Two things that I strive to keep an open mind about – I try to educate myself on both just enough to help me make educated decisions that are in my (and my family’s) best interest. That being said, I’m not perfect. I feel overwhelmed on Sunday night, in anticipation of Monday morning. I. procrastinate. a. lot. I know I could do more to be a better wife and Mother and I usually try to keep my political views to myself (for the most part), but I am so passionate about this election, I feel compelled to do everything I can to potentially sway the undecided or indecisive voter.
I supported Obama in 2008, and I support him even more now. Many ask, if I’m better off than I was in 2012 – and I can say with conviction, YES I AM! So, here’s why I’m voting for Obama and what I realized–through both silent contemplation and animated conversation over the last few months:
First off, I cannot for the life of me understand why someone who makes $250K or less would vote for Mitt Romney. My conclusions may be controversial in nature, but it is how I feel and know that I am entitled to my own opinion. Feel free to comment (respectively) and let me know why you support him, maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t think so.
The Anti-Obama Camp
I think that many American’s do not “love” Romney, I think that many of them, simply hate Obama – either for who he is or what he stands for.
Racism and Bigotry – I can, without hesitation, conclude that many Romney supporters (or anti-Obama advocates) are racists and/or bigots. Yes, sad as it may be, racism is still very much alive today – and that racism is not only geared toward blacks – but Muslims and/or any other non-Anglo Saxon Americans.
First, I need to point out – with conviction – that Obama is NOT A MUSLIM! He is a practicing Christian! He was born in Hawaii, and was baptized into the United Church of Christ (UCC) denomination and formally joined it in 1988. He left the UCC in 2008 because of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy. He now worships with a Southern Baptist pastor at Camp David. Yes, his father was a practicing Muslim; however, he was chiefly raised by his mother and her parents who were Christians!
Conversely, Mitt Romney is a life-long and practicing Mormon! Mormons understand that the Mormon church is the only true source of God’s law and commandments. He strictly abides by the “law of consecration.” It requires the Mormons to …consecrate yourselves, your time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed you, or with which he may bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion.
A couple of terms need explanation. The “Kingdom of God on the earth” and “Zion” mean, to Mormons, not just their church, but ultimately the theocracy that will replace the non-religious civil government. They believe, of course, that Christ will come to run this government, using faithful Mormons as administrators.
I’ve seen the rebel flag in the city I live in now, and the one I lived in before–more times than I care to remember. There have been incidents where Romney supporters have lynched chairs and I’ve personally seen shirts and bumper stickers for the Romney Ticket such as this:
“Don’t ReNig in 2012” & “Bring the White back to the White House”
Furthermore, The GOP has instituted various forms of voter suppression aimed at preventing Democratic-leaning blocs from voting. People of color are especially hurt by laws looking to restrict voting. Last month, Think Progress reported that “a new study by the Advancement Project estimates that voter purges and ID requirements being enacted in over 20 states could disenfranchise at least 10 million Hispanic citizens.”
The Brennan Center for Justice further notes the racial problems with voter identification laws. “The impact of ID requirements is even greater for the elderly, students, people with disabilities, low-income individuals, and people of color,” the center notes. “African Americans have driver’s licenses at half the rate of whites, and the disparity increases among younger voters; only 22% of black men aged 18-24 had a valid driver’s license. Not only are minority voters less likely to possess photo ID, but they are also more likely than white voters to be selectively asked for ID at the polls.”1
Important to note, many of these laws do not take effect until after the election! So, please do your research and then vote!
Voter ID: State Requirements: http://bit.ly/VCVFOl
So, yes, Obama has the black (and Hispanic), not to mention my vote, but Mr. Romney has the opposing side. I’ll stick with Obama, thank you very much.
Christianity – I was raised by a devout catholic mother…I was baptized, received my first communion and was confirmed. Somewhere along the way, I lost faith in organized religion. That is not to say I don’t believe in a higher power (God, Jesus, what-have-you), but I do question when, how and by whom religions were built and how they have evolved.
“Separation of Church and State”
I would like to point out, and remind everyone (Christians, Muslims, Mormons, etc.) of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution which provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ….” and Article VI specifies that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
Unfortunately, many people tend to forget that “law”, as do many religious organizations. I recently attended a church service who had a guest speaker who spoke only of (right-wing) politics and encouraged the congregation to vote “the right way”. They even played a video of Ronald Reagan. Needless to say, I was appalled and dismayed…
Many Christians who support Romney, support him because of the liberal stance Obama has taken on abortion and gay marriage. Now, the first thing I have to say to every Christian is this: not everyone is a Christian! Sure, Christianity is still the largest religious affiliation in America, but America is comprised of many different walks of life and religions (Mormons, Jews, Muslims, Agnostics and even Atheists). After all, America was built on immigrants – all of whom came to America to find freedom, new opportunities, and a better way of life.
No one is forcing (or even asking) you to have an abortion, or to be gay – you are free to practice whatever you believe in, but I think it is unfair for any man, or woman, to judge another. Especially, based on a book (and beliefs) created so long ago. I also think it is ignorant for anyone to take ‘said Book’ so literally, as certainly much has been altered, and lost in translation. Should it be taken verbatim, women would not be permitted to speak in church (Corinthians 14:34-35), we would be permitted to possess slaves (Leviticus 25:44), and everyone who works on Sunday would be put to death (Exodus 35:2). Now getting to the topic at hand which is most clearly covered in Leviticus: Homosexual acts are an abomination to God (18:22) and If a man has sex with another man, they should both be killed (20:13). Now, I think I’m correct in assuming that you haven’t killed the gay people you know or have met—Why? Because this is a different era – and things, views beliefs and the people in charge have changed and they’re no longer applicable!!!!
Now, I m not saying that Christians need to condone things that they don’t believe in (or like); Albeit, I ask the Christian community – how you can judge another based on the bible in the year 2012?
Many of you speak of losing your freedom if Obama is elected – I ask you this…What freedom will Romney give you? The right to not have insurance? The right to not be permitted to be with the one you love? The right to not have control of your own body? The right to unequal pay between genders? The right to not be able to have freedom of religion?
Many Christian denominations, including Lutherans and Episcopals, recognize same-sex unions. What about these institutions, along with people who do not ascribe to any religion; why should their freedom of religion (or lack thereof) be eclipsed by the teachings of other religions?
What I personally recommend to any human being is to live by the Golden Rule (or ethic of reciprocity), an ethical code, or morality, that spans many generations and can be found in some form in almost every ethical tradition.
I also think it is important to remember, we were born with free will. Our maker, not the government, and not the world! There is no basis (biblical or otherwise) for us to feel like someone else’s activities or lifestyle can make us unholy. Our choice and reaction to someone else’s activities or lifestyle is the only thing that can make us unholy in the eyes of our maker.
With that in mind, I would like to ask that you consider what it would be like if…
- Your husband or your wife was forbidden by law to be at your beside, during times of sickness and death
- Distant relatives were left to make decisions about your healthcare because your husband or wife wasn’t legally recognized or allowed to make those decisions (decisions you more than likely only discussed with him/her)
- You were legally forbidden to have (adopt) a child with your husband or wife, leaving that child in “the system”, forbidding them the opportunity to have a forever, loving home
- You were forbidden from marrying the person you fell in love with based upon religious affiliations, that may or may not differ from your own
While you consider the above, let’s talk about abortion. Now, I am in no means pro-abortion. I believe that life starts at the time of fertilization, and as a mother, I cherish every amazing aspect of life. I, however, also believe that there are circumstances that could warrant an abortion, should a mother so choose (rape, incest, life of the mother, etc.). Should abortion be illegal at the Federal level, some states will still permit it, allowing those wishing to receive an abortion the opportunity, if they are willing to travel. Seriously folks, Roe vs. Wade is over 30 years old – and with everything else that this country has to worry about, overturning this will not reduce the number of abortions, it will only create further adversity and result in more deaths due to illegal abortions, murders, suicides, etc.
Healthcare Reform
An issue very important to me, as I have a pre-existing condition and do not agree with Mitt Romney that going to hospital will be a solution for me, should I be unable to pay my current $900 a month insurance premium (available to me through COBRA). If something catastrophic happened to me, and I went to the hospital without coverage, I would lose my home and all of my possessions. Also, should I be diagnosed with a debilitating disease, I am certain, the hospital will not give me ongoing care.
I encourage you to read the following article recently posted on Forbes.com:
When asked whether the nation has a responsibility to provide health care to the 50 million Americans who do not currently have coverage, the Governor responded;
“Well, we do provide care for people who don’t have insurance. If someone has a heart attack, they don’t sit in their apartment and die. We pick them up in an ambulance, and take them to the hospital, and give them care. And different states have different ways of providing for that care.”
Never mind that ‘60 Minutes’ interviewer Scott Pelly was quick to accurately point out that ER care is the most expensive form of treatment that one can access. What is far more interesting is that the remark so clearly puts Governor Romney at odds with the other candidate seeking the presidency—and I don’t mean Barack Obama.
I refer, of course, to the ‘other’ Mitt who seems to come and go at various moments in the campaign, offering up direct contradictions to the positions of the Mitt Romney we watched last night on the CBS news show.
You see, it was the ‘other’ Mitt who said during a 2010 interview over at MSNBC—
“It doesn’t make a lot of sense for us to have millions and millions of people who have no health insurance and yet who can go to the emergency room and get entirely free care for which they have no responsibility.”
And it was the ’other’ Mitt who told Glenn Beck in a 2007 interview— “When they show up at the hospital, they get care. They get free care paid for by you and me. If that’s not a form of socialism, I don’t know what is.”
Apparently, when 2002 Mitt Romney decided to divorce himself and split into two, distinct entities, the ‘other’ Mitt Romney gained possession of the Governor’s cognitive skills —including the ability to recall why Romney supported the Massachusetts universal care effort in the first place. It was, after all, 2002 Mitt Romney who often highlighted the inefficiency of emergency room care as the sole option for uninsured Massachusetts residents, allowing them to get free care while those who are insured are left to pay the bill.
It would also appear that it was the ‘other’ Mitt Romney who gained custody of the understanding that while our laws require emergency rooms to treat patients in an effort to stabilize their health condition, the law does not require the treatment that can ultimately restore all of these patients to health.
As noted by the current incarnation of the GOP candidate, when a patient turns up at the ER with severe stomach pain, that patient will be treated until her condition is stabilized. But it is the ‘other’ Mitt Romney who understands that, when the tests administered in the ER reveal that the patient has Stage One stomach cancer, it will not be up to the ER to administer the six months of chemotherapy that will be required to save the patient’s life. For that, the patient better be insured or face a truly precarious situation.
The ‘other’ Romney understands that ER care is insufficient to truly treat many patients and that, even when it was possible to get the desired result via ER care, it is the worst possible way to administer health care.
…and this article:
A vote for Obama saves real healthcare reform
By Brad D. Segal
Posted: 10/19/2012 01:00:00 AM MDT
In the Oct. 3 presidential debate Mitt Romney said that, if elected, he intends to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He also told us not to worry, because under Romney/Ryan, pre-existing conditions would be covered, just as with the ACA. Don’t believe him. Like many of his other debate claims, this claim isn’t true.
Actually, under his plan, Americans with pre-existing conditions would remain uninsurable if they have not maintained “continuous insurance coverage” (this includes millions who have been uninsured through no fault of their own). Unfortunately this is just one of many important health reforms we probably lose if Romney becomes president. We may also lose Medicare and Medicaid as we know them if he is elected.
What is the problem that ACA addresses, and why do we need this particular reform versus some Republican version anyway?
America has had an unsustainable health system. We spend roughly twice as much per– capita as the rest of the developed world —- $2.6 trillion in 2010 — yet are ranked 37th in health outcomes by the World Health Organization. Add to this 22,000 deaths and 700,000 bankruptcies in a typical recent year due to gaping holes in health coverage — outcomes not found in any other of the world’s developed nations.
ACA goes after these excessive costs, inefficiencies and inequities using common sense principles found in sustainable health systems around the world, namely:
1) Universal coverage (nobody left out, large pool reduces costs)
2) Guaranteed issue (nobody uninsurable)
3) Cost control (improve efficiency, reduce overhead)
4) Unlimited lifetime benefits (further protection from medical bankruptcies)
ACA addresses each of these. It insures an additional 32 million people: a substantial move toward universal coverage. It guarantees coverage unconditionally, and incorporates cost controls, including rebates for insurance overcharges. The act prohibits lifetime coverage limits. It allows young adults to remain on their parent’s policy until age 26.
What would Romney/Ryan offer? Not much:
1) A very limited version of pre-existing condition coverage, leaving out millions for life.
2) A vague promise to allow young adults to remain on their parent’s policy.
Romney/Ryan would also leave 50 million Americans uninsured, including a growing pool of millions of permanently uninsurable people.
Medical–related bankruptcies would continue, largely unabated, contributing to overall economic instability. Further elevation of rates would likely result from lack of cost-controls on insurers.
Why can’t Romney/Ryan offer truly comprehensive coverage for pre-existing conditions, as ACA does? Answer: Ryan/Romney doesn’t have any leverage to accomplish this because, unlike ACA, it lacks an individual mandate. By requiring coverage for everyone, including millions of healthy customers, this mandate allows insurers to recoup the cost of also having to cover the highest risk individuals. It’s simple economics — insurers must balance risks or go broke.
Romney/Ryan would only work if had an individual mandate (as in Massachusetts) making it much more like ACA. My point: there is no reason to replace ACA — because it works. Though far from perfect, ACA does improve what has been a fundamentally broken system.
Being the smart man that he is, and given his success with essentially an ACA “clone” in Massachusetts, I believe that Romney knows this, but is derailing what might be the best next step toward saving America’s health system and economy simply to placate his right-wing base. He is simultaneously trying to portray himself as not really that extreme, using misinformation to deceive undecided voters.
Unfortunately misinformation seems to be a recurring Romney theme. He’s a flip-flopper trying to create the impression that you can have it both ways. Once he’s president, however, and has to make real decisions, that won’t be possible.
Undecided voters: don’t be fooled by Romney’s tricks. Obama’s overall plan is working. Having already saved us from a depression, it is slowly but surely pulling us out of the morass left by 8 years of failed Republican leadership. His approach is working, incorporating reasonable health reform and a sensible economic plan that may well help prevent the next collapse. Republicans are offering simply “more of the same” with fancier packaging. Their health “plans” are just one example. Please join me in supporting President Obama. Let’s finish the job.
To view the details of the Affordable Care Act please visit: http://bit.ly/Rud5g5
The 47% (of which Mitt Romney is a descendent of….)
“There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that’s an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what…These are people who pay no income tax.
“My job is is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”
-Mitt Romney
You can view the video here: http://youtu.be/XnB0NZzl5HA
The irony of this statement, is that his own father was part of that 47% – and had it not been for welfare, Mr. Romney would more than likely not be where he is (as wealthy as he is) today.
“You know we’ve only owned our home for the last four years. He was a refugee from Mexico. He was on relief, welfare relief for the first years of his life. But this great country gave him opportunities.
“The family was poor. He said they lived for a year on nothing but potatoes. He’s known what it is to have to work for every dime he’s had since he was 12.”
-Lenore Romney
You can view the video here: http://youtu.be/_DgB3WASwXA
Personal Character
For me, I go with my gut. In business, as a Mom and in life. More often than not, I am spot on – and I literally can’t stomach Mitt Romney. To me he is a narcissistic, elitist bully who cannot, and will never be able to relate to the common man (i.e., the 47%). He reminds me of a used car salesman.
Mitt Romney lies! He lies more than any other national candidate for office! This is documented. Proven. Validated, verified, demonstrated, catalogued and quantified. Mitt Romney lies. You can view several of his most offensive falsehood’s on the Washington Monthly. Here are a few: I, II, III, IV, V, VI,VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII,XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX, XXX.
And here is one of his biggest and most recent untruths:
In Ohio last Friday, Romney let fly the wildly incorrect statement that Chrysler “is thinking of moving all production to China.” Obviously, his goal is to stoke panic in the hearts and minds of the people who live in America’s heartland.
He even went so far as to create a commercial, which can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/REB_Q7N8vSw
What does Chrysler have to say about its company being at the center of grossly inaccurate Romney campaign messaging? In an entry on the company’s blog, it called Romney’s assertion that Chrysler was sending American jobs to China “unnecessary fantasies and extravagant comments” and accused Romney of making a logical “leap that would be difficult even for professional circus acrobats.” The Chrysler representative emphasized that “Jeep has no intention of shifting production of its Jeep models out of North America to China.”
In addition, his dismissal of family involvement (think his wife’s dancing horse), the fact that he bullied (and assaulted) a classmate at his private school – and his lack of regret for what he did:
“As to pranks that were played back then, I don’t remember them all, but again, high school days, if I did stupid things, why, I’m afraid I’ve got to say sorry for it,”
-Mitt Romney
Read the article on the incident here: http://wapo.st/Rv4w4N
Capitalism at its Finest
I won’t dive deep into this, but I often wonder how we got to where we are today. When I look at the absurd distribution of wealth in this country, I am confused as to why we, the people (many who claim to be Christians), allow so many to go hungry without shelter, yet pay athletes, businessmen and higher education professionals millions of dollars a year?
Sure, Romney knows how to run a profitable business– but his success was achieved at the cost of outsourced jobs and bankruptcies. Yes, he worked for a company that made millions upon millions of dollars. But Romney, as a leader of that company, went to work every day knowing that with every minute he used to find Chinese companies to invest in, or homegrown companies to buy and close down – he put more money in his pockets.
Foreign Policy
There is a reason why Mitt Romney was so agreeable during the most recent foreign policy debate. It’s because he doesn’t have ideas of his own. He agreed with President Obama’s progress, plans, and actions because they are working – they are winning highly strategic battles – and he is so unaware – he doesn’t possess the ability to provide a competing idea.
He agrees because he doesn’t know for better or worse.
Conclusion
Mitt Romney was a Governor who didn’t have enough support to hold onto the position after completing his first term. He has only served government at the state level, and for only four years. Mitt Romney does not care about the common man!
Romney only knows how to run a business, not a country. The economy – while critically important – is one piece of a much larger puzzle. Romney might be able to find a few pieces – but the pieces that matter – national security; education; green energy initiatives; tax adjustments for every class; and plans that provide for you when you are sick, unemployed, old, and hurt – those pieces are only viewable by Barack Obama.
Under Obama, the banking industry has been regulated, the auto industry has been saved, the stock market has more than doubled and the unemployment rate has dropped. Or, as Fox News is reporting it, “a dismal record of failed economic policies.”
A LONG List of President Obama’s Accomplishments – With Citations can be found here: http://bit.ly/T1Pjbd
I strongly urge you to vote. If you are not registered, there is still time for some states.
For more information, visit:
- Can I Vote? http://www.canivote.org/
- Register to Vote: http://www.eac.gov/voter_resources/register_to_vote.aspx
- Voter Registration Form: http://www.eac.gov/assets/1/Documents/Federal%20Voter%20Registration_1209_en9242012.pdf
Also, please keep in mind – some states, affected by the storm have extended their voter registration deadline (i.e., CT is pushed back to Thu, 11/1 at 8PM)
Should you choose to give up your freedoms as an American, then vote for Mitt. I know which way I will be voting and only hope the majority will agree with me and do the right thing for the American people on Tuesday, November 6th.
