Kudos today go to my sister.
A woman she knows barely makes a living; her husband is unemployed. My sister gives her work. The conversation turned to the Democratic convention. My sister said she was glued to the TV, and when asked who she supported, she said Obama. The woman blanched: "But McCain is so nice!" she said. And Sarah Palin is great! This woman who is scratching for a living is voting for McCain is the thought going through my sister's head. "But I still like you, Claire," she said to my sister.
And my sister's parting shot? "We're hardworking, middle-class, with no health insurance at the moment because it's so expensive, that's why I support Obama. If people don't vote for Obama, it's because they don't like the color of his skin or his name."
The other woman in the room, because there was a third person there, who had been silent through all this, gave my sister a big smile.
My sister can never be accused of sitting on the fence, or of not standing up for her beliefs. She does inform me though that in the sea of Texas McCain lawn signs, she saw an Obama sign.
your sister sounds like a very knowledgable woman. bravo for her!
ReplyDeleteI would say that your sister is only correct in her assessment of other's reasons behind not voting for Obama/Biden if she accepts that the only reason someone wouldn't vote for McCain/Palin is sexism. Everyone has one vote, for which she is accountable only to her conscience, but she may not claim to know the conscience of others. Though I will not vote for Obama/Biden, the reason has nothing to do with his color or name. In fact, I would love to vote for Alan Keys. So to the polls we go in a few short weeks, and may the best politician (is that an oxymoron, or what?) win!
ReplyDeleteI think your sister is wonderful! Of course, there are many opinions out there...the thing to remember here in the States, is to vote.
ReplyDeleteThe right for a women to vote was not easily won!
I should explain that my sister's point when she said "If people don't vote for Obama, it's because they don't like the color of his skin or his name" was that only with an Obama government will she get relief from worries like health care, among other concerns. He addresses very important concerns for people like her.
ReplyDeleteJohn McCain does not address the concerns of people like her, the middle-class. In fact, in his opinion, she's not even middle- class, she's lower than lower dirt poor, since for him, rich means $5-million a year.
Sexism has nothing to do with not wanting Sarah Palin. As a woman, I find her nomination pure tokenism, in itself an insult to all intelligent women. There are much more qualified Republic women... Now that, IMO, is sexist.
I've voted as a Democrat for years, but will vote for McCain this year. My decision not to vote for Obama has nothing to do with his skin color! He simply does not have, in my opinion, the experience to lead this country. He has not shown leadership in his current elected position. Also, he promised us a different type of campaign and election and quickly broke that promise. But if he is elected President I will support him and our country and avoid negativity.
ReplyDeleteI am Colette's sister. I live in a very pro Bush/McCain part of Texas, they don't seem to understand here the damage he has done! I cannot vote, although I would if I could, because I am a permanent resident and not a US citizen. I look at all the politicing from the outside in and let me tell you that people here would rather suffer with the status quo that move on. McCain/Palin just shows that John McCain is pandering to the religious right and anti abortion advocates with his choice. He will do whatever it takes and that means going against his 'maverick image' and bowing down to the evangelicals and the Rush Limbaughs of this world. I as a woman in the UK voted for Maggie Thatcher (conservative) am insulted by Jonh McCain's choice. Obama has shown that in the rest of the world where the US is disliked he is the only one that can bring back the respect of other countries especially Europe and the Middle East. For the sake of this Country Obama/Biden can only bring back the dignity and respect that Bush has destroyed in this country and abroad.
ReplyDeleteMy sister is right: people are afraid of change. It's like a battered woman who stays with her abusive husband because she's afraid to go it alone and all the work and self-examination it would take. Understandable, but all that does is deepen the misery.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, I guess the majority gets the governments they deserve.
Susan J.: You state lack of experience and broken promises as a reason not to vote for Obama. And yet, McCain has contradicted himself over and over again. He is out of touch with the regular person and believes you shoot first them talk. His record shows he's no maverick, so for certain you'll have more of the same. I find it hard that, if indeed you are a Democrat, you can look at what's been going on, and say McCain would make a better leader.
Hooray for your sister! I think most of the people who support McCain just don't understand what he stands for or his positions on the issues. It's really sad that in a country like America, too many people don't bother to read or become informed on important issues that affect their lives - so they end up with the government that tosses them aside. Pathetic, really. Wish there were more people like you and your sister! xoxox
ReplyDeleteI agree with your sister that there a lot of Americans who will vote against Obama just because his name seems foreign or Muslim. Not every American is like that, thankfully. I'm from Texas (now living in upstate New York) and know how hard it is to live among so many conservatives who don't seem to get what just regular Americans would benefit most from--a presidential candidate like Obama who is willing and seemingly quite capable of restoring our reptuation internationally AND restoring our faith in our own system after almost 8 years of almost total incompetent leadership.
ReplyDeleteThere, I vented.
HOORAY FOR YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL INTELLIGENT SISTER!
ReplyDeleteDear Collette, I do so appreciate getting the Canadian viewpoint! We are 2 votes for Obama in this household because of the same reasons you site! We know too many hardworking people who suffer from serious health care issues and can not afford health insurance.
I am NOT impressed with either McCain or Palin, not because of political party but because of who they appear to be and the information that is available about them. I've yet to see that either of them step off the Republican platform and really act for anyone other than those who they think have the money and clout to elect them. I've yet to see a record of either of them take up the cause of the poor in our country. Advocacy for the poor is not synomomous with contemporary Republican platforms. I suppose the poor are one of the "special interest groups" they are trying to distance themselves from.