the other end of the line
For a few weeks now I've been making phone calls for MoveOn.org, calling progressive voters across the country who vote infrequently and basically encouraging them to vote on Tuesday. There are ups and downs to it. Some people hate being called, of course. And I can relate to it and feel weird about doing it. But it's also known to be effective... And every so often, you get someone who's actually really happy to receive a political call. I don't mean someone really lonely. I mean someone who thinks that the world is going to hell and they are powerless and they were so demoralized that they weren't planning on voting and I can say, well, voting is a small act, but it's something. Sometimes, though, you get someone who just makes you break. Like a woman who had been convinced by her family that she shouldn't vote because she wouldn't understand politics, but actually watched the news all the time and knew a lot of stuff. And a woman whose son is in Iraq and is voting against the guys who got him there. Sometimes, I want to be there and hug the voter.
If you're interested in doing this, you can do it at the MoveOn website. I think you can sign in, still. It's weird. And I'll be honest, it's not for everyone. I know some people who have gotten bitched out. It helps not to have a real strong regional accent from a region other than the one you're calling. (I was raised by two southerners in Massachusetts and am blessed with the voice from nowhere as a result). But it can be rewarding and surreal to talk to total strangers who will tell you amazing things just because right now is that kind of time.
I also got in an argument about the word "patriotic" with my mom. I said that I think that voting is patriotic. My mom said she hated the word and didn't want to be told anything she did was patriotic. It kind of upset me that so many of "us" are willing to let conservatives completely control the language. Patriotism does not mean supporting any one set of political opinions or policies. It means supporting the underlying values of your country. If you are a citizen of a democracy, voting is a big part of that. It's your civic duty. And I'm not letting anybody take any words away from me. (See also: God). I can use the word patriotic if I want. I don't want to be misunderstood: I don't think we're better than anyone else, and I will criticize the government of this country many a time. Just think of it as my way of showing my appreciation for my freedom - by using it. And I do believe in democracy. And some of you probably think that sounds dumb and phony. But I do. Sorry for the rant but I've been thinking about this recently.
"My country right or wrong: if right, to be kept right; if wrong, to be set right." - Sen. Carl Schurz (1829-1906)
If you're interested in doing this, you can do it at the MoveOn website. I think you can sign in, still. It's weird. And I'll be honest, it's not for everyone. I know some people who have gotten bitched out. It helps not to have a real strong regional accent from a region other than the one you're calling. (I was raised by two southerners in Massachusetts and am blessed with the voice from nowhere as a result). But it can be rewarding and surreal to talk to total strangers who will tell you amazing things just because right now is that kind of time.
I also got in an argument about the word "patriotic" with my mom. I said that I think that voting is patriotic. My mom said she hated the word and didn't want to be told anything she did was patriotic. It kind of upset me that so many of "us" are willing to let conservatives completely control the language. Patriotism does not mean supporting any one set of political opinions or policies. It means supporting the underlying values of your country. If you are a citizen of a democracy, voting is a big part of that. It's your civic duty. And I'm not letting anybody take any words away from me. (See also: God). I can use the word patriotic if I want. I don't want to be misunderstood: I don't think we're better than anyone else, and I will criticize the government of this country many a time. Just think of it as my way of showing my appreciation for my freedom - by using it. And I do believe in democracy. And some of you probably think that sounds dumb and phony. But I do. Sorry for the rant but I've been thinking about this recently.
"My country right or wrong: if right, to be kept right; if wrong, to be set right." - Sen. Carl Schurz (1829-1906)