This week four of us were privileged
to have dinner with former Congressman, Dr. Bob Edgar.  He was named
President and CEO of Common Cause in May 2007.  Common Cause is a
nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization. The group is committed to
honest, open and accountable government, as well as encouraging citizen
participation in democracy.

Bob
was elected to the US House in 1974, the first Democrat in 82 years in
his district. He ran unsuccessfully for the US Senate in 1986 against
Arlen Specter. That race fueled his frustration with the undue
influence of money in politics and he became an active supporter of
clean elections and campaign finance reform, issues that have be en
Common Cause's hallmark.

Our
dinner conversation centered around politics, obviously.  Much of the
talk was about VOICE (Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections) legislation,
since he was in Des Moines to address that subject and the federal
equivalent offered by senators Durbin and Specter.  

At
one point the conversation moved to presidential politics and how many
candidates are framing their message around “Change” and “Hope.”  Bob
admitted that it’s a positive way to frame a message, but he also
pointed out the need to address the culture of fear that has grown more
prevalent in recent years.  “What if,” he said, “one of the
presidential candidates said, ‘I’m not afraid of terrorists.  I’m not
afraid of our healthcare crisis.  I’m not afraid of the global warming
crisis.’?”  

Clearly,
Bob did not mean statements like these should be made out of hubris, or
pretension, or especially to give a false sense of security.  His point
was that we don’t need to be afraid, and it’s time for our leaders to
say it out loud!  Too many times fear is used by politicians to either
paralyze us into inaction or to convince us of the need for violent
action.  What it should do is mobilize us into positive action for the
common good.  

Yes,
there are very serious issues that need to be confronted: our broken
relationships with leaders of many nations, the Iraq War, the
healthcare crisis, global warming, the growing gap between America’s
rich and poor, a shrinking middle class, ending racism, fighting
discrimination.  Yes, these issues will require thoughtful solutions. 
But we’ve been mired in the slough of despair and fear for years, and
we need to remember and re-learn how to think and act with hope and
optimism.

There
is every reason to have hope and to live without fear!  It’s one of the
reasons Ed and I support John Edwards.  I know you hear this a lot
through our updates, but we believe in him and what he can accomplish
as President.  John Edwards has spent his life and career fighting on
behalf of people who have no voice, and that’s exactly what he’ll do as
President.  In Iowa, we’ve got legislation pending by that very name,
VOICE (Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections).

Ed
and I were very excited this week to learn about Senator Edwa rd’s
decision to accept public financing for his campaign.  He’s never taken
money from PACs or Washington lobbyists and the public financing
decision underscores this longstanding commitment to getting big money
out of politics.  

In
our September 4th update, Ed wrote to encourage people to consider
running for office and several of you are!  We’ll be joining two who
took the plunge, Molly Cantrell-Kraig of Muscatine, and Conner Anderson
of Clinton, at fundraisers this weekend (see our website for details: www.imforiowa.org). 
We are excited that they, and others, are pursuing this avenue of
service.  We need leaders who have the strength of character to fight
for the people, who can stand up to corporate interests.  

But
we know not everyone has the time, or inclination, to be an elected
official.  Fortunately, there is something for everyone to do and we’ll
continue to share information about our growing network of grassroots
efforts across the state.  For now, here are a few:

•  
 If you’re interested in campaign finance reform at the state level
(VOICE) you can contact Adam Mason   (CCI) at adam@iowacci.org. 

•  
 If you want to work for the federal clean elections bill
(Durbin-Specter) you can contact Kyle Lobner (Common Cause) at
KLobner@commoncause.org.

•  
 Are CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) the issue that’s most
important to you?  Please conta ct me at imforiowa@gmail.com. 

•  
 What about the abuse of eminent domain?  There’s a new coalition
formed and you can contact them at  info@IowansForPropertyRights.com . 

•  
 If urban sprawl and the paving over of Iowa farmland are your concern,
please contact Stephanie Weisenbach of 1000 Friends of Iowa at
programs@1000friendsofiowa.org. 

•  
 Several groups we’re affiliated with work for an end to the Iraq War,
so let us know if you’re interested in this issue and we’ll send you
information on local contacts. 

•  
 Is an end to poverty the issue you’re passionate about?  Along with
John and Elizabeth Edwards’ OneCorps America
(http://blog.johnedwards.com/onecorps), we know several additional
groups throughout the state and we can try to put you in touch with
local activists.

Thanks
for reading and please write to ask for additional resources if there's
another issue you're interested in, or to share information about other
activists and/or groups in your area fighting for the common good.