My good friend Jackie is an over all amazing person. She posted this to her facebook this morning and I needed to share. I know there’s been alot of politics stuff latley, but thats just where Im at…read and enjoy.
“It’s 5:00am, Election Day. If the rest of the day turns out to be as nervewracking as dawn, I’m in for a long day. Waking up in a cold sweat brought me to the computer to attempt to explain why I’ll march in a few hours to 31 Chambers to pull the lever a second time for Barack Obama. I don’t mean for this to be persuasive – as I think (or would hope) everyone on the reception has made up their minds by now. I just owe it to myself to [relatively briefly] explain my fascination with the history that will be written today. There are a hundred reasons why I am supporting Obama, but I’d like to share the most pressing pieces. If you want to read any or all of this, go for it. If you want to share your stories, go for it (as long as they don’t end up in another Facebook fiasco). I’d rather no one read/respond than for this to turn into a meaningless debate. Whether it’s to share momentum with Obama supporters or share a point-of-view with everyone else, I’m glad we have the liberty of engaging such an interesting period.
I do not pretend I know all there is to know about politics. I’m pretty sure the same is true for most of you. We try to be as informed as we can, but we’re never going to know it all. And our incessant need to prove our knowledge and win an argument is almost always an inhibitor of real conversation, real solutions (as so greatly put by Amanda Ferrandino at one point back in the day!). Now more than ever is a time to drop the BS.
Here are some of my reasons, sans some of the givens.
Focus: What once worried me about Obama’s campaign for president is now a source of pride. In terms of traditional presidential candidate experience, Obama is young. But I gave up on that argument when I saw his perseverance in correcting misconceptions, offering policy solutions, picking a running mate, and listening to the advice of great minds across the country and the world. Obama’s odds were high, as Hillary and then McCain attempted to spew enough garbage to convince people that he strays too far from the course. But it’s his leadership and the people’s willingness to reconsider the status quo that has allowed him to prevail. Obama was able to stand up to his peers that were beaten into a haze of American ideology and oppose the Iraq war from its inception. He has been able to do more than dissociate himself from party leaders; he is a true visionary who does not rest on his laurels. McCain told Obama in a debate that he should’ve run against Bush in the past if he wanted to take on Bush’s policies. He didn’t have to. However “young and untested” Obama may be, he has proved himself from day one. Before his ridiculous choice for VP, John McCain liked to count the years of experience he had on Obama. But if time spent in a broken system truly mattered, we wouldn’t be here right now. While surrounding himself with bright minds from across the spectrum, Obama commands respect in a completely unfounded way – as long-time political commentators and observers like Joe Klein of Time magazine (with regard to Obama’s relationship with General Patraeus) have reflected on.
Belief in synergy: I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, but I do know “that one” will not embark on a divisive march forward like his opponents will. McCain likes to say he can “reach across the aisle” in the Senate, but has shown little effort to reach across the broader aisle of the American spectrum (other than claiming everyone as “my friends” about 900x/day). Obama’s acknowledgment of the United States – not defined by geographic area, psychographic, social or ethnic group – has empowered and inspired the world. He champions a mix of individual and collective responsibility as JFK did. Obama knows an “all hands on deck” approach is necessary to combat issues such as global warming. Meanwhile, John McCain’s own party has acknowledged that he cannot command at large. Obama has engaged normal people in the political process, and will spark a heightened engagement in the way America operates from all sides.
Belief in the bigger picture: John McCain knows better than to manipulate fragile American minds into thinking Obama is a socialist (among other things). Yet, his campaign has been less about the issues and more about blowing phrases like “spread the wealth around” out of context to induce fear in the minds of Americans who can’t think on their own. Despite the many attacks from McCain-Palin and their supporters, Obama has remained focused on resolving the economic crisis and other real issues.
True representation: Barack Obama and Joe Biden do not position themselves as representatives of certain groups as McCain and Palin do. So far I know McCain and Palin stand for veterans and people who do not like government and the clichéd characters of the campaign trail that bear no repeating. While McCain rallies a small portion of veterans, he neglects America’s largest group of square pegs in round holes: the youth generation. Barack Obama acknowledges the role that young Americans play and provides tools of empowerment for young people, and it is clear in his platform. A part of all of us is represented in Obama’s remarkable journey. He is not a product of a legacy; he is the embodiment of the American Dream.
The world’s response: Understandably, Republicans talk a lot about national security. In this election, you don’t have to look far and wide to understand how Obama will effortlessly boost national security and America’s standing in the world. Five minutes of research will point you to numerous facts about how highly the world views Obama as a representative for a country that is now thought of as more tyrannical than North Korea across the world. Time to take a hint.
I could go on, but I have said more than enough. I won’t even go into social issues, but above all, I’m tired of privileged people having the most to say about things that do not affect them. I hope we can all begin the process of putting ego aside and working together towards writing a new chapter. No matter the outcome, I believe in my country that has given me so much. And I will continue to believe in the energy that the Obama campaign has sparked within so many of us.
I wish everyone a happy election day…and thank everyone for what has been an amazing year (ish) of commentary and involvement.”
