America by restoring opportunity and driving innovation.

5. A Healthcare System that Works for Everyone
We will join 36 other industrialized nations by making sure everyone has access to affordable health care.

6. Retirement Security
We will ensure that a retirement with dignity is the right and expectation of every single American.

I think having those six bullets on a simple door tag can be very effective as more and more Americans are questioning the President, the war, and the Republican party in general.  This simple door tag really announces in a personal way that there is now truly an alternative and we can have a new day in America.

But for me, the best part of this tag is the simple line on the front of the tag that states:

Rebuilding the American Community, Neighborhood by Neighborhood

The message of community is what really sold me on Howard Dean during his Presidential run.  Sure, I loved the firey speeches about Iraq and the bumbling President, but beyond that, what really drew me in was the simple message that my community matters and if I embrace it, great things can happen that I couldn't do all on my own.  I think this simple message on these door tags, combined with the fact that local volunteers all across the nation are the ones delivering the message is so powerful and inspirational.  It takes what was great about the Dean campaign, but also adds in the lessons learned such as the (Im)Perfect Storm in Iowa.  I think Dean truly learned that you can't just ship in folks from the outside.  The best way to turn each American community around is to build up momentum within the community itself.  Washington can provide money and some guidance, but the effort comes from us in our own neighborhoods.  I think Dean truly believes it.  He's run the DNC that way so far and I think this event on April 29th is another great step!