Barack Obama: For All the Right and All the Wrong Reasons

I am a registered Democrat, but I really consider myself more of an Independent. I refuse to simply "fall in line" with whatever the majority of Democrats or Republicans choose what's best for them and their parties. I am also a Black Man, blessed with a unique vision of both White and Black America. That being said, I am voting for Barack Obama for all the right and all the wrong reasons.

Let's get the obvious "wrong" reason out of the way. I'm voting for Barack Obama because he is Black, and I am Black, too. That's right, I said it. I don't feel I need to defend that position, especially since there are so many NOT voting for him because he's Black, as well. Race does matter in this election. I wish it didn't, but it does and it will. There has been much progress over the past 150+ years, but we still have far to go. But, Barack being Black does serve a deeper purpose and meaning in my eyes. Barack has experience in the Black culture. He knows the joys and the pains of being Black in America. No other serious Presidential Nominee from either party has ever been able to say that. Barack has stood in the face of both overt and subversive racism and discrimination, and I'm proud to say that I stand with him. And, don't think that there aren't Democratic Party Leaders who are behind Barack for similar reasons. The 2004 Election exposed the Democratic Party, and how many Blacks feel about being a Democrat. For far too long, the Democratic Party has taken the Black Vote for granted, and just assumed that they would always have the Black Vote. But, the Republicans went to the Black Churches and made their case on the issues of "Family Values" and being against Gay Marriage, and they stole votes from the Democrats. The Democratic Party, desperate to regain those votes first looked to the wife of Bill Clinton, who at the time was viewed extremely favorably by Blacks. But, along came Barack Obama. At first, there was a general feeling that Barack had no chance to win. Then, he won the Iowa Caucuses, a predominately White area, and that proved to Black and White America that he could compete. The Democratic Party no longer needed a "Black Substitute" in Hillary Clinton. They now had the real deal in Barack Obama. He's brought in record number of Blacks, and the party is thankful. (Hillary has swayed many feminists, and many of them are crying over spilled milk with Hillary out of the race, and they need to be corralled in, but that's a discussion for another time.) Long story short, there are more than just Blacks voting for Barack "just because he's Black".

Now, on to the "right" reasons to vote for Barack Obama. He wants to CHANGE things. Yes, that's a vague definition. But, let me clarify it as best I can. Obviously, the way things are just isn't working. Unless you're a rich White person, whose kids and future generations will never have to worry or work, or go into the military, your life is getting rather rough. Gas prices are at insane levels, which I think is just Economic Terrorism. We are spending money on a seemingly endless war. The Middle Class is evaporating, only widening the gap between the "Haves" and "Have nots". No Child Left Behind should really just be called Just Push 'Em Through--which just adds to the poorer and uneducated classes. There's a lot of things that are just WRONG in this country, for a majority of people in it. Barack has expressed concern over student loans, and how graduates get out of college and are immediately buried by debt. He's spoken about helping grads work off their debts through service to the community. His National Health Plan isn't mandatory, like Clinton's. His is voluntary, but it works to the benefit of all. He's prepared to tackle the rising gas prices, and invest in alternative energies. Barack is anti-war, and has been from the start. He hasn't flip-flopped like a fish dying on the shore, as Clinton and McCain have done so often in the past 18 months on the road to the White House. I, myself, am anti-death, I am anti-rebuilding a country that isn't the U.S., and I am anti-spending money all over the world, when ther3e are people who live less than a mile from me who needs those resources more. I think that Barack is that man, too. He wants to change things, through and through, and I think he can do it. Now, I'm not naive. I know that he's probably lied, and stretched the truth on occasion. But, I haven't seen it. And, even if that is the case, he's obviously a better liar than Clinton or McCain, which still makes me want to side with him.

John McCain has sold his soul to become President. I actually liked him, in the 2004 Election. He has totally committed to the Republican Party line of thinking, and abandoned his more-liberal ideals. That's a shame. Most people don't even relate with what McCain wants to do, which really is just continue Bush's horrible agendas and reign as President. I can't say with an honest conscience that choosing McCain would change a thing. Granted, if I were rich, I would probably be a Republican, too. But, even if I were, I can't say that I wouldn't break ranks, and still vote for Barack Obama.