The difference between a cult and a campaign

is that eventually a campaign ends. Does it go a little something like that, Kevin? Don't want to mince the words...

There are those moments in life, where you feel yourself catch fire. I have been wrapped up in this election since the very start, and this won't end until the Fourth of November.

That's 26 days from now if I've done my math correctly. If I haven't, I should take remedial math soon. But until November 4th, I will be working my hardest to get Barack Obama in the white house. I've been working with the College Democrats here at UWEC and I still feel like I'm not doing enough. Tomorrow, we're raiding the dorms to try to get people registered. On November 4th, I will be missing all my classes to stand on campus mall and get people to vote. (Sorry mom, but I've been assigned a job)
I've started to realize just how important it is to vote. I've always thought so, but now more than ever. Our Nation is not built on ethnic nationalism. We do not have a common culture, language or religion. Or at least, in theory. We are built on a civic nationalism, a common idea that every person was created equal, that their values and opinions MATTER. And if we don't act like it, that right might as well be taken away. I mean, people DIED for this belief- died for a seemingly impossible cause. Going against the worlds superpower of the time for the right to vote. Want something to be proud of? It's the right to share your opinion. It's being able to say "I'm a citizen of the U.S. and my opinion matters!" The enlightenment ideals that this country was built on is the only thing keeping me devoted to this country. The idea that a person is a person is a person is a person.
Not only is this our right, ladies and gentleman, it is our RESPONSIBILITY. If we want to live up to our founding fathers' expectations, it is to continue to be involved in politics, to be informed individuals, and to support a candidate that best fits your views. I'm sorry, but not voting in this election is not an option.

I've heard people say "It doesn't matter if I vote. I'm one person." In the 2000 election, the state of Wisconsin went blue by an average of 1 vote per ward. ONE VOTE. In 2004, it was by two votes. Talk about making a difference. I've also heard "I trust the system of checks and balances to stand up to any president, no matter how corrupt they are." But the fact is, the person elected will represent YOU. Do you want that to be someone with 10 houses and a private jet or God forbid, a self proclaimed "Hockey Mom"? The system of checks and balances may be able to undo a veto, but it can't undo a stupid comment made that can insult a foreign leader. It can't undo our terrible economy. Do you want to risk that?

I've heard some people say that religion is what keeps them undecided in this- whether it's voting for their candidate or voting at all. My belief as a Christian voter is in the Our Father- "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". If you believe in a heavenly kingdom, you'd better work to make those things happen here. Think about the things that Jesus wanted. God gave us free choice, he allowed us to make decisions for ourselves. Shouldn't our government provide the same thing? Shouldn't it allow women to make the choice about their own bodies, allow individuals to make the choice about their domestic partners? Jesus came for peace. Through DIPLOMACY, FRIENDSHIP and RESPECT, not war or hard power. He had no intention of fighting the Romans. As religious people following Jesus Christ, shouldn't we be doing the same? Diplomacy and Love? Ladies and Gentlemen, John McCain and his fellow republican warmongers need to be stopped. He has no intention of using diplomacy. He has no intention of pulling out of Iraq. It is time for people to stop dying. There is no such thing as a winnable war, and there is no such thing as a good or just war. War is NOT a necessary evil. As a Christian, I believe this is the antithesis of what God wants. And by not voting, you are not supporting a candidate who can stop this. You are handing it to a man who will continue condemning thousands of people living on the other side of the world to death, like we have been since 2003. No one can do your job for you. YOU HAVE TO DO IT YOURSELF.

But perhaps I'm preaching to the choir...or to no one at all. Point being, I am throwing myself into this, because it is the most important thing in my world right now. And I believe that I am doing the right thing.

And we all know how ridiculously loud mouthed I am about my support for Barack Obama. But as Noam Chomsky once said, if you don't believe in freedom of expression for the people you despise, you don't believe in it at all. If you support John McCain, fine. If you believe he is the right man for the job, alright. I disagree, but use your right to express it. Vote for the person you want to represent you. Every person they meet, every thing they say, is going to reflect on YOU. That's why this is important.

Here's the funniest video I've seen lately to back up my point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhDRVKDcXQo

This is probably going to be my political dumping grounds for the next few weeks. Share it with your friends.

peace, diplomacy & liberalism,

-Lauren