Tuesday, November 04, 2008

10 Reasons Why You Should Vote For Barack Obama

1. His judgment is superlative. While Congress dithered and let themselves be led into an unnecessary and staggeringly expensive war, Obama called bullshit on them:
...I stand before you as someone who is not opposed to war in all circumstances.

The Civil War was one of the bloodiest in history, and yet it was only through the crucible of the sword, the sacrifice of multitudes, that we could begin to perfect this union, and drive the scourge of slavery from our soil. I don’t oppose all wars.

My grandfather signed up for a war the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, fought in Patton’s army. He saw the dead and dying across the fields of Europe; he heard the stories of fellow troops who first entered Auschwitz and Treblinka. He fought in the name of a larger freedom, part of that arsenal of democracy that triumphed over evil, and he did not fight in vain.

I don’t oppose all wars.

After September 11th, after witnessing the carnage and destruction, the dust and the tears, I supported this Administration’s pledge to hunt down and root out those who would slaughter innocents in the name of intolerance, and I would willingly take up arms myself to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

I don’t oppose all wars. And I know that in this crowd today, there is no shortage of patriots, or of patriotism. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other arm-chair, weekend warriors in this Administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne.

What I am opposed to is the attempt by political hacks like Karl Rove to distract us from a rise in the uninsured, a rise in the poverty rate, a drop in the median income — to distract us from corporate scandals and a stock market that has just gone through the worst month since the Great Depression.

That’s what I’m opposed to. A dumb war. A rash war. A war based not on reason but on passion, not on principle but on politics.

2. He is not a muslin; no, he is an actual human being rather than a piece of fabric traditionally used for quilting. (Also, he is not a Muslim, but rather a Christian; however, personally I don't give a rat's ass what his religion is.)

3. While the conventional wisdom said Hillary Clinton was a shoe-in, Obama quietly and carefully set up an exceptional campaign machine, making brilliant use of new technology and old-fashioned statistics, and won his party's nomination. Without raising his voice, he took on some of the toughest and most experienced politicians in Washington to get where he is today -- and if he can beat hardscrabble politicians like the Clintons, Karl Rove and John McCain, just think what he can do in the White House.

4. He passes the "one house/one spouse" rule.

5. He's run an honorable campaign, and despite the conventional wisdom and all the handwringers, he's never stooped to sling mud the way his opponent has.

6. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat their family. Obama cut out of his campaign with less than two weeks to go to visit his ailing grandmother, so he wouldn't risk missing her should she pass away before Election Day. (By the way, he showed good judgment on that, too; his grandmother passed away Sunday night at the age of 86.) He took another break on Friday night to take his two daughters trick-or-treating. That says something about the measure of the man.

7. People like him and are inspired by him. It's foolish and short-sighted to hold his transcendent ability as a speaker against him. And the fact that he inspires people in America and around the world is a good thing. If you can inspire people, they will work with you to get things done.

8. If John McCain dies in office -- and no presidential candidate has been as old or had such an ominous medical history (as far as we can tell from the limited release of McCain's medical records) -- Sarah Palin would be president. 'Nuff said.

9. Don't be manipulated by fear. Don't let the powers-that-be who have profited handsomely and grabbed obscene amounts of power unto themselves scare you into thinking we'll be less safe with a democrat, or a person of color, or a man who wants to work with our allies, or a [fill in doomsday scenario here] in office.

10. We've had dumb for nearly eight years and look where it's gotten us: now it's time to try smart.

Please vote.

And please vote for Barack Obama.



For eighteen long months, you have stood up, one by one, and said enough to the politics of the past. You understand that in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics with the same old players and expect a different result. You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it - because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time.

America, this is one of those moments.

31 comments:

Mel said...

As if I needed convincing. :-)

Linda Blakely said...

I voted for Obama, and I've been volunteering for the campaign since late September. It's been an eye opener!

GO OBAMA!

Anonymous said...

As always, your eloquence strikes a chord, Carol!

Jackie (from WG!!)

Anonymous said...

Well, I got up off the chesterfield, put on my toque and headed out. They asked for ID and I said "my driver's license should do, eh?"
They kicked me out for being Canadian.
But I tried.
Fingers crossed up here.

Anonymous said...

Well said, as always! I especially heart the "rat's ass" comment. When will USAmericans get over this purient fascination with other people's religion or lack thereof.

jude/obscure/goddessless

Anonymous said...

I'm with you, 100%. Last night I blogged my own thoughts and I know that you and I are coming from the same place. Let's hope that there are enough others who also want to give change a try.

Well said, as always.

Anonymous said...

The Choice is Clear we need Change and we have HOPE!

Anonymous said...

The Choice is Clear we need Change and we have HOPE!

Anonymous said...

Love the list!!! #8 is right on, 2 & 4 are hilarious, and #6 is so, so true.

You've worked hard for this- and I'm very, very proud of you.

Kathy said...

I voted for Obama early and I wish I could have voted often! lol!
Great summary!

YoYo said...

Go Obama, or GO Home!!!

Time for a change, yes we can!
OBAMA!!

ps. I chanted Obama the whole time I was in line waiting to vote!!

Anonymous said...

AMEN, sistah!

Carol said...

Just got back from voting. I live in hope!

Anonymous said...

You are so awesome! I voted this morning - doing my little bit to turn Alabama pink.

JelliDonut said...

I vacillate between euphoria and tears. The thought of a McCain/Palin administration is just too much to bear. The idea of Obama/Biden as the leaders of this country makes my heart soar with hope. I have no clue how I will make it through this day. I know I will knit. I want to work on something special so that years from now I can wear it and tell people, "this is what I was knitting when Barack Obama was elected."

Thanks for the list! Awesome!

Anonymous said...

I desperately hope that I will wake up tomorrow morning to find out that Obama has been elected.

The rest of the world needs him to win!

Unknown said...

I truly believe he has the power to bring us together. I'm a republican and I disagree with many of Obama's proposed policies. But I voted for him because I believe this country needs change and unity. I truly hope whoever becomes president is able to make lasting and compelling change.

Anonymous said...

I can only echo what Anne said...amen, sister! I just voted and have never ever been more excited and full of hope. Hold good thoughts for my state, Montana! Big Sky Country may just add their 3 electoral votes to the Obama total.
Suzanne

hokieknitter said...

Needless to say, you know I've went and voted for Sen. Obama. My friend who is a poll worker for my precinct said over half of the precinct had already voted by noon. They got up and came to vote before going to work so they'd be certain to get their vote in. She said she'd never seen that happen before. I think we'll be seeing early results from VA.

Anonymous said...

It will also be nice to have a president who can speak English. I have been so embarrassed every time Mr. Bush opens his mouth.

cici said...

Obama has my vote!

Anonymous said...

OBAMA 08!

today is the day of hope, of change, of better times for our country.

my polling place was VERY busy today; by 7:45am I was voter #102; by 10:20am spouse was voter #294.

VOTING RULES!

Cathy said...

I hope and pray that Obama makes it! It will be so refreshing to have a smart man in the White House. I am so tired with the name-calling and the bashing. What in the H*ll is wrong with being smart? The last eight years have been the longest years in my life!
Ha! My word verification is knitas!
Cathy

JelliDonut said...

I am drinking champagne in celebration! Colorado is a Blue state at last! Obama has done it!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the Audacity yarn to work through my nervousness during the day! The pair of socks for the DH that knocked and walked are in process. I am so proud of him and the rest of us. Oh Happy Day.

Ali P said...

I HATE muslins!! I can never get all the wrinkles out when I iron them. OH! You meant MUSLIMS. Well thats just silly to even bring up, non? Some people have nothing better to hate on than religion. We should all band together to free the world of wrinkly muslins. War on quilting terror!!! That makes much more sense really.
Your posting was fabulous. If I could have voted, I would have voted for Obama. Dang rules like, "gotta be a citizen of a country to vote in that country's elections".
Hurray for y'all from up here in Canada!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm a happy Canadian today, knowing that Obama has been elected. :) Wish I could have voted for him too. I was impressed with him as a person, when I saw him on Oprah's show before he was even running for office. I hear he's giving his girls a reward for their patience and help during the campaign! A puppy!!!! What a great dad. :) samm

Laura Sue said...

I sent the link to your blog to my husband who has been faithfully been reading The Daily Kos and Huffington and all those. Now he'll see that all he needs to do is read a knit blogger!!! I didn't read this post until 2 days after the election, but even by then I had already early voted. I've been running on hope and find now that my hope tank is still full and overflowing. I can be proud to be an American out loud now.

Leslie said...

Amen. I had never contributed to any politician until this year (I'm 60 so that's saying something) but spent a couple of hundred out of my yarn budget on Obama. Money well invested I believe.

CraftyCarole said...

so well spoken. And I am so elated that he won (yes I did vote for him) I think he can lead us into turning this place around.. and it makes me so proud and happy to be an American!

Anonymous said...

At first I was a reluctant Barack supporter, but after doing some research I'm a very hopeful Barack supporter. For the first time in my life I feel good about the man who will be prez.

Thanks for this post. Could you tell me the cite for his speech you quoted at the top of the post? I'd love to read it all.

thanks!
charli
charlizeen yahoooooo