Spain's Revolution (Chapter 1)

Sparked by a 21% unemployment rate, the youth of Spain have taken to the streets of Madrid. Organizers are saying that the decisions made by their government are more and more dictated by what is best for the market and not by what is best for the people. Result: Over 25,000 Spaniards decided to speak out and and act out against this unacceptable situation. Madrid Square is looking more and more like Tahrir Square (Egypt) did back in January and February. You need to be watching this. This is a LIVE feed from Madrid Square. Democracia Real Ya!!!

(UPDATE: Well it didn't take long before the LIVE feed of events at Madrid Square was shut down. I posted the live feed at approx. 10:00am PST and it was no long available at 12:31pm PST).

Broadcasting Live with Ustream.TV

2012

One doesn't have to look ahead very far for the 2012 Presidential Campaign. For the past few weeks now every time I get out of bed, poor a cup of coffee, and sit down to read the newspaper I see another article about it. The GOPers are in full swing trying to find a "front runner" for their party to challenge President Obama for the Presidency. I don't know who will come out of the Republican primary, but I do know that it will be fun watching them eat each other alive. I have said before and I still believe the Republican Party is going through an identity crisis that might tear the party apart. One needs only to look at what happened to Thomas Jefferson's party after his Presidency turned out to be less than galvanizing for his party or the rise of the "Stand Paters" after TR left his Republican Party to turn it's sights on none other than itself. Conservatives have always struggled to find leadership that is "conservative enough" for their taste. The issues they have don't look like they will be resolved anytime soon, nor do they concern me very much. My concerns, rest mostly with the voters who were turned for the first time or for the first time in a long time by the 2008 campaign of Senator Barack Obama. HOPE and CHANGE were the main words and feelings that framed the 2008 campaign. I should know, I was a part of it. From 2007-2008 (from the Primary to the National election) I served not only has a Campaign Organizing Trainer for CA, but also as a Congressional District Field Coordinator, Regional Field Organizer and National Delegate to the DNC. I helped train thousands of new voters (young and not so young) that were genuinely excited about the promise of a new era in politics and wanted to do more than just vote. HOPE and CHANGE may have been the words, but it was the people and their excitement that drove the candidacy of Senator Obama all the way to the White House. On election night, as one battle-ground state after the next went blue, I remember people crying, cheering, hugging complete strangers and feeling for the first time in their lives the prospects of progress and possibility. HOPE and CHANGE were more than words. They were possible. That was 2008. I know it's early (May 2011), but I don't see people falling over themselves to get engaged for 2012. When I talk to people who voted for or worked for President Obama's campaign I don't hear anything about HOPE. I don't hear anyone saying that CHANGE is still possible in our politics. I remind people that we have seen some significant changes during his Presidency, but I am always countered by "those things are good, but I don't really understand how that effects me". As I walk away from these conversations I usually walk away thinking two things: I wonder if that guy will make calls for the President, knock on doors for President , reach out to his neighbors, put up a sign, bumper sticker or do anything other than vote (possibly) for the President.; I also walk away hearing the high pitched nasally voice of Sarah Pailin saying: "How's that hopey changey thing workin' out for ya?" I can't stand it, but I wonder what people would honestly say. It honestly concerns me. Using HOPE and CHANGE to frame the 2008 campaign was brilliant strategy, but perhaps it was also dangerous to the future of not just President Obama's 2012 reelection bid, but to all future candidates wanting to run on a similar message. HOPE and CHANGE are what get people up in the morning. HOPE and CHANGE are what get people to the polls. What happens when people don't feel very much if any HOPE. What happens if the CHANGE that is happening isn't very easily seen or felt. I don't sense that people are feeling very much HOPE right now. Nor do I sense that people feel or see the CHANGE the President Obama has made happen during his first term. 2012 is just around the corner and I wonder how hopeful people are that the change we once believed in should be believed in again.