Ok, so I haven’t written in a while, and when I break the silence it’s about politics… I must be getting old.
Almost 30… how the hell did that sneak up on me so fast? I remember how I was in Iraq four years ago and I was able to vote by mail from over there. I remember spending a bit of time reading about the candidates, vetting them in my own way, but I voted for a candidate that I knew wouldn’t be elected. I didn’t like either choice back then, but I didn’t think it would matter. No matter who won, I thought, the world would still keep turning. I am surprised that I was so naive back then. Even though I was doing my part to fight for our country and retain the freedoms we held dear, I didn’t really give a damn about the direction we were heading. Well, fast forward four years and here we are. I’m no longer in the military (which means I’m no longer a socialist since taxpayers no longer pay me… or so the republicans say) and I’m working to achieve something in the world. I actually feel the effects of the economy now. I have stocks that were around $30 when I bought them, and now they’re down to $23. (which is somewhat nice since they were under $22 last I checked..) While I don’t feel my job is threatened, we’ve stopped hiring people, and we just canceled our Christmas Party help retain funds. Small signs that my future is just as much in jeopardy as anyone else.

So, with the little time I have I’ve been researching the candidates. My parents are both voting for McCain, and I hope to talk them out of it before the 4th. I have the feeling that they’re just following the herd since they couldn’t give me any valid points. When I mention that Obama wants to give tax breaks to everyone who makes under $200,000, she says it will never work. Something about how the rich control the government and he can try all he wants but they won’t allow it to happen. I really don’t understand this logic… so instead you’ll vote for the guy who wants to give the rich the tax cuts and hope some of it rains on you? I don’t know about you but I would vote for Obama even if I knew he couldn’t do it, since I know he’s at least trying to do what’s best for the country. Even as an Iraq veteran, I feel Obama will be more responsible with ending the war than McCain. I agree that McCain is an ‘American hero,’ and that he sacrificed a lot of his life so that I could be free today, but I don’t think he understands. (I mean, if he honestly thinks Palin is a good choice, I know he’s losing something upstairs to age… hero or not.)

And as a side note, I’m voting against Prop 8. I have friends that are gay, and I feel it is unconstitutional to deny them the rights that I have. I feel in 50 years we’ll look back on these times just like we look back on the Black rights movement. Man and Women have equal rights and authority in this nation. I fought and was willing to die for those rights, and I will not deny those rights to another. Mom, Dad… if you read this, you stand behind your religion and I accept that. Please accept my beliefs, and even if you don’t agree, know that I’m doing what I feel is best. Despite what yours or any religion says, if there is a supreme power that will condemn me for trying to be the best person I can, I’ll accept that verdict happily. I’ve followed that one belief ever since I was young, and I hope my heart will never falter.

This is a defining moment for our future, and it is our responsibility to do what we can to protect this nation. While I would strongly urge you to place your vote for Obama, I feel even more strongly that you should do what you feel best. Don’t vote blindly. The constitution grants the right of free speech to ensure that the people know the facts. Of course you have to deal with the bias of the writer/media, but there is enough information out there on both sides that you should, given that you try, be able to make a well informed choice.

Read, research, and VOTE! Vote for our future, vote for our children, and vote for the Country. And, if nothing else, by voting, you’ll earn my respect.

If you want a good place to start your research, watch this video from Barack Obama detailing his plans. It is only 30 minutes of your time and the video is so well done that it is well worth the time spent.

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Filed under: Uncategorized - @ October 30, 2008 3:31 am

Tags: elections, obama