Why I Voted For Barack Obama
The question of supporting Sen. Obama comes down to A) Political philosophy, B) Leadership style and C) Image (for lack of a better word).
I admire and respect Barack Obama's political philosophy. It speaks to inclusion and the raising up of the less fortunate in America. It is a politics of emotional and cultural courage that asks people to respect what they may not understand on the basis that we are all in the same boat together. That we all have a stake in seeing everyone succeed and that our collective fortunes as a nation depend on the chance for all people to excel. All boats rise with the tide, so to speak. The Republican Party doesn't seem to get that. They practice a politics of division, of fear; of smallness. And I’ve had enough of it.
Leadership style: There's a school of thought that says the president doesn't really do much of anything and is just a figurehead; that congress does most of the heavy lifting. Well, even if you subscribe to that lazy form of political thought, wouldn't it make sense, at the very least, then to have the most dynamic, inspiring, articulate, well-reasoned figurehead you can get? One who can restore America's image, credibility and moral standing in the world? Especially if the task is to undo the monumental damage done by a criminally incompetent administration? Obama's leadership style is one that moves from the ground up. Research his career and campaign and you'll find that his success has come from empowering people to act on their own without having to rely on permission from the top. His campaign has been a monumental success in this regard.
Finally, Image. Yeah, it's superficial; it's not the end-all of a president's qualifications and a candidates skill shouldn't only be measured by the speeches they give. But we’ve all seen it: Obama’s speeches move people. They compel people to act. He makes people believe that we are more than what we've shown the world the last 8 years. He makes me believe that the US can finally be the nation that lives up to the words written in the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and at the foot of the Statue of Liberty. I believe that my pride in my country and in my government can be resurrected if Barack Obama is president because it will show the world that the US has gotten beyond the bonds of racism and double standards for rich and poor. It will show that a nation of 300 million can make sure that the least among us have access to the same opportunities as the greatest of us. Obama's image is one that speaks to the legitimacy of the oldest war-horse we’ve got: the American Dream. Corny, maybe. Simple, possibly. But true nevertheless. So that's why I (early) voted for the man.
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Why I'm voting For Barack Obama
I'm not!
I see esentially no difference between Democrats and Republicans, hence I refer to them as "the two factions of the Bureaucratic Party". Oh, each side may talk a different game, but when it comes to the important issues, like Financial Bailouts, Homeland Security (and all the associated assults on Liberty), even the "War" on Terror, they bow to one another. And who can blame them? After all, each side is bought and paid for by the same Corporate Interests.
No, if you want REAL change, do not restrict yourselves to a choice of "The Lesser of Two Evils".
One reason
Congressman Brad Sherman: Martial Law if We Voted No
We want our country back.
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross." ~ Sinclair Lewis
Why I and MY WHOLE FAMILY VOTED for OBAMA
I Have not felt this hope for my country since working for the Kennedys, or marching with Martin Luther King, Jr. My children took his books when I brought them home, so they could read them first, and are excited for the first time about voting. Our country has a purpose, a vision, and a new leader who has energized all of us to come together!
YES WE WILL!!
Rebuilding the Bridge to the 21st Century, Clinton Started.
I voted for Barack because he represents the exact kind of leader I've been wanting to emerge ever since I began voting in 1964, right after graduating college. I wanted leaders from the Baby Boom era, like Clinton/Gore or Hillary, and now Barack to come along at the right time in our history. His and Michelle's story and lifetime achievements represent the best of what America offered to those born between the 1940s and 1970s if they took advantage of the opportunities, emerging after WW2, especially the educational and civil rights advantages.
Luckily my children, now in their late 30s and late 20s, were able to navigate well, too, but it was much more difficult and expensive than in my and my husband's time. The Reagan/Bush era rushed in with harsh economic and educational policies just at the time my growing family didn't need roadblocks to educational opportunities and employment.
Clinton had begun to restore all that, and I know Gore would have continued finishing Clinton's Bridge to the 21st Century. But in the last 8 years, George W. Bush has all but burnt that bridge down. We are retired now, and clearly see that Barack's plans include rebuilding that bridge for my children and grandchildren. I totally agree with his clearly stated economic, domestic, and foreign policy plans. All of my children (3) voted for him, too. We all also donated what money we could, and I volunteered at the grass roots level for Barack '08.
Education is a family value in our family, and a national security issue for America. I grew up in the Spunik Era saw first hand what making education a top priority did for America in the 50s, 60s, 70s to early 80s, when it seemed to became public enemy #1 under Reagan, along with unions.