Those who would sacrifice freedom for temporary security deserve neither. - Ben Franklin

[AllHereTruth]

What have we become.

I have been alive for 20 years. Many of you, for much longer.
For each and every second I have been in existence, a member of two families has been in the white house.

Reagen/Bush (8 years) Bush/Quayle(4years) Clinton/Gore (8years) Bush/Cheney (8yeras)

We have a man in Greenspan who was the chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1987 - 2006

We have a man in McCain who has been in the Senate/House since 1982

A man in Biden who has governed since 1973

We have a man in Obama who has the ability to bring about reform and change. Who can bring hope back to democracy, and trust back in government. But we need to stand up as Americans and say Enough is Enough to corporate politics. We need to force his hand to action.

We need to stand up as one cohesive unit. One AMERICAN unit, and end corporate greed. End Big Oil. End Big Tobacco. End monopolies. End rich man politics.

We need to bring politics back to the people. Bring POLICY back into the peoples hands. Now let me be clear. Obama can bring about the real change we need, but only if we let him know we are watching. Only if we let him know we are listening. Only if we speak up and make our voices heard. We can not follow blindly a man we HOPE will bring about CHANGE. We need to make him bring about the true change we need.

For too long corporations have run Washington. For too long lobbyists have legislated policy. For too long we have heard “I am what America needs. I will make your lives better.” from our trusted politicians. To this we must say

“You listen to us. We are the people. We control policy. We control government. We control our politicians. We control the media. Because we say we do”

Now to the quote that many of you all to view this post. Since September 11th 2001 George Bush and Congress have legislated against personal freedom. George Bush and Congress instituted the “Patriot Act.” Pushed through FISA. Allowed a war turn into an occupation. Both Dems and Repubs failed to speak up when our constitution was stripped bare. So who’s to blame? Bush? Cheney? Republicans in Congress? Democrats in Congress? NO.

Who’s to blame is you and I. You and me. Me and you. Understand how that works. Understand how that judgment is formed, how blame is placed. We elected them. We failed to hold them accountable. We allowed our Media to ignore the writing on the wall. We said “Ok. Im scared. Protect me from evil, at whatever costs.”

My point is this: We are the people. We own our government. Let us take it back. Make our voice heard. Take to the streets in personal protest, not just because someone organized a march or rally, but because it is necessary.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

1. Great Post, K & R...

:hi:

[Auggie]

2. DONATE, DONATE, DONATE!

If not money, your time.

[AllHereTruth]

3. Donate lacks people power.

DONATE allows people to type in the CC info online, click the "Donate" button and think that is good enough.

We can not DONATE our way out of Corporate lifelong politicians. We can not DONATE our way out of financial crisis. We can not DONATE to get our freedoms back.

By simply DONATING money to a canidate we are telling them "We approve, heres money." There is no accountability.

To your second part of donating your time, this i to agree with a bit more. But we have to be careful, as a nation, not to Hope for Change from a single person. This country used to be run by a trifecta system with checks and balances. We still dont know what either canidate will do about balancing power. We still don't know what either candidate will do to buck corporate influence.

Obama '08 But we can not give up the fight just because he is "like us." We have to let him know what we want. What we need.

Not just from Obama, but from the entire congress. Vote not for one single party, but for platform. For issues.

And don't just Vote. Speak up.

Don't just speak up. ACT.

[Auggie]

5. Thanks for the thoughtful addition

[pipoman]

4. Big money has been behind every President

ever elected, and always will. The real opportunity for change lies in local, state, and Senate/Congress elections. These politicians are the only ones who the people actually have influence with. Voters must be willing to sacrifice congressional seniority for their state if their reps are in the pocket of special interest. Sadly most voters vote for names they are familiar with, no place is 'even bad publicity is good' more true than with politicians. Complacency and inattention until 2 days before the polls open is the norm for a majority of voters. Special interest groups dictate Presidential politics. It is easier to gain blocs of voters than to appeal to the populace, enough special interest blocs leads to the Presidency. Just watch both candidates with their canned presentations. They both address the blocs of voters that the polls indicate they are most likely to win and to hell with everyone else. IMHO, As far as our ticket is concerned Obama had an opportunity to unite Dems and bring in disenfranchised pugs and indies before he chose Joe with all his baggage who has spent 30+ years pissing off voters who, like us, yearn for real change. This pick (Biden), for me, turned my hope for change that Obama brought to the scene to a hold my nose moment when I go to the poll and vote for the ticket. The Biden pick makes me think that real change is now off the table and we can look forward to more of the same.