Washblog

am looking at our flag pole in front of the house and the American flag is free to fly where it belongs. Especially on this windy day. And I feel proud to be a Delegate.

We were given the opportunity to speak for 30 seconds on why we wanted our candidate to be selected by the Democratic party. There were a few hundred in attendance so it was a bit intimidating. At first I chickened out. Peter told me, don't do it you will embarrass yourself.

He thought I would start going off about the Homeowners Association but I know now that most people don't want to get involved with that subject.

I was fine until the fourth woman spoke and said, "I have been waiting my whole life for a woman President and that is why I am voting for Hillary." I thought to myself, how can someone vote for someone based on their sex alone, isn't that totally against everything I have been raised as an American to believe? We are all equal and people should advance through integrity, hard work and helping others and we should vote for someone's policies, values and plans for the future-not because they are a woman.

I felt really young for the first time in a long time. Most people in the crowd were involved in politics for decades. An older Hillary supporter next to me asked me if I was 18 yet. I said thanks, I am 41. I guess that is better than being carded. Thank You.

Then the 18 year old high school senior from Woodland on the other side of me said, "I want to speak." I was so impressed with him and his friend. They were so excited to vote they registered when they were 17. They were bummed because they were told they should attend the next meeting in Napavine on May 17th if they want a chance to go to the National Convention. They graduate from high school that day. I looked at the high school boy next to me. I was thrilled because I was nearly twenty years older then him and twenty years younger then many in the room. I looked at Peter who again said, "Don't say anything stupid," and I knew I had to do it. We walked up to the back of the Obama line.

When it was my turn, I was nervous. Thirty Seconds. So I just winged it-

"Hello, this is Yolanda Wilson from Kalama, Washington.

I love living in Kalama and believe we are in the best place in the world.

I love America and will support our next leader.

I have seen a big change in America in the last 20 years.  From government officials down to board of directors we are creating a society that believes that f you have a good lawyer and insurance you can break the law. You can even have a former employee be a moderator at your debate. How democratic is that? I think our founding fathers would not approve.

I want you to take a minute to think about something. What type of an American are you? Do you believe in the Constitution and follow the laws because it is the right thing to do?

I know what type of American Obama is and that he will fight for our rights as Americans.

But remember no matter who wins, we must support our next President because as Americans we need to unite because America is still the best place on the planet to live."

As I walked off, at least ten people came up to me and said, "Good job," "I agree." "I will vote for you as a delegate." In the bathroom a woman came up to me and told me I was a great speaker. I did it! I spoke in front of a large group of people and it wasn't about flower bulbs!!!

Next we broke up into the 18th and 19th districts to vote for Delegates. I am in one of the smallest districts-the 18th and there were about 60 delegates for 5 positions. First the women had about 30 seconds to speak-There were 7 women who ran for 3 positions. It was much easier for me to speak this time because it wasn't a large crowd:

Hello I am Yolanda Wilson spelled y-o-l-a-n-d-a w-i-l-s-o-n and I want to be a delegate to the State Convention because I believe in Barack Obama and share his dreams.

I have delegate experience. Two years ago I was a delegate to the Indigenous Bulb Society Symposium in South Africa and represented the United States. If I can represent the United States in South Africa, I can represent Washington State in Colorado.

I believe in following our Constitution and Bill of Rights as does Barack Obama. Please vote for me to be a delegate for Obama!

Next the men spoke-There were 7 again. My husband Peter was a hit-Remember he still had his sign on his chest-

Hello, I am Peter Wilson and I support Barack Obama. I would like to be a delegate because I have worked all over the world and been a member of the Merchant Marines Union and a teamster. I am a veteran that served under the English flag. I believe in Unions and the American way and chose America over anywhere else in the world because I believe in this country and would like to be part of the democratic process. Please vote for me as a delegate.

Next we waited for the results. There were 3 women delegates and 2 men delegate positions.

Someone came out in the hall way and told us we both were selected-Peter and I both came in second place so we both made it!!!! I can't believe it. I am so excited!!!

Reality......May 17th we go to Napavine so I must miss the Beaverton Market and June 13-15 we are going to the State Convention in Spokane and miss more market days. The State Convention will cost at least $1000 in expenses and if we get voted all the way to Colorado in August it will cost us a few thousand. We have to cover the kids, the business and come up with the money some how. Peter needs time off of work and the reality check goes on and on.........

But my dream so far is a reality. And of course, I am going to embarrass myself by bringing the Homeowner's Association thing up. We moved in to an HOA and expected it to run like a democracy but found it was run as a dictatorship. After demanding meetings and running for Secretary, we changed the board and created a democracy. One person can make a difference.

I am very proud of that but I realize it could go the other way very easily again. I swore after moving out from our HOA last year I would do everything possible to help those friends left behind. People move to American and HOAs expecting others to follow the laws of our land. Our CC&R's had stated that the HOA must follow the Revised Code for Washington for HOAs and the bylaws did not. By having insurance on the board, you can break the law and be covered by insurance. This is fundamentally wrong in a democracy. Everyone I know has friends who have had the same experience. I am not against HOA's because they work well for many people. They should be run democratically.

I will not stop until everyone in America including Presidents follow state and federal laws. No one should have their civil rights taken away in America. Spending time in South Africa gave me a chance to realize how our country could fall apart just as easily.

Call me crazy to care but I am going to the State Convention because it is my right as an American. My husband came from England and my parents came from Holland and we have lived the American dream. I want to make sure my children have the same opportunities.

So yes, it is personal to me.

So our Price is Right strategy worked. Now I need to come up with a Drew slogan and plan a trip to Cali-Maybe while I am there I can visit with Arnold. I understand he feels the same way about HOAs-They need to follow the state and federal codes.

Now we need to address why our elected leaders (superdelegates) votes matter and why mine won't-How democratic is that??? Maybe I should run for Secretary again. If you can't beat them, join them.

Please buy my bulbs at vanveenbulbs.com as a fundraiser to support my delegate expenses.

Please vote for Yolanda Wilson from Kalama, Wa (3rd Con/18th Leg) to become a National Convention Delegate in support of Barack Obama!! Yes we can Washington!

Why vote for me? Because I care and I have experience. My husband, Peter Wilson and I own a small business in Kalama selling flower bulbs on the internet (vanveenbulbs.com) and at garden shows and farmers markets. You can watch my gardening videos on expertvillage.com. I travel up all over the country doing garden shows and I see the changes in our country.

• I have delegate experience. In 2006, I was a United States delegate to the Indigenous Bulb Society Symposium in Cape Town, South Africa. After seeing 500,000 people living in a shanty town outside the airport without any assistance, I appreciate the United States even more. I want to make a difference here in Washington State as well as in Africa and other parts of the world. Obama has the same dream.
• Like Obama's father, my parents moved to America from Holland nearly fifty years ago. It is genetic.  I am selling flowers and plants as did my grandparents on both sides. I am proud to have a Dutch heritage but I was born an American and like many others who are first generation in this country, I have been given so many opportunities that I would not have had anywhere else in the world.

I have seen a change in American values over the past twenty years that would make our founding fathers very upset-Elected officials can select juries, take money and vote for the democratic party candidate. The majority vote does not count and with insurance you can buy your freedom to break the law. The legal system has made it so that our rights as Americans can easily be violated. Obama is the only candidate that follows the rules. Do you?

Do you know anyone in a bad Homeowner's Association? Many Americans are not allowed to vote for officers, policies, tickets, fees or a budget or are not allowed to attend or even tape meetings of their Homeowners Association. You know what I am talking about. We need to make sure that there are legal consequences to insure our American rights are secured.  They need to follow state codes.

Lawyers, insurance companies, and property managers are making millions off of this HOA scam. No wonder Americans feel they have lost their democratic rights. So why do I care? Because this is not what my parents came to America to find. This is what they left behind.

Which type of an American are you? An American who loves and respect this country and appreciates our freedoms and that follows the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as well as federal, state, county and local laws because it is the right thing to do or an American that takes from others for their benefit without a moral conscience. The fact that the last debate in Philadelphia was moderated by a former Clinton administration member and spent very little time on issues is a prime example how values are a thing of the past for many. In a democratic system this should not happen. Please stop the insanity and vote for Barack Obama to represent and help the majority of Americans. He is what the people want.

This is why I care and support Barack Obama and want to go all the way to Colorado-I know what type of an American I am-What type are you? Please vote for Yolanda Wilson from Kalama to be a Barack Obama supporting National Delegate!!

This message has been endorsed by Yolanda Wilson