Folks, please wake up. Some are, but there are more to be awakened.

We have a potential United States Presidential candidate talking to us ... I mean really talking to us. Obama is having a candid, discussion with the American people and he is keenly listening for our feedback. He knows who we are, yet he wants to understand us even better. He understands our needs, he feels our fears, and he isn't afraid to show his own vulnerability. Question is, are we responding in kind to him?

If we don't take this chance to have an honest and meaningful dialogue with Barack Obama, a man who genuinely wants to hear from us, every race, color, age, religious background, socio-economic status, a man who could be our next President, we will have missed an opportunity of a lifetime.

Barack Obama's youth, his experiences as a husband and father, combined with his God-given gifts for listening, oration, the ability to make sound decisions with the council of those whom he trusts, and serving in our government for over 20 years is why we cannot let this dialogue stop with us.

Have you ever started a conversation with someone who just sat there, said nothing in response, or worse yet, answered your questions in conversation-killer "yes", "no" answers? At some point, you just give up, because a conversation just can't go one way forever. We don't want Obama, or anyone else considering running our country to give up talking to us, listening to us, because we just sat silent.

Whatever your opinions are, let them be heard. Start a free blog ( www.blogger.com),write an article, hold conversation groups at your house, do whatever it takes to keep the conversation going. Don't be afraid when everyone does not agree ... that's the point. Have a conversation and be open to new ideas that you may not have considered before.

Be Open. Learn. Do Something.

www.mybarackobama.com

Dianne Perea