More than 70 people packed into an overcrowded room on a Sunday night (incredible) to hear about the movement to change Wal-Mart. And, as I looked out at the group, I realized the power of community coalitions. Because, whether you were a member of Jobs with Justice, Acorn, a local union, the Democratic Party, or just a grassroots supporter who wanted to get involved, these groups play a critical role in how we get things done in America. Building from the bottom up, town-by-town, we can truly change this country for the better.

At the event, Congresswoman Kaptur told a couple of powerful stories of the economic devastation that has happened to Toledo and how she is working so hard to protect American jobs and create economic security for the families and workers she represents. The Congresswoman talked about her recent trip to Mexico to try and create a tri-national coalition to reverse the devastating impact NAFTA has had on Ohio. Her story couldn’t have rung more true, because yesterday the Arkansas Democratic Gazette wrote an incredible story about Wal-Mart’s poverty level wages in Mexico. In fact, the average Wal-Mart worker in Mexico makes just over $7 a day.

Prior to the event we had some fun on the rides at the fair. We even all got on the swing ride (since Ohio is after all a swing state) and took pictures!

Then we hit the road again and headed to Cleveland. At a diner along the way, we ran into a young guy who had worked at Wal-Mart for 5 years and his mother still works there. He told us that he was forced to leave Wal-Mart because he just couldn’t afford to live on his salary. After 5 years of service, he only made $7.60 per hour. Every time I meet or talk to a Wal-Mart worker I am reminded of why we are traveling non-stop, with basically no sleep, to change this company and this country for the better.

Because, what’s great about America, is that no matter how worried this guy is about where he’s going to get health care from and how he is going to take care of his family, he believes that tomorrow will be a better day. And that is the spirit that makes America great, because when we win this campaign, and change Wal-Mart, it will truly be a better day for America!