Thursday, January 31, 2008

Two Nations Under...

Barack Obama

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

The pundits like to say that Minnesota is a "purple state." We blend progressive and conservative values like few others in the nation. Yesterday President George W. Bush attended a fund raiser at the San Francisco International Airport. For those of you that don't know, SFO is not located in San Francisco -- just as the Minneapolis-St.Paul Airport is not located in either Minneapolis or St. Paul.

While SFO is a short drive from San Francisco, it might as well be a whole 'nother world for Mr. Bush. This might sound strange since most of America looks at San Francisco as a hub for the arts, culture and music, but Mr. Bush has never stepped foot in the city of San Francisco.

How is that possible, you ask?

Well, half of this country has ignored, despised, ridiculed, and shunned the other half for the last seven years, while the other half has thumbed their noses at the their "red neck" cousins who put us in this mess. Never been has it been more bluntly stated than Mr. Bush's appearance yesterday.

We are two nations that long ago forgot what it was like to walk in the shoes of the other. Never in my lifetime has it been more important to become involved politically. Disillusioned as we may be, we do have some power.

Tuesday is the caucus in Minnesota. I believe our best chance to bring back these two nations back together is to elect Senator Barack Obama president of the United States of America. I've been semi-active in his Minneapolis campaign. Not nearly as much as I'd like to be, but as much as I can be under the current situation. As a precinct captain, I will be at our precinct's caucus Tuesday evening helping our supporters bring Mr. Obama to office. You can find your caucus at the secretary of state's website. The grass roots energy in Mr. Obama's campaign is inspiring. It brings me back to AP Government and Civics class my senior year of high school.

Our generation was challenged to be active citizens and somewhere along the way we went off that track. This is our opportunity to make a difference, to create change with our bear hands. Saturday afternoon Minnesotans get the opportunity to hear Mr. Obama speak at the Target Center. Doors open at 1:30. Tickets were free, but over 20 K have been given out.The event is "sold out."

Hopefully if some of you haven't decided yet who you'll be supporting Tuesday, you'll attend the rally with an open mind and open heart, with an opportunity to become proactive citizens in mind. Never before have I been as emotionally involved with a candidate, but for anyone that knows me, they understand that morals, my word and my ideals are things that I hold dear. Mr. Obama shares those ideals, and he is our best opportunity to turn our country around and into a "purple nation."

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