Dear America,

"The Constitution does not just protect

those whose views we share; 

it also protects 

those with whose views 

we disagree."  

Edward Kennedy

Oh no.

And so it begins.

Campaign 2012 here we come -- it's regime change, or bust.

So this morning, we wake up to innovations in politicking, repackaging and re-branding, beginning with the grassroots -- for, who are we kidding, isn't anything new; it is precisely where he started decades ago -- in the streets of Chicago, in Bill Ayers living room, over coffee chats after services with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, who's back door backs up to Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam --  and how can we forget, where Organizing for America truly began with the help of Andy Stern, the dynamic duo of Wade and Dale (Rathke), SEIU and ACORN (before video tape).

Here is the kick off, "It Begins with Us."

Coming out with a down home, sweet production, featuring simple everyday folk: Ed and Gladys, Katherine and Alice (and Mike, don't forget Mike, guessing too young to vote the first time around):

"...seems much like the last couple campaigns...turning point..."

"...then, we had an underdog senator...

nobody thought he had a chance, and now he's the president..."

"...we're not leaving it up to chance..."

 "...President Obama is one person, 

plus, he's got a job, we're paying him to do a job..."

"....I had the impression politics was all show, 

all sound bites...

but politics is how we govern ourselves..."

Paid for by Obama for America -- BARACKOBAMA.com

and so it begins.  and It Begins with Us; kinda like "America, A Story of Us," only different.

anywho...another campaign cycle gets the inaugural video across the bow, so let the games begin.

I hasten to think that any body would be better than Obama getting re-elected, anybody; but that is not exactly the climate we are in, now is it? Crazy is as crazy does, there are a lot of people like "Ed", who may not agree with "everything" but they sure do like him -- still.

Do we overt disaster going the route of finding the total anti-thesis of the guy, like pushing a Paul Ryan to step up to the plate, returning to America's favorite past time again with a mid-western boy flare and a no nonsense fiscal policy?  Or, do we try to split the differences and bring in a newcomer, a young gun according to the world of politics but armed with a wealth of real business expertise and know how, like a certain Herman Cain -- of course, wouldn't it be fun throwing in the mono y mono curve ball.

Yes, and then there is TRUMP, how much of a thrill up the leg would that be; for the opportunity to have Obama debate him alone would be worth the price of admission.  Perhaps TRUMP isn't perfect; perhaps he is a wee bit over the top in many ways; perhaps running with the TRUMP card -- rediscovering our sovereignty and liberties the 'it's not personal, it's business' way -- may come with a huge price.

But is he full on American in every way?
Does he love this country, or what?
Does he have plenty of reason to give back now that he has learned a thing or two, can use his own jet when in office, and oh yeah, seems happily married to another little hottie?  Yes. Yes. and, for the hat trick, Yes.

It Begins with Us

"So even though I'm focused on the job you elected me to do, and the race may not reach full speed for a year or more, the work of laying the foundation for our campaign must start today...We've always known that lasting change wouldn't come quickly or easily. ... But as my administration and folks across the country fight to protect the progress we've made -- and make more -- we also need to begin mobilizing for 2012, long before the time comes for me to begin campaigning in earnest."  Obama's Monday Morning Spam

"Democracy...

while it lasts is more bloody 

than either aristocracy and monarchy.  

Remember, democracy never lasts long.  

It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself.  

There is never a democracy

that did not commit suicide." 

John Adams

I can hardly wait for the ruckus of sound bites and repeated choruses of rhetoric, the media mongering, the pop music, the pop culture, all ringing in in due time; so looking forward to being thoroughly bombarded with sleazy arguments in thirty second spots all up and down the channels; and how happy are we to have more of "we are the champions", "who let the dogs out", and a little "hells bells" being hijacked by people in khakis and button down collars.

Spring has sprung -- and if you didn't already know it, it all begins with us.

Leaving opening day to the amateurs, the mound waits for the next big thing to show...
Watching anxiously --
Whispering the memory of campaigns passed --
Winding up, anticipating greatness to come about once again.

We all hold our breath.  And the pitch is...

Hold up, time out --  honestly, I don't believe there is enough imitation cheese sauce in the world to get us through this next twenty months and two days and twelve hours and twenty two seconds.

Thank God the angels in the outfield are reminding us of the good news:

We know what is under the grassroots now don't we. There are no surprises; there are no second guesses; everything we need to know about the current regime is a'swingin' and a'missing in the batter's box, running right smack up against the majority.

All we have to do is pitch it straight, right down the middle, at about the same pace as high speed rail and we've got a game for the history books in the making (again).

Oh, and then there is this --

just who's the underdog now?

just who's turning point will it be?

who else... is not leaving it up to chance?

Because Obama does have a job to do, as Alice in the video carefully pointed out; he should be working 24/7 on the three wars, the sputtering economy, jobs and unemployment, and explaining how the "Affordable Care Act" could pay unions 2 Billion dollars to cover for early retirement, or how his personal efforts have directly influenced and diminished America's status and sovereignty around the globe, or how the "accidental uprisings and revolutions" popping up all over the middle east are no accident...grassroots, right, that's a good one,  my a**back-yard-baseball.

[oooh and speaking of accidents: the coalition forces accidentally kill 13 rebels and everyone's okay with it?  keep moving, nothing to see here -- when in fact, after a rogue preacher burns a holy book, two days of riots ensue?  Kill innocent people or a book -- okay and not okay, respectively.  okay. interesting.]

So today, Obama is beginning a new phase, "It Begins [and ends] with Us," because he's looked at his stats: 42% approval rating is a liability for any franchise, even one thoroughly and meticulously organized and as well run as, Obama for America, Organizing for America, whatever they want to call it now; it's all the same thing; same spots of a different color.  And the Opposition (66% of America, team I M U), a.k.a the Underdog, knows this through and through -- and it's wearing a cape.  Yay Team!  who's the underdog now, huh, huh? who let the dogs out, who, who?

Paul, Herman, Donald -- Mitt, Sarah, Michele -- Mike, Tim, Newt -- anybody -- anybody with an American pulse has a chance, because the guy we have in now should be retired; like, as in yesterday (and statistically, he doesn't stand a chance).

pass the popcorn and peanuts -- this is gonna be fun.

Make it a Good Day, G

and speaking of underdogs, go Butler!  not that I really care, end of one season always seems to butt up to the beginning of another; the president officially begins campaign season today.  yippy skippy.

TO kick off a season into the unknown, AC/DC is playing on dear america...For just a little local color, this song played every time Trevor Hoffman came up to the mound for the Padres.