Today, I took a step across the bridge separating online political interest from the real world, and agreed to consider being a precinct captain for the Obama campaign.
Not sure yet where that will take me. I’m not a joiner by nature, nor do I think I’m particularly persuasive in discussions.
Furthermore, I’m not star struck. While Barack Obama is absolutely the most inspirational figure I’ve ever encountered, not all of his policy proposals are well thought out. This one, from today’s speech in Janesville, is a good example:
When I’m President, we’ll reform our bankruptcy laws so that we give Americans who find themselves in debt a second chance. I’ll close the loophole that allows investors with multiple homes to renegotiate their mortgage in bankruptcy court, but not victims of predatory lending. We’ll make sure that if you can demonstrate that you went bankrupt because of medical expenses, then you can relieve that debt and get back on your feet.
Specifying a type of debt strikes me as an abysmally bad idea. Obviously, if someone is struggling, those types of debts would ipso facto be the bills not paid.
Furthermore, considering that Barack Obama is actively working on health care reform, this is doubly bizarre. If one hopes to reduce health care costs to consumers (read: regular people like you and me), then introducing proposals that could radically increase costs to hospitals, doctors, etc. as bills go unpaid ain’t gonna do it.
Not a good idea.
But I still hit the “send” button and volunteered to help with the campaign. Why?
Because I understand how our system of government works. I know that although the candidates — all of them — are promising the moon and stars right now, presidents don’t make laws. I believe that our country’s approach to governing was created to encourage debate, discussion, and yes, common sense, and very little of what anyone is proposing will emerge from Congress intact.
Much of it won’t even be recognizable.
Obama has many good ideas, but not all of them are. He thinks out of the box, though, and I like that. He’s not afraid to consider alternative ideas because they came from “the other side”… and I like that too. Above all else, he offers us a chance to anticipate the future with at least some sense of excitement. I love that.
And taken altogether, that works for me.
Go for it! Did the same thing myself (many times) years ago. It’ll give you a really good look at what goes on. Be prepared to spend a bunch of hours, tho.
So, what does a precinct captain do? I got that e-mail too and was wondering if I should hit the button also. And what do you mean by a bunch of hours?
Hi Karen,
Not sure what goldenrod means by “a bunch of hours”.
However, my understanding is that a precinct captain is the “grassroots” one hears about. Talking to people (phone? canvassing? both?) about why one likes the candidate would, I expect, be a large part of things. All in all, though, I’m pretty unsure also.
I have to say, though, that the mere fact that somebody like me (or you?) is considering participating for the first time at this level of the process speaks volumes about the power of his campaign…
You’ll find out soon enuf.
You’ll also discover that the more involved you get, the more time ‘they’ will want. Getting actually involved in a political campaign can “eat you up one side & spit you out the other” if you let it.
It’s not at all like blogging. You will become personally acquainted with a lot of other people, be expected to attend meetings, go down to campaign headquarters & help stuff envelopes, etc. You might also be inspired to set up a branch of the campaign in your area.
There’s almost no end to how far you might end up traveling. One thing, for sure, Polimom … you’ll lose your “Independent” status!
Cult Like Tendencies Noticed in Obama Voters
Feb 19, 2008
It has been noted by many observant sociologist and psychologist that Obama’s followers resemble cult like tendencies.
In its truest form, they see their ‘leader’ more like a savior than a leader and brutally attack anyone who threatens their messenger. The reason lies deep within the subconscious mind but on the surface, the most obvious rationale: mirror of rejection on the self. By disagreeing with the message or messenger, in this case Obama and hope for his ability to bring about change, then it is perceived by that person as a direct threat that the ‘change’ the followers hope for is irrelevant or worse, not likely to occur. Also, on a deeper level, it really goes back to rejection…a rejection of the message or messenger equates to rejection for the follower.
So, as we consider the most important presidential debate of this century, one must logically ask if the zealous supporters of Obama are really voting with their intellect on the issues. The issues really are crucial in this most important historical event, such as who can best reverse this economy.
Are the Obama supporters voting for an empty call to action based on deep subconscious levels rooted in low self esteem or even searching for internal peace from an external source? It must be considered by the superdelegates if need be to supercede the hype…
To the Obama voters, my recommendation would be for personal reflection on the emotions and then discover what is pulling you to vote for your next president.
Hope in and of itself is a wonderful principle which keeps the human race on an encouraging evolutionary continuum. BUT, it is just that hope. It stops there. It is in fact a wimpy word which actually implies failure can occur.
Knowing beforehand that making decisions based on anger, hope or basic evolutionary emotions does not lead to well thought, logical decisions.
Voting on a 17 point economical structure for the improvement for a near recession might be a more patriotic, intelligent decision and lead to a turning point for our economic future in America.
LOL!!!
er…. um… thank you for your thoughts.