Why I support Barack Obama...

[CoffeeCat]

{I posted this in another thread and someone suggested that I post
it as an, OP, so I thought...why not?) :)


I was lucky enough to get a phone call from Obama during his Iowa campaign.

He asked me what my most important issues were, and I said that there really was
only one and that was how our Constitution is becoming a relic and our how our
entire system of government is being dismantled before my very eyes.

I expressed my devastation, as I watched Bush illegally wiretap us and trounce on our
Privacy Rights. I told him I was shocked that Habeas Corpus could be set aside so
cavalierly.

I told him how disheartening it was that torture was allowed. I expressed deep
concern about the corporations being tantamount in the political process and that
it felt as if "We The People" were no longer being a part of the equation in forming
public policy.

I said, "I am more afraid of what is happening to our Constitution and of losing
my civil rights, than I am of Al Queda."

Obama's response (and I'm paraphrasing, if I may) was, "You shouldn't have to be
afraid like this in America."

He agreed that what Bush has done is deplorable. He took my arguments further and
said that he was dismayed by the amount of secrecy in the government, and how he
wanted to end all of that. He said that he does not believe in the "Unitary Executive"
mentality that Bush has governed under, nor the signing-statement tactics either.

He assured me that he was just as dismayed as I am.

He also told me that he is a "Constitutional scholar." He taught Constitutional Law
for a decade at the University of Chicago. Unlike our current thug-in-chief--Obama
knows the Constitution inside and out and has profound respect for it. I think it's
wonderful that Kucinich carries a copy of the Constitution in his pocket. Obama has
spent his life teaching others about the importance of the Constitution. He's an
expert in this area.

This is one of the reasons that I support Obama. There are many social issues on which
Dems focus. However, this election is unique because now we understand that many in
government are so corrupt that they decimate our way of government for greed and power.
We have to fix the mess and restore the gifts that our Founding Fathers gave us, because
BushCo has worked hard to tear that foundation down. If we don't have this basic framework,
the all of the other issues--abortion, the environment, education, tax policy--mean absolutely
nothing.

I truly believe that Obama will repair the damage and put our government on the right track--
and give back to Americans what has been stolen from them.

I could hear it in his voice. His resolve and concern for ALL OF US came through loud and clear
on the telephone. I'm just as concerned about this as everyone here, and I'm telling you--Obama
is on the side of "We The People".

[mahina]

1. Re'cd, and thank you for a great insight.

Mahalo for that.

[demnan]

2. Thanks for writing this

I have been re-assessing the candidates and asked people on the Virginia PDA board to come up with a reason to support Obama. They couldn't. You have.

I'm not throughly convinced but will keep my mind open.

[AndyA]

3. And yet, Obama doesn't support impeachment of Bush and Cheney.

I believe he said they hadn't done anything serious enough to warrant impeachment.

That kind of scares me. What the hell would they need to do in his eyes, and would I want him to be President knowing he feels this way?

Barack could take a stand on the things you're concerned about, yet he hasn't. Just like Nancy Pelosi, impeachment is off the table.

I want CHANGE. Not more of the same, but REAL CHANGE. I don't think Barack is the one to bring that about, based on his lobbyist connections, his support of anti-gay speech, and his reluctance to hold Bush/Cheney accountable for their actions. As a constitutional scholar, I would expect him to have more respect for the document. :shrug:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. And the reason I support Bush impeachment....

is the same reason I won't be voting for John Edwards.

[AndyA]

6. OK...whatever that means.

:shrug: :eyes:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. The war in Iraq.

I'm against it.

[readmoreoften]

10. Edwards said he will pull out of Iraq immediately. No other candidate but DK is saying this.

You can berate the guy for fucking up. What he did was wrong, it's true. But he has evolved greatly on this matter and is the only one of the top three who said he will begin pulling all troops immediately. He said "there is no military solution in Iraq."

[Neecy]

5. yay!

Good for you - I know it was a big decision and you have some excellent candidates to consider. There are also tons of Obama smears that have been posted here in the last few weeks and I'm glad you thought for yourself and made your own decision.

I decided to caucus for him in my state after reading his book - the guy is brilliant, and rather than just talk about the poor he put himself on the line and worked to make their lives better. It was just completely inspiring and sold me on him completely.

Good luck tonight, and I hope to hear how your caucus went!

[NYCGirl]

7. That's so great to hear. Thank you. NT

[Califooyah Operative]

9. Thank You, Rec'd, nt