Whats it for?

Some one made the comment last night what do I hope to gain? I had to laugh because that person just didn't understand an Idealist.

An idealist is this...

1 a: an adherent of a philosophical theory of idealism b: an artist or author who advocates or practices idealism in art or writing2: one guided by ideals; especially : one that places ideals before practical considerations

Now see if you understand

An idealist doesn't care about the outcome. Yes John has 26 delegates we hope to add to that total oblivious of the fact that there's not enough delegates left for him to win. What an idealist cares about is that they stood by what they believed in.

An idealist leads a small rag tag army across a frozen river in hopes of beating a much larger force. An idealist doesn't care they'll get in trouble for throwing tea in the harbor because they know they are right. And an idealist will stand their ground till they are able to place their flower in the barrel of a weapon that would blow them to pieces.

I'm an idealist. I know that Johns withdrawn and suspended his campaign but it hasn't suspended what I believe in. I believe in the same things John Edwards believes in. I plan to go to the polls here when I can and vote for John Edwards. It may be the only vote he'll get here in Kentucky but when it shows up on the screen know that it was me and know that I stood firm in my beliefs and I can rest at night knowing I did what I had to do.

A feeling of satisfaction. Thats what I hoep to get out of this. Thank you.

12% live in poverty

12% live in poverty

user icon Acebass in Action Feed of
2/07/2008 at 2:32 AM EST

The last I heard that was the figure. Those are Americans I'm talking about. A former industrialized country, filled with hope and promise. 12% of the population lives in poverty. Thats a disgrace. So what do we do about it?

Don't get me wrong I don't begrudge a wealthy man anything he's rightfully earned, as long as he's willing to give back for his good fortune. Men like Warren Buffet, George Soros, John Yarmuth and John Edwards to name a few. However we still have 12% of our population living in poverty while the Forbes list of the wealthiest keeps growing larger.

The problem could be that the 12% who live in poverty don't even know we're here talking about them. They don't know they have a chance to change things. Remember, the Republican party has convinced them they are responsible for their lot in life. Having to work 3 jobs to make ends meet had nothing to do with higher cost of living and a shrinking wage scale.

These people may be able to stop and watch some television while they are lying on a table at the plasma bank giving blood. Chances are if it's news it's Fox News or their affiliate CNN. They may have time to read a paper but for the most part they get their politics from a co-worker at lunch break.

These people are the ones we need to reach. If you see someone driving down the street in an old beat up (insert car here), with a vote Bush sticker on their car, you need to touch that person. You need to educate them in what we are doing. Take them to a library and show them how to operate a computer.

Seriously, there are people, in their 30s and 40s who have never registered to vote. They have no idea they can make a difference, and change their lives. Those are the people we need to reach. I would propose that One Corp work on a project of neighborhood outreach centers to not only assist these people in learning how the system can work for them, but be proactive in contacting people so they at least have the opportunity to participate and an opportunity to make that choice.

John Edwards has my vote...

Pass it On!


http://edwardshasmyvote.wordpress.com/2008/01/31/hello-world/#comment-344

This is Democracy!

I've been at the Edwards blog all day as you can imagine. There have been many inspiring things happen since John decided to suspend his campaign.

We've seen all the true liberal candidates either drop out or made ineffective by a big money machine that is grinding their way albeit not as easy, I'm sure, as they would have first imagined it would be, to a Nomination that the DLC has anointed.

John Edwards was the reason it wasn't so easy. He sparked something in a lot of people that is not going to die. Like an ember glowing in the forest I feel this blaze sweeping across this country. Whatever happens on Feb. 5th John Edwards, and his voters will be a force to be dealt with.

This was posted by one of his supporters. I'm passing it on verbatim as I wouldn't change a word.

"One thing is clear... whichever candidate does get the nomination, his or her chance of victory will rest largely on the ideas Mr. Edwards brought to the campaign."

And so I marvel at the rush to judgment and all the whispering: "Who are the Edwards people going to vote for now?" And I marvel as I watch the "Important People" circling to endorse - like vultures picking over the carcass of Edwards' campaign.

But as an Edwards supporter, alive and still with my own mind, I'd like to say: Although I urge everyone to unite behind the Democratic nominee in November, no matter who he or she may be, what's more important now - in this primary, February 5th - is to vote your conscience. And if you believe in John Edwards, vote for John Edwards! Vote for him as a way to ensure that the ideas he and Elizabeth brought to the Party will endure.

The other candidates have honored his platform by using his words and ideas. But united, they could turn their back on his progressive agenda unless we hold their feet to the fire. We need to shore up what he stands for. We need to show Hillary and Obama that we, the Edwards People, are still a force to be reckoned with.

For although John Edwards is no longer a candidate, he - and those of us who believe in his ideals - are still voters in this election. And now more than ever, if we want to uphold grassroots democracy, it's important to show the money, the media, the Democratic Party - and especially the candidates - where we stand and what we expect them to honor as we go forward:

the ideas, ideals, passion and platform John Edwards brought to a failing system and a failing party.

This is our only chance and the only way we can show it. So if you believe in John Edwards and what he stands for, vote for him on Tuesday."

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2008/2/2/1717/24934#6