Pensieri di un lunatico minore

Yes We Can

Each of us has something to give to the campaign. For some, it is the time, sweat and frustration of walking door-to-door, calling on every American to participate in the democratic process. For others, too nervous to knock on the door, there’s a phone that needs calling, an envelope that needs stuffing or a door hanger just waiting to perch itself upon a waiting knob. Then there are others, such as myself, who are stuck with insane work obligations that keep me from taking the time off that I would rather, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make calls, and I have given more than ever before of my gold.

Standing in line to vote last week in communist Virginia, what I saw was unlike anything I’ve seen in 20 years of being politically active. The faces crossed worlds and generations, but the one thing that amazed me—during a over two hour wait to vote—was that people were happy. Sure, standing in line sucks, but this wasn’t an election based on a less-of-two-evils decision, but an election based on the power of choice. Everyone kept their temper, their humor, and while few discussed politics directly, the underlying theme was one of common cause and common purpose as a Nation. This is something I have never seen before in an election.

This is what America really is about. That the vote of a newly legal immigrant from Guatamala counts as much as that of a descendent of the Mayflower. That the small power of many can outweigh the vast power of a few. That hope, like wisdom, once unleashed can not be forced back in the bottle by anyone.

From the words of Markos Moulitsas:

One of my favorite cyclists likes to say, “Leave everything on the road”, meaning that when he crosses the finish line, he will have burned every last ounce of energy in his body. If he falls short? No regrets because he gave it his all, every last bit of it.

We can’t have regrets on Election Night, thinking that some Democrats came up short because we failed to leave everything on the road. We can’t have a Jim Martin or a Bob Lord or a Darcy Burner or whoever come inches from victory, knowing that maybe we could’ve done just a little bit more to help them cross the finish line victorious. Even if all you can give is $5 to one candidate, or one afternoon phone banking, it still matters. There’s a lot of us, and a lot of little gestures adds up to a whole lot of action.

We are approaching a historic night, and one that can radically transform the direction of our country.

Donate your time, donate your money.

Leave everything on the road.

Leave everything on the road.