Seven Reasons Why Liberals and Progressives Must Vote
According to polls, many 2008 Obama supporters are dissatisfied with his progress. Others are unhappy about the economy. Still others say they’re “turned off” to politics. And some want to send a message that they won’t tolerate compromise. So some Americans are inclined to just stay home. Sorry, but that’s not the hand you’ve been dealt. Your choice in this election is to vote – or go backward. Here are seven compelling reasons to cast your ballot next Tuesday:
1. Right Wing Reactionaries want to return us to an earlier, uglier time.
Their stated goals are to repeal health care and financial reform – and to make Barack Obama a one term president. But the radical right intends to move the country even further backward.
Not content with simply undoing the last two years, they want to privatize Social Security, handing your annuity to the financial sector. (Yes, they’re against “bail outs” but apparently all for “bail ins.”) They want to hand Medicare to the insurance lobby, another “bail in.” And they want to slice away our social safety net, because – as they argue – anyone who falls by the wayside deserved it. That includes your sister or niece or cousin or mom, because the safety net primarily catches women and children who’ve been abandoned by their husbands and fathers.
But wait, there’s more! Reactionary candidates say they will eliminate the Department of Education, eliminate a woman’s right to choice, and declare a holy war with Islam. They want to marry church to state. They want to make racism OK again and make homosexuality not OK again. Hello, 1936.
2. They are bigots and bullies.
There is no shortage of evidence that the “tea party” includes scores of bigots and bullies. Over two thousand YouTube videos document tea party racism. (Here is the mash-up you must see.) Not convinced? Recently, the Washington Post surveyed tea party leaders and, “Eleven percent said that Obama's race, religion or ethnic background was either a "very important" or "somewhat important" factor in the support their group has received.” The tea party attracts bigots like a dead possum attracts maggots.
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