It all started with Cory Booker.
I have never before gotten involved in politics. I thought it a worthless pursuit in that face of overwhelming corruption. Every one in politics had something wrong with them. I even knew a few local politicians on a personal level and I still believed they were corrupt (and the ones I knew were). I sat down with others as they discussed politics and never commented on it as I thought of the absurdity of it all and did not understand why they got involved.
Then in December (I believe) of last year I read an article in Esquire magazine on the mayor of Newark, N.J. named Cory Booker. Here was a mayor of an proverty stricken town, who seemed to be a stand up guy who also did things I have not heard of any political figure doing. He lived in the housing projects and refused to move. Before he became mayor he sued the city and won over selling Newark property too low and keeping the poverty level down. He personally confronted drug dealers and chases them off the streets while at the same time spends his evenings speaking with the citizens of the poorest neighborhoods and attempting to find them legal jobs. He and Police commander Garry McCarthy have reduced the crime rate since their appointment in 2006. He even has monthly meetings with citizens to listen to their problems and see what he can do to help.
This got me to reevaluate my position on politicians. Because of Mr. Booker, I started looking to see if he was an isolated incident or there were others who do not fit into my classification of "Crook" or "Thief". I began to look into Barrack Obama. Most of you know his history and background by now so I won't go into it. I will say I was impressed by Mr. Obama. After a lengthy discussion with my cousin over way too many bottles of wine, I chose to vote this election and finally registered (not at that second of course, had to let the hangover subside). Yes, Obama's home state is Illinois and no, I do not think my vote would have mattered much. However, I wanted my voice to be heard. I wanted my vote to be counted as part of the record turnout. I voted for Obama.
That being said, I will be one of the most critical judges of President Elect Barack Obama. I want him to be held accountable for the promises he made. I have faith that he will fulfill these promises but I invested so much time and energy in Obama that I feel it is my job to be critical of what he does. I also believe he would welcome that form of constructive criticism. Godspeed and good luck, Mr. Obama, I think you have some tough times ahead of you.
As for Cory Booker, I hope he continues to change the viewpoints of people around the nation like he did mine and I wish to be counted as a fan of his. (And I got to see him on Real Time with Bill Maher this morning which sparked this whole blog. He is as articulate and intelligent as I envisioned from the articles about him.)
I have never before gotten involved in politics. I thought it a worthless pursuit in that face of overwhelming corruption. Every one in politics had something wrong with them. I even knew a few local politicians on a personal level and I still believed they were corrupt (and the ones I knew were). I sat down with others as they discussed politics and never commented on it as I thought of the absurdity of it all and did not understand why they got involved.
Then in December (I believe) of last year I read an article in Esquire magazine on the mayor of Newark, N.J. named Cory Booker. Here was a mayor of an proverty stricken town, who seemed to be a stand up guy who also did things I have not heard of any political figure doing. He lived in the housing projects and refused to move. Before he became mayor he sued the city and won over selling Newark property too low and keeping the poverty level down. He personally confronted drug dealers and chases them off the streets while at the same time spends his evenings speaking with the citizens of the poorest neighborhoods and attempting to find them legal jobs. He and Police commander Garry McCarthy have reduced the crime rate since their appointment in 2006. He even has monthly meetings with citizens to listen to their problems and see what he can do to help.
This got me to reevaluate my position on politicians. Because of Mr. Booker, I started looking to see if he was an isolated incident or there were others who do not fit into my classification of "Crook" or "Thief". I began to look into Barrack Obama. Most of you know his history and background by now so I won't go into it. I will say I was impressed by Mr. Obama. After a lengthy discussion with my cousin over way too many bottles of wine, I chose to vote this election and finally registered (not at that second of course, had to let the hangover subside). Yes, Obama's home state is Illinois and no, I do not think my vote would have mattered much. However, I wanted my voice to be heard. I wanted my vote to be counted as part of the record turnout. I voted for Obama.
That being said, I will be one of the most critical judges of President Elect Barack Obama. I want him to be held accountable for the promises he made. I have faith that he will fulfill these promises but I invested so much time and energy in Obama that I feel it is my job to be critical of what he does. I also believe he would welcome that form of constructive criticism. Godspeed and good luck, Mr. Obama, I think you have some tough times ahead of you.
As for Cory Booker, I hope he continues to change the viewpoints of people around the nation like he did mine and I wish to be counted as a fan of his. (And I got to see him on Real Time with Bill Maher this morning which sparked this whole blog. He is as articulate and intelligent as I envisioned from the articles about him.)