My Challenge to DU: Find one campaign and volunteer to make a difference

[LynneSin]

I live in Delaware and our sad story is that democrats have solid control of the governor position probably for the next 3 milliniums and they don't have the balls to actively go after the lone statewide republican - our only congressional representative Mike Castle. In a nutshell, Delaware ain't the hotbed of political activities.

In 2002 & 2004, even though I was in Delaware, I tried to get active with campaigns up in neighboring Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is only 30 minutes away and is the secret to winning statewide in Pennsylvania. Get high voter turnout in the city of Brother Love and you're winning Pennsylvania.

But things have changed in 2006. Gas is almost double what I paid even two years ago and volunteering for a Philly campaign usually means about $15-20 in parking garage fees. With gas at $3/gallon - making a trip every Saturday to Philly just became very costly.

However, right over the border in Chester County is part of PA-06 and a seat that was narrowly won by a man who received a ton of support from Tom Delay's PAC back in 2004. This year the same gal is running against Jim Gerlach again and that's Lois Murphy. Here's a very strong chance for use to not only pick up another democratic seat to help get those 15 much needed seats for majority BUT we could replace a Delay lachkey with another pro-choice democratic woman. So I've decided that I'm going to spend my Saturday's driving to Chester county where it's not as glamerous as a downtown democratic HQ overwhelmed with volunteers stuffed to the gills with donuts and caffeine but instead a smaller campaign where I believe we can make a difference in 2006.

So this is my challege to everyone here at DU - find a campaign where you know you can help make a difference and VOLUNTEER. Even if it's just 1 day a month, that day might just make the difference between a republican doing the same old crap or a democrat who will help bring change to this congress. I'm tired of the bullshit that democrats are just the same as republicans because it's just not true. Because, in my opinion the absolutely worst democrat elected in DC is still 1000% better than the absolutely best republican we could find. We will always have a few lunkers elected for our party but even those lunkers will still support the majority and help put amazing progressives into very important committee seats. And when you have the majority you can control the flow of legislation as it goes through congress. You can call for the important hearings needed to address corrupt issues. But if we don't have the majority then Bush is a lame duck and he can do whatever he wants, however he wants and there will be nothing to stop him since he doesn't have to every worry about an election ever again.

So find that campaign out there and VOLUNTEER. If it's not your congressional district, then maybe it's a neighboring one. Or perhaps if you aren't near any decent races then you'll make a donation to help out one. But please, I challege all DUers and especially those who are living here in the United States to get involved and make a difference. I know that I am!!

[skipos]

1. I accept your challenge. I live in MI but am close to OH

so I plan to go where needed.

[LynneSin]

3. Don't disregard Michigan - I heard your governor has a tough race

and that the Amway guy running against her is willing to spend $60million of his own money to defeat Granholm

[UrbScotty]

11. Yes - but DeVos can't buy my vote

...and with the help of my fellow Michigan Democrats, he hopefully won't buy the governorship either.

[benddem]

2. We have some

real battles in OR. I am actively working in 2 and will be in a third after the primary next week.

[jschurchin]

4. I already have.

I am volunteering for Jason Altmire for the 4th Congressional district in Pennsylvania. We are canvasing my hometown on Saturday and I am working the polls on Tuesday. If all goes well he will face Melissa Hart in November.

[quisp]

5. Webb for Senate against Allen here in VA n/t

[UrbScotty]

9. Yes. Go Webb!

He definitely has a chance to beat Bush-lover Allen.

[longship]

6. Find a district that needs help.

Even one which seems "sure" for the Repugs. There are many, many quality Dems running this time.

I've not decided yet. Lookin'.

[Tiggeroshii]

7. I made phone calls for Debra Bowen a little and hope

to not only volunteer for her this summer but also work at ousting my criminal Representative Lewis by campaigning for Contreras also.

[skeeters2525]

8. Dan Seals Illinois !0th

He is running against Kirk the warmonger. Heard him speak tuesday at the Dem meetup courtesy of IllinoisDemNet.com. Was a great speaker and told us the facts and said the most important thing. Voting is not enough. You have to get involved. Slam Dunk. I will work my ass off.

The best part of the meetup. Everyone had to get up and introduce themselves. Mine was, I last worked for Barak Obama and Alan Keyes moved on to my block to challange him. Except for the press conference, Keyes never spent a minute at his phony address. Many of the people introduced themselves by saying, I have never been involved in politics, but I see what is happening and I have to do something.

I also intend to work all the precincts in Northwest Indiana. We can take Indiana. Don't it make my red state, BLUE.

Don't fight the Dems. Work to get them elected. PUUUHHHLEEEZZZEEEEE.

[JNelson6563]

10. Glad to see no attacks on this thread

On another thread I spoke of my activism with a local campaign and I was told I am a blind loyalist (yes, right there on DU). As the discussion goes on I am also learning I am a zealot etc.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2278747&mesg_id=2279923

Julie