Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Great Days Ahead

First of all, the school voter registration event was a fantastic success. Thank you to everyone who volunteered for this important event. Due to your efforts, a record number of students will now be able to cast their vote in November and beyond.

It is now time to move beyond the walls of this school and reach out to the surrounding community. We are planning a voter registration at Lexington Market on October 6th and 7th. We need volunteers for both days. The strength of our democracy depends on citizens participating in the political process. Let's do our part to strengthen our local community and our country. To sign up, email James Dold at jdold001@umaryland.edu

Our first debate party is this Friday! The party is at Sliders (near Pickles). We have the second floor entirely to ourselves. Here is the information on the party:

When: Friday, 26 September. Party starts at 8:30pm. Debate starts at 9pm.
Where: Sliders
Who: Everyone is invited. Bring your spouse, significant other, friends, etc.
Cost: $5 for entrance into the party ($10 for entrance into all 4 of our debate parties)

This event is being sponsored by the LawDems, the Student Republicans, and UMALL. All three groups will have a representative at the door. Give your money to the organization of your choosing.

Food: Sliders is giving food and drink specials to all debate party members

$2 domestic beers, $3 rail drinks, $1 off all menu items
Non-alcoholic drinks are available

If you have any more questions: email us at lawdems@gmail.com

Monday, September 15, 2008

The Time is NOW

We are only 50 days from one of the most influential Presidential elections in American history. The past eight years have taken this country in the wrong direction. We have witnessed an expansion of executive power in the federal government, resulting in countless infringements on our civil liberties. The economy is worse than it has been in decades and the American middle class is decimated. The richest 5% of the population owns more than the rest of the country combined. The average American does not have access to proper education or health care. The cost of living has increased substantially with the rising cost of fuel and food. The housing crisis has left thousands of families in financial ruin. The list of problems is endless.

In the face of so many problems, citizens are losing their faith in the American Dream. Once upon a time, a citizen could work hard and earn success to provide greater opportunities for their children. For a lot of Americans, that idea is no longer a reality. As the middle class disappears and the gap widens between the have and the have-nots, pessimism and fear is killing the American spirit. There is only one thing that can put this country back on track.

Hope.

We need to believe that the future will be better than today. We need to believe that anyone can succeed. We need to feel the truth in the words "home of the free and land of the brave." We are not short on bravery. We have suffered terrorism and war. Our soldiers, police officers, firefighters and volunteer workers have proven that when America is in trouble, we have an unlimited supply of brave citizens who will sacrifice everything to protect their fellow Americans. We are the land of the brave. What we need to affirm is the truth of our freedom.

We need to believe in the freedom to worship as we wish without government interference. We need to believe in the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Do we have that freedom if we do not have access to education and therefore have no level playing field in the pursuit of success? Do we have that freedom if we are forced to live our lives based on the principles of someone else's faith? Do we have that freedom if we cannot choose what to do with our own bodies? Do we have that freedom if we are denied legal rights based on gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation? No.

Our freedoms are in jeopardy. We have bravely fought to protect our way of life from terrorists and foreign religious extremists. Now we must bravely fight to protect our freedoms at home. We must fight against corrupt government and religious extremists that threaten to transform our free democracy into a theocracy. We must fight for hope and freedom.

There are many members of our government who fight for our freedoms every day. Congress members have tried time and time again to enact legislation to improve education and level the playing field for all Americans. They have worked to keep religion out of government. For the past eight years, President Bush has used his veto power to block them. Do we want our next president to continue to push this country in the wrong direction or do we want a president who will facilitate change?

Your choice in this election is simple.
Do you want to elect Barack Obama or John McCain? Obama has a detailed plan to reverse the negative impact of the last eight years and cultivate our hope in the American Dream. John McCain has his own detailed plan. Regardless of what that plan says,
McCain has voted with the current administration 95% of the time. He is an agent of the same. With McCain as president, we will continue to lose hope and freedom. Barack Obama will bring change. He has already inspired hope across the country. An unprecedented number of people have turned out to support Obama. Hope is taking hold, but that hold can collapse in November if McCain is elected. This country's power comes from the people. The future is in our hands and now is the time for us to stand together and bring about the change we need.

How can you help?
The first step is to
register to vote and encourage everyone you know to register as well. All of us must make our voices heard if we want to change the government. Get involved in school and local organizations. The LawDems, Students for Obama and other school groups will be organizing registration drives, debate parties and trips to Virginia and Pennsylvania to help Obama take these key battlefield states.

Helping doesn't require travel. You can simply stay current on the issues and discuss them with your friends. Don't let someone you know go uninformed. Fight the lies and mug-slinging and help Obama spread the message of hope. This election is in our hands.