I’m so proud of all of us. And I commend John McCain for a heartfelt concession speech that speaks of working together for the good of all of us. We have a lot of work ahead of us.
It’s Election Day and it’s not too late to help! We need to make sure people who would be voting for Barack actually cast their vote today. And you can still help by making calls right from the comfort of your home.
Most people are really friendly and receptive since they’re already supporting Barack. (Unless there’s a wrong number, of course.) And some are thankful for information about where to vote and what to do if they have problems. Here’s where to sign up and just start calling!
Text: Send a text message to 66937. Begin the message with the phrase #votereport, include your ZIP code and a very brief description of the problem.
Twitter: Send a tweet with the phrase #votereport making sure to include your zip code and a description of the problem.
Thanks for helping! Oh…and don’t forget to tell people to bring food and water and vote no matter how long the lines are! It’s about our future and the future of this planet.
Looking forward to an exciting 4 years of Obama-Biden. And I welcome ALL people to join with us to help make this country even better – for everyone.
No. I don’t mean David Byrne’s band Talking Heads. I mean all those full-of-themselves TV pundits saying young people who enthusiastically back Barack Obama won’t actually bother to vote.
Well that’s just crap. I hear you’re coming out in droves to vote. Young people who are genuinely excited about Obama. Young people helping get out the vote and driving people to the polls who can’t get there otherwise. Young people who realize all too well that this election is critical to their future and to the future of this planet.
I expect to see huge numbers of young voters from all over. Numbers far higher than anyone could predict…higher than ever before. That’s how you take back the power and become a voting block that gets heard!
Please get everyone you know to the polls, no matter how long you have to wait. Bring water and snacks and help anyone who needs help.
With all the unfounded rumors about Barack Obama being a Socialist or Communist (even though John McCain himself recently admitted that’s not true), I can’t help imagining real Communists hearing these rumors and vehemently denying any such thing:
Hey! He’s not one of us and we resent being linked to this guy. He’s talking about ways to stimulate the economy and create jobs. He supports the small businessperson. These are all…ugh…capitalist ideas! Obama is a Capitalist! Spread the word!
Seriously…no loyal self-respecting communist would back Obama, who is actually much more middle-of-the road in policy and approach than McCain and Palin are painting him out to be. He not only believes in free enterprise, but sees it as one of the ways out of this economic mess we’re in – with some amount of reasonable regulation of course, especially considering the hard-won lessons we’ve just learned. (BTW…although this is a much larger discussion, all corporations run on rules and regulations. There is every reason good government should also include that as part of their model for this nation’s economic efficiency, prosperity and security.)
As for the whole spreading the wealth thing…the entire United States tax system is based on spreading the wealth. It’s what taxes do: they redistribute wealth. It’s how both Republican and Democratic administrations can get services out to all areas of the country, rich or poor. It’s how smaller states and communities get money from richer states like New York and from richer cities like my own hometown New York City! And it’s how Alaska made sure ALL its citizens got $1200 from energy taxes.
Do all of you who live in poorer areas want to give up your share of the spread tax revenues??? We New Yorkers would be happy to have it all come back to us if you don’t want it. (We sure could use it now.)
Obama is just trying to correct the fact that the Bush administration decided to spread the wealth back up to the poor downtrodden WEALTHY, almost bypassing the middle class all together! And we see now how well THAT worked for our economy!
They say the definition of being crazy is doing the same things and expecting different results. So why would any of us vote for McCain who is clearly promising us more of the same? I’ll tell you why…because the right is using scare tactics and misrepresentations of the truth to make people afraid of Barack Obama. So…if you dare…here is what Barack Obama really stands for. See for yourself.
From the economic policy page of Barack Obama’s website:
We are now three days away from election 2008 and the most important thing we can do now is make sure our votes count. Here’s some information from NPR telling us some cool high tech ways to help keep the vote honest:
Please share the info. And tell everyone to bring a piece of paper with them to the polls that has the above phone number and/or the Twitter and Texting info with them!
We worked too hard to let our votes get stolen – again
I’m hearing the most unbelievable reports of attempted voter suppression. People knocking on doors telling Democrats that the turnout will be so big that it was decided that Republicans vote on November 4th and Democrats now vote on November 5! Robocalls telling similar stories. And my favorite…robocalls that tell people to press “1″ for McCain and “2″ for Obama instead of going to the polls. Sheeesh!
Look…I don’t know if all these reports are true, but similar techniques have been tried in past years. Not to mention challenges and in some cases targeted intimidation when registered voters get to the polls.
But this time we have people waiting to help make sure every vote counts! We just need to get the word out. So, for that reason, I’m reposting this vital information.
Three key things to protect your vote – and our future:
1. Vote early if you can. Betetr to knwo now if there are some thinsg that need to be cleared up. And be prepared to wait. However long it takes now, four years of McCain-Palin will feel like forever!
2. Tell everyone you know to carry this phone number with them:
1-866-OUR VOTE (Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA)
3. If at all possible, don’t use a provisional vote; instead insist on using the voting machines as best you can. And remember to use the phone number for help and/or advice if you have problems.
Hope this helps. Thanks for spreading the word.
JABG
***
And here’s the longer version from my original post:
What You Can Do to Make Sure Your Vote Gets Counted
If a person is registered at their current address, they should still check their registration NOW. Voters Unite has a state by state listing detailing deadlines and other info. Some registrar’s websites (like San Diego’s) actually allow you to check the status of your registration online. Call them immediately if you have concerns.
If you are newly registered (esp if you live in a swing state) check your registration status immediately. If it’s being challenged by the ironically named Help America Vote Act (HAVA – passed in ‘02 by a Republican House and Senate and signed into law by Bush) you probably still have time to correct it. Insist. Call the number listed below if you have registration issues. HAVA introduced strict ID laws (which reform advocates fought for years) so make sure you know what is allowed as qualifying ID in your district.
For example, this misconceived law requires registrars to EXACTLY match a voter’s name to government records (like the DMV and SS). So if you are listed as “Mickey M. Mouse” on your Driver’s License and you register to vote as Mickey Mouse – this law allows you to be disqualified or at least leaves it up the discretion of the local partisan registrar. Even a typo entered by the registrar’s office can disqualify you!
Note: If you live in a state that allows you to use a permanent mail-in ballot (like CA) deliver that ballot in person rather than mailing it in, if possible.
Early Voting
Check to see if your state allows early voting. 31 states do, but some have narrow qualifications. If you are permitted, vote NOW. Lines will most likely be long, but voting early gives you time to surface and hopefully, correct any problems with your registration.
Election Day
If you encounter any problems at your polling place, contact this number: 1-866-OUR VOTE (Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA). Write it down and take it withyou. If you have a camera or video phone, take it with you. Some polling place workers may say filming is not permitted – and that is not true.
If you are told you are not on the rolls – and you know you should be – insist that you be allowed to vote on the machine. To the best of your ability, avoid the use of a provisional ballot (about 1/3 of them are disqualified and not counted). Call the 1-866-OUR-VOTE number for help. (Take the number with you to the polling place.)
The 1-866-OUR-VOTE number is a wonderful tool being provided by the National Campaign for Fair Electionsand staffed by the Lawyers Committee for Civil RIghts. (Another way to help this marvelous effort is to donate to their work. $31.27 funds 1 hour of their helpline for voters).
Another excellent resource on voting rights and current voting issues is theBrennan Center for Justice. They have a state by state student voting guide online.
I just watched a terrific video. These folks say it better than I can. They’ve struggled with it and wanted so much to be able to vote for McCain. But after much thought and soul-searching, they are speaking out and voting for Obama!
Listen to what they say about McCain and Obama. And keep remembering…they are Republicans – and Conservatives!
There is something deep going on here. Something that hits at the core of what kind of president most people – even those from the opposing party – want to entrust this country to, even if it means crossing party lines. It gives me hope that after the election is over, we can work together to face all the mind-boggling challenges and build an even stronger United States – with the emphasis on united states.
I’m almost at a loss for words. In a speech today in support of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Sarah Palin showed us the true danger of not educating people – all people.
In her speech, Sarah ridiculed a type of research that has led to life-changing discoveries that can help children with autism and birth defects as well as many more conditions and illnesses. Her own 4-month old son, Trig, has Down’s syndrome, and while she says she fights for more funding to help all children with disabilities, Palin’s lack of understanding could be the biggest detriment to these kids getting the real help they need. (Similar to the way No Child Left Behind sadly has left so many behind.)
Here are her stunningly misinformed words:
You’ve heard about some of these pet projects they really don’t make a whole lot of sense and sometimes these dollars go to projects that have little or nothing to do with the public good. Things like fruit fly research in Paris, France. I kid you not.
I have a friend with an autistic child who prays that everything possible be done to find help for her son. For Governor Palin to be so quick to make fun of things she doesn’t understand (or even bother to find out about), in the same way a proudly rebellious grade school child might, makes me shudder. Her own child might be helped one day by such research! If this is her approach, how many critically important things would she ridicule as Vice President or god forbid President.
It’s so ironic that she’s talking about education and yet dismissively ridicules so many things that require educated or informed thought. A leader, above all, especially in these unbelievably challenging times, must be informed and must be open to receiving new information and ideas. Without that, we’ll be back in the dark ages – where people as a rule were quite comfortable making fun of such things as new ideas and science.
Here’s the whole story from an article by Ben Armbruster On Think Progress:
Speaking of kid’s with autism or other health issues, here’s an interesting take on why McCain’s health plan would not be good for many kids who most need the coverage:
I need your help! The polls show Barack Obama far and away in the lead. So how would you feel if you woke up on November 5 to hear that McCain-Palin won? Can it happen? You betcha!
This terrific Rolling Stone article by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Greg Palast gives us a frightening picture of the GOP’s well-orchestrated campaign to deter new voters and discard Democratic ballots:
We can’t let this happen. Not again. Please join me in telling people all over the country how to protect their vote. Don’t let them lose their chance to be heard because they left out their middle initial on their registration in an exact match state or some other such bogus process. And surprise…the majority of people being de-registered are Dems.
Our vote is too precious to have it blown away by disgusting antidemocratic (small “d”) Republican tactics aimed at disenfranchising Democratic (big “D”) voters. Hear us loud and clear…not this time!!!!
Now to how you can help. We need to spread the word. A good friend of mine with many years as a non-partisan election reform advocate prepared this for us. Please share it with everyone you know.
What You Can Do to Make Sure Your Vote Gets Counted
If a person is registered at their current address, they should still check their registration NOW. Voters Unite has a state by state listing detailing deadlines and other info. Some registrar’s websites (like San Diego’s) actually allow you to check the status of your registration online. Call them immediately if you have concerns.
If you are newly registered (esp if you live in a swing state) check your registration status immediately. If it’s being challenged by the ironically named Help America Vote Act (HAVA – passed in ‘02 by a Republican House and Senate and signed into law by Bush) you probably still have time to correct it. Insist. Call the number listed below if you have registration issues. HAVA introduced strict ID laws (which reform advocates fought for years) so make sure you know what is allowed as qualifying ID in your district.
For example, this misconceived law requires registrars to EXACTLY match a voter’s name to government records (like the DMV and SS). So if you are listed as “Mickey M. Mouse” on your Driver’s License and you register to vote as Mickey Mouse – this law allows you to be disqualified or at least leaves it up the discretion of the local partisan registrar. Even a typo entered by the registrar’s office can disqualify you!
Note: If you live in a state that allows you to use a permanent mail-in ballot (like CA) deliver that ballot in person rather than mailing it in, if possible.
Early Voting
Check to see if your state allows early voting. 31 states do, but some have narrow qualifications. If you are permitted, vote NOW. Lines will most likely be long, but voting early gives you time to surface and hopefully, correct any problems with your registration.
Election Day
If you encounter any problems at your polling place, contact this number: 1-866-OUR VOTE (Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA). Write it down and take it with you. If you have a camera or video phone, take it with you. Some polling place workers may say filming is not permitted – and that is not true.
If you are told you are not on the rolls – and you know you should be – insist that you be allowed to vote on the machine. To the best of your ability, avoid the use of a provisional ballot (about 1/3 of them are disqualified and not counted). Call the 1-866-OUR-VOTE number for help. (Take the number with you to the polling place.)
The 1-866-OUR-VOTE number is a wonderful tool being provided by the National Campaign for Fair Electionsand staffed by the Lawyers Committee for Civil RIghts. (Another way to help this marvelous effort is to donate to their work. $31.27 funds 1 hour of their helpline for voters).
Another excellent resource on voting rights and current voting issues is theBrennan Center for Justice. They have a state by state student voting guide online.
Hope this helps. Thanks for spreading the word. Let’s make sure every vote counts this time!
JABG
***
For more great info on what’s been happening, check out The Brad Blogand also a reader’s story about her own voting problem from Trixtipz Weblog Voter Reg Hacked???
