I’ll be honest. This isn’t the post that I had originally written. I had initially crafted this very extensive point by point analysis comparing Obama to McCain. To bolster my argument, I was going to explain how I originally registered to vote as a Republican, how I have never voted straight ticket, how individual issues like health care, the economy and education are important to me.
It was, quite frankly, all so defensive. And I’m tired of the negativity. It’s not me. And it doesn’t really tell you why I’m voting for Senator Obama for President.
Last night, while I was trying to sort all of this out – trying to articulate why I support Senator Obama – I saw a cardboard sign leftover from the Phillies’ World Series parade lying on the floor. It said, simply, “We Won!”
It is nearly impossible to explain the joy that we felt in the Philadelphia the day after the fightin’ Phils won the World Series. There was a spring in our step, a newfound optimism, a feeling that maybe, just maybe, our luck was turning.
What had really changed from the day before our city won the World Series and the day after?
Our attitude.
We weren’t a better city than we were before the win – we have always been a great city. We weren’t better people. We had no better plan. But we felt better – and that made all of the difference.
You and I both know that while presidents influence policy, they aren’t solely responsible for making policy. Clinton didn’t bring us universal health care and Bush did not privatize Social Security or eliminate the estate tax. The Reagan tax cuts weren’t really Reagan’s at all – they were pushed through by Congress (and subsequently rolled back). Kennedy did not liberate Cuba or Vietnam. And while McCain and Obama may tout their individual economic, environmental and health care plans, a win by either is by no means an indication that those things are immediately going to happen – if ever.
What a president has control over is how its citizens feel about the country, how the outside world views us. The president, more than shaping our policies, shapes our attitude.
And I think this country needs a change in attitude.
This is the best country in the world. And we don’t act like it. More than 2/3 of the country feels like we’re moving in the wrong direction. Many are fearful for the future. We bicker. We attack each other. We act as though we are defeated.
And we shouldn’t.
This is an amazing country. We have all the ingredients to move in the right direction. We just need to be inspired again – just like Philadelphia did.
And what’s inspiring to me? The fact that my two year old yells “Obama” when he sees posters in my neighbor’s window because my friends and neighbors are excited about this election. The fact that my good friend told me that her 45 year old sister is voting this year for the first time ever. The fact that folks are lining up with lawn chairs to wait to cast their votes this year – just like Phillies fans who waited for the parade.
There is an air of excitement, of optimism. There is hopefulness.
And yes, it may sound simple. But what’s wrong with simple? Throughout history, our best presidents – on both sides of the aisle – have not been the ones who presented sophisticated policies, but those that have made us believe that things were going to be okay. They are the ones who encouraged us to race to the moon, to make peace with our neighbors, to stand proud.
And I get that feeling from Senator Obama. I truly believe that his leadership will make the difference in how we feel as a country. And to me, that’s invaluable.
I guess, at the end of the day, I want our country to have a World Series moment.
I realize that many of you will disagree with me, but that’s okay. You see, one of the great things about our country is we have the right to have these discussions, to talk about who we do and do not support, to make our our decisions based on our own experiences. Go vote today and God bless America.
This? Was beautiful. Great post!
Nice post; well said. I’m still voting for Bob Barr.
Great endorsement. This has been such an interesting election. I’ve fought the defensive/negative feeling too in expressing exactly why I think Obama will be the better choice today.
Sadly, many people on the other side take the intangible effects the President has on the nation to be irrelevant. I still have McCain supporting relatives who claim that Obama’s calls for change are not backed by concrete proposals. I can refute their claims point by point, but I can’t convince them that those issues are not the WHOLE story.
A leader that can inspire hope in people will have an effect NOW even though the real stamp the put on the presidency may not be felt for years.
Voted last week, for Obama. McCain used to be someone I could vote for but at the end of the day I feel he lacks vision. Obama has that vision. That sense of pride in what America can be. It’s more than what either of them says. It’s got a lot to do with what they do and what people around them do.
When McCain and people in his campaign say their country has never had to prove anything to them I immediately feel a disconnect because for tons of people, this country has a lot to prove. That’s what I mean when I talk about Obama’s vision. He sees where this country is and the amazing places it can go.
Don’t know if I agree we’re the “best” country in the world; how do you really qualify that? But do we deserve better than what we’ve been given, and your comparison of an Obama win with the Phils’ win is the same tentative thought that’s been on a lotta Fluffyans’ minds today. Glad to have you on our team, even if it’s just for this election.
Why do you think that the United States is the “best country in the world?” It isn’t. It is a good place, it is a much better place to live and be a citizen of than many other parts of the world. But there are many other really good places to live and yes, there are countries where more of the citizens enjoy more personal freedoms and a higher standard of living than do our citizens.
We are not somehow more important or better than other people because we are Americans. We are more fortunate than many, we are less fortunate than others. Just because many of us enjoy living here doesn’t mean that it is the best place to live. People who live in other countries believe that their country is the best.
All people all over the earth are equally valuable and important. Our planet is a tiny place. Before I am an American, I am a human and a citizen of our amazing a beautiful planet.
Goddess bless the whole world, no exceptions.
Wendy and Rebecca,
My comment that the US is the best country in the world is based on my own experiences. It’s not meant to be a slight on any other country or people.
I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve been able to travel and live in other countries. My husband and my father, likewise, have lived in other parts of the world. I’m lucky to have friends and family all over the world – from Egypt to Singapore to Australia to Malawi to Bulgaria. And of course, there are things I prefer about other countries… American gelato is simply not as good as Italian gelato, for example! 😉
But overall, for me – and I’m not speaking for anyone else – this is the best country in the world. It’s not cocky, it’s not meant to belittle any other place, it’s meant to express how I feel about my home.
Is there work to do? Sure there is. That’s why I’m voting for change. But I stand by my opinion.
And to clarify, I don’t think we’re better simply because we’re Americans. I think that individual Americans have collectively made us an amazing country.
Great post, Taxgirl. People forget that we’re only electing one man into one branch, and that he can’t single-handedly change policy. But he has amazing amounts of influence over policy. For that reason alone, Obama is the better choice in my book.
Beautiful post. I felt a similar positive feeling standing at a rally next to a woman from Brazil with dual citizenship who flew back here just to vote.
Thanks for those inspiring words.
I have always been a big fan of this blog, but honestly, I am taking it off my RSS feed after this post. Not because of your politics, but because this post encapsulates everything that is wrong with our country at this moment in time, and why it is going to get worse after this election. A rational, intelligent, informed adult citizen should not be voting on emotion. One should vote on facts, figures, and the real impact a candidate is going to have on your life, not some warm and fuzzy abstract “happy thought.” Change isn’t inherently good; it is just as capable of getting worse as it is better, even moreso in this economic climate.
I expected better from a tax lawyer. Really.
I’m sorry to see you go.
I hope that you don’t take from the post that I’m voting based solely on gut – cause I’m not. I am informed. I do know the issues. And I am voting on the issues. But I’m not so naive to believe that one person can change policy – it’s about leadership. And what the post was meant to convey is that I believe that Obama is the leader that our country needs.
Amazingly well said, I feel inspired when I see and hear Senator Obama speak, like a school-girl crush on the professor who made her believe anything was possible. We all need a little of that feeling.I so enjoy the excitement and discourse this election has spread amongst my friends and neighbors. And like the last night of the series I’m finding it hard to sit still. And I’m hopeful that tomorrow we will all have something to celebrate.
So simply stated, but oh so true. When I heard Obama speak in person back i n January I felt something in side i have never felt before. Inspiration, belief in the future, that we can be better. You encapsulated it all. Thank you…Go Obama!
Great post.
Here is the thing about what G said. It is true that we cannot strictly vote with emotion. We must make informed decisions. I am a science person. I get that. (and, by the way, I don’t think that this “tax lawyers” have the corner on this market as G would suggest). But, you cannot discount the role of emotion in the choice. There is a change on the human psyche. Good leadership (as well as good policy) has a chance to change those in how they think…. therefore how (or even if) they act. You cannot deny that role. So yes, while policy is the most important thing here, the leadership aspect as an important factor, cannot be denied.
Ya know this nice thing about this election is that who ever loses, that person is going to make a speech asking their supporters to support and get behind the new president… and this time they will mean it.
Rick, Gosh, I hope so.
Great posting!! I am proud that my daughter can dissimulate good from bad with a purposeful desire for a intelligent decision.
Dinner table politics hasn’t been easy sometimes at our house. Kelly called last night to remind us to vote (we had already voted earlier). She committed that my vote was probably different from hers. I shock her with my answer, “maybe not what you think”.
Eight years, with almost full control, the past adminstration has lead this country wrong in so many areas. Partisian politics, greed, mismanagment, inept folks in charge, the list is long. We do need a change!!
I voted!! Not for McCain for sure. His choice of VP sealed that for me.
We need a change. There are other choices out there, and not necessarily splinter groups. I have developed a new philosophy when I look at candidates. How long is long enough? Longevity leads to poor judegement and corruption. Ted Stevens ring a bell. And he has a lot of company. Term limits look real good these days as I look at the candidates, federal and state.
I can’t help but leave an endorsement for Senator from NC. Anybody who lives in NC, not just calling NORTH CAROLINA home! Libby Dole, Good-bye.
You know what, whats wrong with feeling good? While I too can articulate all the arguments about each candidate and have voted all over republican and democrat tickets over the years, but Obama, makes me want to be a better person. While Bush got the “he can drink a beer with me” crowd obama is getting the “he makes me want to do something great” crowd. When I hear him speak I feel better about where we are headed as a country.
Yes, I think he has the potential to be great.
While I was sorry to read it, I always knew you supported Obama. It was obvious from your earlier posts. The country wants change, and we will get it. Perhaps Bush’s legacy will be that he was so bad, that we elected the more extreme political candidate in our history.
Obviously the rest of the world loves him, whatever will make us more weak will make them more strong. In my book, the Presidency is too important a position to elect someone about whom we know so little. His voting record is extreme left, and despite his promises and pledges, he will move us in the wrong direction at best.
But, he can be much worse.
He has blind support from the media, and we know how important a fair and free press is. The press is currenly free, but certainly not fair. In addition, he will have a willing and able Congress to implement any policy. Do we really need “The Fairness Doctrine”? No, but it will be step one in stamping out those who oppose his regime.
I just read today that he wants to have a citizen army. It kind of reminds me of the brown shirts. If anyone reading this does not know who the brown shirts are – shame on you. Those ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it. There are many other stories like this, and while many of them are probably nonsense, I feel that where there is smoke, there is fire.
Today, we will make our choice, and it will be the wrong one. There will be many celebrations, that I will watch on TV tonight. It will remind me of Natalie Portman’s great line in one of the Star Wars movies. She said “so this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause.”
I have three young children, and I am very sad for them. They will not grow up in the free society I did. I hope I am wrong. I fear I am not.
After reading your comments for months on Twitter, it was nice to read something longer than 140 characters. I must say, like you, I voted based a little off of emotion and mostly off of informed decision. It appears to me that many people are voting off emotion – but I don’t know that there is anything necessarily wrong with that (unless of course, you have absolutely no idea where the candidates stand on the issues at all!).
Well Kelly
I voted for McCain! I don’t believe that Obama or McCain can bring change to this country right now or in 4 years. They both are lying about their policies. But as a veteran of this country I can not vote for a person who does not put his hand over his heart or who’s wife just now believes in her country. I have my other reasons for voting which I will keep to myself.
Nicely written, but still a disappointing post. To summarize, sounds like hype is more important to you then facts.
I’m not sure if Obama will be Clinton the 2nd due to his ability to talk a good game with nothing to back it up (though Clinton was at least a multi-term governor prior to running) or Carter the 2nd due to his policies. I’m hardly an enthusiastic McCain supporter, but I think he’d do less harm, and would allow Pelosi to do less harm.
Oh well, he’s at least improving the economy in the area of gun sales. Up 8-10% in anticipation of him being elected per a news story this week.
I do believe that Senator Obama is an individual with noble goals. My biggest concern is that Obama’s lack of experience be the undoing of those noble goals. It will require that he will lean heavily on experienced party professionals. (Who does that sound like?) His dreams and vision will be compromised. A person of his short political life does not have an establish fund raising machine that generates $650 million in campaign contributions. He owes people. And a political party that has been stifled since 1996 has a lot that they want to get done. A congress that has been chaffing under the prior administration will run through pet projects and settle political debts.
2/3s of Americans may feel that the country is heading in the wrong direction, but that does not mean that they back the agenda of a congress with one of the lowest approval ratings in history. Obama can gain the most respect and backing if he will hold his own party in check.
I do worry about my children.
After venting all my concerns it is usually safe to say that no matter who is elected, he will probably not be as good as his supporters believe, no will he be as bad as his detractors fear.
You pretty much captured why I voted for Obama (despite having voted for McCain the last time he was up for re-election in AZ). I don’t vote for candidates based on their platforms, or based on their stance on this or that issue — for me, it comes down to, who do I think has the best judgment, ability to be constructive and lead Congress to stop fighting and get the big picture, and try to do the best for the country as a whole, not just the poor or the rich.
I didn’t watch any of the debates — all a debate does is tell you who’s good at debating, not who’s right and who’s wrong. But I think we need a new guy who has a better grasp of where we’re going in the 21st century. I admired McCain’s integrity, when I lived in Arizona — but he’s been forced to drink so much GOP Kool-Aid that he’s barely recognizable anymore. And as for “experience,” well, McCain admits he doesn’t know much about economic issues. He doesn’t use e-mail — give me a break, that’s like George Bush the First being amazed at the checkout scanner. Sorry, but as much as I like McCain, he’s just not the guy I want at this point. (And let’s not even get started on Bible Spice and what would happen with her in office if McCain had to leave office before the end of his term.)
I’m with… Christopher Buckley, I think it was, who says that whatever Obama’s shortcomings might be, he has the potential for greatness — and even if it doesn’t materialize, there’s a strong chance that he’ll be at least as good as Clinton (under whose administration my income tripled, regardless of what may have been happening under his desk — who cares about that?).
Urb
Yet more proof that nobody really knows what Obama’s all about, but are voting for him based on how Obama makes them feel. God help us!
I guess at the end of the day, folks will interpret things however they wish to…
What I know about how I voted – and what I know about my colleagues and family (even Rob, who voted McCain!) – is that my vote was well researched and well thought out. I do know the issues. But I also know that no matter where the individual candidates stand on those issues, legislation will not magically appear on Jan 21. How a candidate leads is as important as what he or she hopes to lead towards.
If I voted merely according to how someone made me feel, it would be a toss up as between Luke Wilson and Tim McGraw for president (that’s right, Faith Hill, you should be worried).
I’ve gotta agree with G. Emotion is NOT rational thought. Not the way to choose a leader.
Thanks Kelly Love your Blog! You keep your opinions to yourself and I’ll keep mine to myself. My vote was well researched and well thought out too., To each his own! In four years I’LL vote for ALF!!!
I Debated quite a while as whether or not to post to this blog, but after reading the other comments, I thought why not. I am the wife of a veteran and the mother of 2 preteen children, and I am terrified for the future my children my have to face in this country. The idea that someone would vote for a canidate based on the way they make you feel, or because that canidate promises “change”, without any substatial plan to back up those claims is absolutely ridiculous. I have heard the word change so much that I could actually choke on it. It is terrifying to me that my 11 and 12 year olds have more knowledge of the canidates and their policies than those that have the priviledge to vote.
I have also well researched my choices for president, and even though I find both canidates lacking is several areas, I continue to remind myself we are all human and lacking in many areas. What I fail to understand is the mentality of those who are so consumed with what Obama’s policies can do for “me” or what “I” can get if Obama is elected. This type of selfishness is what has gotten this country into the position it is in now. People asking what can you do for “me,me,me”. What if our forefathers had stood around asking what about “me”??? What if our military/veterans were so consumed with what was best for themselves and not what was best for this country??? Well I can tell you the answers to those questions; You would probably not have the priviledge and freedom to go and cast your vote for a man that is unwilling to place his hand over his heart when the National Anthem is played. Or for a man that does not know what it means to lay his life on the line for someone else. This is NOT what our country needs. We need a selfless president that is willing to make sacrifices, and we all know that McCain is the obvious choice in that capacity. He has proven his love and devotion to this country on many occassions and continues to show his willingness to do so.
I am not naive enough to believe all or even most that is promised by either canidate will come to fruition, but I do believe if we enter the next four years with the “ME” syndrome, it will be a hard learned lesson. I fear for the safety of the country and her citizens in the upcoming years, and pray that my children will be able to grow up knowing that everything in life is not about them and that NOONE owes them anything. I also pray that we will be able to teach them the importance of working hard, the importance of human life, and the selflessness that is required to keep a great country great, despite a leader that does not hold these ideas in high regard. And last, but definitely not least, God has allowed this country to be Great, however we had better quit challenging his authority.
Agreed TBone
Hi, guys,
Well I’ve spent a very strenuous 19 hours as a Pollworker (I get paid — not nearly enough –) for this election. One thing I can tell you is that I can’t tell a Republican from a Democrat when they come to vote. We all look the same, and I think we’re all very glad that this election is over (right?).
Melody,
Thank you for all your hard work. That has got to be a tough job.
Let’s get back to taxes. I regret making a non-tax comment on this site earlier.
A World Series moment! Exactly Kelly, that’s what I’m feeling anyway.
It appears that Mark Cuba agrees with your analysis as well. http://blogmaverick.com/2008/11/05/proud-to-be-an-american/
Hey thanks Bryan! I left a comment.
I’d love to be able to not comment – or at least to limit my comment to something tax related – but, I can’t.
First of all – as she has stated – in the very first paragraph and throughout the comments – Taxgirl did not choose her candidate based on emotion – but how wonderful for her that she is inspired by someone – and his message.
I believe that the one commenter has not taken the time to research and review – as she suggests – or she would know that Senator Obama has, as much as anyone aspiring to achieve the top level of the US Executive Branch can, laid out his plans for his administration. It’s all out there – his plans for the economy and home owners – the budget and deficit – health care – energy – taxes – the war in Iraq and the war on terror – for national service and responsibility — He has specific and viable plans – will they all be implemented? and if so when? We don’t know – and as he said last night he can’t do it alone – we all must work together to heal and support our country.
I also think that the commenter is a little confused as to what, where and who comprises the “me” generation – there is no “me” or “I” in Barack Obama’s plans – it’s all about the “us” and “we” – John McCain made a multitude of commercials criticizing the “we” mentality of Obama’s policy plans.
And yes, our forefathers did sit around thinking about themselves – Federalists and States Rights ideologists were bitterly opposed – but they were able to compromise for the greater good of their new nation – this is why we have an electoral college – a bicameral legislature – the Bill of Rights – and an elastic Constitution. Sure some remained rivals to the end – and there were procedural/social/moral elements that needed to evolve – but our basic structure of government assures that blog commenters, and blog writers can state their views freely – and that men and women from all backgrounds are able to vote and hold office. And it assures that no citizen is compelled to display his or her adoration and respect for our nation in a prescribed manner.
That is what our armed forces have fought to protect and defend – as do civilians – every day.
BP, thanks for your comment. I had a very bad night of angst before I went in to work. I’m presiding judge in my ward, so I went to work trying very hard to anticipate what could possibly go wrong. Fortunately, we had a split team of three Republicans and three Democrats. And we were a MACHINE yesterday. Sometimes the lines were long, but the voters were all wonderful — we had over 80% turnout! That makes me proud. But, just to get this column back to taxes, I wanted to mention that, as pollworkers, our pay is subject to tax. Hopefully, all of my fellow workers have been declaring it.
A whole lot of years ago, at 18 years old, I went to war for a President. He asked me and there was nothing I could refuse him. He was a leader. A man that made me and everyone else very, very proud and happy to be Americans. And the rest of the world felt they could follow him too. I would have followed that individual anywhere he wanted to lead. We were proud, we were happy, we had hope. Now this many years later I see that man again. Not for his ability to do all the political things he must do but because he brings hope out in us. I have spoken to some young folks, my grandkids and their friends, and they have that same dream that I had so long ago. They believe in President Obama and they will do what he asks because he gives them the one gift that President Bush could never give nor could any other politician I know give – and that is hope for a better tomorrow. I cried when President Kennedy was shot because I thought our Camelot days were over – maybe, just maybe, they aren’t. And I am a very, very conservative republican and extemely proud of my heritage which includes a whole lot of folks on the confederate side in the war of Northern Agression.
Skip McQuaid
All these posts praising Obama are not based in any fact. They are all unsubstantiated projections of feeling and emotion. All of these posts lack any and all convincing evidence that could qualify their claims.
Having lived in Germany for quite a few years, I know exactly who the brown shirts were, how they came into power, and about their ignonimous exit therefrom (as well as the legacy they left, not so easily expunged). Truth be told, this latest election marks a return from the closest thing we’ve ever had to rule by the brown-shirts, hopefully one to which we won’t soon return. McCain – the old McCain – may once have led the charge back to the America we all know and love, but now it’s another’s turn.
Good luck, Barack, there’s an awful lot depending on you.
I am both ashamed and proud of our country, I am ashamed because there are so many people right now who are hurting, financially and emotionally they are suffering greatly. Greed… power hungry greed and, bad policy have brought our country to the brink of economic disaster. A foolish, foolish man and his cohorts has destroyed our standing on the world stage both in the diplomatic and foreign policy area and the evil that has been sown in the lat eight years because of war and deregulation in in the business arena will haunt us for decades. Mark my words… this mess will come home to roost.
I am proud of this country because we were able to pull our selves together long enough to see a better future and brave enough to grab it. Instead of turning to the choice of fear and anger we chose to embrace diversity and hope. Instead of the same rich white man and his religious right we chose freedom to change…for all !!! Not just some. The majority spoke; loud and clear.
I not only did not endorse or vote for Senator Obama, I don’t believe I will prepare any tax returns for anyone that I know did vote for the Democrats. You voted to destroy a Country I love, I can’t help you.
The last person that campaigned in the Western Hempisphere for “A Change” was Fidel Castro in 1959. It was a democrat President when elected in 1960 that promised to the Cuban Freedom fighters that the US would provide air support for their mission in April, 1961 and then lied and didn’t do it and thousands of Cubans lost their lives and the World has had the ilk of Cuban Communism ever since. I believe the democrats really want nothing short of total socialism in the US.
The democrats believe that the liberal democrat agenda knows whats best for the populace and already teach in many school districts throughout the US that if the parents teach the children moral values the parents are wrong the school is correct and that the parents are just “old fashioned”
The democrats believe that there is nothing wrong with devising welfare systems that deliberately destroy the family to further their cause. Anyone knows the structures can not deny.
It is in Nancy Pelosi’s own Congressional district that they allow open homosexual sex acts right on the public streets during Folsom Street or Dore Alley festivals.
The democrat leadership is already trying to figure how the 401k’s can be dismantled and increased social security. The democrat leadership is already trying to close down any dissent by it’s “fairness doctrine” to remove the opposition from the airways.
Doesn’t sound like the beginnings of Cuba to you?
Jeff Day EA
Evansville, IN
jad012547@yahoo.com
I need to add the IRS and Congress talk about the Tax Gap. I can never get anyone with the IRS at various forums to respond to the following:
It is unlawful to take a deduction on a tax return for any illegal payments. By definition it is illegal to make a payment to an illegal immigrant. Therefore any deduction relative to payments for illegal immigrants on a tax return are unlawful. If the IRS would just disallow any tax return taking expenses relative to illegal immigrants the farm owner/factories could not afford to make those payments and the need to ICE etc would go away. How much would be raised against the Tax Gap? But that wouldn’t be politically correct with the democrats would it?
Now the democrats are going to want to make the 12-20 million illegal immigrants Citizens. Just think then the returns won’t be against the law and the Nationwide Republican Party will be totally destroyed. And the democrats and their agenda for total socialism won’t be stopable.
Jeff Day