Some Explanation Necessary
One of my oldest and closest friends just sent me this message. I appreciate his honesty, and so I am going to post my reply in full. He writes.
so has california changed you that much???????
You are going to have to fill me in on what I am missing…Help me understand how you can support obama?
Here is my reply:
I’ve actually written about this quite a bit in my blog, but since you are one of my oldest and best friends, I wanted to respond personally.
The short answer? How can I not?
Here’s the long answer:
Over the last 8 years, we have seen a crippling war in Iraq, 4,000+ soldiers who have paid the ultimate price. Numerous signing statements from an executive branch that has nothing but contempt for the Constitution. Illegal wiretapping. Soldiers being deployed in our borders. A deficit that has grown to $11 trillion.
My reasons for supporting Obama have more to do with the fact that McCain simply wants to continue the failed policies of the last 8 years.
Did you have any money in the stock market? How about your 401(k)? How confident are you that more tax cuts for the rich will help you retire on time?
Bush & Co. had 8 years to experiment. And that experiment has failed.
Is Obama the best choice ever? No, actually. My first choice was Ron Paul.
In the spirit of transparency, here is a list of my political contributions this election:
Ron Paul - $500
Darcy Burner For Congress - $150
Barack Obama For President - $50I am a libertarian at heart, but I am also a realist. And given the choice between the two major party candidates, the facts alone dictate that I support Barack Obama.
It isn’t California that has changed me, it is life experience, and the last 8 years that have changed me.
John
If you didn’t have a chance to watch Obama’s presentation this evening, here it is in its entirety.
A fantastic and articulate repsonse that shows not only depth, but reason as well. I knew there was a reason Stick-Boy liked you. And, yes - he’s now a moderate.
Which actually makes the cartoons harder to write. Maybe he should swing back to the right and be even more of a satire…hmmmmmm.
Okay, I didn’t get a chance to watch that last night because I had two kids and Eric was working late, so thanks for posting this John. It is the first thing I have done this morning (yes it has taken me this long b/c I have two kids) and I can say that it made me cry. There is such an excitement in the air. Change is coming and I for one am so happy that it is during my lifetime. Look how far we come America, just look back 50 years.
I believe in Barack Obama.
Vote Obama November 4th!
with all due respect, all of the reasons you listed are reasons NOT to vote for Obama. You as a small business will suffer in his economic plans. Bush was not great, but change for the sake of change is not a good thing
Hey John,
Been a long time. I don’t see that as a logical answer. It’s an “I don’t like Bush and I want to believe in Obama” answer. I wish I had seen your post before I wrote this:
http://bilges.blogspot.com/2008/11/clear-choice.html
Regards,
Ashley
John, I think it’s quite a compliment and speaks much to your character that people from so long ago (myself included) were waiting to hear you endorsed!