Every Voice Matters

I have never felt as passionate about a Presidential election as I do about this upcoming one. I have also never felt like the US was at such a crossroads in my lifetime. The choices we make over the next weeks matter a great deal. We can decide if we like the way things have been going or we can decide to try to rebuild our government into one that works better for more of us.

It's a terrible thing to feel totally at the mercy of others. The last eight years I've felt like I had no voice in my government beyond the state level. Sick of feeling that way and inspired by Senator Obama back in 2004 my husband and I signed up to voluteer with his Presidential quest when he announced he was running.

Win or lose, hopefully it's win, Obama has done something that is unique. He has offered an education free of charge to any who seek it in community organizing and grassroots politics. From the start we volunteers have had tremendous flexibility and freedom to be the voice of the campaign as well as the workhorses. The trust Obama and his team have shown to us volunteers is refreshing. We're treated like intelligent adults. We're offered opportunities to get educated and then take that education back into our communities.

Having never volunteered with a political campaign of any sort before I wasn't sure what to expect. I am grateful for the experience. I have been in contact with people all over the world, gotten to participate in the publication of a book, met some amazing people, and have discovered that I do have a voice in our government. My voice alone is very small but joined with all these others, we can make a difference. We can demand to be heard. We're organized now in a way many of us never have been.

There is a month left. Make sure you're registered to vote. When I went to a meeting at our local HQ last night, I was shocked to find out how many folks are not registered. Help your unregistered friends and family vote. It's easy and for many states this is the last week people can register. You forfeit your rights if you don't claim them. Registering to vote and then actually doing it is the most basic thing a citizen can do. Do it!