I act as one, but I'm not alone

As I searched through my memory bank of song lyrics (read: my twenty-six page and growing compilation) it occurred to me how many fit with my thoughts about the state of this nation...and my thoughts to those who might be apathetic.

We have 43 days left until 11/04/08.

Hey now, the past is told by those who win, my darling
What matters is what hasn't been
Hey now, we're wide-awake and we're thinking
My darling, believe your voice can mean something
...Futures, Jimmy Eat World

While cynics might say that there is very little difference between the parties, in this case, there is a distinct difference between the candidates.

Suicide's easy, what happened to the revolution?
...Berlin, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

It's silly to think that voting for Obama means a revolution. But it's as close as we've come in over forty years. To vote Democrat this year is to say that we're fed up with the policies of the last eight years--to say that those policies are not working, that our economy is in shambles and our foreign policies are a joke. One small step toward a revolution, perhaps.

We stumble up and down the concrete
Led by distraction, the empty attraction keeps us blind
Never intending for the complete
Like shadows and alleyways, the unknown continues biding time
...Crazy 8s, Mae

How easy it is for us to ignore the current turmoil in our nation. We have a number of distractions--reality television, the advent of football season, contemplating our Halloween costumes. So many shiny, glittery toys, and so why would we bother to spend time thinking about the possibly dreary and dismal future?

Watch what you say, they'll be calling you a radical
A liberal.
Fanatical.
A criminal.
...The Logical Song, Supertramp

Radical. Why does it have such a negative connotation?
"A person who advocates fundamental political, economic, and social reforms by direct and often uncompromising methods." (dictionary.com)
This country has to change. We're choking ourselves. We're bringing ourselves down from the inside. To stand up and say that it is time for fundamental change, for a deep change that comes from below and rises up into all levels of society, why, that shouldn't be regarded as negative.
I sat and pondered last week as someone prayed about the upcoming election. He prayed that we might be spared, once again, the onslaught of immorality in this country. It's time to remove ourself from the mindset that immorality might mean someone who is pro-choice, or someone who wouldn't sign a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Immorality is the Bush Doctrine (and choosing a VP who is uncertain what that doctrine even means) Immorality is lying to the voters about the economy being in tip-top shape. Immorality is pretending to support sustainability while lining your pockets with oil donations. Be radical. Advocate fundamental change.

Why not try something new, and when the barbarians arrive here at your gate
Treat us not with fear and hate
For we come not to conquer, or be rude
But to raise a glass and say, "Salud!"
...Jack vs Jose, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers

I trust my readers are smart enough to figure this one out.

43 days.
Are you registered to vote?
If you're not currently residing in the state in which you are registered, have you requested your absentee ballot?
Are you tuning into the news--and by news I mean seeking out plenty of stories, not just news from one station?
Are you talking with friends, family, community members about this election?
43 days.

I hope for better in November

Historic.
Change.
Unity.
Hope.

Does it really matter who your candidate of choice is at this moment? Can we not all agree that this, Obama's cinching of the nomination last night, set an historic precedent?

This campaign has been incredible. The energy, the optimism, the integrity that is shown by Obama amazes me--and the excitement of his supporters is contagious. This is truly something different in United States politics. People are standing up and saying that they are tired of the way this country has been run. They're saying they're tired of an endless war fought for false pretenses, they're tired of the gap between the wealthy and the poor, they're tired of the shameful state of education and they're tired of being sick and not being able to afford a visit to the doctor.

Tired. Fed up. Frustrated.

And so they stood up and said that it's time for change. It's time to vote for hope. It's time to try something different and see where it leads us.

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Now playing: Limbeck - Long Way To Go
via FoxyTunes