Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes! Only Time Can Change Me, But YOU Can´t THIS TIME!!

When I was a little girl, my parents taught me if I finished my education and worked hard enough I could achieve my dreams. I knew, even as a child, I wanted to be a career woman. It didn´t matter that I was a minority. It didn’t matter that we were migrant workers every summer, picking crops. I knew I could reach for the stars.
My Dad always shared his stories with us. He was a troquero. During the Depression, he trucked workers up to Michigan from Texas to harvest the crops. He served as an interpreter. He was the workers champion. Even after he started working in the factory, he still served as an interpreter, often working for the state. He also worked with the Governor´s Commission to document the Migrant Worker Story. The Governor acknowledged him for his work. Dad always looked out for people. Occassionally, when the workers didn´t have a place to stay, he let them stay with us until they were able to care for themselves.
I learned so much from my parents, Work Ethic, Goals, Dreams, Humanity.
As a teenager, my friends and I marched for civil rights. We believed the words of John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King. We were all equal! This is America! We can all achieve the American Dream.
Friends of all colors listened to Motown and Disco, danced, studied, and we knew we would all achieve our goals because we were equal and anything was possible in America! I reminisce about this time of equality and friendship every time I hear a Motown or Disco song.
When I entered the business world, I worked hard, learned my skills, learned office politics and knew I would help the company and my family by working toward our mutual goals.
This all worked so well through to the new millennium. Then a few short years ago, America changed. It wasn´t just a change in politics or economics. The mood of the entire country shifted.
We used to all get along. We used to get angry at the same things. We all became angry at the Oklahoma City Bombings. We all became angry at the 911 attacks. We were all in sync.
Then, suddenly, in the new Millenium, life changed in America. We started getting angry at each other. It wasn´t just the extremist groups getting angry like the Nazis, terrorists, gangs or Militias getting angry at everyone. It wasn´t just the political groups mad at each other during elections. Now the anger started bleeding into the mainstream groups. Every day people were angry at everyone that disagreed with them. We can no longer discuss politics. Many minorities are living in fear of being racially profiled. The word “Mexican” has become a dirty word.
This was a different kind of change. It was very different. It reminded me of the pre-Civil Rights days.
A number of things caused the change. Most of the blame falls to the Bush Administration. We took that left turn to Iraq. The administration has continually tried to divert attention from the war while pandering to multi national corporations through tax cuts and no bid crony contracts. They instilled fear in the American public, teaching us to fear new immigrants (legal or illegal). They painted terrorists as immigrants of different colors.
We Americans are turning into sheep. We follow along with the Administration´s political bidding. We fear what they say to fear. We believe what they say to believe.
These changes reminded me of the pre-Civil Rights days. I thought we were beyond racial anger. Sure there has been some discrimination but that is not the norm nor the mainstream.
I have to tell you here and now. I do not like these changes and neither do any of the minorities I know. This is the reason many of us have gone to the internet and created blogs and joined the PRO Blogosphere.
Now the current candidates for President are talking about Change.
McCain has the audacity to use the word Change when he, over 90% of the time, has been in lockstep with his buddy Dubya. The Republicans have artfully changed the agenda from "ISSUES WE CARE ABOUT " to "WHO Would YOU Like to See In the White House!" That is why they chose Beauty Queen Palin as VP.
The Repulicans are AGAIN attempting to DIVIDE US and making this a RACIAL issue! We are NOW Diverted! We are arguing amongst each other, just as McCain and the Right Wing Extremists planned. It AGAIN is Whites against Minorities. Big City vs Small Town politics. Unfortunately, the Democrats are again falling for their dirty tricks and are responding to their ludicrous agenda vs. sticking to their guns.

I ask for each of us to take a hard look within ourselves.
Why are we letting the Administration and the Republican Party set our own personal agendas.
I ask ALL viewers to stop. Reflect. Ask yourself. What do YOU want for you and your family. Look ahead ten years. Don´t allow the Administration or anyone else to manipulate you. Decide for yourself what do you want. Decide for yourself the real issues in America.

Here are MY top 5 Issues:
1. End this wrongful War in Iraq and stop the deaths of our young people.
2. Work with other Leaders to strive for Peace in the World!
3. Extend the Peace so our children and grandchildren can reap these rewards.
4. Stop the pettiness in America. We should all strive in America to get along
5. Elect a diplomatic President and VP in 2008 who will regain status around the World!

I ask you to make your OWN List. Then decide for yourselves. Who do YOU want as the next President.
Then I ask you, the most important question of all!
Go out today and REGISTER to VOTE!
I KNOW some of you on the political left (PROs) are NOT registered to vote.
I am BEGGING YOU!!!!
I am BEGGING you!!!
Register to VOTE Today or tomorrow! Sometime this week!
REGISTER TO VOTE!!
Otherwise, if your side is defeated, YOU (and I mean YOU) have only yourselves to blame.
VOTE!!! VOTE!!! VOTE!!!
It it ALL up to YOU!! Look In the Mirror!! It is up to YOU!!!

AND, I ask ALL of my Latino sons and daughters, nieces and nephews to think of my Father, your Father, your Grandfather, theirs and theirs. Think of the dreams they bestowed upon you. Think of the Freedoms they fought for! REMEMBER! Remember the Dream! Remember the Dream when YOU Vote this November! Remember their dreams and the sweat and the tears they SUFFERED! FOR YOU! I want YOU to CRY when you Think of Them, of your Grandpa, when you VOTE this November! Remember THEM! And ALL they suffered!! And if you have the Audacity to Pull the Lever that Destroys their Sacrifices or Dreams for YOU.. Remember! Remember ALL of their Blood, Sweat and Tears to bring you the DREAM the American Dream! Vote Obama or Don´t Vote At All!!

God Bless America!