Honesty

I could probably write a novel about why I am supporting, voting for, campaigning for, and donating to the Barack Obama Presidential Campaign. Someone just asked me yesterday what I like about him, and I nearly talked the guy’s ear off.

The short answer is HONESTY. This is something we stopped expecting from our elected leaders a long time ago. We didn’t get it, and we stopped asking it. That apathy in me is gone. I will never again vote for someone, at any level of government, that I haven’t researched.

Barack Obama is who he is. Michelle is who she is. They are honest, intelligent, caring, genuine, and downright gutsy people who really want something better for America. They could both be living the “high life” so to speak there in Chicago, complete with six-figure salaries, private schools for their daughters, and a nice, quiet, out-of-the-public-eye life. But instead they have chosen to put their entire family front and center because they love this country.

It’s time we expected more from our government. It’s time we RESPECTED our right to free elections. It’s time *I* stopped voting for the lesser of two evils. I don’t have to do that this year.

About 18 months ago, my husband and I experienced a very devastating and eye-opening event at our church. We discovered that our priest wasn’t who we thought he was. It was very difficult to accept; we cried a lot, and then we picked up the pieces and moved on with our lives.

The media can say what they want about Jeremiah Wright. They can him and haw about what took Barack so long to disavow such an outspoken man speaking such hateful words. But my husband and I know how difficult that is to do - to let go of something that has mattered so much in the past.

I didn’t think it was possible to respect and value Barack and Michelle more than I did a week ago, but sure enough, we need these people in the White House. We need them leading our nation. We need them leading us to a better future.

Julia O.

Eugene, OR