I Swore I Wouldn't Do This Again - Democratic Underground

lynettebro440

(950 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Jun-22-08 12:44 PM
Original message

I Swore I Wouldn't Do This Again

But here goes:

I haven't posted on DU since 2005 when the world was first starting it's toilet bowl flush into the abyss we find ourselves now. I found myself getting extremely pissed off back then for not being able to change what was going to inevitably happen. So I walked away from DU mostly because I needed to not just fret about what was going to happen, but start changing my life with an extreme sense of urgency. I was able to realize what was going to happen way before most people around me even noticed the downfall on their brainless radar screens. I huddled down, slimmed down on material things and bills. I stayed away from credit card companies after seeing their hidden fees that no one else seemed to notice. I bought a gas efficient car, combined incomes with my children (we all now live together) and waited. And now it's here.

I should feel happy that I was prepared, I mean none of what is happening has come as a big surprise. I saw this coming when Bush first said he was going to war. It was all strategically planned and I sat there in amazement that nothing could be done about it. But I'm not happy, I'm pissed. I'm pissed at America for being dumb enough to fall for all this stupidity on the news. I'm pissed that in the age of the internet that people didn't research more and find the answers instead of just mindlessly believe the man on the TV or the voice on the radio. And then came Obama.

I noticed him for the first time at the 2004 Democratic convention. I remember turning around to my son after his speech and said "Now that's the kind of guy we need to change this mess around, but there is no way this redneck, racist country will ever do that." Needless to say, when my kids and I sat here on that cold January 3rd, 2008 night after my home state of Iowa voted Barack Obama over Edwards and Clinton my hopes soared. For the first time I believed that maybe, just maybe this country that I was born into wouldn't disappointment me. I totally agreed with Michelle Obama when she said "This is the first time I'm proud of my country." Anyone who has had to survive while the raaaTaards, (my new politically incorrect name for this last administration)has drove my country into the ground can say they are proud then they must be sitting in front of TV watching some stupid reality TV show.

My two adult children and I went to see Obama when he came to Des Moines after he had clinched the majority nomination for the presidential bid. It was my daughters 27th birthday and we stood in line for 3 hours to see him. Any other time we would have to stand that long for anything (concert, Disneyland rides etc..) my kids would be bitching and complaining. But not this night. The excitement in the line to see Obama was powerful, there was 2 days notice for his visit here and yet there were 7 thousand people winding 8 blocks waiting to see this man. (On side note when John McCain came here after months of notice he had 250 people show up for him). It was almost surreal to be standing 30 feet in front of the stage and watching this unbelievable charismatic, intelligent (absolutely gorgeous man) speak to us with such energy and enthusiasm. It was one memorable night that I won't soon forget. My entire family has signed up to volunteer for Obama, we are all committed to do whatever it takes to get him elected.

So I just wanted to say I'm back. Although I realize that we are not yet at the worst of what is about to come (flooding in the Midwest is going to drive up food, I'm not convinced that Bush won't start something in Iran...etc..) I do believe that for the first time in a long time we have someone who knows how to do this and will win and if nothing else put this train back on the tracks so we can head in a different direction. So thanks once again for listening.