A Campaign Rooted in the Small Things

I woke up Friday morning on cloud nine. I'd just watched 4 nights of the Democratic National Convention, which was capped off by Obama's much anticipated acceptance speech, 45 years to the day after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech on the Mall in Washington, DC. The Democrats achieved exactly what was required to carry them to victory in November. Bill and Hillary Clinton gave inspiring speeches that highlighted Obama's readiness, and the absolute imperative for their supporters to vote for Obama because the stakes are too high. Obama's rise in the polls in the days following Clinton's speeches are indicative that Clinton voters are rallying to Obama's side. Obama gave a speech that was not only inspiring, but directly challenged conservative philosophies:

"For over two decades, he's (McCain) subscribed to that old, discredited Republican philosophy - give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. In Washington, they call this the Ownership Society, but what it really means is - you're on your own. Out of work? Tough luck. No health care? The market will fix it. Born into poverty? pull yourself up by your own bootstraps - even if you don't have boots. You're on your own."

But last night the campaign took a turn for the worse. I could barely contain myself as I heard the personal, character attacks Sarah Palin directed at Barack Obama. We saw a Republican Convention that was laden with small, petty, divisive, cynical, deceptive, condescending, snide remarks that were clearly meant to shift attention away from the real issue of this campaign--moving this nation forward for all Americans after the failed policies of the Bush Republican rule. This was Palin's opportunity to introduce herself to the world, to tell Americans who she is and what kind of VP and President she can be. What I learned is that she is mean and shallow and aggressive. She thinks being a leader is about tearing down your rivals. She lies about her own actions and she demeans the more generous actions of others. She goes for the easy laugh at the expense of good-hearted, hard working Americans. If there's a low road, she will take it. If she can pander, she will do it. Maybe with these words I'm guilty of the same mean-spirited attacks, but the tone of the GOP convention can not go unchecked.

More than anything, this election should be about the big issues of our time--ending a disastrous war, fighting the global network of terrorism not only with our muscle but through reconciliation, restoring America's reputation in the world, healing our planet - moving as quickly as we can to alternative energy resources, and building an economy that works for more than just the very rich. But we heard nothing from Palin about what kind of VP she will be or how she is prepared to be President should the unfortunate circumstance of McCain's passing occur. All we heard were misconceptions about her record and that she is like a pit bull with lipstick.

Obama predicted it all to well in his speech last Thursday:

"If you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare the voters. If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. You make a big election about small things."

But worse of all, Palin insulted the very idea that ordinary people doing extraordinary things can play a huge role in the political process. At the root of community organizing is challenging and reconciling societal injustices and community dysfunctions. Both Palin and Giuliani specifically mocked Obama's work as a community organizer, insulting hard working individuals who wake up everyday burdened by the very real responsibilities of the people in the communities around them for whom our economy and our government isn't working, and hasn't worked, for a very long time. Palin said "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities." Actual responsibility! How can this statement not send shockwaves through this country. Community Organizing is the foundation of the civil rights movement, women's suffrage, labor and child labor laws, and the emancipation of the slaves, just to name a few. Not to mention the self-less work of community organizers to assist children in poverty, battered women, homeless veterans, elderly Americans, and laid off workers. Community organizing in all about initiating change from the bottom up. The change voters want builds on the solutions community organizers have been nurturing and putting into place, under the leadership of everyday Americans all across our country to demand that America work for everyone.

I am sure like myself many Americans are firmly decided in this election. They subscribe to one ideology or another and embrace a particular worldview that fits a specific party. However, I urge any undecided or apathetic voters out there to take a hard look at what each candidate is proposing for this country. I would challenge you to ask yourself "will the least of these be better off in 4 years", rather than "will I be better off in 4 years." Ask yourself, if the marginalized are being services by the bitter partisan divide or will they be better off by the solutions offered by a Progressive agenda that measures the countries wealth and prosperity by the bottom of our society.

But there are signs of hope as illustrated by this video. Check it out: