ITR - From Avaaz for InTouchRadio.net (Glastonbury, UK & GLOBAL)

HELP AMERICANS WHO THINK LIKE US

Dear friends,

The US elections are collapsing into a personality contest -- but their outcome will affect us all. Add your name and story to a global message to Americans: "When you vote, remember us." US Avaaz members will pass our messages along to their fellow-citizens:

Join the campaign now!


The United States election is drawing near -- and on nearly every important issue, from climate change to Iraq, human rights, peace and security, its outcome will affect the whole world.

But despite the huge stakes, U.S. politics sometimes seem more like personality contests -- and this year's presidential race is headed dangerously in that direction. In fact, John McCain's campaign manager stated flatly that "this election is not about issues" but rather about the personal qualities of the candidates.[1]

The good news is, many Americans see the problem the way we do. And the 300,000 American members of Avaaz want help from the rest of us -- the 3 million Avaaz members in other countries -- to remind their fellow U.S. voters that their ballots will affect the whole world. So today, we're launching a major effort to send Americans a global message: "When you vote, remember us." Sign the petition now, add a respectful note, and our messages will reach the US in paid ads, letters to the editor, door-to-door canvassing, and hundreds of thousands of US-to-US emails before America goes to the polls in just 56 days. Click to take action now!

http://www.avaaz.org/en/usa_remember_the_world?cl=125830051&v=2138

The power of our global message will come from two things: large numbers -- and personal stories. As one U.S. member wrote in, "the personal touch of individuals contacting individuals is vital to the success to this campaign." So if you have an extra moment, we'd love you to write a short message about how the outcome of the U.S. elections will affect you personally. Once you've submitted your signature and story, you'll see how to upload a photo of yourself to make it even more personal.

The stories, photos, and signatures will be incorporated into advertising campaigns -- and will be sent from American Avaaz members to their friends, families, and colleagues in personal appeals to consider international issues in the election.

Will this work? Of course, it won't decide the election all by itself. But it could have a significant impact. It's critical for all of us to be respectful in our messages; approaching this with the wrong spirit could risk triggering a backlash. We all recognise that this is a democratic election, and the decisions will be made by U.S. voters themselves. But while it's not our place to tell Americans what to do, it's certainly appropriate for us to let them know that their actions affect us all around the world -- and our polling of U.S. Avaaz members shows they're excited to bring our global messages to their friends and neighbours.[2]

There are 56 days left before Americans go to the polls. Add your name, tell your friends, and contribute your story today!

http://www.avaaz.org/en/usa_remember_the_world?cl=125830051&v=2138

Increasingly, decisions made by people anywhere affect the lives that we lead everywhere. But increasingly, we're becoming aware of this interconnectedness -- and of the responsibilities that come with it. Just as our lives are intertwined, our voices, even our whispers, can echo across continents and oceans. So let's use our voices to urge those in the world's most powerful nation to live up to their best traditions and ideals.

With hope,

Brett, Ben, Iain, Alice, Paul, Graziela, Pascal, Ricken and Milena -- the Avaaz team

PS: For a report on Avaaz's campaigning so far, see: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/report_back_2

Sources:

[1] "McCain Manager: 'This Election is Not About Issues,'" the Washington Post, 2 September 2008.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/09/mccain_manager_this_election_i.html back

[2] Avaaz member poll, conducted September 8-9, 2008. 83.2% of respondents responded favorably to this campaign, against 4.7% negative and 12.2% neutral. back


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