I am tired of being an armchair liberal, paralyzed by anger and disappointment, spewing the hackneyed vitriol so typical of frustrated democrats. Perhaps it is middle age, the keen awareness that my time on this planet is limited. Whatever the motivation, conscious or unconscious, I have made a commitment to something bigger than myself.

And I am not talking about religion.

I am talking about life here and now, in my own neighborhood and community.

Which leads me to politics. My Republican relatives invoke the “no politics or religion” rule whenever my Mother and I come around. Of course, I always refuse to comply with the rule, and there inevitably ensues a tense and heated discussion among us about current events. Indeed, in the spirit of my American heritage, our constitution, our Bill of Rights, I willingly, happily argue. I take a position, I don’t” go along to get along” in my political discussions. What does this accomplish?
I can live with myself and my conscience for having spoken out, for having declared my stance on an issue(s). I can proudly say I am engaging in a right afforded to me by virtue of being an American–the right of free speech. The right to engage in discourse, however uncomfortable it might be for me or for those with whom I am speaking/arguing with, to take a position and argue (loudly, even) for it. I also believe that one can argue (which I do) in a manner where one honors one’s own and the integrity of others.
If you read about our Founding Fathers, they argued vehemently among themselves as they hammered out a most precious document in human history, the Declaration of Independence–and later, the Constitution of the United States. It was through their heated dialogue and debate that something greater than the sum of their individual attitudes, opinions, beliefs, ideals was birthed.

Politics, current and historic. Constitutional law. The current and past administrations, Gore vs. Bush, Bobby Kennedy’s assassination. These are the topics I am passionate about lately. I am revisiting my history books and accumulating new ones. My neighbor and I are starting a book club with a focus on politics and history. We are beginning with Abigail Adams and John Adams.

What, pray tell, has possessed me? I am becoming a political activist. Why now?

I am inspired.

It seems I have been a good citizen all along, voting, helping ( a bit) with campaigns here and there. I am married to the son of the late Ann Richards, former Texas State Governor, celebrity at large. Ann was a ray of hope for me (and many others) in an otherwise bleak landscape of “same old” ,”Good old boy” politics. She was–and is– an icon of hope and progress for women and minorities, and she inspired many to take up the fight for equal rights, among others. I wish she were here to talk to. To argue with, to listen to. But unlike Ann Richards, I have not put my time and commitment where my mouth is. Until now.

I have the integrity, intelligence, commitment and vision of Senator Barack Obama to thank for my new-found passion for political action. I am wise enough to know the folly of attributing rock star status to any mere mortal; but once in a great while, someone comes along who can ignite one’s own vision, one’s own capacity for integrity and “right action”. Senator Obama articulates so beautifully and honestly the vision of an America I can fight for: one where our constitition is upheld and respected, one where there is a restored balance of judicial, legistlative and executive powers ; one with a commitment to go even beyond Johnson’s Great Society and Roosevelt’s New Deal in offering protection and support to our most vulnerable citizens. As evidenced by my own precinct and its motley group of new voters, Senator Obama has rocked us out of complacency with a positive message of YES WE CAN.

I just returned from the Travis County Democratic Convention, a proud and enthusiastic delegate for Senator Barack Obama. My precint 332 was a model of good will and cooperation, neighborly comraderie and support. I felt one with all of them–Clinton, Obama delegates alike.
I listened with empathy and support to my Clinton-supporting neighbors who have worked for years on the political frontlines for women’s causes. We held our signs together (some crudely calligraphed by moi), alternately cheering for one candidate or the other. At the end of the day, after selecting our state delegates (one of whom is my husband Clark), there were more smiles than frowns among us, even hugs. I had made new acquaintences representing both candidates, and 78704 seems alive and well with talented, committed, intelligent people willing to take a stand for their candidates and their political beliefs. These are the folks I will continue to work with and among in the trenches as we trudge along in the political process of shaping and creating our vision of America.

My hope for myself and my fellow democrats working for a change in the White House is that whatever the outcome of the election, we come away with our integrity, dignity, compassion and humanity intact, and that we remain committed to the fight for fairness, equality and justice for all American citizens.