why *I'm* voting
I am the voter every wants.
I'm a "working class white", a woman, a registered independent, and resident of a super-delegate swing state. (Thanks to the current interpretation of our Constitutionally provided Electoral College, this means my vote actually *might* mean more than yours, depending on where you live.)
I've given before a brief outline of Obama's policy, and why I implore others to vote for him. But on a personal level, here's why I, individual that I am, am voting for Obama.
I am a single mother. I am a welfare mom. I work full time, and am the sole provider and caretaker for my son. My ex evades his court-ordered child support payment every single month without repercussion.
My son has special needs. These require certain services, such as an early intervention therapist and speech therapist, as well as annual hearing exams, and attending a (more expensive) special preschool. In the fall he'll begin a wonderful program for speech delayed children at a local elementary school, which will help defray some of the childcare expenses I currently incur.
I have no health insurance for myself or my son. Two weeks ago I had to take him to the ER for a high fever and ear infections. This will cost me over $1,000 that I cannot afford. I have foregone needed medical treatment for myself numerous times over the past three years because I simply could not pay what it costs to get well in this country.
I am a full-time university student. I am a member of the Honors College at my university, with a GPA of 3.89. I work very, very hard for my grades and my acquisition of knowledge. My university is facing serious budget cuts, and some of my favorite professors, as well as entire departments, were let go at the end of the Spring semester. I am taking two majors and two minors. The topics I study will help me to one day earn an excellent living in a field I love, helping refugees, honoring people of a variety of faiths, and hopefully preventing unnecessary terrorist violence and both civil and multinational wars. Currently though, school is something I struggle to afford, as grants and loans are not increasing at the rate of tuition.
I live with my best friend, who has done international relief work, works full time, majors at the same university in womens studies, is a devoted woman of the Christian faith (she and I have attended church together for over 20 years), and also happens to be a lesbian. I believe she should have full rights in her love, benefits, and healthcare with her future life partner as any heterosexual woman would be granted for her husband. She suffers from diabetes, and if she were to be rushed to the hospital, her girlfriend would not be able to have access to medical information, simply because she is not family (and, by the laws of the state we live in, never can become family). I believe this is fundamentally prejudiced and wrong.
I'm voting Senator Barack Obama for the next President of the United States because I believe in harsher penalties for dead-beat dads. Because I have suffered great pain in my life from medical neglect at the hands of my abusive family, and since as a result of letting the insurance industry lobbyists write our nation's health care agenda for the past generation. Because my son is a beautiful, brilliant boy and I want him to always have access to the services he needs, to attend a great school, and to have every opportunity in life to flourish and become the man I believe God has destined him to be. Because I don't want to see my son sent to Iraq or Iran or any other war, to kill the sons of other women, or be killed or maimed by them. Because I believe that love is a beautiful thing, not to be controlled or regulated by government officials. Because I believe "family" is the people who love you, lift you up, and care that you are taken care of - regardless of their gender, blood, or sexual orientation.
I am not asking for a handout, or a turn to socialism or communism. I am proud to be an American and love the process of true democracy. As I said before, I will make a substantial income in my field once I graduate, and I will gladly contribute to taxes for future college students, welfare moms, and special needs children. I'm asking for change now, to help me get to the point where I can help others. Because that's what I hope America is, and because that's the nation I want to leave to my son.
We have the awesome power and responsibility of the VOTE in this country. It is incredible. I am proud to be a registered independent, who votes each candidate separately based on how I perceive them as individuals and policy-makers, not on their party affiliation. And I am proud to say that November 4, 2008 I will be voting for Obama. I hope any of you who do not wish McCain to become President and have the legal right to vote in this country, will take a moment now to register to vote, if you have not already done so. Here are a few links to where you can register, right now, today. Exercise your freedoms and your rights fully, and be thankful we have the ability to elect our legislative and executive officers.
http://www.rockthevote.com/rtv_register.html?ms=googlevr7&gclid=CI6jtf--hpQCFRQYsgodFV7cVg
http://projectvote.org/index.php?id=15&gclid=CMmQiJS_hpQCFQWxsgod_E75Ww
https://electionimpact3.votenet.com/declareyourself/voterreg2%5Fret/
I'm a "working class white", a woman, a registered independent, and resident of a super-delegate swing state. (Thanks to the current interpretation of our Constitutionally provided Electoral College, this means my vote actually *might* mean more than yours, depending on where you live.)
I've given before a brief outline of Obama's policy, and why I implore others to vote for him. But on a personal level, here's why I, individual that I am, am voting for Obama.
I am a single mother. I am a welfare mom. I work full time, and am the sole provider and caretaker for my son. My ex evades his court-ordered child support payment every single month without repercussion.
My son has special needs. These require certain services, such as an early intervention therapist and speech therapist, as well as annual hearing exams, and attending a (more expensive) special preschool. In the fall he'll begin a wonderful program for speech delayed children at a local elementary school, which will help defray some of the childcare expenses I currently incur.
I have no health insurance for myself or my son. Two weeks ago I had to take him to the ER for a high fever and ear infections. This will cost me over $1,000 that I cannot afford. I have foregone needed medical treatment for myself numerous times over the past three years because I simply could not pay what it costs to get well in this country.
I am a full-time university student. I am a member of the Honors College at my university, with a GPA of 3.89. I work very, very hard for my grades and my acquisition of knowledge. My university is facing serious budget cuts, and some of my favorite professors, as well as entire departments, were let go at the end of the Spring semester. I am taking two majors and two minors. The topics I study will help me to one day earn an excellent living in a field I love, helping refugees, honoring people of a variety of faiths, and hopefully preventing unnecessary terrorist violence and both civil and multinational wars. Currently though, school is something I struggle to afford, as grants and loans are not increasing at the rate of tuition.
I live with my best friend, who has done international relief work, works full time, majors at the same university in womens studies, is a devoted woman of the Christian faith (she and I have attended church together for over 20 years), and also happens to be a lesbian. I believe she should have full rights in her love, benefits, and healthcare with her future life partner as any heterosexual woman would be granted for her husband. She suffers from diabetes, and if she were to be rushed to the hospital, her girlfriend would not be able to have access to medical information, simply because she is not family (and, by the laws of the state we live in, never can become family). I believe this is fundamentally prejudiced and wrong.
I'm voting Senator Barack Obama for the next President of the United States because I believe in harsher penalties for dead-beat dads. Because I have suffered great pain in my life from medical neglect at the hands of my abusive family, and since as a result of letting the insurance industry lobbyists write our nation's health care agenda for the past generation. Because my son is a beautiful, brilliant boy and I want him to always have access to the services he needs, to attend a great school, and to have every opportunity in life to flourish and become the man I believe God has destined him to be. Because I don't want to see my son sent to Iraq or Iran or any other war, to kill the sons of other women, or be killed or maimed by them. Because I believe that love is a beautiful thing, not to be controlled or regulated by government officials. Because I believe "family" is the people who love you, lift you up, and care that you are taken care of - regardless of their gender, blood, or sexual orientation.
I am not asking for a handout, or a turn to socialism or communism. I am proud to be an American and love the process of true democracy. As I said before, I will make a substantial income in my field once I graduate, and I will gladly contribute to taxes for future college students, welfare moms, and special needs children. I'm asking for change now, to help me get to the point where I can help others. Because that's what I hope America is, and because that's the nation I want to leave to my son.
We have the awesome power and responsibility of the VOTE in this country. It is incredible. I am proud to be a registered independent, who votes each candidate separately based on how I perceive them as individuals and policy-makers, not on their party affiliation. And I am proud to say that November 4, 2008 I will be voting for Obama. I hope any of you who do not wish McCain to become President and have the legal right to vote in this country, will take a moment now to register to vote, if you have not already done so. Here are a few links to where you can register, right now, today. Exercise your freedoms and your rights fully, and be thankful we have the ability to elect our legislative and executive officers.
http://www.rockthevote.com/rtv_register.html?ms=googlevr7&gclid=CI6jtf--hpQCFRQYsgodFV7cVg
http://projectvote.org/index.php?id=15&gclid=CMmQiJS_hpQCFQWxsgod_E75Ww
https://electionimpact3.votenet.com/declareyourself/voterreg2%5Fret/