I voted last week. In
Oregon we cast our ballots by mail. We
don’t troop through the snow or rain to an empty exhibition building at the
fairgrounds or an elementary school gym.
We vote in the comfort of our own homes (which is quite the middle class perspective, isn't it?), slap on a stamp and the fate of
our nation is entrusted to the US Postal Service.
I voted for Barack Obama.
I am not one of those voters who thinks Republicans are evil…hell, I’m
married to one! (For the record, the spouse
was much more liberal in his youth.) I
think both candidates are good men. I
think they both love this country. I
also think they both want to carry out their vision of what America could be….and
here are five reasons why I am voting for Obama:
1. When I
look at the Democratic Party, I see myself and my community. Yes, I know there are blacks, and Latinos,
and other minorities in the Republican Party, but the driving force is rich, privileged
white guys, or embarassing white women. When I watched the
Democratic Convention, the participants were representative of the America that
I know. I may be a middle class white
person, but the America I know is diverse.
Diversity is strength and the Republican Party doesn’t seem to recognize
that.
2. I don’t think of myself as a one issue voter,
but I support women’s issues and that includes protecting a women’s right to
make her own decisions about her body. I
am not pro-abortion. I don’t know any
woman who is. I am pro-choice because I
don’t want anyone telling me what I can or cannot do with my body. It’s a trust issue. Trust me to make a good decision. I’m a smart, caring, competent person. TRUST ME! Trust my daughter and my granddaughters.
3. I like how Barack Obama represents the United
States. He is educated, well spoken, and
thoughtful. He doesn’t say stupid
stuff. Even when I might disagree with
his position, he delivers the message in a thoughtful, reasoned way. He represents us well.
4. I’m not sure where Mitt Romney stands on many
issues. His position seems to change depending
on the audience he is talking to. There
was a time, when he was governor of Massachusetts, when he was more
moderate. I could have voted for the moderate
Mitt. I can’t vote for the Mitt who
panders to the Tea Party. He has
modified his positions for votes…and I want to vote for the person who stands
up for what he believes, even when it might not be the popular position.
5. Barack Obama inherited an economy in
crisis. It took eight years for Bush to
create the economic mess; I’m willing to give Obama the same amount of time to
pull us out. The economy is showing
signs of improvement. Obama saved the
automotive industry. He deserves a
second term.
I'm proud to have cast my vote for Barack Obama.
Posts
You made your points eloquently. If only the spinmasters on cable TV could do it so well.
ReplyDeleteFor the same reasons, I, also, will cast my vote for my president. I think this man is there for all the people, not just the 53%.
Oh, this is so beautifully stated!
ReplyDeleteIf you have Facebook, I suggest you post it there too! Most inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rosaria, Obama - Forward for four more!!
ReplyDeleteIn Washington we also have mail in ballots. I voted last week. And I voted the same way for much the same reasons. You are so right in all of your points. well said!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, if you have a link to Facebook, post it. the more audience you have, the batter. Especially if you know anyone in Ohio!
Ditto. My ballot went in the mail last week. Same man, same reasons.
ReplyDeleteHow do I put this eloquent post on Facebook. . I would be proud to do so. I would also like to send it to my local newspaper.
ReplyDeleteWell said...
ReplyDeleteI voted last week, too, and appreciate so much how well you said all this. I am a lifelong Democrat but once I even voted for a Republican. Not recently, though. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful, articulate post! I, too, voted by mail and for Obama for exactly the reasons you stated.
ReplyDeleteYou have articulated my sentiments on how and why I voted as I did so well, I wish I could copy and paste this into my own blog.
ReplyDeleteDear Jann, thank you for stating so clearly and succinctly the very reasons I will vote for President Obama next Tuesday at the local polling place. Diversity is important to me and like you, I am not pro-abortion (who is????) but I am pro-choice and I want my great nieces to be the caretakers of their choices.
ReplyDeleteI so admire your willingness to put your political thoughts on your blog. That's so refreshing. Thank you. Peace.
As someone who can only stand on the sidelines and watch your election, I want to say how much I, as a Briton, agree with what you have written here. Four years ago I stayed up all night to watch the results of the US election and see President Obama elected and I rejoiced. I am now crossing everything that the American people will give him another term to continue what he has started to achieve.
ReplyDeletePS I found you through Dee's blog.
Nicely done! I can't wait for Tuesday and reading your thoughts only strengthened my resolve.
ReplyDeletethanks
Oh, thank you! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteEspecially for . . . well, I can't pick just one point.
On NPR last week some interviewee said that
*Obama is one of the rich guys.
*He could have a job as attorney for a big corporation, but he chose to run for POTUS.
*The reason Rich White Guys dislike him is that he challenges their closely-held belief that the size of a bank account equals the size of a person's good moral constitution. And the RWG find that idea threatening.
I'm late to read and comment, but agree with all that was written previously. Oh how I hope that when the votes are counted that "we the people" chose well. Beautifully written and my sentiments exactly!
ReplyDeleteVery well said. I voted for him for pretty much all the same reasons. Today is a happy, happy day for me!
ReplyDeleteWell said! I agree with you on giving him the same number of years to try to pull us out of the mess that it took to get in. Things in this country are becoming more polarized every day as more radically liberal/conservative parties crop up. I'm with you on being mostly dem but I always register Independent. I refuse to limit my choices, no one in this country should have to regardless if we agree with each other's selection or not we're all in this together.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one out here who can give you five reasons...no twenty-five reasons...why I didn't vote for him? Amazing. I would like to gather all of you in a room and sit in a circle and rationally discuss your reasons for wanting Barack Obama to be the President of the United States of America. I beg you to convince me that this is a good choice.
ReplyDeleteBrilliantly stated, and I say 'amen!'
ReplyDeleteDespite not believing that he will accomplish anything truly good in the next four years, I would have voted for Obama again if I had not of failed to file for permanent absentee voter status in time. For I couldn't find enough to trust about Romney.
ReplyDelete