Like grab your wallet.
On January 19, the people of Massachusetts go to the polls to elect a new senator to take Ted Kennedy's seat (which had been JFK's before him). Attorney General Martha Coakley is the Democratic candidate. She's having trouble in the polls right now. Apparently her Republican opponent is outspending her and closing the gap between them, despite the fact that Coakley supports:
• Health care reform
• Ending discrimination based on gender, race, national origin, age or sexual orientation
• Developing renewable energy technology
• Veterans' services
• A woman's right to choose
I cannot tell you how upsetting it is to think of someone who doesn't share those views taking Ted Kennedy's seat and voting against health care reform ... or sitting beside John Kerry and not supporting enhanced veterans' services ... or using JFK's senate seat to oppose legislation to guarantee equal opportunity.
Moveon.org says she's being "swiftboated." Maybe that's true, maybe not. I am not slavishly devoted to Moveon and don't always share their POV on things.
I am, however, slavishly devoted to liberal (or progressive, whichever you prefer) causes, and the idea that government should do for the individual what the individual can't do alone.
So I sent a contribution to Martha Coakley. It was only $15, but I have worked on enough campaigns to know that any amount helps, especially this late in the game.
Besides, I couldn't bear to hear the news on January 19 that she lost, knowing I did nothing to help her election.
