A Dollar And A Dream

Bumps On The Road, Literally

One of the first things I did yesterday was get out and take photographs of the election signs which litter people's front lawns in my mother's neighbourhood. It's a particularly good time to do so as Obama and McCain signs are often situated somewhere in the midst of elaborate Halloween decorations.

I was so involved in taking pictures that I ran into a low hanging, rogue tree branch. Despite a headache yesterday and a sensitive scalp today, the project is still moving ahead.

Here are some of the photographs. You can click on the thumbnails for a larger version of each image.

While in Steelton, my mother and I stumbled upon a satellite Obama office on Front Street, set up in an old bar, directly opposite the former Bethlehem Steel Mill.

The field manager told us that Pennsylvania is becoming a far more important state in Obama's campaign and they need all the volunteers they can get.

As an Obama supporter myself, I'd like to encourage anyone in the Harrisburg, PA area who has some extra time to go down to the main office at 401 North 2nd Street in Harrisburg. They are looking for volunteers through Election Day.

Here are more Obama PA details:
Pennsylvania Barack Obama website
Text PA to 62262 (Obama)
877-5PA-OBAMA (877-572-6226)

Although I support Obama and am encouraging others to do so as well, I am looking to collect a wide range of viewpoints for this blog along the way.

At the Spaghetti Dinner: Bob and Deb

Bob, 67, is a retired military man.

Who do you think is the best candidate?

What is the most important issue to you in this election?

How would you describe the difference between a Democrat and a Republican?

Why do you think people are voting for Obama?

Deb, 56 and owner of a beauty shop, declined to have her picture taken.

Who do you think is the best candidate?

What issues are most important to you?

What do you think are the differences between Democrats and Republicans?

Why do you think people around the world are interested in this election?

Do you have anything else you'd like to say?

At the Spaghetti Dinner: Maria and Mary

I approached Helena and her daughter Maria, 10 who were both working the bake sale table at the spaghetti dinner. Helena said that she wasn't voting in this election but didn't want to explain why. But her daughter Maria was more than willing to talk. I asked her if she were able to vote in this election, who would she vote for?

Then I started talking to Mary, a retired state worker, who still hasn't made up her mind.

At the Spaghetti Dinner: Mark

Mark, 45, is an Air Force officer and grew up in Steelton. He was surprised that I had grown up there too as he thought I had a strange accent. Luckily my mother was there and could confirm my Pennsylvania roots.

Who do you think the best candidate is in this election and why?

What are the most important issues for you in this election?

Why do you think the world is so interested in this election?

(Mark meant to say 'capitalism', not 'socialism' in his response)

How would you describe the difference between a Democrat and a Republican?

If the gap between Democrats and Republicans has narrowed then, what are the issues that separate them?

Steelton, PA

Yesterday my mother and I went back to my hometown of Steelton, PA. (Click on any of the photos for a larger image)

We thought the monthly spaghetti dinner at one of the town's churches would be the perfect place to talk to people.

Along the way we stopped at Naples Pizza on Front Street for two slices, which is where we found a 37 year old woman who had already done some campaigning work for Obama.

What The World Thinks

Over the summer when I began researching this documentary film project, I was introduced to several election websites set up by non-Americans.

Now in America, some people I speak to find it hard to believe that the rest of the world is taking such an active interest.

Not only does this election seem to have a different meaning to Americans than it does to non-Americans, but I've found that even among Americans there are many differences in terms of what is at the forefront of people's minds.

Check out the following links if you are interested in what the rest of the world is thinking:

Voices Without Votes - Americans Vote, The World Speaks

England For Obama

The World Wants Obama Coalition

Yes We Can Around The World

Malcolm's Blog