Hello blogosphere, how are you today? No, really: how are you doing? What’s on your mind? We really wanna know. A little while back we put out a call for you, our readers, friends and fellow theatre makers, to write up your very own manifestos on whatever you feel strongly about in the political realm: maybe one of the candidates or a specific issue—be it national or local—or whatever else you’ve got something to say about.
Our first contestant has submitted a great piece on their choice for el Presidente of these United States. Keep in mind that XX is totally unbiased in this election and so the views below are not endorsed by us as a group. But we do strongly endorse your having your very own views, so if you have a manifesto brewing, by all means, send it over! Enjoy…
Why I’m Voting for Barack Obama,
by Patrick C., DC resident
To the Heart:
As a young person, and a youth advocate, I am so pleased that Barack Obama is taking us seriously, engaging us, and calling upon us to help him make a difference. My generation is motivated, talented, creative, and we value service, much more than we’re given credit for. The problem is that we’ve never had national leadership that inspired us to sign up and contribute. We’ve been left to our own devices in our communities, and we do hard and important work. Many of us face these seemingly intractable problems that are paraded during campaign time every day. We are hungry, idealistic, and battle tested, and we are ready to put our energy into creating a brighter future for humanity. For the first time in my life, there is a presidential candidate who I feel compelled to line up behind, who dares me to believe in the promise of our country, who is helping me to re-imagine what being a citizen of this country means, and is kindling my faith in our possibility. Imagine, the energy, idealism, enthusiasm and ingenuity of young people coupled with an open, responsive, and forward looking federal government. I believe that Barack Obama, as president, will help make that potential real.
To the Head:
• Barack Obama is an organizer and it is reflected in the way he runs his campaign. He is serious about inviting the public into addressing our problems and realizing what we hope for. He has a track record of it.
• Barack is bringing new people to the polls. There have been record turnouts all over the country. This will help get more progressives into office in the House, and help us pass the humane and responsible policies we’re all fighting for.
• He does appeal to Independents and Republicans which will help in the General Election.
• Obama has a record of bi-partisanship. I think this is crucial. Although I lean towards the Democrats philosophically, we do not have a monopoly on good ideas. Often times when talking with people more conservative than myself, I will be struck by how similar our values are. Traditional liberal ideas aren’t going to solve all our problems. True debates are necessary.
• He is principled. The best example to me is that he stood up to the Teacher’s Union about merit based pay. That’s a risky move in a Democratic Primary, but I think it’s correct. I work in schools, and teachers deserve twice as much as they make. They are grossly overworked and under paid, but the bottom line is that we are failing our students. Teachers need to be held accountable if they are not doing their job, and be rewarded if they are outstanding like everyone else.
• Obama matches up better against McCain with his clear opposition to the war from the beginning and the fact that he will not galvanize the right the way Clinton would.
• It’s time for something new. Fair or not, Hillary Clinton carries a lot of baggage from Bill’s Presidency. We do not need to be re-fighting the political battle of the 90’s while dealing with the realities of 2008 and beyond.
• Sadly, due to the reality of our persistent racial inequity and antagonisms he could never say it, but the narrative of Barack Hussein Obama, an African American son of a Kenyan immigrant father, and white Mid-Western mother would truly help the perception of the United States abroad.
• It would be a shame to miss this opportunity, maybe the only one I will see in my lifetime, to embrace this transformational moment in our history.
DARE TO BELIEVE!
June 12, 2008 at 11:51 pm
—What utter propagandish bull squat! Barrack Obama is a big city politician who is adept at showing ONLY that portion of himself that he wants voters to see. He claims to be pro-hunters and yet his only hunting expedition of record was walking with some farmers in the field. His record speaks the truth though. On EVERY pro-gun vote that has come before him he has voted AGAINST. In every pro-self defense law that came before him he voted NO. He voted to make it illegal for a citizen to shoot an armed burglar in one’s own home while under attack as well as voting No to allowing that home owner to even own a gun.
— Obama says he is a man of the people yet he recently said of white people – ” it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.” Thus providing the world with a perfect example of both bigotry and hypocrisy in a single statement!
— The more we hear Obama speak the more we start to see his real flaws, and serious flaws at that. Yet he is proving masterful at appealing to our young people despite all these negatives. I had hoped Obama would turn out to be the Colin Powell who was too smart to accept the presidential position, but I already know now that Obama will never be, could never be a Colin Powell.
— As much as I don’t trust Hillary I have to say she looks like the better of the 3 current choices, but that isn’t saying much in my opinion. With Obama’s own comments and those of his closest advisors, such as his pastor, starting to come out I hope people will see him for what he really is. I will let you decide the answer to that for yourselves. I know what he is to me.
— Obama is one of 3 candidates and I find all 3 seriously wanting enough not to vote for any of them. Obama speaks badly of his fellow Americans – especially small town whites, follows a anti-American spewing psychopathic pastor, agrees in the UN policy to remove firearms from the hands of American Citizens and does not believe that you should be able to defend your children against armed intruders in your own home!
— And there is much more. At first blush I thought Obama was going to be a breath of fresh air but now that we are getting more and more views of the real Obama I am coming to realize that voting for him would be worse than the disease I hoped he could cure.