Why Erin is Voting for Obama...

I know everyone hates political talk, but I got this e-mail from my friend Erin from high school, and had to post it somewhere...good writing is good writing and she put too much into it, so I figured if a few more people can see it thanks to me, that's not a bad thing...

(05 Feb 08)

I regret having been as quiet and complacent as I was in 2004, and as clueless in 2000. I have had an internal debate over whether or not to write something political...I know some people will disagree, I know people don't care. I try not to engage in political discussions because of the toxic nature of politics today.

Well, oh well. Here's why I am voting for Barack over Hillary. If you are short on time, scroll down to the prose part.

Specific Policy Positions:
1) Obviously Iraq. He stood up against it during his Senate race.
2) I hope for a single-payer health-care plan, but I think the individual mandate is a stupid idea.
3) I think we should re-think our Cuba policy.
4) I think we should re-think or approach to diplomacy.
5) I think undocumented immigrants should have access to drivers' licenses, and anything else than can help them live and work with dignity and safety here.
6) I think Obama will handle women's issues as well or better than Hillary (in other words, I don't think Hillary will be any better on this simply because she is a woman).

Other practical matters:
1) I think Obama will be far better received abroad, as a multi-cultural symbol, as a symbol of change, as a leader open to diplomacy. As a bonus to his character and demeanor, he has lived and has family abroad.
2) I think he will be better received by Republicans and will work better across the aisle.
3) I think he has a far better chance of beating McCain - because of his consistent position against the war - some Republicans are already crossing over.
4) I think he will be amazing for the Democratic party.

Hillary:
1) I don't think all "35 years" count as experience
2) She has been triangulating for too long
3) I think she would make a far more competent president than Bush, but I think she would sell us out too often.
4) She makes a competent, but not a gifted leader. We need to do better than that.

This brings me to the most important thing. I was 19 years old when Bush was elected. I am now 27. My adult life has been defined by this madness - a long process of disillusionment and growing resentment toward this country, our process, toward America, really, sadly, because this is what I have known. My little brother was 12, he is now 19. He has grown up during a time of war. The under 30-crowd is turning out in record numbers because we don't want this to be our legacy. Our future is uncertain. We are fed up.

I have never in my life experienced the deep sense of utter fatigue that I have felt from Americans this year. It is emotional. It is psychological. We have been told that our votes, our opinions, our constitution don't matter. We have been convinced that lies and fear rule. Many of us strongly consider moving abroad. We pretend we are Canadian when we travel. Our government promotes speculation on our health, our homes, our educations, our retirements. It is not empty rhetoric to say that we are broken as a people. We are deeply tired and deeply sad. We want our dignity back, we want to heal.

That is why this election matters so much. It is not high-flying overly idealistic rhetoric to say that we need to truly re-engage each other, and understand that our government is US. Our democracy, our future depends on it. Barack Obama believes this, and Hillary doesn't come close. Words and ideas DO matter. The ability to move a crowd, the courage to say things that no politicians think can be said - that is not just charisma - that is not just "yeah he does speak well" - that is gifted leadership. That is what we need.

Look at what the rhetoric of fear has done. The power of an idea that becomes an emotion, and then a reality. Why not the rhetoric of hope? of unity? The other side has had control of words and ideas for too long.

It matters that we collectively remember that we are supposed to be, that we HAVE to be looking out for each other, for a social good, because that is where good policy comes from. Inspiration matters and character matters. We need a truly transformative leader and we are fortunate beyond all belief to have one running for president.

That is why I am voting for Barack Obama.

***

You have to see this is you haven't. Michelle Obama's speech at UCLA rally is badass. She is speaking without a script. Here is the best link I could find for it:

http://barackfuture.com/2008/02/04/michelle-obamas-amazing-speech-at-ucla/

the whole event can be found on CSPAN:

rtsp://video.c-span.org/archive/c08/c08_020308_obama.rm?start=0:35:37

Highlights of Michelle's speech if you don't have time to watch it:
1) Barack's state legislature and community organizing experience translate into a clear understanding of how federal policy affects local and state realities. Having worked as an advocate at a local coalition, that is HUGE.
2) Michelle and Barack are only 3 years out of paying off their education debt, and they are only out because of his book sales. No trust funds. No sense of entitlement.
3) If you didn't know, he was first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. He is utterly capable.

AND if you haven't seen the Yes We Can Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY

the artist Will.I.am was inspired by the speech, called his friends, made the video 2 days and posted it independently on the internet.

"Nothing can stand in the way of million of voices calling for change."

Vote tomorrow or when it's your turn. If you dig it, get online, get on the phone, SPREAD THE WORD. Put yourself out there, that is what this will take.

"In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope."

Peace,
Erin