Kossacks really do kick my ass. I have been meaning to "get involved" for something like ten years. Every time I move, I think to myself, "Self, this time you're going to go volunteer." But every time, there are plenty of reasons not to.
Then I started reading DailyKos. And hearing the stories, and seeing the passion and power that the individual could actually have in our system. See, I always
knew that to be true, but I guess I never really
believed it until really immersing myself in this online community.
And so yesterday, I found a place to park downtown in Leesburg, Virginia, walked over to 213 King Street, and volunteered to put in some time for the Loudoun County Democratic Committee. I picked up a Jim Webb yardsign, and bumper stickers for both Webb and Judy Feder. While I was there, I met the local committee chair and found out I could volunteer to man a table the LC Dems maintain at the Leesburg Farmers Market on Saturdays. Next Saturday, I will.
The reason I did is because of you folks here at DailyKos. Because of DailyKos, I felt like I could respond to things happening in my community, and make a difference doing so. I've also been inspired by great candidates and leaders, at the state level, here in Virginia:
I resolve to do my part for the 50 state strategy, here at the local level in Loudoun County. Heck, today I think I'm going back to the local headquarters to get some more bumper stickers to give to friends. Right now, for Feder and Webb, its all about name ID.
My wife asked me last night "what's the point of the bumper stickers?" I spent about five minutes explaining the importance of name recognition (which is never really an issue in our house, since we both like talking politics) and how that was the critical issue for candidates like Webb and Feder. There are a lot of of people who don't want to vote for Allen, and hopefully Wolf. A bumper sticker just might make the difference between not voting and voting for someone who otherwise wouldn't know who to vote for.
Little things matter.
With that in mind, I did something different with my Webb yardsign. I put it in my backyard. Behind my house is a really nice jogging path that neighbors use to walk their dogs, jog, and have their kids play. It's a place for ambling and walking, and talking, not driving. And best of all, mine is the only yard sign back there. So someone walking their dog, going by my house will see the Webb sign for at least five minutes, instead of the five seconds it would take to come out the front of the house and get in the car. I don't know if it will help, but I hope it will.
I've finally got my ass in gear to do my part.
Thanks guys.