Today is Election Day 2005. This is the first day of the rest of our campaign to restore sanity to America’s political process. The World is waiting…
To illustrate the point, I met two Dutch women last night at a Philadelphia restaurant. They happened to be present where my college alumni association chapter had gathered for a reception and dinner. As the alums made their way upstairs for the dinner I peeled back for a moment to introduce myself to Ineke and Maria. (I had noted their Dutch accents in passing.)
http://www.chuck2006.com
Ineke is on a temporary work permit, lives in Hoboken, N.J., and has no intention of establishing residency in the U.S., while Maria is “on holiday” with her American-based friend. I told them I was a Progressive Democrat running for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. Their response was hopeful, curious, and a bit skittish.
When I asked Ineke if she was a citizen, she quickly demurred, saying “I cannot vote for you, so I can be no help.” I then handed her my campaign card and told her she could be a much greater help than she might imagine. “Most Americans,” I added, “recognize that our nation has gone off track, and the fearless among us know that the only way to find our way back — to unite as Americans and as global citizens — is to stand up for what matters.”
I didn’t have to say anything more. Ineke and Maria smiled. I smiled. And we parted on a hopeful note.
The lesson for me? My new ambassador friends from Holland want America to return to its responsible and forward-looking mission. The stakes are far too high for any other outcome.
Today is Election Day 2005. Act like it matters. The World is waiting…
Today is also a tremendous opportuntiy to keep spreading the word about my pro-choice, -stem cell, -Iraq exit strategy, -living wage, -universal health care candidacy far and wide. Anyone who shows at the polls today will almost certainly do so again for the May 2006 primary. So please talk up my candidacy and our campaign — no matter where you live. And put some literature in their hands and our e-mail address (chuck2006.com) in their minds.
As I continue to travel across Pennsylvania, my hopes soar daily that we are not only in the process of winning the Democratic Primary (May 16) and General Election (November 7), but we are also in the midst of retaking the Democratic Party, the U.S. Consitution, all three branches of the federal government, and US-Global relations.
All that stands between us and our worthy and winnable goals is believing. It really is that simple.
Today is Election Day 2005. Vote like it matters. The World is waiting…
Yours in solidarity,
Chuck