What we can do

It would be easy to lose hope right now and let the Republicans roll right over us once again. Parapluie has another idea. She put it into comments, but I thought it was worth putting here to hope others will see it and think about it for themselves. I have said all along that Obama can't do it by himself. It will take us, and he has said the same thing. He is an organizer, someone who helps get people started but it's never been him promising a pie in the sky or that he's the Messiah. He needs people working for the same goals. We have to speak out, put up signs to show where we stand, and donate whatever we can afford to the campaign. This is not the time to give up.

Parapluie suggested this:

"I was shy about going out and campaigning in our neighborhood. I know in our immediate neighborhood there are some who have a view close to Christian Fundamentalists. This is something I have never done before. But that is all changed.

"This is absolutely the best way to elect Obama as president. I believe even the neighbors who don't want to talk to me and are angered by my approaching them are less angered by me than any other outreach to them.

"And because I ended the politics immediately by saying a OK and wishing them a good day, they might come around in the quiet of their own space as events come up itn the next two months. In our neighborhood we share the sadness that a house was returned to the bank and the nice hard working neighbor had to move out.

"I do want others to reach out to neighbors as I am doing. I am not depressed because it ain't over until it is over. I urge more people to go out and voice the strategy set up by Obama's campaign because it is brilliant. Reaching neighbors could make all the difference.

"The campaign team knows the economy is hurting us most and we might care to know that he has energized the first group he helped in South Chicago. Notice this is not hand outs but a proven way to get people involved in government to get the education they need to find new work.His Chicago project had real results in empowering the workers who lost their jobs because the steel plant closed.

"In the programed neighborly script his big message to undecided voters is to assure us that he will fight for all Americans, passing health care reform that will save families $2,500 per year, closing corporate tax loopholes, and delivering up to $1,500 in tax relief to hard working Americans.

"Then there is a question for the undecided on which of six issues they care about most - Health Care, Trade, Iraq, Foreign Policy, Education . The process prescribed in campaigning will only work if more people volunteer and start soon. This grass root approach has great potential. So please give it a try.

"Another hopeful note for the Obama campaign is that they are campaigning to sign up thousands of young voters. Have they been polled? I don't think so. To learn more about the new ads for Obama go to http://pol.moveon.org."