Reply #210: Hi...... I'm glad I could cheer you

[AmBlue]

I was never active in politics before other than putting a bumper sticker on my car in the last month before a presidential election, but this time I felt a sense of urgency because of the catastrophy that is Bush & Co. I busted my butt, all year long, first for Edwards, then for Kerry, then MoveOn, ACT, even standing in front of my Target on the last day of voter registration to get people registered. I was a precinct leader for MoveOn and ran a group of 15 people out of my house starting at 5am, going on, well.... you know how long. We made 632 face-to-face, phone and flyer contacts that day. My husband and kids thought they had lost me forever. I can't tell you how many times my kids said to me, "Mommy, after the election, can we......(fill in the blank)??" The kids even started asking total strangers if they were voting for Kerry and cheering when they saw Kerry/Edwards bumper stickers. And, from what I saw and sensed, everywhere, I was so sure we would win.

Since November, I've been so sad, so depressed, so ashamed of my country. I let so many things go. But you know what? I'm so proud of what we all did. What we still will do. We just have to. You know, I was so moved by the Ukrainian people. But we Americans (in the collective sense) are so naive, so trusting, so lazy and spoiled. So disbelieving that our leaders could be such wretched thugs. We are a young country and not as wise as our European neighbors. Those that haven't had their eyes opened yet will-- one way or the other.

So, I'm in it for the long haul, and I'll be seeing you 'round.