has the inability of our current president to speak a proper sentence made us so cynical that when someone speaks well we can't stand it. somehow, it's too flowery, over our heads? i've read so many stories about how obama is poetic and eloquent as a speaker but folks seem to be holding that against him. they seem to think that's all he is. don't be afraid.
how much change are we up for?
blueprint for change
i really like these ideas to get people involved:
The Problem
Americans Not Asked to Serve
After 9/11: President Bush squandered an opportunity to mobilize the American people following 9/11 when he asked Americans only to go shopping.
Insufficient Federal Support for Service: While more than 500,000 people have served in AmeriCorps, the program turns away tens of thousands of applicants a year because of limited funding.
Need for More R&D in Nonprofit Sector: Research and development in the nonprofit sector is limited and there is a disconnect between charitable foundations that can fund innovation and the organizations on the ground that can test new concepts and bring them to scale.
Barack Obama's Plan
Enable All Americans to Serve to Meet the Nation's Challenges
Expand Corporation for National and Community Service: Obama will expand AmeriCorps from 75,000 slots today to 250,000 and he will focus this expansion on addressing the great challenges facing the nation.
He will establish a Classroom Corps to help teachers and students, with a priority placed on underserved schools; a Health Corps to improve public health outreach; a Clean Energy Corps to conduct weatherization and renewable energy projects; a Veterans Corps to assist veterans at hospitals, nursing homes and homeless shelters; and a Homeland Security Corps to help communities plan, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Engage Retiring Americans in Service on a Large Scale: Older Americans have a wide range of skills and knowledge to contribute. Obama will expand and improve programs that connect individuals over the age of 55 to quality volunteer opportunities.
Expand the Peace Corps: Obama will double the Peace Corps to 16,000 by 2011. He will work with the leaders of other countries to build an international network of overseas volunteers so that Americans work side-by-side with volunteers from other countries.
Show the World the Best Face of America: Obama will set up an America's Voice Initiative to send Americans who are fluent speakers of local languages to expand our public diplomacy. He also will extend opportunities for older individuals such as teachers, engineers, and doctors to serve overseas.
Integrate Service into Learning
Expand Service-Learning in Our Nation's Schools: Obama will set a goal that all middle and high school students do 50 hours of community service a year. He will develop national guidelines for service- learning and will give schools better tools both to develop programs and to document student experience. Green Job Corps: Obama will create an energy-focused youth jobs program to provide disadvantaged youth with service opportunities weatherizing buildings and getting practical experience in fast-growing career fields.
Expand YouthBuild Program: Obama will expand the YouthBuild program, which gives disadvantaged young people the chance to complete their high school education, learn valuable skills and build affordable housing in their communities. He will grow the program so that 50,000 low-income young people a year a chance to learn construction job skills and complete high school.
Require 100 Hours of Service in College: Obama will establish a new American Opportunity Tax Credit that worth $4,000 a year in exchange for 100 hours of public service a year.
Promote College Serve-Study: Obama will ensure that at least 25 percent of College Work-Study funds are used to support public service opportunities instead of jobs in dining halls and libraries.
Invest in the Nonprofit Sector
Social Investment Fund Network: Obama will create a Social Investment Fund Network to use federal seed money to leverage private sector funding to improve local innovation, test the impact of new ideas and expand successful programs to scale.
Social Entrepreneurship Agency for Nonprofits: Barack Obama will a create an agency within the Corporation for National and Community Service dedicated to building the capacity and effectiveness of the nonprofit sector.
News of the day:
Obama, Clinton battle; McCain makes gainsCanada.com -
Latinos remain pivotal for Clinton. Obama gains ground with women ...
Voters like Clinton on experience, Obama on changeBaltimore Sun
Tired but defiant Obama says it's not overSydney Morning Herald -
Obama, Clinton duel to a draw on Super TuesdayChristian Science Monitor
Obama, Bill Clinton to visit Washington before Saturday caucusesSeattle Post Intelligencer -
Clinton gets booed at the Obama partyTimes Online
Illinois goes big for ObamaChicago Sun-Times
Why Republicans like Obama and what it meansHouston Chronicle
Many Indonesians cheer Obama in Democrat raceReuters
Barack Obama and the viral Youtube videos
Are voters afraid to support Barack Obama?By Joel After Super Tuesday
Barack Obama's Super Tuesday Speech
The Feminist Debate on Hillary Clinton vs. Barack Obama
Why I voted for Barack ObamaBy scott
