President Obama Visits Philadelphia for the Second Time in as Many Weeks

By visiting our city twice in two weeks, I feel that President Obama is showing just how important the city of Philadelphia and the residents of Pennsylvania are. At last polling, the numbers were 45.3 for Toomey and 36.3 for Sestak. There are only 42 days left in this race and every day counts now. Hopefully with the president's support today, this will turn around as Sestak is more for the people than Toomey ever showed himself to be.

In a recent article I did about this upcoming visit, I had mentioned how important I felt it was to the residents of Philadelphia and surrounding areas that we elect a person who is willing to protect our interests. That article focused on gun control because Toomey had made a flippant remark about gun control upon visiting a nearby PA neighborhood. There are so many other issues at hand though, and as the election nears it becomes clearer and clearer who is more in tune with Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs and that would be Sestak.

Just as a comparison to make sure I wasn't being prejudicial, I visited both Toomey and Sestak's official websites. Of course I clicked onto issues first, as this is what is most important and will effect us all once the election is over. "Pat also believes the tradition of marriage is sacred and is best defined as between a man and a woman." Pennsylvania does not recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships. Pennsylvania is one of few states though that does not have a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, However, the city of Philadelphia does. So if elected, he states on his own website he will in effect turn the clocks backward and do his best to make sure this is not an option.

"...we should all be able to agree on policies that encourage adoption over abortion, that avoid taxpayer funding of abortions, and that allow parental involvement in decisions that involve minors." As a senator, Pat will support policies that further these important goals. These are direct quotes Toomey's site. Now whether or not one believes in abortion, one must really think of that statement and the possible consequences. As for tax funded abortions, as of right now anyway, these do not exist. A call to planned parenthood made that perfectly clear. Abortions are in no way covered by any state health insurance. He has twisted the fact that they do give a lower price if you have proof of state insurance. This is not because they bill the state, it is a sliding fee because the person is of lower income. It is the statement: "we should all be able to agree on policies that encourage adoption over abortion" That bothers me the most. Remember in the 1980's when numerous teenagers gave birth secretly and alone, only to have the baby die, and sometimes die themselves? This is because pure and simple, there are parents that teens cannot go to about pregnancy. That's another issue with his statement that one must really think about.

When it comes to same sex unions, Sestak said, "as we look to the future, we must ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans gender Americans are guaranteed the opportunity to achieve a better future for themselves and their families- so that they may continue to contribute to America's collective future."

It goes on to say that these are his future initiatives: Providing LGBT individuals with fair wages and benefits free from discrimination; eliminating inequitable tax policies that unduly harm unmarried LGBT partners who are barred from the opportunity to marry; a military policy that allows America's best men and women to serve their country without hesitation; and prevent health insurance plans from discriminating against LGBT individuals," according to Joe Sestak's website.

I will not say whether I am pro-life or pro choice. I will not say whether I am for same sex marriage or not. This is an op/ed piece, but not about my own opinions on these issues. The op/ed is about whether any elected official has the right to tell us how to feel and what to think. I do not want someone elected into office that feels it is his and only his beliefs that count. The official website for Toomey is a pretty scary place because it has the tone that he will do everything in his power to put laws into effect that reflect his beliefs instead of well researched, well balanced reasons for wanting to change current laws.

Upon reading Sestak's site, one does not get that feeling that whatever it is he believes, he would in any way force or try to force those beliefs onto anyone else. This is the well balanced kind of thinker I want elected. After all, no matter where I stand on any of the issues, isn't democracy all about having choice? Isn't democracy about not being forced to believe in anything one way or another?

This election will greatly effect my family. Instead of going backwards, I would like my children and granddaughter to live in an environment where Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia is moving forward. They have the right to feel physically and mentally safe, no matter where they stand on these issues. Between Toomey and Sestak, Sestak is far more involved in the city of Philadelphia and it's surrounding areas. I am grateful that President Obama came to Philadelphia today to support Joe Sestak. In my opinion, Joe Sestak will bring us forward instead of backward. This is a very tight, very important race that will basically touch on all our lives inside and outside of the city of Philadelphia.