I had many responses to my previous post that I have read and pondered, and realized that if for no one but myself, I need to define WHY I do support Obama. The last post was a little more like: "I’m coming out of the closet that I have been considering supporting Obama and many of his Democratic ideals." Here is my attempt to explain why.
First of all, I think that a country that has been as richly blessed as America has should do all it can to make sure that every citizen has an equal opportunity to prosper and succeed. I realize that in our current society that translates in to social programs, and I realize that translates into mismanagement. I recognize that the possibility of wasting taxpayer’s dollars is out there, but I don’t think we shouldn’t do anything because there is no guarantee it will be done perfectly.
Here is an example. The other day I was speaking to a fellow mother who I am very close to. She was expressing how she is disgruntled because every morning she has to make her kids sack lunches because school lunches are too expensive. However, a mother down the street sleeps in and sends her kids off to school where they get free lunch and breakfast. This is because the family lives in a low enough economic bracket that they qualify for the program. So, this angry mother not only is paying for her own kid’s lunch, but also the kids’ down the street. She feels like she is being punished for being financially stable. I can see her point.
I can also see the perspective of the kid who lives in poverty. Is it his fault his parents don’t make a lot of money? Would it be better for him to go to school hungry? Studies have shown that kids are physically unable to learn when their basic needs are not being met. Is it Christian to not help those who need it because of any judgment we may feel justified in making? If I remember right the Savior asked us to succor those who stand in need. In my mind, I am willing to pay taxes so that every child can have their basic needs met. I don’t like the cycle of dependence that sometimes arises, but I don’t personally want to stand at the judgment bar and explain that I somehow felt it was my place to judge my fellowmen and decided they didn’t deserve what I could have given them because they weren’t trying hard enough, in my book. I would rather err on the side of compassion, making every effort to treat the taxpayer’s money as sacredly as possible.
I also don’t agree with the Republican Party’s practice of giving tax breaks to the richest. The whole “trickle down economics” doesn’t make sense to me. I am in favor of everyone paying the same percentage, because the more you have, the more you can invest in the common good. Barack Obama’s tax plan would actually lower taxes for everyone making less than $250,000 a year. I easily qualify for that.
I don’t like paying taxes. It is frustrating to see a quarter to a third of every paycheck dissolving out of our account before we ever see it. I don’t love the idea of someone else deciding what to do with my money. BUT- I love having paved roads and streetlights and a library and schools and all those things that combine to create a great quality of life with countless opportunities. I have been to Africa where they don’t have garbage collectors, good schools, libraries, etc., etc. It is worth the price to me. In fact, for some things I would be willing to pay more. I think it would be awesome if teachers in the state of Utah could make enough just teaching to support their families. I think I would be willing to pay a little more each month for that. Of course, I would want to know that that money is being put to good use in ethical, efficient ways. Having worked for the government I realize that is not always the case. That is why it is important for citizens to be active in the political process on national and local levels to elect those who will make sound policies and to demand honesty from those carrying them out. (A side note: Sarah Palin has consistently lied about her “Thanks but no thanks” on the bridge to nowhere. She only opposed the bridge after it came under scrutiny. When the project fell through, she didn’t give the earmark moolah back, she kept it.)
Shifting topics a little, I want to discuss my take on abortion and gay rights. First of all, I oppose the idea that a woman should have the right to “choose” to end a life she took part in creating. I believe she already made her choice when she had sex. However, I do not think that when a child was conceived when a woman did not make the choice to have sex (rape and incest) that the government should prevent her from making the choice not to carry the baby full term. Additionally, when the health of the mother is in jeopardy, or when it is clear that the child would have devastating abnormalities, a mother and father should have the right to make the best choice for their family. I even mention the devastating abnormalities case because I have a sister who is on crazy drugs that if she happened to get pregnant there would absolutely be terrible effects on the baby. I think she should be able to make that choice (not that I think she would, but that she and others in her similar situation would have that option). So, I guess I am pro-choice. However, I agree with Barack Obama that while we (the nation) don’t all agree on what to do with Roe V. Wade, we all agree that every effort should be made to prevent unwanted pregnancies, period. I also would love to see a candidate who actively supports adoption. I actually wrote to Barack Obama and Michelle Obama about that a couple of weeks ago. I’m sure some lowly intern will get to my message in a few months.
What I think about gay marriage… I believe that MARRIAGE is ordained of God, and should be between a man and a woman, and that that relationship is the basis of our society. However, I don’t believe it is right, or very compassionate to prevent our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters from basic human rights because they believe differently than I do. I think that they should be allowed to enter into some sort of union that would afford them basic rights as committed partners. I would prefer it not be called marriage. But, push come to shove, I would probably rather err on the side of compassion. Because, in my view, the only way to really influence them to change is through love, compassion, understanding and teaching. How would they ever be open to that if they feel marginalized?
Lastly for tonight, I am completely disillusioned by the Bush Administration. I absolutely abhor "No Child Left Behind" for reasons I could go on and on about. Even more important than that, I do not think that it was right for us to invade Iraq given the intelligence and argument that was used in creating a case for war. Now that we are there, I feel we must proceed responsibly. I feel very saddened and maddened by the way this has all happened. I love our country, I support our troops, but I don’t support stupid wars. I feel like the biggest problem is that President Bush and his cohorts used fear and distortion to scare everyone into a dumb idea. That just really bugs me.
So, when John McCain started using the same tactics to “otherize” Barrack Obama—I was automatically turned off. He is using the same Karl Rove tactics of distorting truth and planting seeds of fear in people’s mind. I could go into detail…here is one link I thought summed it up. .
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/opinion/21kristof.html?scp=1&sq=otherize&st=cseI also have serious doubts about WHY he chose Sarah Palin. I think it was totally brash and politically driven. She seems sassy enough, but I really don’t think I would like her to be the President if his cancer flares up again. Actually, I don’t even think she seems nice enough. She does seem manipulative and fierce enough. The tone of her speech at the Republican Convention, and many of the points she made seemed rubbed me the wrong way.
It is depressing because I used to feel pretty ok about McCain being the choice because I respected his “maverick” attitude. I feel like he has completely sold his soul to this election. More than a maverick, I get the impression that he is ambitious and will stop at nothing to win. I especially don’t like the fear-evoking tone his campaign has taken. Also, I found it hilarious that the entire Republican convention seemed to be centered on change…that is just funny because things would not change under McCain. He votes the same as Bush 95% of the time. The whole change rhetoric was a smoke screen to hide behind.
Here’s a good article on that:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/05/us/politics/05assess.html?th&emc=thVery lastly, I have to admit that on a very personal level, I really like the idea of being able to tell my kids that we really do live in a nation where anyone can succeed, regardless of their race or background. I find a lot of inspiration and hope in Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s life stories because they aren’t so different from my children’s. As far as our nation has come, the playing field is still not level, and undercurrents of racism still exist. I have talked to many white mothers of black children who have described many instances of discrimination against their children—especially their boys as they get older. It would be naïve to think we will never encounter that as Eli and Emma grow up and expand their identities to more fully incorporate the Black culture of our country. I want them to feel comfortable in their own skin, and I can’t help but think that being able to point to the Obama family and their time in the White House would hold some significance for them as they search for role models.
I feel hope when I hear Obama speak. I feel fear when I hear John McCain, and I know for myself that good things seldom come from following that voice of fear and doom. The greatest blessings and miracles have come when I trust in that inner voice of hope and faith.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
If any of you are still reading after this MONSTER post, may I suggest a simple activity? Just listen to Barack Obama’s acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention. If you have time, watch the bio also. Then listen to John McCain’s. It is a great place to start. (Each of them is about an hour long.)
I like watching them on NY Times website because of the high quality and interactive features. This link will take you to an archive of videos. On the left click on Democratic and Republican Conventions. The acceptance speeches are preceded by the their life sketch videos.
New York Times Video Archive:
http://video.on.nytimes.com/index.jsp?fr_chl=1672d2550099aeedd6e9e46ae9246bea37e133db
Good luck, and good night.
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