Update from September 4, 2007

Dear Friends,

This Friday, I’m hosting Mickelson in the Morning from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. on WHO Radio, 1040 AM.  This is my third stint as guest-host, and this show will focus on . . . YOU!  Call to talk about whatever pressing issue you want to discuss.  I’ll do my best to give every caller a chance to weigh in, but please be aware that the lines can be pretty busy and it’s sometimes impossible to get everyone on the air.  The number to call is (515) 284-1040 or (800) 469-4295 if you’re calling long distance.

Last week, this Update focused on encouraging YOU to run for office.  We received a heavier-than-usual response, including several people interested in seeking public office.  (Please note that, since Lynn and I didn’t have time to ask respondents if it was ok to quote them, the better part of discretion requires us to list the following comments anonymously.)

One eastern Iowa man wrote, “I’ve taken your message to heart and will be standing for an at-large City Council seat this fall.  Hope we can see you up here sometime before the election.”

Another small-town resident wrote, “I'm 20 years old and running my second campaign for city council.  I read in an e-mail that you and your organization have advised campaigns in counties across the state.  I’ve got a bold renewable energy idea and a couple of other ideas I would love to discuss.”

This from a school board candidate:  “Great points, Ed!  Thank you!  I will not accept PAC money for my School Board race.”

The one that got away:  “I'd planned to run for the county hospital board, but didn't find time to pick up the papers.”

And this from a sitting City Councilman encouraging others to subscribe to our Update:  “The partisan politicians are, as Ed states, no different than the corporations.   They are, in fact, customers of one another. You should get on Ed’s mailing list; he is fantastic.”

Maybe quoting others who call you fantastic is no less lacking in humility than calling oneself fantastic.  But I include such accolades not out of a desire for personal aggrandizement but to express my excitement for the impact I’M for Iowa is having.  

Even among those whose priorities are not electoral politics in the strictest sense, we received some encouraging remarks.

From a single mom in Des Moines:  “I totally agree with you—thanks for articulating this!  People need to get off their duffs and do something about the state of the world!  If a single mom of five with two jobs can find time for activism—anyone can!”

From a Story County man:  “We saw ‘Sicko’ and I AM ready to put the tea in the harbor again.  Healthcare is a covenant, not a commodity.  I am acting out by being active in AMOS, especially the healthcare part of that.  Last session we learned how to lobby at the Iowa Capitol and we’ll surely be back next session.”

From a woman who’s volunteering with John Edwards’ campaign: “The reason I'm active is because I learned the hard way that if I don't help early then by the time I get to the polls, others have made the preliminary choices for me already.  We also need to find a remedy for earning discrepancies between the common person and corporate heads . . . arrggh!”

From a college prof: “I will teach at DMACC this fall and I expect you do not mind that I also press my students to at least vote and perhaps also to run for office.  I want to at least be able to say I have mentioned your influence on my position.”

From a woman who runs a bed and breakfast:  “I know all about how small business gets treated by government; even small-town government seems to be in the pockets of corporate America.  We are flying to DC to be in the impeachment and anti-war rally organized for September 15.  I feel I have to go to fight for our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. That's what I am doing now but I know it is not enough!”

And finally, from a subscriber in Des Moines: “Ed, great email.  You are preaching to the choir for some of us who spend a lot of time and money being activists, but I hope this email goes beyond us.”

Yes, it does seem to be finding its way beyond the usual crowd of already-engaged activists.  For example:
“That is one of the best emails I've received from you.  I forward your e-mails to some of my cynical friends and others who agree with my point of view.”
A few respondents put it in words that are stronger and more colorful than I often use.

From Linn County:  “It's time to get our bayonets out, tie a red bandanna on the end, line up outside the State Capitol and all yell ‘Charge!’ as we race up the steps.  I would think a common goal of preventing our extinction would be motivation enough.  When the climate scientists are in a panic and we are remaining calm, maybe we don't understand the situation.  Instead of heeding their warnings, Exxon and the rest are taking their information and making it a subject for debate. We don't need to debate the facts, we need to act on them.”

Most were hopeful, including this message from a Davenport minister:  “Thanks, Ed, for the good message. I especially like the Don McLean story.  Any message that asks us to make distinctions, to pay attention, to side with hope and courage and action is so important.  Marge Piercy said, ‘I want to be with those who submerge themselves in the task.’”

As always, thanks for reading, sharing and fighting for what’s right!

Ed Fallon