(Note that this isn't a diary about whether to support President Obama, or why. If that's what you want to discuss, go do it somewhere else.).
It really is very simple. And I'm not saying that everyone should do this, just the people who would like to support President Obama. The rest of you, why don't you wander off and comment somewhere else, or even take the initiative to write your own diary? I can assure you, your comments will be irrelevant and unnecessary here. We're starting from the operating concept of "Be the change you want to see". Which means, it is incumbent upon you to initiate those changes you wish to see in the political landscape of America the Beautiful.
For all that many whine about the poor directions the White House is going in, few have shown effective or significant political pressure. This strikes me as ridiculously innocent, since anyone who has spent 5 minutes with a politician know s that they love being forced by a public majority to take significant beneficial action. I've been involved in such projects, and it's very satisfying for all involved.
So when I suggest ways to support President Obama, they all involve supporting liberal and progressive causes. They involve standing up for issues that are meaningful, and will benefit others. Whether that's killing the millionaire tax cut, or supporting unemployment benefits, or whatever, so be it. Stand up and fight! And then bring 5-10 more people to the table. Partner with a non-profit. Start a fundraiser. Post on facebook. Argue with someone at a bar. Get a bumpersticker. Participate in an online petition.
DO SOMETHING! Obama's not going to fix this on his own. As a community organizer, he certainly appreciates the importance of individual and group action. Honestly, if there's one thing I think he has been surprised by, it's that there aren't seething mobs of activists rattling the bars of the White House fence day and night demanding that he make things right. And if there's one thing he can't appreciate, it's passive whiners who are offended that he hasn't fixed all the things they fantasized he would have by now.
I work with various non-profits. I deal with a lot of well-intentioned volunteers. "Implementation is where good ideas go to die", is one of my mantras at meetings. I can't stand idiots who will willingly run their mouths about how things should be, and what's currently wrong, and what everyone else should be doing, without making any commitments themselves. "Lead, follow, or get out of the way" is old-school, but still operative. I don't waste my time on people who don't have blood in the game, who haven't made a commitment. Nor would I expect otherwise from Obama.
And before I'm accused of self-righteousness, I'm not doing anything that I expect Obama to appreciate. I'm focussed on local issues, and I don't anticipate national attention. I am honestly not worthy of that level of interest. But if I can push forward meaningful initiatives, like youth environmental education, or social justice, or help plant gardens and lead watershed cleanups, all the better.
And so to you, how are you supporting President Obama?