"Daybreak urgently reminds us that good political intentions are not sufficient to ensure the continuation of our democracy; informed vigilance is vital to that task."
-Mark Karlin, editor of Buzzflash.com
Submitted by seattleclock on October 31, 2008 - 6:52pm.
I was born in late 1960 to a German immigrant mother. She was the smartest, kindest women I ever knew. She lived to help others. She was an advisor to loved ones and they leaned on her for support. Mom loved Obama! She spoke of him often, going back to well before he announced he would run for President. There was something about him to her that seemed transforming. I asked her, Mom why are you so sure you will vote for Obama or even that he will run? She said "He will run. His time is now. He represents the future." She felt that Obama would take care of the children in this country. She loved her granddaughters. Mom died in September of 2007.
I am like my mother. I Vote for hope. For our county, for our men and women in uniform, for our veterans like my father, in the memory of immigrants like my mother, for our children’s future, for our standing in the world, and the health of our planet. I vote for Barack Obama.
Submitted by mccoyart on October 31, 2008 - 7:28pm.
I am voting for Obama because (1) he is highly intelligent (a welcome change!); (2)he can speak English without mispronouncing simple words, and actually use complete and coherent sentences; and (3) because I am sick to death of the unconscionable arrogance of the Republicans now in office. They got us into a war on the basis of a lie, muddling us into a deplorable situation in the world and destroying our economy in the process. There are no words to adequately describe how badly they have mistreated our country.
Submitted by madmaxnyr on October 31, 2008 - 8:46pm.
This is essentially what I wrote to my friends back in February and it remains true today. I've updated it somewhat.
I don't usually do this sort of thing, but I am writing to urge you to vote for Barack Obama for President. Issues such as an unjust war, millions of people without health care and an unjust economic system are vitally important in this election. But those are the most important issues today. Can we honestly say we know what the important issues will be on February 3, 2011, or even 2010?
So for me, it goes beyond issues in deciding whom to support for president.
One of the great problems we face in any level of government, is having leaders who understand what it is like for people who aren't the movers or shakers, who merely seek to provide food and shelter for themselves, for their family and work to make things better for the next generation. Politicians end up living in a world of consultants, advisors and "experts" a life far removed from those who government is supposed to serve. In a nutshell, politicians don't get it.
From all that I have heard and read and witnessed, Barack Obama gets it. I cannot point to any single phrase or action; it is a deep rooted sense I have, a sense not associated with people who run for high office such as President of the United States.
Furthermore, since Vietnam, our faith in our leaders and our government has steadily declined, a decline greased by Watergate, several scandals (both underestimated and overblown), an elitist & biased media, stolen elections and an unjust war. At the same time, a selfish attitude has been spawned, leaving us with a Darwinian society where wealth is measured by ones possessions, not by how the poorest among us are surviving Most recently, our status in the world has plummeted to depths never seen. This administration has even p----- away the deep sympathy felt by much of the world for us on September 11, 2001. We are left with a generation of Americans who either care almost solely about their own well-being, distrust our government, or feel that our country gives us little to be proud about, all in a world that no longer holds the United States in high regard.
Over the course of one weekend, I searched for the right words to convey how all these thoughts related to my support of Barack Obama in a concise way, but could not find them. Then a letter in Newsday, from one Sal Umana of Freeport, Long Island, put it best. Mr. Umana, older and probably wiser, wrote:
"I am 78 years old, and since Nov. 22, 1963, I have never had the confidence in the president of the United States that I had before that awful day when President John F. Kennedy was killed. For the first time since that fateful day, I get an emotional uplift when I see Barack Obama with the same inspiring message as Kennedy. A president's main job is to inspire Americans to believe in themselves, in their country and in the world. Nobody, but nobody has been able to do that for me until Obama. He doesn't need experience. When we elect him, he has 300 million Americans he can inspire to do together what we have to do for the country and for the world."- Sal Umana, Freeport, NY
I urge you to join me, and Mr. Umana, in voting for Barack Obama this Election Day.
I am supporting Obama for president because he is our most intelligent and compassionate hope for the future of our country and our world. McCain is more of the same of the failed and disastrous policies of George Bush. Obama inspires me, our country and the world to once again believe in the goodness and strength of Americans. Obama shows respect for all, especially the middle class that is hurting so much now with the current economy. I doubt there are any of us who are not personally affected or know of someone who is facing severe cutbacks or layoffs at work with a very uncertain and scary future. Obama's economic policies will benefit the whole country. I am deeply offended by the nastiness and lies of the McCain campaign. Obama has a positive message and economic plan to bring us relief through tax cuts to 95% of Americans, regulations to curb greed and corruption. His health plan is much better than McCain's to bring relief to the many Americans without insurance. Obama represents my core beliefs in social justice and the dignity of all people. He "gets" me. His plan for education is far superior to do more for the education of all children. As a teacher, I feel he hears my concerns as a teacher and actually respects the teachers who are out there on the front line to give us the support we need to give the best possible education to our children who are our future. He obviously has a special love of children, is a great husband and father and has a wonderful family. I respect him for his selfless service to his country his whole adult life. He is committed to bringing us together instead of tearing us apart. He has shown he is and will continue to be thoughtfu, calm, slow to anger and steady at the helm, all very important traits for the next president of the United States. He wants to do the right thing for our country and he has the skills to do it. I think we are so fortunate to have such a gift for our country. The world and we ourselves will have renewed respect for our great country with Obama as president. We are making history with this important election.
Why I'm voting for Obama
I was born in late 1960 to a German immigrant mother. She was the smartest, kindest women I ever knew. She lived to help others. She was an advisor to loved ones and they leaned on her for support. Mom loved Obama! She spoke of him often, going back to well before he announced he would run for President. There was something about him to her that seemed transforming. I asked her, Mom why are you so sure you will vote for Obama or even that he will run? She said "He will run. His time is now. He represents the future." She felt that Obama would take care of the children in this country. She loved her granddaughters. Mom died in September of 2007.
I am like my mother. I Vote for hope. For our county, for our men and women in uniform, for our veterans like my father, in the memory of immigrants like my mother, for our children’s future, for our standing in the world, and the health of our planet. I vote for Barack Obama.
Why I am voting for Obama
I am voting for Obama because (1) he is highly intelligent (a welcome change!); (2)he can speak English without mispronouncing simple words, and actually use complete and coherent sentences; and (3) because I am sick to death of the unconscionable arrogance of the Republicans now in office. They got us into a war on the basis of a lie, muddling us into a deplorable situation in the world and destroying our economy in the process. There are no words to adequately describe how badly they have mistreated our country.
Why I am voting for Obama
This is essentially what I wrote to my friends back in February and it remains true today. I've updated it somewhat.
I don't usually do this sort of thing, but I am writing to urge you to vote for Barack Obama for President. Issues such as an unjust war, millions of people without health care and an unjust economic system are vitally important in this election. But those are the most important issues today. Can we honestly say we know what the important issues will be on February 3, 2011, or even 2010?
So for me, it goes beyond issues in deciding whom to support for president.
One of the great problems we face in any level of government, is having leaders who understand what it is like for people who aren't the movers or shakers, who merely seek to provide food and shelter for themselves, for their family and work to make things better for the next generation. Politicians end up living in a world of consultants, advisors and "experts" a life far removed from those who government is supposed to serve. In a nutshell, politicians don't get it.
From all that I have heard and read and witnessed, Barack Obama gets it. I cannot point to any single phrase or action; it is a deep rooted sense I have, a sense not associated with people who run for high office such as President of the United States.
Furthermore, since Vietnam, our faith in our leaders and our government has steadily declined, a decline greased by Watergate, several scandals (both underestimated and overblown), an elitist & biased media, stolen elections and an unjust war. At the same time, a selfish attitude has been spawned, leaving us with a Darwinian society where wealth is measured by ones possessions, not by how the poorest among us are surviving Most recently, our status in the world has plummeted to depths never seen. This administration has even p----- away the deep sympathy felt by much of the world for us on September 11, 2001. We are left with a generation of Americans who either care almost solely about their own well-being, distrust our government, or feel that our country gives us little to be proud about, all in a world that no longer holds the United States in high regard.
Over the course of one weekend, I searched for the right words to convey how all these thoughts related to my support of Barack Obama in a concise way, but could not find them. Then a letter in Newsday, from one Sal Umana of Freeport, Long Island, put it best. Mr. Umana, older and probably wiser, wrote:
"I am 78 years old, and since Nov. 22, 1963, I have never had the confidence in the president of the United States that I had before that awful day when President John F. Kennedy was killed. For the first time since that fateful day, I get an emotional uplift when I see Barack Obama with the same inspiring message as Kennedy. A president's main job is to inspire Americans to believe in themselves, in their country and in the world. Nobody, but nobody has been able to do that for me until Obama. He doesn't need experience. When we elect him, he has 300 million Americans he can inspire to do together what we have to do for the country and for the world." - Sal Umana, Freeport, NY
I urge you to join me, and Mr. Umana, in voting for Barack Obama this Election Day.
why I am voting for Obama
I am supporting Obama for president because he is our most intelligent and compassionate hope for the future of our country and our world. McCain is more of the same of the failed and disastrous policies of George Bush. Obama inspires me, our country and the world to once again believe in the goodness and strength of Americans. Obama shows respect for all, especially the middle class that is hurting so much now with the current economy. I doubt there are any of us who are not personally affected or know of someone who is facing severe cutbacks or layoffs at work with a very uncertain and scary future. Obama's economic policies will benefit the whole country. I am deeply offended by the nastiness and lies of the McCain campaign. Obama has a positive message and economic plan to bring us relief through tax cuts to 95% of Americans, regulations to curb greed and corruption. His health plan is much better than McCain's to bring relief to the many Americans without insurance. Obama represents my core beliefs in social justice and the dignity of all people. He "gets" me. His plan for education is far superior to do more for the education of all children. As a teacher, I feel he hears my concerns as a teacher and actually respects the teachers who are out there on the front line to give us the support we need to give the best possible education to our children who are our future. He obviously has a special love of children, is a great husband and father and has a wonderful family. I respect him for his selfless service to his country his whole adult life. He is committed to bringing us together instead of tearing us apart. He has shown he is and will continue to be thoughtfu, calm, slow to anger and steady at the helm, all very important traits for the next president of the United States. He wants to do the right thing for our country and he has the skills to do it. I think we are so fortunate to have such a gift for our country. The world and we ourselves will have renewed respect for our great country with Obama as president. We are making history with this important election.