Deaniac83

Name:	Deaniac83
Location:	Sunnyvale, CA

My personal volunteering highlight:

In 2008, California put my rights on the ballot in Proposition 8 (and ultimately took them away). With the Supreme Court decision in May 2008, as the LGBT community was celebrating marriage equality in California, we could not stand still as Prop 8 threatened to return us to second class status yet again. As I worked with the No on 8 campaign, the dedication of the people from all walks of life inspired me. We recruited volunteers from college campuses and night clubs, local volunteers kept the phone banks and the mall-tables staffed, and we all worked from 6 in the morning to the time of the polls closing on election day. I personally not only phone banked 3-4 times a week for weeks and recruited volunteers, but practically moved into the local campaign headquarters for the last few weeks of the campaign. The knowledge of what's at stake and the kindness of strangers kept us going, even though we ultimately lost by a slim margin. But we are not going to give up, and we are going to get marriage equality back in California.

More about my volunteering with DFA:

I am currently one of the two Co-Chair of the Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley. Beyond the club's organizational structure, I have been involved in letter writing campaigns from DFA (most recently urging Congress to include a public option in their health care legislation), working in supporting DFA supported candidates such as Reps. Jerry McNerney, Charlie Brown for Congress and fighting the recall effort against Madison Nguyen in San Jose's city council.

More about my volunteering with progressive organizations:

I am somewhat active with the ACLU, the Human Rights Campaign, Moveon.org, and SEIU's political arm. The volunteering through those are mostly limited to signing petitions and writing letters, however.

What motivates me:

My biggest motivation to be politically active is my deep belief and optimism that together, we can make a difference in taking our country in a more progressive direction. Progressive activism is my way of making a difference. I love my country deeply, and in my book, that means actively participating in citizenship. I wholeheartedly believe that democracy is a contact sport. And last but not least, I am willing to fight for the principles I believe in: freedom, liberty, equal rights and recognition under law, social justice and the common good.

How I try to motivate others:

I believe in leading by example. I practice what I preach. Whenever I see apathy (whether in my generation or otherwise), I explain why it is important to participate, why the futures of all of us are at stake and how decisions made by public officials affect us all.

Where I see myself in five years:

Five years from now, I want to be able to affect - not simply advocate for - progressive change. I see myself working to change (or having changed) the frame of the political discourse to a more progressive one. Either through my work in non-profits or possibly in government, I also want to be in the middle of a core progressive issue, such as scientific advancement, health care, or equal rights for all Americans.

My suggested bumper sticker slogan for the Stand with Dr. Dean campaign:

Want Your Health Care Back? www.StandWithDrDean.com