Anecdotal Stories of Hope...

[Maddy McCall]

Here's mine:

I live in Mississippi, the state that elected Bush's buddy and former RNC chair Haley Barbour governor last November--by a VERY narrow margin.

Today, I was sitting in my car waiting for my son's elementary school to let out. I was approached at two different times by two different women wanting me to sign a petition. I know for a fact that one of the petition pushers was a Barbour supporter last November; she had a Barbour for Gov sign in her yard.

So, she pushes a clipboard with the petition through my opened car window and she said, "I don't know if you are aware, but Haley Barbour is cutting public education funding, and those cuts are going to affect our kids' school to the tune of $700,000. Will you sign this petition that we are sending to him to demand he not cut education funding?"

I said, "Ya know, this is only a symptom of the problem--and I will sign the petition--but you need to consider that this will only get worse if you and others here continue to support Republicans against your and your children's interest. The cuts that we are now experiencing are trickle-down budgetary crises created by Bush. Have you considered voting Democratic in the presidential election this November?"

She replied, "I know. Barbour promised us he wouldn't cut education, but it's one of the first areas to get cut. Scott and I are looking at Edwards. We WON'T vote for Bush again."

The other petitioner frankly told me that she was a Democrat and would continue to be a Democrat. She was making it BLATANTLY clear to other parents (yes, I rolled down my window to eavesdrop) that Haley Barbour was to blame for the plight in which Mississippi schools, teachers, and all state employees now find themselves. She was a fireball and people were listening and signing the petition damning Barbour. Not a single parent refused.

So, even though we probably won't be in the blue column, it is encouraging to see Mississippians turn away from Barbour and Bush. I appreciated these women's activism today.



Any stories of hope from your neck of the woods?

[morningglory]

1. Thanks for the encouraging words! n/t

[Maddy McCall]

2. What's your story, morningglory!

I just had to say that. My mom used to say it to me when I was a kid. LOL.

:hi:

[Maddy McCall]

3. Kick in hopes that SOMEONE here has good news to spread

Or are we too involved in fisticuffs to stop for a while and think about the good things that happen each day to us?

I thought this thread would be a momentary truce for those of us who want to boot Bush out.

I want to hear other people's positive experiences! C'mon!

[CalProf]

4. My parents are old

and they were so Republican for so long they didn't even vote for FDR.

They're voting for Kerry. First Dem they've ever voted for.

My brother's a Repub. Voted for Shrub in 2000.

He's voting for Kerry.

There will be more.

[Maddy McCall]

6. Wooohooo!! That is excellent!

I'm still working on my folks...they may come around soon.

[SheilaT]

5. Thank you for that story.

And I'm especially glad you pointed out the folly of voting Republican. That's the kind of activism we should all be doing, even more than pushing for one specific candidate.

One thing I keep harping on is the need to get a Democrat House and Senate, whether or not Bush stays in power. I've begun volunteering for a Democrat running for the Senate here in Kansas, (a woman, better yet!) and I tell you, it feels very good to be doing this.

[Maddy McCall]

7. That's fantastic, Sheila

Cool that you give your time like that. I am currently phoning Mississippi legislators voicing my opposition to all things Barbour.

I agree--if we can get a Dem congress and senate, we can kneecap Bush if he is reelected. If we can get those and a Dem pres, we will be in GREAT shape!

:toast: