Notes From The Campaign Trails...

Most protest-goin' folks are familiar with that particular chant, often heard in call and response, "Show me what democracy looks like? This is what democracy looks like!" I've been using the phrase "This is what democracy looks like" throughout my campaigning this election cycle. Particularly as young people, there is a sense of giddy power when marching with hundreds or thousands of others at protests or demonstrations. Gathering in the streets to say NO to a government whose actions are deplorable to the people IS what democracy looks like. However, the bone-tiring work of electoral campaigns- from President down to State House Representative- is also what democracy looks like. This protest chant gets me through the days...

I'm out canvassing, sweaty and aching feet, and someone opens the door just enough to yell, "I don't want anyone knocking on my damn door!" I quietly tell myself, just out of earshot of the angry citizen, This Is What Democracy Looks Like.

I'm calling volunteers to ask them to phone-bank our membership lists reminding folks to vote and check out our list of LGBT-friendly campaigns. I tell the students from the university, "I could really use your help phone-banking. This Is What Democracy Looks Like."

I'm standing outside an art gallery during our monthly "art-district wonder-about feeling arty and drink free wine at galleries" registering voters. I have two stickers on my clip-board. Voter Registration Is My Art. ThisIsWhatDemocracyLooksLike.

I'm driving around suburban Kansas City putting out requested yard-signs for a candidate. Without a "drive-by-yard-sign-partner," this looks like driving slowly, stopping every 2 miles, turning off the engine, putting on the emergency lights, opening the trunk, stacking sign in yard. Today, in the rain... in a yard with full-force automatic sprinklers going. I get back in the car, turn off emergency lights, turn on engine, and loudly remind myself- This Is What Democracy Looks Like.

When I get up at 5:00am on November 4th to work a 14-hour day as a non-partisan poll-worker. I will wear a little button under my sweater: This Is What Democracy Looks Like.