Politics
Out of context: Reply #3249
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- fooler20
A friend took the time to write this and I agree with every word...
I have a sign in my yard for Obama. Yard signs make me laugh because who really cares if a stranger you drive by votes one way or another... you don’t know that person...who cares.
Well, you know me. And if you’re taking time to read this manifesto disguised as an essay, you might care to know or have the guts to ask why I am voting for Obama.
• My first vote ever was for George H Bush.
• My parents are one-issue conservative voters (more on that later).
• I think our two political parties hold far too much power over our political system.
• I didn’t vote a ‘straight Democratic ticket’ this year.
• I was a lock to vote John McCain in 2000 until George W sucker-punched him and then cheated his way into the office, and stole our country from us. That election, I ended up voting for Al Gore and then later became a Democrat.I say all this so I have some credibility as a voter who votes both ways.
John McCain: I had admired his smart wit, his easy style. His McCain-Feingold bill for campaign finance reform. Genius! We need more political campaign reform today! Like reform away from my phone lines. McCain’s not an evangelical politician who claims to know God’s will in his politics, which is important to me. That was until he started pandering to win the presidency. And he lost me from that point on.
When I saw Obama speak at the 2004 DNC, I said, wow. Who is this guy with the funny name. He is one to watch. I never thought he’d run so soon, and I was skeptical and hoping he’d hang back another 6 years, but after this country got so fucked up, I am glad he stepped up. I remember thinking who ever has to clean up starting Jan. 2009 has the shittiest job ever. Well, he literally has given me hope.
Here’s why I give him my vote.
Intelligence: I think both men are smart, which just makes me feel so much better than where we are with W. I could live with McCain as president. But I have confidence out the whazoo if Obama were president. He just has the right thing to say and do in any situation. Let’s not confuse intellect with elitism. Elitist is a man with seven houses, private jet, and a pre-nuptial agreement (er, that’s McCain, people.)
Education: speaks volumes about the two choices. I mean, its not even close.
Obama:
1. Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations.
2. Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude
Biden:
1. University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science.
2. Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)
McCain:
1. United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899 (no wonder he crashed planes and got shot down in enemy territory.)
Palin:
2. Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
3. North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
4. University of Idaho - 2 semesters – journalism
5. Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
6. University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism
(Now, I’m Journalism major, so I can’t knock that, but in my defense, she was a sportscaster and read the news.)Loyalty/Fidelity/Faith: Obama is married to Michelle. First marriage. They seem to have a great relationship. Trust. Yadda Yadda. McCain had extramarital affairs (plural!) before ending his first marriage, to date and marry Cindy (18 years younger... aka rich trophy wife.) My trust goes first to those who can make good commitment choices, and then have the loyalty to keep those promises. Not to mention I like Barack choosing a smart feminist partner. McCain’s first wife was a model. Cindy is ...well, a little Stepford. I just don’t like that track-record.
Fiscal-sensibility: This is tied directly to intelligence. I think Obama will be smart enough to create a budget that keeps to his promise on taxes. On a personal level, my household doesn’t make more than $250,000 a year so, hell yeah, I am voting for Obama. If you make over $250K, that is the only logical reason to vote for McCain and I will support you 100%. And be your best friend.
On a national level: people will argue that jobs will leave the US when Obama taxes companies and the rich. Newsflash: Bush had the most gluttonous tax advantages for the wealthy and guess what: Rich get richer. Recession for the rest of us. Unscrupulous corporate practices. Unemployment goes up. Jobs leave the country anyway. I trust Obama to make sensible and smart choices here. McCain has no plan but I expect the country will flounder a bit more spending on the war. No one should expect miracles in the next 4 years anyway.
Issues I care about most....
• Healthcare reform: check and check!
• Early childhood education: check and double-check!
• Energy & environment: check!
• Economy: I hope he can do what he says he can do. I personally feel like W ran up our credit cards so high, it will be impossible to bring it down in 4 years and get us squared away without asking each of us for higher taxes. (Oh, and I am willing to pay higher taxes if W is impeached, and will work for free the rest of my life if he is imprisoned. A girl can dream.)The other issues I care less about are here: http://www.barackobama.com/issue…
The only issue disagree on Obama is social security, but McCain has no answer either. Both political parties have avoided this crisis- in-the-making for so long...you should vote out all your Senators and Congress people...but that’s another topic.The other issue. Abortion. My opinion. My parents only vote their faith on this one issue. I think that’s weak when there are hundreds of other things going on that affect the millions in this country and this world. I’m a Catholic who has a deep respect for life. That goes beyond the human fetus, to Iraqi civilians, Darfur refugees, illegal Mexican immigrants, children with no healthcare in this country, gun-violence victims, and the list goes on. My choice will be to educate my children about sex on an intellectual and moral level. Never had an abortion. Never will. That’s my choice. Pro-Choice is not Pro-Abortion. I don’t believe it’s right to force your morals on another person and I like what Obama said, that both sides can agree we want to eliminate unwanted pregnancies. HERE HERE. Preaching abstinence-only education is naive, dangerous and pointless. You can ask Sarah Palin about that though.
World View: Obama, again a highly educated man, represents my view that talking with countries, dialogue opens doors, compromise happens, peace is an option. Did you see the throngs who went to hear him speak in Germany? The world has more hope for the US with Obama. I know McCain also has lots of experience stemming from his Senate committee and his military career, but I like that Obama will represent an enlightened view of world politics.
Patriotism: This is an issue drummed up with the uneducated notion that Obama is Muslim and affiliated with terrorists. If you believe this, I can’t even waste my time. Try reading newspapers and turning off FOX. Both McCain and Obama are fiercely patriotic, but for different familial happenstance.
Ethnicity: Everyone thinks that people ‘say’ they will vote for Obama in public, but won’t when they get into polls because of closeted racism. Really? I don’t buy it. The racist voters are already making fun of Obama’s middle name. They’re not going to be shy. I am proud to think our country is on the verge of voting a black man as president. He will clearly be the president of real change on November 5th.
Age and Experience: McCain might be older, but his politics are outdated. He doesn’t get technology. He thinks Capitol Hill should stay the same as he’s been there for years. Obama gets technology and energy independence and what that will mean for us, and I’m excited for him to change politics. Oh and I love that McCain ads have to associate Obama with Pelosi and Dodd “despised liberals” because Obama is so very likable, he’ll be able to reach both parties and appeal to common sense.
Veeps: Biden. Eh. I like him. He’s not as exciting and inspiring as Obama, but I think he counter-balances Obama’s so-called ‘elitism.’ I wasn’t a Hillary supporter anyway, so I never saw that happening.
Palin. I think it’s cool she was a mom who got into politics to make a difference. More women need to do that. I think its uncool how unprepared she’d be if she had to be president. She’s already made a poor choice taking McCain’s ticket. She clearly doesn’t have the reasoning skills and common sense, or she would have seen what an uphill battle this would be for her. (Palin is another topic completely, but that’s a diversion.)
McCain is 72. One in five US presidents have died in office...and McCain is the oldest. If she were left in charge, she would be a puppet president; much like W is Cheney’s puppet now. I’m tired of folksy, uneducated, purely scripted people on my TV telling me they’re “the deciders” when they really have nothing to do with it.
Ok, so quiz me. Ask away. There's so much more I admire, and I don't have room for more. I love this stuff and I don’t get offended easily. But be warned. You can’t change my vote. I already voted. ;)
- You forgot, Obama doesn't know his father and McCain does. That's a HUGE factor.********
- what difference does that make if any. Actually it throws the whole "his dad has a muslim so he is a muslim" theory right out the window.fooler2
- the windowfooler2
- I suppose, I think there is something to be said for having a father figure in your life and not. Look at society********
- Shall I bring up various groups' demise due to the lack of a father figure? And don't say his grandfather.********
- JazX, by your measure, why should we elect someone who's been traumatized by war?SigDesign
- Traumatized or experienced what the rest of the world can be brutally like? Admiration here. Family as well like that********
- I think it's also admirable for someone to rise to the top without a father figure.SigDesign
- You forgot, Obama doesn't know his father and McCain does. That's a HUGE factor.