Ten reasons why I voted for Barack Obama
As an LDS church member (Mormon) I’m somewhat an anomaly (at least here in Utah). The majority of LDS people are Republican. I am a registered Democrat. I don’t fully identify with the Democratic party, but when Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president I knew I needed to change my affiliation so I could vote for him in the primaries (the only election for him in Utah that would count). Ideologically I identify more as a left leaning independent- but the more and more I ‘discuss’ issues with Republicans the harder I lean left. I just want to touch on a few issues that LDS people seem to be concerned about in relation to Obama (mostly from an LDS group of moms I ‘talk’ to during the day and emails I’ve received from people concerned about my salvation.)
#1- Abortion (Let’s go ahead and jump right in shall we?). I myself can never foresee having an abortion for pretty much any reason. This seems to be the main reason why Mormons (and most Christians) will not look further into any Democrat’s ideas and beliefs- because they themselves can never think about having an abortion. Ideally I don’t think abortion should be a political issue. I think abortion is a medical issue and should be left as a patient/doctor discussion. But that’s not going to happen. The LDS Church’s stance on abortion is that it is acceptable in the cases of rape, incest and when the health of the mother is in question. The Far Right Conservative position is that an abortion is never acceptable. The Far Left Liberal position is that any time during pregnancy for any reason it’s acceptable. I feel that most people (like most things political) fall into that middle range. To find out about Obama’s stance on abortion go here. (Hint- he’s not for partial birth abortion).
More importantly though I see abortion as a wedge issue. One that the Republican party doesn’t want to do anything about. You heard me- all talk and no action. Why? Because it’s an emotional issue that gets people to look past other very important issues, little issues like jobs, housing, the economy, blowing up other countries because we don’t like them, torturing people etc. just because of that one issue. Why would they actually try to change it?
Supporting women who decide to have babies that they hadn’t planned for, as well as teaching comprehensive sex education, including abstinence as well as information about birth control are important in keep abortions rare.
#2- Religion. The stranglehold that the Christian Conservative vote has on the Republican party is frightening to me. You know- those same people who wouldn’t vote for Mitt Romney because he was a Mormon and not a Christian? The ones who preach against my religion during their religious services and make movies detailing why we are horrible people who belong to a cult? Those people. I think that in a country as diverse as ours we can’t cater everything to the furthest right. I want the freedom to practice my religion as I see fit- and allow others that same privilege (or the privilege not to practice religion as well). Others that are Muslim, Jewish, Evangelicals, Christians, Catholics, Hindu, Buddhist, Wickens, atheists, agnostics etc. Separation of church and state is an important issue and my fear of not being able to practice my religion comes from people who don’t believe that I’m a Christian because I don’t believe like them more then people who don’t believe in Jesus Christ at all.
#3- Health Care. I believe that access to reasonably priced health care is a right for all, not a privilege. Obama’s plan will actually enact some change there- while Senator McCain’s plan is a feeble attempt to look like he’s doing something while doing nothing.
#4- Iraq. John McCain keeps saying that he won’t leave until we have a victory in Iraq. Problem is that he’s never defined what exactly is a victory. Obama’s plan isn’t to pick up camp and leave on January 21. It’s as follows:
Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe we must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in. Immediately upon taking office, Obama will give his Secretary of Defense and military commanders a new mission in Iraq: ending the war. The removal of our troops will be responsible and phased, directed by military commanders on the ground and done in consultation with the Iraqi government. Military experts believe we can safely redeploy combat brigades from Iraq at a pace of 1 to 2 brigades a month that would remove them in 16 months. That would be the summer of 2010 – more than 7 years after the war began.
Under the Obama-Biden plan, a residual force will remain in Iraq and in the region to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda in Iraq and to protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel. They will not build permanent bases in Iraq, but will continue efforts to train and support the Iraqi security forces as long as Iraqi leaders move toward political reconciliation and away from sectarianism.
A reasonable with drawl while still supporting the Iraqi government? How is that leaving defeated? We already took out Saddam. We need to focus on Afghanistan and Al Quieda- we can’t do that while spending billions of dollars and keeping so many soldiers in Iraq.
#5-The Economy. While neither candidate has extensive economic background Obama has some worthwhile ideas- and I trust will choose some great advisers in this area. Barack Obama has also shown his ability to handle stress with grace and dignity. Obama has also shown a commitment to the middle class, while McCain isn’t willing to stop the tax breaks and incentives to the wealthy at the expense of the middle class. It’s not a matter of punishing them for making a lot of money- it’s a matter of closing loopholes that make it so they pay less taxes then those in lower tax brackets.
#6- Sarah Palin. She’s not ready to be VP, let alone President. If she can’t handle reporters how in the world will she be able to handle real ‘bad guys’?
#7- John McCain. I would have voted for the more moderate John McCain 8 years ago. But now he’s so caught up in pandering to his ‘base’ that he’s abandoned everything he’s ever stood for. I worry about his short temper and his ’shoot first ask questions later’ philosophy. Plus I’m sick of hearing him say, ‘my friends.’
#8- Insanity. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. A vote for John McCain is a vote for 8 more years of Bush Doctrine (don’t ask Sarah Palin what that means because she doesn’t know) and economic disaster. McCain voted with Bush over 90% of the time. A 10% difference isn’t good enough for me.
#9- Education. The bootstraps by which people ‘pull themselves up’ by is education. Education is a clear priority to Obama, including giving students grants in exchange for community service.
#10- The Environment. It’s important that we find ways to harness alternative energy sources. It’s imperative that we develop these technologies here for jobs for the next generation. Not only for the health of the environment but also for job growth and the economy.
I could list more but I’m afraid that I’ve already alienated many of my blog readers at this point. I feel that these values are all in line with my beliefs as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I’m in good company with my name on the rolls of the Democratic party, as well as those who have endorsed the Obama/Biden ticket.
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Excellent and very detailed. Less than 48 hours for an answer
Interesting points. I’m a registered Independent, but I have to admit, living in Utah, I tend to go against the fray and vote Democrat when I don’t know a lot about the candidates.
I’m thinking I will probably go with what I usually do in presidential elections, and vote 3rd party.
I will say that abortion will never be the issue I base my vote on. I think it’s an important issue, but I have to look at the whole package, not just abortion or gay marriage, etc.
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Well said Amber!
You may have alienated some but you just gained one. Well said I feel the same way, I’m in AZ by the way and surrounded by alot of Mccain/Pallin supporters.
Don’t worry. You didn’t alienate me. I like what you said and I’m leaning your way anyway. Thanks for the well thought out reasons.
Amber,
PLEASE email me at mattsmom79@hotmail.com for an invite to my blog.
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1. I feel that abortion is killing an unborn child. I even hesitate to agree with it during cases of rape, but am still open to that situation. This issue will never make or break a candidate for me either, but it’s definitely one I’m opinionated on. I tend to incorporate my religious beliefs in my political decisions. That’s a huge part of who I am.
2. I agree w/you on the religion issue. Living in SoCal, I’m blessed to be in contact with A LOT of diversity daily. That’s one of my favorite things about living here.
3. Well, I hope you’re right on the healthcare issue if Obama is elected. Time will tell, I suppose. I have my doubts, though.
4. Way too much to say re: the war, lol.
5. I have respect for Sarah Palin and agree w/her views more and more after every interview/debate I see her in.
6. I’d rather have a more conservative John McCain, personally. My qualms with him are that he’ll just flop on some of his promises to make the liberals happy as well. (if elected)
7. I don’t get my Sarah Palin info from SNL skits.
8. I agree on the education as a priority. I doubt many would disagree.
And you didn’t alienate me. I already know we disagree on pretty much every political issue. I’m not petty enough to end friendships over that, though. I feel that my political views coincide w/my religious beliefs as well. Go figure.
Sheri’s last blog post..Halloween 2008
while yes, most LDS folks are Republican, i don’t think being a democrat and LDS is an anomaly. MOST of MY LDS friends, I’d say 75% are voting for Obama.
Alissa’s last blog post..The Big Reveal.
I love you Amber. You make me feel less alone. The abortion issue is one that I have changed on over the years. Not my stance that all life is precious, but the abortion issue is the end of a very complicated problem, and it needs to be addressed at the beginning, not the end. If we want to end abortion in America, before we force women who are already struggling, we need to end poverty , racism, and the repression of women. I predict if we did that, our abortion rates would drop to nearly nothing.
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Sheri- I’m assuming the Sarah Palin/SNL reference is because I said she didn’t know what the Bush Doctrine was? That’s not from SNL (well- they may have parodied it) but from an interview with Charles Gibson. Every interview I watch her in makes me more uncomfortable with her ‘in charge’ in any sense.
Jo- I agree with you completely on fixing the problems that are leaving women feeling like abortion is their only choice.
Alissa- I certainly feel like an anomaly here in Utah where if you even dare say that you’re voting for Obama you’ll be burned at the stake…;)
Well, I’m an odd woman out. I will not be voting for Obama. I don’t feel like I ever get clear answers from him. He has all these big plans, but no real way to accomplish them. I also don’t feel that his take on taxes and healthcare are wise for our current economy and other steps must be taken. To each his own I guess.
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I haven’t felt any pressure from either side as an independent. I don’t think Sarah Pallin would make a good president because she is polarizing, but I don’t think she’s nearly as dumb as the media make her out to be. Bush doctrine? I’ve read about it and it’s not a definitive thing. I didn’t know what it was and have no problem with her asking Charlie Gibson to define what he meant by it. You know when he did so, he wasn’t right either. So says the man who actually coined the phrase.
Too much to discuss to leave a comment, but I appreciate people who are willing to explain their thoughts.
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Yay! I already voted! I really think Barack Obama has what it takes to be an actual leader.
I’m really sick of people who think that you have to be Republican to be a good Mormon. I think that, ideology aside, the fact that more than one General Authority has been/is a Democrat should refute that!
Oh, I just wanted to say that when I read what Obama said about Gay Marriage, it sounded a lot like what the LDS Church released about it recently…that as long as it isn’t “marriage” they should be allow to have rights and protection.
When I was with a play group, I was amazed that they loved Palin so much. If something happened that I decided I should vote for McCain, I wouldn’t just because of her. She is way to close to being a Fascist for me!
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I don’t know you, but saw you blog post title on Rachael’s blog and clicked on. First I will say I truly admire your bravery for posting this on your blog. It is very inspiring to me. I am a Mormon who is a Democrat and during this election have been verbally attacked by other Mormon’s when they hear my choice. Yesterday during Sacrament meeting one of them stood up in testimony meeting and said, “It is a sin to vote, but it is more of a sin to vote for the wrong candidate.” I truly believe to each his or her own. I won’t attack someone for the way they are voting, and in return I would hope for the same respect.
Sarah’s last blog post..Halloween 2008
I’m with you on most of your points. It’s nice to have someone who is not only LDS, but in the family with whom I can agree.
On my previous post, I meant “It is a sin not to vote, but it more of a sin to vote for the wrong candidate.”
Sarah’s last blog post..Halloween 2008
Not that I am an abortion supporter, but if you haven’t read Freakonomics yet, you should. I am still undecided and my time is running out. Yikes!
I was talking to a friend, and this was when I wasn’t sure who I wasn’t voting for, but I knew I didn’t like McCain, so I mentioned that I was looking into Obama and her first response was about him being pro-life and isn’t that a problem for me?
Republicans have promised a lot of empty promises about Roe v Wade and have never delivered, and since I am for some choices, I don’t consider myself complete pro-life, but I rather their be a choice than none, abortion isn’t on the top of my list. I have other priorities like the economy, health care, and education.
I think after that talk she decided to look again into Obama, where before she had written him off.
I agree with so many of your points.
I want freedom of religion and a separation of church and State. We are a country built by religious leaders, mostly, but it was because they wanted religious freedom, not a Christian only country.
I saw a Frontline about McCain and how he use to be more moderate, but had changed to be in stride with Bush. Yeah, I lost a lot of respect for him.
I like Obama’s ideas more than McCain’s, and I don’t like Palin because she is so polarizing.
I have yet to vote. I’m hoping if I go during the day it won’t be too long of a wait at my poling place.
I am in AZ, and I have found plenty of Obama supporters - especially among church members. I no longer think that people can categorize all LDS members as republicans. Maybe in Utah, but the same cannot be said for anywhere else that I have lived.
Here are the reasons I will not vote for Obama:
* Our federal budget. Our country is already trillions in debt, and Obama has not said anything on the importance of balancing our federal budget or getting spending under control. I think that the deficits and debt of our country are a disaster waiting to happen. The things Obama is promising will only add more and more to the problem.
*Taxes. Obama has made lots of promises of tax cuts for middle and lower classes. Why? Because that wins votes. period. How can you give tax cuts to people who don’t or hardly pay taxes at all? You can’t. It does nothing to help the economy or the good of this country. He has also promised higher taxes on almost everything besides the middle class income. Which would do nothing but hurt our economy. I also think that his promise to have those who make $250,000 a year or more pay a 50% income tax is ridiculous. This is supposed to be a free country. That is unamerican to me and pushing our country towards socialism. You say he doesn’t want to punish the successful??? Right.
* Iraq. I think McCain will handle this war and finish it much better than Obama could ever. He has more experience and he has been there and has been involved from the beginning. Though I do not see much of a difference in the promises they are making in this area. Nobody wants to stay there forever, everyone is promising to end it and focus on Afghanistan.
* Health care. I think that health care is an individual responsibility and I want to keep it that way. I have lived under socialized health care and it was terrible. (the military health care system- ex:Walter Reed) The people become powerless in those situations. I do not want the government involved in health care.
* Big government. I see much of Obama’s promises as ways for our government to gain more power and gat more involved in my life. I would rather the government do things that don’t involve them taking direct control over aspects of our lives, but give support to systems that can not be swayed by public opinion or the media. It is hard to explain in a blog comment.
* As far as abortion, gay rights, religion, and all of those issues are concerned I do not vote for public officials based on those issues. I do not think it has anything to do with these presidential elections. Those issues are decided in the supreme court, not by any legislative body. Oddly enough though, the current laws we have reguarding those issues were decided by our “non-legislative” body. Bush nominated a few judges, and it doesn’t look like this next president will get to nominate any, so it doesn’t matter at all what he thinks or the party thinks about them, because they have no say in what becomes of our current laws in those areas.
* Lastly, I love Sarah Palin’s ideals, though I was uncomfortable with her having such young children at first. But Obama has young children as well. I do think that it often sounds like you get your info from SNL or bad media judging by previous posts. But she is not going to be the president, McCain is. So I don’t understand why that is such an issue. I felt she was the victor in the Charles Gibson interview. He asked if she agreed with the Bush doctrine (a broad negative term used only in the media), and she asked “in what way charles?” He refused to specify, so she declined to answer. There is no way to nail down what exactly the “Bush doctrine” means, so she was justified in asking him to clarify. Even the most liberal pundits like Anderson Cooper, felt that that question was a big blunder by Charles Gibson not Sarah Palin. Michelle Obama was on Jay Leno a few nights ago and said that she felt the media had been treating Palin unfairly. You should check that out.
Okay I really don’t consider myself a strong political person, however, this election really concerns me!! I really disagree with Obama. I really feel his views are much too socialistic. I don’t feel people are entitled to all that they think they are. We have to work for what we get!!
I really disagree with the feelings about Iraq- both of my brothers have been there- my oldest brother is still in the military and firmly believes and knows first hand that the only reason they have not attacked is because we are still there.
I also feel that George Bush gets a very bad rap and hope that history will show that he was not as bad as everybody made him out to be. I don’t see how people can’t see that so many things that he had to deal with were inherited!!
I really like you, but I think history can prove that many of Obama’s views will simply not be good for the country as a whole- I really fear for the future with him.
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I love reading your points here. I’m not voting for Obama, but for completely different reasons than any you have stated. I think more and more people become independent as the parties polarize, because no-one likes extremists.
Amongst other things, I’m hoping that McCain will go back to being what he was 8 years ago once he’s in office–if in fact he gets into office–which I doubt at this point. There are just so many other issues with Obama, none of which I’m writing here, that I ultimately couldn’t go that direction.
Thanks for sharing Amber! I’m one your biggest fans, even if we don’t agree.
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[…] It’s titled10 reasons why I voted for Barack Obama. […]
I don’t know enough about the candidates to know who represents what, you know, being Canadian and all, but your reasons make a great deal of sense and I admire you for voting so responsibily and in so educated a fashion.
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I, myself, voted for McCain/Palin. But not because I love McCain. And I don’t think Palin is qualified to be vice president, and I don’t particularly like her decision to run.
I studied Obama A LOT, because frankly, he’s charismatic, and he makes you like him. I still like him as a person. I don’t agree with some of his platform, but I don’t agree with a lot of John McCain’s either.
Do you know what my decision came down to? Experience. Obama doesn’t have a whole lot more experience than Sarah Palin. In the end, my vote came down to voting against someone who I felt was unqualified - not necessarily voting for someone. I suppose I’m old school, but I think that we need experience to run a country, not charisma.
But you know what? I totally respect your vote. Because at least you understand the issues, and I appreciate that. It doesn’t make me any less your friend, unless you start yelling at me for being being conservative.
(You’d be surprised how much of that we get - democrats here in Texas tend to be angry!) And I think you can be a good member of the church AND be democrat. After all, we have never taught blind obedience. It’s called agency - one of the biggies in the church. The church NEVER stands up and tells you how to vote.
So thank you for your list. Yes, I have already voted. No, I’m not one of the undecided. And I had to stand in line for an hour last Friday to vote. With 4 little kids. At lunchtime. Next election? Whoever promises that people with kids can skip voting lines will get my vote!
Thank you so much for that. All I can say is AMEN sister to everything you said. It is so great to hear another LDS mom holding her ground when many people will, as you said, question your eternal salvation for voting democrat (and blame you for the end of the United States as we know it–that’s almost a direct quote)