Organizing for America in JP

Last Wednesday night, over 30 members of the Jamaica Plain community gathered at my home to kick-off the 2012 Presidential Campaign by doing what we do best here: organizing. People of all ages, races, backgrounds, ethnicities, and sexual orientations gathered together to talk about how we can ensure that we have four more years to finish what we've started.  People shared their stories and had a chance to inspire one another. We were recharged, reenergized, and ready to hit the ground running.

I know that this is not a time when everyone is happy about what is happening in Washington. For many, especially those on the left, the debt ceiling negotiations were disappointing in that they did not increase revenue enough by ending tax breaks for the rich. Many feel that health care reform has not gone far enough. Others feel that the President has not been outspoken enough on issues that are important to them.

But this is not the time to step back and disengage because you are not completely satisfied. In 2010, progressives in Massachusetts didn't throw themselves into the Senatorial campaign, and now we have a Senator who votes with his party 98 percent of the time. Apathy and disengagement only pave the way for those with agendas that support more of the same rather than help bring prosperity to the broadest group of Americans.

For those who are unaware, Organizing for America (OFA) is the official grassroots wing of President Barack Obama's reelection campaign.  The reason President Obama's reelection campaign is different from any other reelection bid in the past is that it asks citizens to do much more than just pull a lever in November.  Volunteers with OFA across the state are working to ensure that Massachusetts is well-organized into teams long before November 2012.  The team-based, local strategy is key to OFA's philosophy: respect, empower, include.  This movement belongs to the volunteers and it is our volunteers that will ensure victory.  The local organizer from OFA working with Jamaica Plain is Jayson Joyce, and he will be at on Centre St Wednesday the 10th from 10:30AM-12:30PM, and Thursday the 11th from 3:30PM to 5:30PM.  Stop by to learn more about OFA, and what you can do.  If you can't make either of those dates, and want to learn how you can become involved in the campaign, you can reach Jayson at 508-776-7476, or JJoyce@MassDems.org.