Vote for Barack Obama because he’s Black
I was listening to a radio station one morning and the reporter was interviewing potential voters and their views. When the third guy gave his opinion it drove home an ugly truth. Racism is alive and well. When asked why he would not vote for Obama, the gentleman calmly replied…”I just cannot vote for a colored man for President.” His statement was almost as surprising as my lack of reaction. His words had no effect on me either way. I was not surprised this ignorant white man refused to vote for Barack Obama simply because he was black. It’s not the first time ignorance has been spread through the airways. This was just the latest example. But then I quickly realized… I’m voting for Obama because he’s black. I’m just as ignorant as the guy I accused of being ignorant. His vote is strictly based on race as mine was. He refuses to vote for Obama because he’s black and I insist on voting for Obama because he’s black. Am I a racist? Ignorance truly has no bias. Ignorance is lack of knowledge. I had to accept the fact me and this guy actually had a lot in common. I sought to change that. Here is what I learned.
ABORTION:
McCain is pro-life
Obama is pro-choice
TAXES:
Obama: Individuals and small businesses making less than $250, 000 a year will get a tax cut. He is seeking 80 million dollars in tax breaks for those considered poor and elderly. The tax breaks will be compensated by raising taxes on those who are considered rich and large corporations.
McCain: Proposes a freeze on raising taxes for any one. And reducing taxes on big businesses. The theory is by reducing taxes for big businesses these companies will have more money to expand and create more jobs.
IRAQ:
Obama: Pushing for set dates for military withdrawal. He has been critical of the US going to IRAQ and also of the way the war is conducted.
McCain: was very critical of the way the war was being conducted initially. He is very supportive of the “surge” strategy. He does not believe in setting dates for withdrawal for the war.
HEALTH:
McCain: For refundable tax credits for individuals/families. He wants no mandate for universal coverage.
Obama: For free health care for everyone. If you get health-care from your employer then you will continue to do so. If you are not covered by your employer or are unemployed, your health needs will be provided by govt. subsidies.
MARRIAGE:
Both oppose same sex marriage.
Obama: Supports civil unions. He has fought to ensure equal protection for same-sex couples in an attempt to prevent hate crimes. Although Obama does not believe in same sex marriages he believes the ultimate decision to all same sex marriages should be left to each individual state.
McCain: Does not support civil unions. He worked to ban gay marriage in his state of Arizona.
—————————————————————————————————————–
My Views:
1. I am pro-choice. I don’t believe any one has the right to tell a woman what to do with her body.
2. The TAX issue is interesting. I make less than $250,000, so I would love a tax cut. But if I was rich I would have to think about this issue a lot more. Honestly, it would be a close call.
3. I believe there has to be an exit strategy of the war in IRAQ, but we should not be setting any type of specific dates. I believe setting a withdrawal time-frame allows our enemies to just burrow down and wait it out until we leave on the date we set. However, McCain stated at a town hall meeting…..
Q: President Bush has talked about our staying in Iraq for 50 years — (cut off by McCain)
McCAIN: Make it a hundred.
Q: Is that … (cut off)
McCAIN: We’ve been in South Korea … we’ve been in Japan for 60 years. We’ve been in South Korea 50 years or so. That would be fine with me…… ”
————————————————-
While I don’t totally agree with either candidate, I have to side with Obama on the Iraq issue.
4. Everyone should have access to affordable HEALTH-care. So many children have died needlessly simply because their parents didn’t have insurance to care for easily treatable illnesses. Hard working individuals who clock in everyday and work hard for their families should have the opportunity to care for their families just as much as anyone else.
5. I believe MARRIAGE is defined as a union between a man and a woman. A word is defined and it ends there. That being said….Who are we to judge? I believe God loves all his children. I have seen gay couples more in love then some straight couples I know. I don’t believe people should be punished for who they fall in love with. Gay couples should have civil union rights that allow their partner access to life insurance and health benefits of their partner.
-
So I am proud to say I am voting for Obama because I side with most of his views. But many people may vote for McCain because his views tend to side with their religious beliefs. I respect those who side with McCain because of their religious beliefs. Many McCain supporters are also rich and like the benefits of McCain’s plan. I also respect their reasons.
But don’t take my word for it. Do your own research and gather enough information to make your own informed decision. We are all naturally biased. Bias is not an excuse for ignorance. Your vote should depend on your moral/religious views, personal opinion, and general outlook on the world around you. If you vote for Barack Obama because he’s black your vote will still count. But please consider you are not much different than the “so-called” ignorant redneck who is voting for McCain.
October 30th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
What’s funny is the fact that people say they are voting for him because he’s black. Chris Rock couldn’t have said it better when he said no, I wouldn’t vote for Flava Flav, and he’s black! So, I think that Obama represents change more than anything. With the economy in the state its in now, Obama just brings a freshness that I think the world is ready for. The energizing, hopeful ambience that surrounds him and the feeling that you get when you hear him speak makes you want to breathe a huge sigh of relief. I too questioned why now, after all these years of never being interested in politics, never caring who the president was, never caring about taxes, gas prices, job security…why now am I so involved with the twists and turns of this upcoming election? So I had to do my research as well and came to realize on my own that I’m voting for Barack because he will represent me best as the president of this country! I can honestly say that the only reason I became interested this go around is because he is black, this is interesting and new but I am not voting for him because he’s black…only because he is the better choice.
November 1st, 2008 at 5:02 pm
There are so many things that had me Pro Obama long before I sat down and listened to his issues. I have to admit that initially I was swooning over his cool, Denzel Washington like swagger…but once I fanned myself and calmed down I realized it’s much deeper than that! I admire his devotion to his family. I know that he and Michelle are not the only African American two parent household…I was raised in one and my husband of 21 years and I have provided that same stabililty for our daughters. So obviously they do exist….but what better positive example of a strong, unified family for our younger generation to see than President Barack Obama with his loyal First Lady and their beautiful First Daughters! I like the fact that he is articulate. Yes, I love our Ebonic culture and can’t nobody do it like us! But when it comes to speaking to heads of States, leaders of other countries and well, just your everyday folk who have no idea what “fo shizzle welcome to my hizzle” means then we need someone who can take command of the English language when they are representing the entire United States of America. I like the fact that he was labeled just a “community leader” because like so many other community leaders before him he can relate to the needs of the people in the community because he’s been in the trenches. I can’t help but feel that had he been in office at the time of Hurricane Katrina then the world wouldn’t have had to witness the embarassing and disappointing spectacle of our people being treated like outcasts in their own country.
No, I don’t agree with all of his issues and I don’t expect him to pull a rabbit out of a hat and fix all that’s wrong with this country overnight. And I hope that the rest of his supporters don’t have that expectation. It will probably take a few years for him to correct the damage that the Bush administration has done to this country…maybe even his entire first term and I am okay with that as long as I can see his promises bearing some fruit. But most importantly I am voting for Barack because I want to hear the children of the “I want to be like Mike” generation say “I want to be like Barack”! Rock your vote people!!
November 4th, 2008 at 12:17 am
I must side with Obama on taxing the large corporations. Simply because a lot (no not all) of the bigger corporations are not providing job/career opportunities for Americans (which would be ideal) but instead are employing those from other countries. As far as I am concerned the bigger corporations are already getting a big break by paying lower wages to non-americans. I am all for equal opportunity but I would like to occassionally discuss my bills or computer glitches with someone without an Indian accent.