Please allow me to introduce myself

Written by: Franco Caliz-Aguilar on Jun 7, 2007 9:45 AM EDT

Well, this is a role reversal. Usually people live in the Northeast and move down south to Florida. I’ve graduated from high school  (July 1st) less than a week ago, and so decided that by going to Vermont and interning with Democracy for America, a group I’ve been working for at the local level since I was 14, I’d be making more of a contribution than on my couch.

So from a city with millions of people (Miami) to one with circa fourty five thousand (Burlington), it’s a great culture clash. And going from 98 degrees to 58 in two days is a heck of a meteorological one. Then again, I’m just happy I don’t have to worry about my AP Literature and Composition class anymore!

But I do have to worry about college, where Republicans have lowered Pell Grants the last 3 years. I do have to worry that by the time I’m 50 the privatization of Social Security sponsored by a certain Chimp in the White House may ruin any pension I’ve a chance of collecting. I do worry that climate change will make this an even more unstable world in which to live in, one where my children will effectively not see many of the creatures I studied just two years ago as a Sophomore in my Environmental Science class. 

Heck, in that Literature and Composition class, they taught me something simple but conclusive with a book called 1984, that one or two of you may have heard about- Big Brother is watching you- and if we let King George continue without some checks and balances of his policies and actions, such as signing statements, Big Brother will have won.  

So while happy with the victories in 2006, I’m here to make sure that 2008 is even better, a process that starts now in 2007.

We at DFA can make sure that progressives run and win races from the top of the ticket down to dogcatcher, with the support of local groups and volunteers, such as you and I. My personal goal during the course of this summer is to help this office facilitate the local groups in their endeavors and to gain experience that will help me as an organizer when I head back to Miami. I hope that I can serve you all to the best of my abilities!

-Franco Caliz-Aguilar

Political/Field Intern

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