I have hope because I choose to.

[undeterred]

I believe that if the Democratic Party takes control of both houses of Congress in 2006 things will change for the better.

Yes, most of the Democrats have let us down. But not all of them. And if they become the majority party, I do believe that their behavior will change.

I believe that things can change but I do not believe that this will magically happen. The tide will not simply turn. The pendulum will not simply swing back in the other direction because of some kind of natural force. We have to make this happen.

We are the leaders of the Democratic party. We are the ones who will produce this change by giving everything we've got to make this happen in the fall of 2006.

I am working on a campaign that involves taking back one house seat. Many other DUers are doing the same. My candidate is not even in my district, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to make this happen - knock on doors, throw fundraisers, and call voters and potential donors until my voice is hoarse.

My candidate really wants this seat, and that gives me hope. He's willing to do whatever it takes. Hope feeds on hope.

If you have no hope, find yourself some hopeful people who are working for change, jump in, and start working. Acting in a way that is positive makes you feel hopeful.

I have a list of 1600 potential donors to call. I couldn't do this if I didn't have hope.

[acmejack]

1. How old are you?

How many campaigns have you worked on? How many times have you said those exact words? I am not mocking you, I am asking you these questions in all seriousness. I am attempting to obtain a fix on my own level of cynicism.

[undeterred]

2. I voted for Gerald Ford in 1976.

[acmejack]

3. Awesome!

You have held on to your will to resist and better the world, to you, Madam, I say a heartfelt Thank you! I waver as of late. There are more days that my body doesn't work very well, I am listening to a lawyer on C-span explain why a company will go through all this trouble to get a foreign worker to replace me.

Worst of all, I am losing faith in the system, in our Country herself. I have watched the National Party step in on several prominent grassroots congressional campaigns (see Ill-6, Pa-7) and ramrod an out of district candidate down the electorate's collective throats in a display of raw political power that can leave no doubt who is boss.

So while I spend some time disillusioned and depressed, yet I work my butt off volunteering for the different candidates down here that we're looking to get into office and working to move the agenda forward.

edit I voted first in 72, the ditty was "why changes dicks in the middle of a screw, reelect nixon in 72!" I didn't vote for niXon tho!

[undeterred]

4. I think hope is an internal state

If it were based on the external state of things it would be hard to find.

I am fairly new at activism. I did a little work on the Kerry campaign and was both surprised and devastated when he lost. I had been thinking the nightmare was over.

A few weeks later I heard someone on my local Air America say "the cure for soulsickeness" is activism. I needed the cure, so I took it. I have gone through two Camp Wellstone trainings in the last year and a half and begun to become involved on issues - peace, marriage equality, to name a couple. The Wellstone training encourages to work on electoral campaigns as well as issue activism, so I shopped around for a campaign- and picked the man who is running against Sensenbrenner. I didn't want to work on a race that was a lost cause or a sure thing for my first campaign! This one is a tough one.

So far I have been amazed at how many doors are opening. A lot of people will give to something simply because they are asked. People have hope because you have hope. When people are negative and start bashing Democrats or saying he doesn't have a change, I keep moving. Just as hope is contagious, so is negativity.

It really is a choice to focus on the teeniest amount of good, to focus on the possible instead of the impossible. I didn't know this candidate before I volunteered, and now that I am getting to know him, I am so glad I took the first step. My expectations have been exceeded.

I don't know what the future holds, but I can control my attitude and as long as I do everything I can I will have hope.

[acmejack]

5. I didn't have a choice all of our's are lost causes!

But, that is why they hold the election, isn't it? I am in Texas 22 currently Lamar Smith's District, the little weasel, soon to be ex Delay yes-man. We hope to send Courage to Congress, Lord knows they could use him!

[undeterred]

6. A lot of my elected officials are terrific

I like the idea of Dems in safe districts pouring their efforts into other areas of a state. In WI we have 4 safe Dems, 2 Reps that will not have a serious challenger, 1 thats up for grabs, and the one I am working on. I'd like to see Dems from the safe and impossible districts pour their energy into defeating Sensenbrenner. The House and Senate membership affects the whole country, not just their own districts!

[acmejack]

7. Good luck with him, that would be so cool!

The Judicial Chairmanship is indeed a power player that has a lot of clout & Sensenbrenner was never shy about throwing his weight around. It is hard to imagine life without him-but don't worry, I am sure I could rather quickly adapt!

[undeterred]

8. kicking for HOPE~!

[monarch]

9. K & R

I wish more people would read your post, take heart and follow your lead. Thank you for your uplifting post.

[undeterred]

10. ...

:hi:

[undeterred]

11. kicking for hope in 2006!

[undeterred]

12. kicking till hope 'catches'

[Ksec]

13. Hope is a good thing

Its nice to hear someone who has a good attitude.

My attitude has been really sucky lately. Thats unhealthy, and Im going to change .

Seriously. I hate being negative.

[undeterred]

14. I hate it too, and I've been that way too

Negative thoughts are self reinforcing, but thankfully, so are positive ones.