The campaign is transitioning now from a presidential campaign to the establishment of an organization that will establish congress watchdog groups with offices in each congressional district across the country.
The argument for this organization stems from the fact that Congress is the most powerful branch of government (if we go by what the Constitution says), and it’s the most susceptible to the people because what members of Congress need and want most our votes.
Congress will not be susceptible though if votes are unorganized and if they can be manipulated, channeled, or nullified by money, and so, the organization (which is currently called November 5) will organize votes and voters. It will take angry people who are unorganized and turn the anger into a movement for progress in this nation.
The Obama rallies with tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people have been uplifting for progressives and liberals deeply wanting to see an end to Bush policies, but the people at these events need to be brought in to organize against bad policies that have been enacted over the past few decades. And, they need to be organized to push for new policies that will move this nation forward.
Struggle is what brings about change and we must now teach Americans who supported Obama that politics of change is not attending rallies that feel like rock concerts but is rather being willing to struggle and lose because you know you must fight the battle you are waging until you win.
In the next month, the new organization being setup by the Nader/Gonzalez campaign will solicit how many people are interested. It will bring together people of all political stripes.
The website, November5.org, has a video to further introduce the idea and further emphasize the importance of organizing a congress watchdog group.
Let us not forget that Obama has an easy act to follow. Conventional politics will seem radical. And center-right positions will seem refreshing.
The media and members of his administration might lead us to lower our expectations. We might start saying let's "be realistic." But, on second thought, let's not "be realistic" and put up barriers to possibilities before we even get on the ground running.
Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party's presidential candidate, celebrated Election Night with Cindy Sheehan and said now that we have the mantra of hope and change we've got to secure that change.
McKinney said "we have to create that torrent that's going to end war and occupation and social injustice" and create "change that reflects our values."
Our expectations must not be lowered. We worked for this moment, it’s the moment we’ve been waiting for, and now that it’s here, let’s constantly share and discuss how to achieve the future we progressives, liberals, and/or Americans want.
Ralph Nader said in his election statement after giving a great assessment of the 2008 election:
“You will observe on the TV massive cries of joy and euphoria. Everybody has to go through their stages of illusion and delusion.”
He also appeared on Real News on Election Night and expressed serious doubts about the citizenry in America.
If we want to prove Nader to be ridiculous in his characterization of millions of Americans (and I know many liberals and progressives would like Nader to shut up and go away), let us channel so-called illusion or delusion into meaningful action and organization that will move us closer to the society we want future generations to grow up and live in.
That said, onward---Onward to inauguration and onward to a better future where the people decide.
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