Obama Works: Yes They Can

It's shocking the amount of money both Democratic candidates have raised since entering the race, whether big checks from wealthy benefactors, or from individuals who give in small $5 or $10 portions.

Since declaring her candidacy in 2007, Hillary Clinton has raised over $189 million through 3/31/08. Barack Obama has raised almost $235 million as of 3/31/08.

Given the nature of Obama's grassroots campaign, the progressive agenda that's united his supporters, and the increasingly pinched feeling we're all getting from our shrinking economy, it's no surprise that Obama supporters felt that they could use their energies and fundraising ability to contribute to the greater good RIGHT NOW.

To give you a sense of the scale of the money raised for campaigning and what one tiny government program costs: currently the USDA spends $19.8 million to enable coupons supplementing WIC (Women, Infants, and Children food stamps) to be used at local farmer's markets as part of the Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). Imagine if the cash raised for the campaign of one candidate could be used to help people directly. Maybe 10 such tiny programs could be funded so, for example, women and children experiencing hard times can buy fresh produce and fruit--free from pesticides and locally grown--and keep hunger at bay.

Of course, it's not one-to-one--there's no way money from private individuals could be applied directly to a government program. But it's not hard to see how our society's priorities might be out of whack when you see how much it costs to elect a president (most of which goes to large corporations in the form of media buys) and how much it costs to help poor women and kids.

Two college students started up Obama Works to channel some of this volunteerism to projects that make a difference in everyday people's lives now. It's not formally affiliated with the Obama campaign. But in a few months of existence, they've held fundraisers for urban schools, held city street cleanup efforts, and registered voters.

Obama Works is inspiring, pragmatic, and brings people together to solve problems. In doing so, they get to know one another if they didn't before. And, it's even kinda fun.

What I like best about Obama Works is how it redefines success: you can't measure the value of a committed, engaged, informed, and active citizenry with a poll, by dollars, or with a set number of pledged delegates. You won't find pundits dissecting the spin about it on tv or calling the race. What Obama Works achieves might be intangible, but it's still an asset to the Obama campaign, and hopefully to the country as a whole.

THIS is what our country should look like. These are my fellow Americans.

Cynematic looks for the silver lining at her personal blog, P i l l o w b o o k.

Comments

[Gunfighter]

Brava, my friend! Brava!

[Jo MacD]

Wow. That is so cool. Thanks so much for linking the video, too. Even if there is no President Obama (God forbid!), he has given America a great gift.