michellegh2004's blog

I voted today--and it was one of the proudest moments of my life! My husband and I were home from work and we made an event of it: we went out to lunch at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants and headed over to Skokie Village Hall to vote. It was about 2 pm on a Monday afternoon and it was crowded--I counted 7 machines and we waited about 20 minutes to use a machine--on the first day of early voting!!!

Let me explain why this is the the proudest vote of my life: I grew up near St Louis in downstate Illinois, where everyone with whom I went to school was Christian and white and mostly blond, moved to Texas as a young adult and later to North Carolina (pre-Sen. John Edwards, when Jesse Helms was still Senator). I mention this only because racism was evident in all three places (I know this because as a young white woman, people often felt comfortable telling me their views of race, thinking I felt the same way--I didn't and was incensed that because I LOOKED like them, they thought I would THINK like them.) As I matured, I found my voice to challenge these racist and often fear-based beliefs and to give them concrete examples of why their views were harmful.

Fast forward to today, October 13th, 2008. Voting and working for (and contributing to) Barack Obama has made me proud again to believe in a cause that's larger than electing our first African-American President of the US--we're electing a man who embodies the better angels of our nature and has the policy-wonk chops to back it up. I'm proud that Obama has run an honorable campaign, that Joe Biden has been a respectful attack dog (if that's possible!) and that as Obama says, "We won't throw the first punch but we will throw the last one," ending years of people wanting a Democratic candidate who would fight back. I'm proud that the polls in West Virgina (yes, THAT West Virginia!) are tightening, that Indiana and Missouri and Montana and Nevada and even North Carolina are looking increasingly like Obama states. I'm happy that those I love and respect most are as jazzed about this election as I am. And last of all, I'm so proud to be a part of Illinois Dem Net, where there are so many events to elect and re-elect Democratic candidates who will make a difference in this mess that Bush will be leaving.

The Northwest Suburbs for Obama group is seeking volunteers to canvass in Wisconsin for Obama. They take a group of volunteers up every Saturday. Wisconsin is one of the critical swing states. If you can spend even one Saturday please consider doing so - you don't need to be an expert on the issues or Obama's positions, just willing to talk to Wisconsin residents about this election.

http://my.barackoba ma.com/page/group/NWSuburbsofChicagoforObama

One of the political blogs that has kept me sane this year is Al Giordano's The Field
http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield This site has insightful journalism by Al and thoughtful comments by the "Fieldhands" as they are called. If you haven't been there, I encourage you to go.

Today, "Mainer" placed a comment at The Field about surrogates, and I had to share with all of you. I asked permission to post this at Illinois Dem Net, and Mainer graciously allowed me to post. So, here it is:

People, stop complaining or lauding the big name surrogates - be a surrogate.

You're a surrogate when you talk to undecided voters.

You're a surrogate when you register people to vote and tell them that it DOES in fact matter who is president.

You're a surrogate when you're phone banking or canvassing.

You're a surrogate when you talk to others about volunteering themselves.

You're a surrogate when you talk to people at the store, at the soccer game, at a barbecue, a social, when you're dropping off or picking up your kids, wherever you haunt.

You're a surrogate when you write a letter or an op-ed for a local newspaper or newsletter or blog.

Don't wait for the surrogates to speak. Say what you think needs saying.

Despite the claims of the Republicans, Barack Obama's tax plan will cut the taxes of 95% of Americans. How much will your taxes be cut? Find out--then send to your friends so they can find the truth out for themselves!

http://alchemytoday.com/obamataxcut/

Jelly Carandang, who has coordinated the Asian Americans for Hillary Clinton, is interested in organizing a larger group of Clinton supporters. If you are interested, please contact Jelly at msjellybeans@aol.com

Ideology 101 is a six-week Progressive Academy Online course presented by People For the American Way Foundation's Young People For program and cosponsored by the Movement Vision Lab. Participants will discuss and debate a range of progressive viewpoints by exploring the following topics:

* Why does ideology matter?
* What are the different progressive viewpoints of a just economy?
* What is the role of identity politics in the progressive movement?
* What should the relationship between the U.S. and the rest of the world look like?

This was just sent from Rep. Lou Lang, Committeeman, Niles Township Democrats:

Feb. 5, 2007 is the Presidential Primary Election.
While it may seem far off, the Board of Elections is now assigning Judges and Judge Equipment Managers. Niles Township will need 200 judges and 100 equipment managers to ensure that election day runs smoothly.

Please consider working these positions and encouraging others to become election judges and equipment managers. Stay at home parents, college students and retirees make ideal election workers.

Application Procedure

The Third Annual Tenth Dems Sunday Night at the Movies Featuring Michael Moore's SiCKO (Sunday, July 1st) will begin at 5:30 pm, instead of the previously announced 6:00 pm. See the calendar for more specific info!

The Peter Zelchenko campaign is looking for volunteers every day through the election, for canvassing neighborhoods distributition of materials, setting up polling places on Monday  afternoon through evening and and passing out palm cards on election day.  Please call 773.281.8057 or 312.733.2473 to volunteer or to contribute.

WARD CANVASS EVERY WEEKEND

SATURDAY: 10:00 AM

SUNDAY:      1:00 PM

Please join us every weekend until the election as we canvass our ward!  We meet at our Campaign Headquarters at 1774 W Greenleaf Ave. 

We need your help to take Joe's message of Progressive Independent leadership to the streets.  Coffee and Donuts will be provided for all volunteers.  If you can attend, please call us at 773-973-4900 to help us plan. 

Ward Canvass Every Weekend:
Joe Moore Campaign Headquarters
1774 W. Greenleaf (Greenleaf and Ravenswood)

Saturday: 10
Sunday: 1 PM

January 20^th and 21^st