Travel Pete's Journal: Basements, Kids & Mental Health

Volunteer for Freedom

I've been surprised by the sudden wide support for Kerry.

Whether it be yard signs, bumper stickers or people willing to say they are actually voting for Kerry (vs. simply against Bush)... things are looking up.

But first, a little Halloween humor for ya...

Hopefully Bush is a turkey.

My biggest issue regards the lack of civility and the divisive nature of Bush's politics. This man has single-handedly turned neighbors against each other throughout AmeriKa, and I really can't stand it. I think people in America want to get along, but Bush is framing the debate and discourse as "all or nothing."

We're at war, he says, you are for us or for the terrorists. You are for my drug policy or the terrorists win. You are for my energy policy or the terrorists have already won. You are... getting the idea.

So, I spent a sunny Saturday out volunteering to get rid of Bush and install someone in the White House who generally has the same views I do on most issues: John Kerry. From strengthening how we take care of people here at home to our relationship with countries around the world, Kerry's got the right ideas.

And it was a great way to spend 4 hours! If you'd like to try it, I strongly encourage you to do so. It's fun, non-confrontational (no shouting matches with Bush acolytes) and easy to do.

JohnKerry.com - and if you don't have the time or gumption, give generously of the wallet.

I gave up a whopping 4 hours of my Saturday, which will feel good whether the cancer of Bush stays in office or not. Several people even invited me in for a cold glass of what I like to call "thanks to environmentalists, it's clean" water. Bush, of course, has lowered standards HE campaigned on for arsenic in water as well as various air pollutants. Nice. Talk about flip-flop.

So, maybe I didn't save the world, but I got some literature out and it was absolutely fantastic to see how many people are shocked by the divisiveness happening in our country. Makes me feel like there's people out there who can't stand all this... Maybe I'm not that out of touch with America after all. Maybe Bush is out of touch. Yeah, actually, that's it. And I'm not going to let him ruin my country.

One thing I heard over and over again: the "all or nothing" and "0% tolerance" policies of the Bush administrations force everybody with a difference of opinion to become enemies. 0% tolerance means you can't disagree and still be friends... it's a weird all-or-nothing world coming our way if we don't change this mantra. Your neighbor disagrees? He must be wrong (and evil). What's with that? Sounds like the Middle East.

So, volunteer, and give 4 hours for a more friendly winter!
JohnKerry.com

It's so easy it's embarrassing. And you'll enjoy it. Don't worry, it's not confrontational, you are not arguing with a bunch of Republican supporters. It ain't like that. It's friendly. I politician promise you ;-).

Even if you can't volunteer, remember a few words to spread:

1. Vote. Really, there's so many people who don't, it's surprising. But this election matters, it's not just two talking heads this time. Lots of what we were doing when I volunteered was NOT trying to change Bush supporters' minds, but getting Democrats and Undecided people to think about voting if they haven't done so recently.

2. Vote early. Avoid the November 2nd rush, avoid any weather problems. You can often vote at county offices and what not. In Colorado, early voting starts October 18th, for example.

3. Vote often. Okay, just kidding on this one :-))

4. Vote by mail... in areas where you have electronic balloting but no paper trail!!! I think you'd like to have a record of your vote, no? Vote by mail or vote at Early balloting locations, usually which offer paper-based votes.

5. This is my personal contribution: Ask someone voting Libertarian or Independent to give up the vote for a cause. This is a greater good issue, and while I respect that they can and should vote that way (I voted for Nader in 2000), I'm still going to beg them to vote for Kerry November 2nd.

The other great thing about volunteering... it helps solidify and gel your confidence. For those who have come to have firm convictions on this? Get some balls people. If you believe in something, then it's worth fighting for. That's a reason I've always like the Republican mindset. They are out there fighting. In fact, I think I'm still a true liberal Republican at heart, but my party's been co-opted by some jerk who uses phrases like "compassionate conservatism" to mean "screw you."

Posted by BilFish at October 12, 2004 07:59 AM