Upfront: I'm biased - no question.
But really, aren't there just a few basic reasons to wonder how in the world the vote can be as close as it is? Why do I have to hold my breath until (at least) November 5?
Without delving into detail, here are some thoughts.
Positive reasons to vote for Obama:
A complete overhaul of the White House
Level headed, intelligent, in-tune-with-the-times leadership
Strong renewable energy plan
Universal health care plan
Jobs - based on current needs like energy, environment, infrastructure
Will reestablish our credibility in the world, just by being elected
Will justify our position in the world community through dialog and action
Negative reasons to vote for Obama:
The thought of Sarah Palin as president
No change in the crew that have been screwing everything for eight years
McCain foreign policy (what is it, what is it?)
McCain economic policy - does Exxon really need tax incentives? Has trickle down worked?
Both lists could go on and on, as they do, but this is enough for me.
Eight years is enough for me - more than enough. If you're happy with the last eight years, you're sick (or you're in the upper 1% of wealth). Electing a Republican president (any Republican) will continue a losing tradition. We must change direction. We must.
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5 comments:
Let me begin by saying that I have already voted for Obama and I, too, cannot believe that the race is as close as it is.
That said, I obviously still cling to my emotions about being Republican. I took a small amount of offence to your comment "any Republican"?
But why was I a Republican?
I think it's because I consider the "to the right" economic and laissez-faire policies (or tendencies) to be strongly associated with overall US innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, and (in the historical scheme of things) success.
I think it's because I believe in personal responsibility and in smaller governments.
These "pillars," plus the historical significance of Abraham Lincoln founding the party, are what attracted me to the Republican Party.
I suppose I really don't, and never did, know what the whole package of being "Republican" means.
The Republican Party doesn't own those pillars, represent my social needs and opinions, or seem to be able to separate church and state.
So they don't represent ME.
And, you're right. The Republicans don't seem to have a single person who reflects the same ideals, freedoms, social values as I do. So your "any Republican" statement is true; yet it still struck a chord. Why?
I wish we didn't have political parties. I suppose simplifying all of the "pillars" into buckets makes elections, voting, and decision-making possible (it alleviates us from the deep thinking really required - just pick A or B). In the end though, no one truly agrees with all of the buckets of one "side" or the other. To select someone, or to make a choice, it requires research and careful consideration.
(As an aside, it is because of that need for research and careful consideration that I don't support mandatory voting. I believe a lot of people simply do not do the research or give the decision careful consideration. They start knowing their "party" and rarely change sides. What if their assumptions about their party were as misguided as mine were? They are voting without real consideration, so ultimately they aren't adding value. They should stay home.)
Since my blog posting in April (http://wendemail.blogspot.com/2008/04/us-presidential-election-help-wanted.html) I have been doing the research.
After careful consideration, I voted for Barack Obama. I hope the other voters do the same. I hope....
http://wendemail.blogspot.com/2008/11/thank-god-at-last.html
I love you. WLC
I think you should write at least one more post here. It feels like an unended story.... There's a happy ending missing!!!!
WLC's October 30, 2008 3:07 PM post says it VERY well for me, too. Even MORE: WLC says EXACTLY everything I would say. Are we twins?
Nope - not twins. :) But it' is nice to know that I'm not alone in my thinking. Be well and Happy Turkey day. WLC.
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