ProgressOhio

When the presidential dialogue was over, the myspace page provided a flektor, enabling viewers to share the vote results (as well as one's own votes) on a blog, myspace, email, or elsewhere. The little star on the pie chart shows how I voted. While the event was going on, the pieces of the same type of pie chart (on the same screen as Edwards) were fluctuating as viewers changed their votes in response to what Edwards was saying.



They're going to do this for all the candidates willing to participate, both republican and democratic. I'll post again when the next one is scheduled.

This is turning out to be super cool. I'm watching the Myspace/MTV interactive dialogue with John Edwards. As he answers questions, you rate his responses. Meanwhile, you can watch a pie chart showing everyone's ratings. It's fun to watch the pie chart change in real time as people change their responses.

Join in NOW - 45 minutes left. You don't have to have a Myspace profile to watch and participate.
It's at:
http://www.myspace.com/election2008

So it's been a year eh? Time does fly when you're having fun countering the right-wing smear machine with progressive voices.  They ended up being so diverse and powerful that many entrenched political figures cowered under the shadows on high.

What I remember is a left-wing crazy assed blogger hooking up with an established political communications professional in an unlikely synergy that would launch a powerful progressive force uniting activists of all types into one strong voice.

I remember strategy meetings in Starbucks. I remember going over website features and designs over a Bob Evans breakfast. I remember flying to Denver to learn from our colleagues (and now good friends) at ProgressNow. I seem to also remember a ton of snow and sitting on a plane for two hours, but thems the breaks in ski country I reckon.

I remember finally coming to light on South Third Street and shooting a video holding Deb Pryce and company accountable to our seniors while furniture was being moved in.  Hit the ground running - and haven't let up since. You might remember that video. They didn't care about our statement.

They care now.

Only now the statement is bigger.  Not many listen to a dozen voices as those are easy to ignore.  It's no longer feasible to ignore more than 250,000 voices all demanding an end to our failed foray into neo-conservatism.  The voices demanded an end to 16 years of corrupt one party rule.  The voices demanded to be represented.

They are starting to listen.

From the first day we countered the right-wing noise, and you were there.  You might have just sat back and read emails.  You might have cursed your screen as we all do at times.  You might have signed a petition thinking 'what good does this really do?'.  You might have signed up for a blog and began to speak out online.  You may have even attended or even organized a live event.  Whatever you did, you did it with ProgressOhio tools - and it mattered immensely.  I'm often asked what it is ProgressOhio does.  It's actually quite simple and the confusion amazes me.  PO is a toolset for countering right-wing noise and smears and for furthering progressive causes.  PO is a concentration of our power and voice.  PO works to make sure progressive voices are heard and progressive policies are fought for.

But most of all ProgressOhio was launched with the goal to be powered by and representative of you, the progressive activist.  I'm proud to have had a very small role in getting the ball rolling.  By the looks of it, the ball is not only rolling but picking up steam.  My last visit to the offices at PO was two doors down and double the space.  Each time I've been in there have been multiple people working to further the progressive cause, whether directly for ProgressOhio or for partner groups.  I've rarely recognized everyone in the office and that left me smilling.  It's what we were after.

So congratulations.  To YOU.  For one year of progressive work.  I hope we are able to get together soon and celebrate our accomplishments together.  I hope you feel as good about it as I do.

And finally some advice.  Whatever it is you do - DO IT!  Don't worry about how small it feels.  Together it is significant.  I think it was said best by a bespeckled bald Indian:

"Almost anything you do seems insignificant.  It is very important that you do it.  You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

Progress Bombaye!

PS - I want a corner piece!

Democratic Congressman Tim Ryan joins Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) in an effort to raise awareness for hunger and for their proposal to add $4 billion to the annual federal food stamp budget. Day one from Tim Ryan's blog:  

This week, I’ll be participating in the Food Stamp Challenge. For seven days, I’ll be living on three dollars of food per day, the same amount an average participant in the Food Stamp Program receives. The Challenge is an exercise aimed to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by millions of Americans, who live day to day, working to put food on the table.

Last Friday, my staff and I held a meeting plotting out how I would spend my $21.00. As we looked over food prices, we were struck by how anyone could expect a person to have a balanced, healthy diet on a mere three dollars per day. On a dollar per meal, a person can’t buy fresh fruit and vegetables. A person can’t buy the milk they need. The kids across the country who go to bed hungry on nights when the budget is stretched too thin deal with the reality of poverty every day, and I want them to know they aren’t forgotten.

 There are over one million recipients of Food Stamps in Ohio, nearly 90,000 in the 17th District. I’m participating in this challenge because as Congress crafts this years Farm Bill, we’re going to have to take a hard look at the way the Food Stamp Program is administered. I hope that at the end of the week, I have a deeper understanding of the hardships of these millions of American, and a better idea of how to help them.