The Future is in Our Hands.

This election is truly is one of the most critical elections of our lifetime. It will decisively answer a lot of questions that are the core of our lives, our worldview, our morality and our well-being.

We will be able to point the country in the right direction on providing and guaranteeing healthcare(medicare/medicaid) and social security, revising tax policy to help those in need, exercising real fiscal responsibility, implementing foreign diplomacy as opposed to unilateral military action so as to restore our standing in the world and make us safer at home, end torture and secrecy in government, combat global warming and disease with aid of science, implement a real economic philosophy with oversight, regulation and accountability, appoint supreme court justices that will respect and promote our constitutional rights including the rights to privacy and habeas corpus, and the list goes on. More importantly, it's time to put the nail in the coffin in the Karl Rove playbook and denounce the kind of dishonorable political campaign that assumes preying on people's fears and prejudices will suffice and substitute for real dialogue regarding substantive issues that impact our everyday lives.

This is not one to sit out. Every once in a while (many of our parents speak of the 60's and 70's with issues relating to civil rights, Vietnam, etc.) there is a time when we must remember that there is import to who we choose to lead our country, and that are huge ramifications to our votes and action/inaction. We must speak out and unite and get engaged. This is one of those defining moments.

The Obama campaign has proven that grassroots movements and calls for change from ordinary Americans can swell and resonate and overtake politics as usual. The Obama campaign and his calm and presence in the face of fearmongering and smears has proven that he is committed to changing the tone in Washington, ending politics as usual, and bringing civility and intellect back to our highest civil position.

So rest assured, your voice has mattered and will matter; your actions matter; your money matters; and your vote matters (esp. in critical battleground states). If you can't find the time to write letters, e-mails, canvass, etc. - click the button and donate some money. If you think your vote doesn't matter because you're in a state that's not in play (TX, CA, NY), vote anyway so you can set an example for your kids, become part of the movement, help set a numerical mandate.

Vote Barack Obama for President.

With that - I wanted to share my favorite story of a long 2 year cycle - it brings tears of joy and sadness to the eye.

  http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1108/Madelyn_Dunhams_vote_will_count.html?showall