I started out doing voter registration drives on my own, just me and anyone I could fine on the internet who wanted to help. We were awful at first, with no training or experience, but no one else was doing it. And then I got in with other activists and started doing it almost like tech support. A church or fraternity would want to do a registration, the group would put me together with them and I would come in with supplies and train their volunteers. And then Obama came to town. It was great to see it done with so many resources, but suddenly I was extraneous as anything other than a basic street volunteer. And now the campaign is gone, with all their money and paid organizers and we are on our own again. I tried with the Hagan campaign (NC), but it is hard to really commit since she is so bland. It is mostly a matter of hating her opposition with the fire of 10000 suns that gets me out for her, and that is hard to maintain. At some point the candidate has to inspire me for what they are doing or saying. I made a crack last week while I was volunteering about her being mealy-mouthed on the immigrant children's issue, and the organizer did not pester me this week to come in this weekend for the first time in like forever, so I guess I offended. sigh.... Just as well.
I am going to the Planned Parenthood Action meeting this week. It is an issue I can get behind. And I am on a list of people who have been working on the Citizen's Review Board (review police complaints), so that should get some steam after the election.
I hear what you are saying about stepping back, but I did that a bunch last year, and we have an election coming up so I feel like I need to stay with it through November at least. Thanks for taking time to make the post. It helps.
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