Why I Am Voting for Obama

I am an independent voter and an independent thinker. I do not align myself with any party and hence do not vote along party lines. For many years, I was a registered Republican. I have never been a Democrat. I would hate to have to choose between either party because I dislike both.

I have wavered throughout this campaign because choosing between the two candidates seemed more to do with identifying the lesser of two evils than selecting a president you can really stand behind. I can say very firmly now that Obama has more integrity and will be a better leader than Romney.

Let me preface that yes, Obama has let this country down. Absolutely, he has not fulfilled the promises of his 2008 race. But I will say that throughout his term, he has been a president who cares about the 100%, someone who stands up for women’s rights, someone who fights for immigrant rights. He cares about everyone. Moreover, Obama has continually lived a life of service in government.

Romney is a successful man who doesn’t know what else to do with his life so he’s setting his sights on the presidency. He’s made his riches. What else is the man going to do? He does not have the background to lead this country. He was governor for 4 years. That’s it. Obama has been in government since the beginning of time.

Romney will lie and do anything to get votes. Let me give you an example. Romney has changed his abortion stance so many times that Ted Kennedy called him multiple choice. Romney’s current ads feature a woman saying that Romney is in favor of abortion in select situations. Yet in the past, he has been on record for stating he would outlaw abortion altogether. Is this a man that you want to see as president? Someone who is constantly flip-flopping to garner more votes?

Let’s take another example. Romney has been saying that jobs in the auto industry are being moved to China because of Obama’s bailout. That is bullshit. Such bullshit that both CEOs at General Motors and Chrysler have publicly called him out on his lies! Read the paper, people. This guy is trying to pull the wool over your eyes. Here is a recent Ohio headline, “Romney’s GM and Chrysler ads are an insult to Ohioans.”

Romney told his wealthy donors that 47% of Americans are victims who are dependent on government. After he was caught making this disparaging remark, he said he didn’t mean it in that context, then later said the remarks were completely wrong. Which is it? Do you stand by your word or do you not? Sure every campaign is going to have a few missteps, but ‘binders full of women,’ and ‘women should have time to go home and cook dinner for their families.’ Is this man out of touch or what?! Do you think Obama would ever say, I understand that women like my wife Michelle should have time to go home and cook for me and the kids. This is one misstep too many and I am sick of it.

Whoever is elected president will have the power to appoint supreme court justices. If Romney is elected he will select ultra-conservative justices who move to overturn Roe vs Wade. Women, are you aware of this? Do you see that our rights are slowly being taken away by right-wing conservatives? Don’t let this happen. Ensure that the Supreme Court is at least a little bit balance. It is already skewed to the right.

These are trying times. There is no panacea, no president who is going to solve all of America’s problems in 4 years. But do you want another 4 years akin to George W. Bush’s presidency? My God! Please say no. Do the right thing. Vote for Obama.