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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy I support President Obama
Last edited Sun Jul 15, 2012, 10:58 PM - Edit history (10)
A longtime conservative friend replied on my facebook post about being a strong supporter of president Obama. She said, "I am asking in a completely civil manner why are you supporting this man?"
This was my reply:
The Reasons I Support Barack Obama -
I support President Obama because he represents many of the ideals I believe in; fairness, compassion, service, (authentic) family values, patriotism, compromise and love of country not bound by slogans or political idealism. He is smart enough to realize things are not perfect in our country and we aren't number one just because we are the U. S. of A. He is realistic enough to understand that dealing with the complex issues facing this country is much more difficult than a Toby Keith song, a right (or left) wing pundit or a magnetic ribbon would lead one to believe.
I support him because he has faced constant, unrelenting, mean-spirited, dishonest criticism since before he took office and every day since. His patriotism has been questioned by every member of the right wing echo chamber especially FoxNews and Rush Limbaugh, every single day he has served. He has been called a socialist, communist, Nazi, Marxist, traitor, foreign, un-American, liar, magic negro, halfrican and worse. He has suffered innumerable lies about his ideology, religion, family and even his place of birth. No other president in the history of this country has faced such unfounded open hostility and disrespect. No other president has ever been called a liar by a member of congress during a State of the Union, no other president has had to show his birth certificate...repeatedly.
I support him because he has done many things republicans insist they do well and he has done them better; during his administration, and as a direct result of his risky order, special forces, under his command, killed Osama bin Laden the man directly responsible for the 911 attacks (the man that Bush swore, and failed miserably, to get, "Dead or alive" . He ended the war in Iraq and is winding down the war in Afghanistan, two of the longest running wars in American history both started by his predecessor at the cost of a trillion or more dollars and the lives of over 6000 U.S. troops. Under his administration, more Al Qaeda terrorists have been killed by drone attacks and covert U.S. operations in 3 1/2 years than the Bush administration killed in twice that time. There hasn't been another terrorist attack on American soil since he took office. He helped to end the reign of terror of a homicidal dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, in Libya and did it without losing a single American life. He has increased border security and the number of illegal aliens crossing into the United States has dropped to historic lows, in fact immigration from Mexico is actually at a negative number with more Mexicans going back home than coming into the U.S. Cyber attacks against Iran that probably set their nuclear program back several years and gained us useful actionable intelligence were implemented during his administration, probably by the CIA or some other nefarious black ops unit. But for all his foreign policy success he receives nothing but derision and backhanded compliments from his opponents. He works twice as hard, is three times as successful and receives none of the credit. Hell, if George W. Bush had done any of the things on this list they would be carving his face into Mount Rushmore, naming Airports and Highways after him and his stupid sneering mug would be on the $50 bill already.
I support him because he has fought like hell to drag America into the twenty first century. He pushed for and won a health care plan which, though not perfect, is the first of it's kind in our nation (and we are the last modern industrialized nation to provide basic healthcare coverage to it's citizens...We're Number Last!). The Affordable Health Care Act will insure 35 million more American citizens will have access to health care. He has made it possible for friends of mine to put their adult, but unemployed, children back on their policies so they don't have to worry about financial ruin over some unforeseen illness or accident. He has stopped insurance companies from denying coverage to friends of mine whose children have down syndrome simply because they define a birth defect as a "pre-existing condition." Republicans know that as more of this plan is implemented over the next 2 years, Americans will see that contrary to what they have been told, "Obamacare" will help them make sure they have affordable coverage for their families and that they can't be cut off because of an expensive illness or denied simply because they are bad for billion dollar company's bottom line. My parents and other senior citizens will save money on their life saving prescription drugs. The Tea Party claims of socialism and death panels will look more foolish in hindsight than they do to rational people now and the republican brand will be tarnished forever.
I support him because he made another risky political decision to come out in support of gay marriage. He ended the horrible "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy which discriminated and terminated the patriotic service of thousands of soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen when our country desperately needed them most. He has come out in support of gay Americans like no other serving President before him and has ended federal support of the asinine Defense of Marriage Act. He has brought gay rights to the forefront of American history and his stance has already had a dramatically positive affect on the national attitude towards gay marriage, especially in the black community. This man has made it possible for some of my gay friends who have served proudly in combat for years to now serve honestly as well. Maybe someday they will be able to legally marry the person they love.
I support him because he has faced this unrelenting bitterness and undeserved hate with grace and honor, compassion and humility. His speeches still have the power to inspire and move me like no other politician in my lifetime. He renews my sense of pride in our country. I don't wince when he speaks to foreign leaders, I am instead filled with admiration and proudly say, "That's my president." He engages his opponents with tact, respect and facts. His is not a world of "with us or against us" rather a world of optimism and hope that we can work together through our differences to make this country better.
I support him because he has aged 10 years in 3 because the job he faces every day has pressures and stress that the we will never come close to comprehending.
I support him because he truly connects with people. You can see it in the crowds that gather to watch him speak and even in the faces of infants thrust into his arms. He comes from an imperfect but loving family, not unfamiliar to many, but in spite of the circumstances of his life (or maybe because of them), he went much farther than could possibly be imagined; a bi-racial child born in the sixties and raised by a single mom and his grandparents. A boy who struggled to fit in because of his racial and geographical diversity. A young man who beat the odds and attended one of the best universities this country has and became an intellectual leader under its tutelage. A man who chose service over monetary success and then beat the odds again by becoming a state, then United States Senator, then President.
But most of all I support "this man" because he is my...he is our President. I believe in what he is trying to do and I see how much unfair opposition he faces every day for it. I respect him as our president but I respect him more and honor him as a man making sacrifices only a few can imagine. I am inspired by his patience. I am impressed by his fortitude and I am humbled by his service. He gives me hope for this beaten down, broke ass, bigoted country that I love and proudly served and when people ask if we can beat the odds and make this country a better, fairer more decent place to live for all Americans, he still makes me think, "Yes we can!"
stevedeshazer
(21,653 posts)Thanks, my friend.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Pirate Smile
(27,617 posts)Zoeisright
(8,339 posts)Wish I could rec this ten times.
Paka
(2,760 posts)Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)you should submit it somewhere to be shared with
a wider audience. thank you, it's a keeper.
lamp_shade
(14,851 posts)I'm bookmarking this.
lamp_shade
(14,851 posts)lamp_shade
(14,851 posts)blm
(113,131 posts)Thank you.
madokie
(51,076 posts)Sent a feeling of warmth through my body as I was reading this as it is exactly how I feel about the man, the President, too.
Yes We Can
IdaBriggs
(10,559 posts)B Calm
(28,762 posts)TexasProgresive
(12,164 posts)annabanana
(52,791 posts)Tennessee Gal
(6,160 posts)12AngryBorneoWildmen
(536 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)Brewinblue
(392 posts)livetohike
(22,169 posts)Dalai_1
(1,301 posts)GTurck
(826 posts)to read this at our next County Democratic Party meeting. It is a gem of an explanation as to why President Obama needs to be re-elected.
and read it with passion!
Mortos
(2,391 posts)I tried to walk a fine line of spotlighting his accomplishments without yelling and calling people who oppose him morans. As I re-read it, I found some typos and things I would like to phrase differently but I am proud of the piece overall.
babylonsister
(171,109 posts)Mortos
(2,391 posts)Last edited Sun Jul 15, 2012, 09:37 AM - Edit history (1)
I have been sitting (mostly) quiet on the sidelines for a while but it's time to start fighting again.
babylonsister
(171,109 posts)been here for all the biggies in the past decade; you are a treasure, and I will be looking for you. I'm so happy to see you again, I can't even tell you! And this writing is superb. I hope you don't mind, and if you do I'll take it off, but it's now on FB for all to absorb.
lamp_shade
(14,851 posts)Mortos
(2,391 posts)I have got to stop editing it. I think I am done now. Please let me know if you find any typos or grammatical errors.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)MoonchildCA
(1,301 posts)... In the second to last paragraph, in "it's tutelage," the possessive use of "its" should not have an apostrophe.
I would add though, it's close to perfect!
Mortos
(2,391 posts)I love that we can edit posts on DU forever. Thanks for the editorial advice.
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)as far as a mighty smack-down on the ankle biters, of which we have an assortment of right here at DU! In fact I notice none have so far even commented on your brilliant post.
Bravo!
Julie
DeeDeeNY
(3,356 posts)It would be interesting if you asked her in return to explain what she could disagree with in what you wrote.
Mortos
(2,391 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)beac
(9,992 posts)malaise
(269,278 posts)Excellent post
Spazito
(50,590 posts)you have captured the very reasons I so admire President Obama and you did so with grace and eloquence.
bucolic_frolic
(43,476 posts)he's a liar, cheater, illegitimate, wimpy, groveling, loser!
I seen it on Faux Shows and heard it from the pulpit!
How are you going to combat those news outlets? With logic?????
Mortos
(2,391 posts)Solomon
(12,321 posts)Well said. You speak for many.
Mortos
(2,391 posts)"I am stunned, saddened and scared. God please protect us." I guess she didn't like it.
lamp_shade
(14,851 posts)Patiod
(11,816 posts)Seriously - those people who are "scared"?
I was REALLY scared that GWB was President with our country was attacked, and my fears were proved to be 100% correct. (The week after 9/11, I actually had a conservative friend say "now aren't you glad Al Gore wasn't elected?" and I said "no, I'm terrified what this dope is going to do" and I was right.)
Obama has proven himself to have the guts and nerves to be up to the job. If we were attacked again, I'd be confident that at least this time, we were in good hands.
WinstonSmith4740
(3,059 posts)FABULOUS essay!!! I'm not remotely surprised that your friend really had no response. Intelligent, rational thoughts tend to leave them in the dust.
BUT
If we were attacked againAin't gonna happen. Obama, (just like Gore would have) would take steps to keep the attack from happening in the first place. Especially if he has some of the best security agencies in the world, as well as the rest of the world, screaming at him that an attack is going to happen. And approximately when. Somehow I don't think he would tell the aide that delivered the infamous "Bin Laden determined in strike in the US" briefing, "OK, you've covered your ass. Now get out."
treestar
(82,383 posts)Can't respond on any substance. So resorts to thing like that - she's in her own reality constructed carefully and often repeated.
Stunned: Because you came up with more than, "He's AWESOME!"
Saddened: Because she knows you're right, but she's still going to vote Republican against her better judgement.
Scared: Because now she finally realizes that if Romney ever became elected, we'd lose one of the greatest Presidents in American history.
God please protect us...from the lunacy of the right.
deutsey
(20,166 posts)Not used to thinking beyond the complexity of a bumper sticker.
riverbendviewgal
(4,254 posts)and to be specific.
BumRushDaShow
(129,951 posts)That was probably the best piece about President Obama that I have ever read on here. Period.
Bravo!
Wait Wut
(8,492 posts)You've managed to put them all in there for me. I don't know whether to cheer or cry.
Thank you, so very much, Mortos.
treestar
(82,383 posts)In includes "the list" without making it such.
FarLeftFist
(6,161 posts)Faygo Kid
(21,478 posts)The Kochs and Rove will outspend us all, but at least I try.
Mortos
(2,391 posts)especially when a $4 donation gets me a chance at hanging out with him.
one_voice
(20,043 posts)more than once...
With your permission I'd like to post to my facebook page--giving you full credit of course.
lamp_shade
(14,851 posts)one_voice
(20,043 posts)just posted...to my facebook..
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)GardeningGal
(2,211 posts)judesedit
(4,443 posts)please send something to the Obama campaign. The corporations are trying to steal this election, too, by throwing their blackmail dollars to Rmoney. Let's show them this country cannot be bought. They got us good with the last administration. Let's not let this happen ever again for everyone's sake.
lamp_shade
(14,851 posts)denvine
(802 posts)I love reading something that I am feeling, but am not able to put into such eloquent words. This is definitely a keeper. Bravo!
nolabear
(42,002 posts)We're kind of insane in wanting to settle for nothing less than water-walking. Obama's done a wonderful job of simply pushing forward against the gale force wind of conservativeism and just plain outraged racism. He's my president, he shares my vision for the most part and I think he's a wonderful representative of the sane part of our country in the world.
riverbendviewgal
(4,254 posts)and leave them everywhere.
I would carry a few to give out to anyone who makes a comment in the grocery line or whatever.
I would put it on a shirt , front and continue on back..
Just my Cdn two cents.
It is so well written and I have sent it to my friends...unfortunately all the friends in the US are Obama haters. and I don't write or talk to them anymore. sad...
lamp_shade
(14,851 posts)ErikJ
(6,335 posts)They might make it through the 1st paragraph and then skim the rest in blind rage, if that.
Youve got 30 seconds to give them the most important info:
Since Obama took office and his economic stimulus started in March 2009:
--Dow is has ALMOST DOUBLED from 6500 to 12,800
--GDP is UP 11% from -9% to 2%
--Corporate profits set records in 2010 and 11.
--Bush was LOSING 700,000 jobs a MONTH!!
and for the past 2 years Obama has been ADDING up to 200,000 jobs a month.
--Obama got Bin Laden!
Anti-Romney facts.
--In the last half century, the economy has produced 66 million private sector jobs
42 million of them under Democratic presidents,
24 million under the Republicans. So you pick.
--Mitt Romney makes up to $50,000 a DAY but pays a 13% tax rate, probably about half your rate, because of the Bush tax breaks for the rich, which he wants to increase. Those tax breaks for people who dont need them put us trillions in debt and didnt create one job. Do you really think Mitt Romney needs a tax break?
-- Mitt Romney is very rich and thats great. But what he got rich doing was using downsizing and outsourcing to make huge fees for himself, often at the expense of workers. The last two businessman Presidents were Herbert Hoover and George W. Bush. Remember how they worked out? (The Great Depression and the 2008 Bush Depression)
SunSeeker
(51,797 posts)stopwastingmymoney
(2,043 posts)Thank you
WonderGrunion
(2,995 posts)We need to get this out to as many people as we can.
SunsetDreams
(8,571 posts)Thank you so much for sharing
onethatcares
(16,206 posts)I needed that, and you are a fine person for providing it.
May your days be long and fruitful.
silverweb
(16,402 posts)[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Well done!
I hope your essay gets a lot of attention on Facebook and "goes viral" because everyone needs to read it, friend and foe alike.
calimary
(81,594 posts)Says everything I want to say, too!
I want to show the bad guys that our White House cannot be bought. Jerry Brown managed that here in California, even while obscenely outspent by Ebay magnate/zillionaire meg whitman.
proReality
(1,628 posts)Has she replied to this wonderful piece?
Mortos
(2,391 posts)"I am stunned, saddened and scared. God please protect us." I guess she didn't like it.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Thank you for this incredible response!! If the lady doesn't get an education with it then she's not worth much as a human being.
archiemo
(493 posts)orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)Number23
(24,544 posts)Mortos
(2,391 posts)in the black community to favor gay rights after the President endorsed gay marriage. Polls show a major shift from a majority of black Americans opposing gay marriage before the president spoke out to a majority supporting gay marriage after.
See this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/03/ohio-black-voters-same-sex-marriage-obama_n_1646189.html
and this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/23/black-shift-on-gay-marriage_n_1540160.html
and this: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_miscellaneousNC_051712.pdf
and he has dismantled two major policy pieces that discriminated against gay people, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," policy and the Defense of Marriage Act. He is without question the most pro-gay rights president ever.
Number23
(24,544 posts)On this, we whole-heartedly agree.
I know the media is breathless with the "blacks are changing their minds since Obama's endorsement" meme, but I am a bit skeptical for many reasons. I've seen the articles that state that this happened in NC and Ohio, but I honestly believe that Black people who were opposed to gay marriage are still so, black people who are in favor of gay marriage are still so. Black people who don't seem to care one way or the other (which studies have shown seem to be the vast majority of blacks) are still so.
We have some discussions in the AA forum regarding this issue and some really interesting points have been raised.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/11871865
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1187&pid=1677
And this is just sort of an interesting post that says that once church attendance from all races was removed, blacks supported gay marriage in California more than any other group http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1187&pid=1649
For the longest time, black folks have heard how "socially conservative" we are and how as such, that was supposed to make us lean more towards the Repub party. Didn't happen. I am immensely proud of President Obama for endorsing gay marriage. But the president notes that it was talking to alot of people, I'm sure more than a few that were black, that helped him to make the statement and reach the perspective that he did. We are capable of our own thoughts on this, as well as any other issue.
This is a beautiful post and I love what you're saying. I'm not trying to derail your points at all. But the whole "blacks are endorsing gay marriage because Obama did" meme just sticks in my craw.
SemperEadem
(8,053 posts)and your friend's response?
chknltl
(10,558 posts)I am darn proud to say it too. Bookmarked and sent out to my friends. Thank you for this.
Historic NY
(37,460 posts)TeamPooka
(24,292 posts)so well said
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)Mortos
(2,391 posts)First this: I'm stunned, saddened and scared. God please protect us.
Then this: Obama's pretty arrogant, but I don't think even he knew he'd done all these wonderful things or that he is the second coming?wow...oh yeah, forget civility, I guess only liberals can trash the president...like President Bush? that's ok though...and by the way, who's going to pay for all this crap? get a freakin grip![/l]
Finally this: tutelage? Are you kidding me? I've known you for 30 years..when did you start talking like this? Where did you get all this stuff? Off the Bill Maher website? tutelage..give me a break
and I replied: It came from my brain. I uses big dictionary words when I is writing. Remember, you asked, I answered. May Obama keep you and bless you, Obamen!
freshwest
(53,661 posts)She sounds deranged and incapable of being reasoned with at this stage. Sorry about that. Unwilling to give anyone but the voices in her head a chance.
Obama has never been arrogant, this was a meme put out by taking unpleasant pictures of him and posting them on all blogs in the sidebars. Paid by the GOP to give a subliminal message. The radio pundits meet weekly to focus and put the same message on all venues.
Remember the 'Obama is an elitist because he doesn't want ketchup on his hamburger' theme? It was Laura on the radio, Rush and Fox and Friends, a whole line up of them. If you tell the listeners that they're being played, they say it's just a joke. But then they argue from the same place emotionally.
That's just one of the meme's she just tossed at you. Sad stuff and not serving this country. Thanks for trying.
I
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)like many of the teabuggers can't get past that. While dems support dems in general we don't seem to be on their wagon when we see what they are doing wrong and at least will drop off their wagon when they do wrong while teabuggers will suppose their liar to the end. Well at least you tried. I wondered what her response would be. Honestly I thought she wouldn't respect your response. You did a great job.
MoonchildCA
(1,301 posts)... To say, bravo! Excellently put!
Mortos
(2,391 posts)Thank you for reading it and giving such a nice compliment. I appreciate it.
Avalux
(35,015 posts)I can't wait to see what our president does in the next four years.
Vadem
(2,596 posts)I want to put this beautiful treatise everywhere !!!!!!
May I ????
Mortos
(2,391 posts)I would be honored.
ElkHunter
(301 posts)Excellent post!
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)this thread makes me feel
like I am in a group of teenage girls at a Justin Bieber concert.
"Humbled by his service."
Uff-da.
He beats the alternative by several kilo-parsecs, but I hardly think of him as some kind of blend of Paul Bunyan, St. Pat and Noah Webster, especially not after the train wreck of the last four years. The six or seven knife wounds in my back would prevent that, if nothing else.
This kind of hagiography isn't going to convince people of anything except our own fanaticism.
"sacrifices only a few can imagine"
Yeah, he made $1.7 million last year and $5.5 million the year before. I bet lots of people are sacrificing much more and getting much less in return. I've got three VOLUNTEER jobs myself, on top of spending my own money to run for office. I got five phone calls and made two trips to work today, on my theoritcal day off.
Yeah, I am sure life is really super tough at the top.
Mortos
(2,391 posts)Maybe you could write something more inspiring, you certainly seem to have a knack for finding the positive.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)Thank you for putting it all into words!!!!!!
NavigatorGirl
(1 post)Thank you for sharing that. Your response to your friend is wonderfully thought out and very well done. I could not have said it better.
Yeah Its Spin
(236 posts)Thank you, I could feel the passion in your words. You must be a writer.
Response to Mortos (Original post)
Post removed
Maestro
(16,258 posts)The last time I responded to a thread at DU was many years ago, but this is worth it! Excellent!