Thank you Obama for making our lives better.

Ron C.
Syracuse, Ny

Ask your Congressman today: Where is the GI Bill, for our soldiers in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and all points in between. IF your Congressperson is honest, they’ll say, “Well, George didn’t think it was important!”

Barack Obama thought it was. Barack Obama voted for the Iraq veterans GI Bill.

I have voted in every election since 1946. I have voted my conscience, regardless of party affiliation. Some of my choices were wrong, but I voted for the person I thought best.

Barack Obama is the man that I think is best suited to lead our country–MY country–to a new level of decency, integrity, and honor.

Richard C. H.

Michelle
McLean, VA

He cares about being a good example to the young people of today…not just words but actions.

He cares about his family. He has a traditional marriage and nurtures his children.

He cares about bringing hope to we the people that we can become important to Washington…more important than the lobbyists.

He cares about what he says. He is thoughtful and insightful with his words, and he uses them to inspire.

He cares because he asks us to be our best selves. He appeals to our higher natures rather than our lower ones.

He cares by helping Americans and asking them to help America by giving back.

I am thankful for a politician who cares, really cares.

S. Lawrence
Louisiana

I see people have hope like never before and I do not want the Clintons using their dirty tactics and winning. I do not know about the rest of the world, but I am tired of the Clinton politics and I am a previous Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton supporter, but not anymore my “eyes are wide open.” If I can say anything to the Superdelegates it would be to put their allegiances aside that they feel toward the Clintons and any racism they may have and let the American’s dream come true…Let’s have something new in Washington, which is Barack Obama as President. Barack Obama and all of us supporters will beat McCain. Thank You.

Rachel A.
Columbus, GA

This to me not only shows true strength but reveals the content of his character. Yes He Can, Yes We Can, Yes We Are - turning the tide.

Susan Bruce
Hot Springs, AR

Those who are attempting to strip and sabotage Obama’s qualities, judgment and assets that we so desperately NEED in a presidential leader through Reverend Wright are those who should get to the back of the bus until your virgin ears can decipher history, identifying with another’s suffering and appreciation of how far we’ve come but how much further we have to go! You’re clueless to think it is a quality for a president to leave when he does not like what another says or believes. You must hear all sides of ALL people before you can ever begin to repair the common good despite our differences and beliefs that continue to divide us throughout the world. These are the leadership qualities that will give us the chance and only untried hope to repair our relationships with ALL countries! You’re ignorant and careless to live within a little selfish American mentality bubble without looking at the full picture for ALL people in ALL countries that we may disagree with and that which continues to senselessly kill people. Obama is the ONLY one whom stands a chance of repairing our relationships in spite of our differences period! Who could be that stupid to miss these huge qualities that this country NEEDS NOW ~ THIS TIME!

Sherrie F.
Eugene, Oregon

Any Clinton or Obama supporter who would not oppose the other is simply not a good Democrat.

Martha H.
Lynchburg, Virginia

Laura
Virginia

Barack Obama had me the first time I heard him speak and in the ROUSING closing he included gay rights. My Republican husband is most bemused at my support. As is my community :O)

PS: My son is supporting BO in D.C. as well

Kathy
Baton Rouge, LA

Martin Santos
Spring Hill, Florida

I want Barack Obama to be my voice!

Kim

I see him as a hope for America and for the world. We need this hope, we need this change right now, especially after all we have seen and lived during the last 10-15 years.

We belong to a generation that has a lot of challenges in front of us, such us poverty, environmental issues, terrorism, ethical and religious clashes… we need to believe and be courageous to face all those challenges and Barack is one person who inspires us to keep fighting to build a better America, to build a better world.

I feel he needs us, especially in these weeks, so here we are, believing and hoping with you.

Yes we can!!

Joaquin
New York

Bette
Brentwood, TN

Helen S.
Casper, WY

Zachary D.
Baltimore, MD

Rita
Cedar Rapids, IA

I feel very lucky to be part of this time in history. I don’t know if I could have been prouder of Texas after the caucuses, to see Obama win more delegates, and knowing my little brother and I that went had helped. That was awe inspiring.

Obama said it best, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”

Anonymous
Texas

“If you want to change the world YOU must be the change” ———Gandhi

“We the people”, not we the government vote for Obama because it is clear that his intentions are pure of heart and pure of mind. When we are able to quiet our minds and let go of the external media bombardment the TRUTH is inside all of us and that is Senator Obama because “Will is the strongest driving force in the Universe” and he has it, therefore he can overcome many obstacles by which others are blinded. Mrs. Clinton is surely driven by her ego and the quest for power while Senator Obama is driven by humility, perseverance and good for all. His quest for truth is invincible and God will bless him and us with his wisdom and courage. I would like to make posters with above quotes because it will make people stop and think, snap out of their massive hypnosis and realize that to make a change THEY must realize the TRUTH. Please make T-shirts, posters and whatever and mention the Gandhi quote for it has a profound effect!!!

with love and light,

Marzena B.
Pre-law Student
Central Penn College
Summerdale, Pennsylvania

We are not so naïve that we do not understand negative opposition means the same old thing, fear, division, deceit, and hopelessness to further the agenda of the old political views and a way of thinking which created the problems that exist now. They must listen to the American voter when they attack the agenda for change, The opposition is attacking millions of Americans who are no longer willing to except things as they are. It’s time that we discard the old way and bring in a new and experienced innovative thinker like Senator Obama and we will not only support him, but to also do the work needed to obtain our common goals.

Each and everyone of us knows the severe problems that this country faces. How long are we going to keep turning our heads and act like we don’t see them? Nothing will ever change unless we face the mirror and each other and work to secure Americas future. They know that Senator Obama has the masses stirred up and inspired with a change for the better and they don’t like it. Why can’t we see that they are trying to destroy the movement of the people?

Sometimes we Americans don’t use common sense and our “God” given sense for that matter in certain situations. We are governed by fear and hate so much that we can not even see straight.
We will be challenged everyday to see how much faith we really have in seeing this primary through. What has happened is unbelievable and we are the ones responsible for this change in perception of each other. Instigators can not believe that this man has people of several races and cultural backgrounds following and supporting him that they must be crazy or something. They are so removed from society that they can not believe this man has had the success in galvanzing so many people to once again stand up for America.

This country is in a downward spiral and we all know it and we are responsible for this dilemma. We have done nothing why this country has been torn apart all for the sake of profits. The reason that many people are supporting Obama is not only do we want change in how this country is governed, but we honestly want change in our own lives. We have admitted to ourselves that we are the problem within America. This is something that I’ve always wanted to see and in my lifetime, I can actually say, I did see Americans coming together for a common goal.

I get so tired of having to hyphenate my “Americanism” that it angers me and I leave it blank. When I lived in other countries they didn’t see me as a hyphenated American, they saw me as an American period. Why can’t other’s? When we have to separate who we are as an American we will always be divided. Have you ever had your patriotism questioned even though you fought in the same battle as your fellow American? Have you been looked down upon as not loyal to your country in time of duress? Many of us who don’t fit the ideal of what an American is suppose to be or look like, can attest to the pain they have felt all because we were” different.”

His message of “Hope” is being drowned out by fear and in this country we have demonstrated over and over again that fear wins over hope. We are a sad “lot” when we let other’s think for us or is this who we truly are? “We” of very little faith , have no real faith in ourselves to stand up for what is right in our own government. What do you feel that must be “changed” within our country?

Every American has a different perception and experience of life in America. Some have had it better then others and had no problems, other’s have had to work twice as hard to achieve the same results. Many people believe that there are three Americas within the USA; The haves, have not’s and the denied. Do you believe they actually exist?

The media will not “present” your best to the nation if they don’t like you, If they like you, you will be in print and spoken about favorably. Obama has been” Blacked out” by the media lately and they are constantly trying their best t o find something to make him look unfavorable. We know that as long as he is in the race, the mud and dirt will keep piling up. Isn’t that what good old American politics is all about? Thwart the facts, spread the lies and instill fear in the public.

There’s Hope… and a lot of it to go around to everyone.

Yvonne W.
Alexandria, LA

Initially, I supported Obama as the only viable alternative to Clinton, who’s candidacy I have always opposed.

I have been consistently impressed by Obama’s ability to attract and draw interest from independents, republicans, and democrats.

Certainly, as president, it is important to think of all of your constituency, in comparison to congressional or senate representation, where the demographics of the constituency is more narrowly defined.

After watching the way Clinton has conducted her campaign, I am even more strongly supporting Obama for the way he has conducted himself with style and grace.

I am even contributing to his campaign on a monthly basis, along with my democracy bond to Governor Dean.

Jason
Rochester, NY

Last year I was a Richardson supporter. I wanted an experienced candidate and he had it. My comment about Senator Clinton was: WHAT experience?? As far as I could tell the Clintons had tried the co-presidency when they got first elected. Hillary made such a mess about her healthcare initiative and meddled so badly (remember Travelgate?) that Republicans took over both the House and Senate in 1994 elections. With Nafta & Cafta and most favored trading nation status to China that resulted in poisoned pet food, toxic toys and tainted pet food, I was not going to vote for a Clinton.

When Governor Richardson quit the race, I looked at Senator Obama. I liked what I saw. As a single person I am taxed to the max and for the first time, there was a candidate, whose plan included not just one but two tax breaks for me, my tax rate would actually drop and maybe I could get a bigger break on my home mortgage interest deduction - and a possibility of another break when I turn into a senior a few years from now. I was getting exited.

Then I looked into health care. Currently I am lucky enough to have health insurance through my employer but that too can come to an end. Senator Clinton’s healtcare plan with the possibility of another payroll deduction based on a percentage of my gross income made me pull out a credit card and donate to the Obama campaign. I have pets (2 dogs and 7 cats all of whom seemed to find their way to my doorstep when they were lost and hungry), after their vet bills, medicines, and other expenses I do not have disposable net income left to have another deduction.

The more I learn about Senator Obama and the Obama family, the more impressed I am. The campaign is organized, everyone knows what they are doing, everyone is positive and energetic, fired up and ready to go. Senator Obama’s positions actually make sense and would provide the long term solutions this country and the world need. He will be a great President because he will actually represent the people. I will vote for him in November and when I do so, it will also be a vote for every one of us, because finally we will have a leader who will listen to each one of us.

Ana K.
Shreveport, LA

I have been registered Independent for my entire adult life, but I can’t remember voting Republican ever. I always end up with the Democrat, sometimes without much enthusiasm.

This time it is fundamentally different. This time I am INSPIRED. It’s a new and profound feeling. From that inspiration I have gotten involved. I am working every day in the ways I can to support Barack Obama. I am writing letters, voicing opinions and concerns on the blog and to the media and Politicians. I have donated the maximum allowed to his campaign (again a first) and intend to do the same for the General Election provided he is nominated. I am strongly against the old style of politics that HRC and camp are using in their campaign. I have always found this divisive means of campaigning off putting and discouraging. It is fundamentally why many campaigns have left me holding my nose for the Democratic Candidate.

I have never been moved by anyone as Senator Obama moves me. I remember John and Robert Kennedy but I was young, too young to be fully involved other than mourning their losses. I marched for MLK and his courageous fight for equality. Senator Obama is like a breath of fresh air, like a new morning sun, like a fresh rain after a long dry spell. He is the ONE we have been waiting for. We are the ONES we have been waiting for. It is our time, finally!

I am a mother of two and grandmother of four. My passion is partly for them. I want them to have a better world and not one like the one they would inherit if we did nothing but elect a new President without changing the face of politics itself.

I have lived long enough to know how hard change is. I have practiced Psychotherapy for over 30 years and worked with and watched many individuals struggle to change long held patterns. It is hard, but not impossible.

Our challenges are great, the fierce urgency of now is upon us. Now is the time for this great leader to rise to his Purpose and begin the huge and daunting task of bringing our country together so we can once again lead the world into the 21st Century.

It is an honor to speak about my feelings and to stand behind Barack Obama and his candidacy.

Jaquelin P.
San Diego, CA

Like many others, business-as-usual politics left me hopeless, tired, and cynical. Sure, at times a few politicians managed to float above the murky waters of politics and make me believe in their ability to affect change in this country. Barack was the first to make me believe in my ability to do the same.

Today, our country finds itself at the doorstep of a defining moment. We are fighting a war predicated on misinformation and deliberate lies. A war that has cost America over 4000 of its sons and daughters. A war that has tarnished our reputation with other nations and that has arguably left us no safer than when it was started. An unprecedented level of greed and corruption has done indeterminable damage to our economy. Americans are struggling not only to keep their homes and jobs, but to keep gasoline in their cars. The educational system is in crisis. Millions of Americans are living without health insurance. To put it simply, we are in trouble. The collective eyes of the world are fixed squarely upon us. Now is the time to rise to the occasion and to begin to repair the damage that has been done. It is not too late. Barack Obama stands ready to lead this country back to a place that we Americans can once again be proud to call home. “We are the ones who we ’ve been waiting for.” We can define this moment. Yes we can.

Jeff, Ohio

I see people have hope like never before and I do not want the Clinton’s using their dirty tactics and winning. I do not know about the rest of the world, but I am tired of the Clinton politics and I am a previous Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton supporter, but not anymore my “eyes are wide open.” If I can say anything to the Superdelegates it would be to put their allegiances aside that they feel toward the Clinton’s and any racism they may have an let the American’s dream come true…Let’s have something new in Washington, which is Barack Obama as President. Barack Obama and all of us supporters will beat McCain. Thank You.

Rachel A.
Columbus GA

You have been and always will be my true closest friend that I could ever have hoped for. I am finally writing to you now, two years after you left us on April 11, 2006 (what I refer to as 4-11), because I miss our times… watching a game, home improvements, poker nights, BBQ’s, drinking, or just killing quiet time on the porch with a cigar.

At 44 years old, you had a few years on me, but were certainly too young to leave this world. I sometimes wish you never got on your bike that day, but you loved to ride. I know you are patrolling the streets of Heaven, while still looking down on us from time to time.

I never told you how the stories of your 24 years in the Marine Corps, from serving in Korea to the first Gulf War, made me feel. It was these stories and your dedication to service there, and back home when you retired (at 42 you lucky dog) that gave me true understanding of patriotism and renewed my sense of respect and love for my country. You were a true American hero, as are your younger brothers and nephew who are serving right now, whom you have also inspired. You have inspired so many by your service and kind deeds in the community, collecting toys for needy children and raising money for the poor. You met the greatest callings all your life, charity and service.

A few months after 4-11, towards the end of 2006, I heard your voice. My soul was lifted for a brief moment… then reality brought me back. Then I heard your voice again, coming from the television. I turned and saw your welcoming smile, your truthful and sincere eyes met mine, and I had another brief moment before coming back.

It wasn’t you, it was a man named Barack Obama. Greg, this guy could be your twin, a little on the skinny side. I am not just talking about looks, although he is a mutt like you, half black and half white, with a dozen or so nationalities mixed in. He’s even the same age. I am referring to the comforting tone of his voice and the selfless look in his eyes, and a whole entourage of qualities he exuberates that remind me of the best parts of your character. It was truly amazing.

Now the bad news… I found out he’s a liberal democrat! I hope I didn’t offend you, Greg. But the resemblance was so remarkable. I remember you and I would watch O’Reilly and listen to Rush all the time… such good memories. As long-standing, conservative republicans, we would take no ills from the likes of the left. So, I turned of the television. Sorry, Greg. Bye-bye Barack.

A whole year went by, and then I heard the voice again, right before the 2008 New Year. Your evil twin was on television again, this time running for president. I guess he had been running for a while; but you know how I am, Greg. I never liked politics too much. Whoever the republican candidate is gets our vote.

Well, this time I listened. And I listened to the whole thing. You’re going to tell me I wasted my time, but I Googled him and checked out his website… I even listened to this convention speech he made during the last election. Remember last election? You and I were going crazy for Bush. It’s always fun here in Palm Beach County. Man we had a great time! Remember our celebration party when he beat Gore? Great times!

So, this Obama guy had my interest a little. Don’t shoot me, Greg, but I was actually cheering for him when he beat out Hillary Clinton at the Iowa vote. It was because we hated the Clintons… remember? I was rooting for Huckabee, too… and he won. You would like Huckabee.

But Greg, I have to be honest. Not because of the voice, or the smile, and not because he reminds me of you… but I began to really listen and like this new guy. Trust me, MOST of his positions are out of touch with what I believe… his ideals are far too liberal. But, I can disagree without being disagreeable (he said that).

What is true are the goals we share, the prosperity we desire, the dreams we strive to achieve, the success we wish for our children, the health we bestow on our planet, the peace we crave with our world neighborhood, the health and well being every human deserves, the freedom to express and be heard, and the hope that ignites our souls.

These truths are paramount. I hope, in your now improved vision, that you can see what now I see and feel that this man can do. Just like you made me appreciate America and its values, he enriches these feelings and unites a hard-core republican like me with a greater universal need. United we stand and united we heal.

This is a world now where the United States doesn’t exist outside of our borders… to the world we are America, which is sour on the tongues of many. We need to become the United States again, and Obama is the one to do it. He has your wisdom, Greg, and your integrity. He has your character and your sincerity. He is devoted to his family, and devoted to this country. What is liberal about that?

Greg, my wife and kids all miss you too. Your wife comes over for drinks sometimes, and your daughter is doing well at Florida State… love them ‘Noles. We talk about this often, and I think I have almost convinced your wife. Please tell her in her dreams, that we need this guy. I know it hurts to cross that aisle; but think about what I said and what I feel. You have always listened before.

I know you can see me, Greg. And I know you can hear me. You are probably shaking your head at the “Republicans for Obama” sticker on my truck, or the flag flying from the window. But what I truly hope you are doing is smiling and saying to me, “Yes we can.”

Love you and miss you bro, Semper Fi
Dan

Dan M.
Lake Worth, Florida

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

Beth K.
Chicago, Illinois

When I first heard Barack Obama give the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, I was electrified! What he said in that speech struck a resonant chord, and I felt at the time that he should be the one running for president. His message of uniting our country – working together across party, race and gender lines – made so much sense to me, and I couldn’t believe that I had not heard such obvious sentiments spoken before.

In the last four years, I have read both his books, and feel that he is the real thing – honest, full of integrity, and determined to make a difference, by bringing change. After 8 years of a Republican government, we need a fresh approach, and not just the standard difference between Republicans and Democrats. We need to stop the time-wasting mudslinging of the out-of-power party trying to bring the other down, and focus on what is necessary, together, to restore dignity to our country and get us going in a direction that is beneficial to all. Mr. Obama has already shown, through his many campaign appearances, that he can generate the sort of enthusiasm this country needs to support his dreams, our dreams.

Although I feel that we need to get back to focusing on issues in our own country, I cannot help but also consider our candidates and how each would be viewed by the rest of the world. Having spent 12 years living in the Middle East, many of them during Bill Clinton’s presidency, I have a strong awareness of how our country is viewed by others. Unfortunately, Hillary Clinton was not viewed with great favor, and it has not been so long ago that all will be forgotten. Even though his years of living outside this country occurred while he was a child, I cannot help but think they will have given him a broader world view.

Ruth F.

Washington State

For the record, I would like to state that I am an American of Haitian descent; thus, that would put me in the African-American category. Nevertheless, Barack Obama, being the first viable African-American running for president didn’t have anything to do with my decision. Instead of demonizing the other candidates by poking out why I don’t think they’re best qualified, I will rather present the great qualities that Senator Barack Obama possesses that leads me to believe that he is better qualified than the others because I take this election extremely seriously and hope that other young adults also begin to make their political decisions a priority.

The arguments against Obama are always irrelevant in nature. For example, many say they wouldn’t vote for him because they believe that he is a Muslim. Not only is this argument prejudicial in nature because it implies that Muslims shouldn’t be president, but it is also a blatant misrepresentation of the truth. Senator Barack Obama is a Christian and has been the member of Trinity United Church of Christ for about twenty years now (huffingpost). In his books the Audacity of Hope and Dreams from My Father, he speaks in detail about his Christian faith. He spoke at length about his Christian beliefs in a 2004 Chicago Sun Times interview with Cathleen Falsani. Must we take his word for all of it? Not necessarily, but in the absence of contrary evidence we have no reason to seriously doubt Obama’s own candid account of his life story. The people claiming that he is a “secret Muslim” never are able to provide evidence that he is: no sightings of Barack Obama attending a mosque, no pictures of him reading the Qur’an, praying to Mecca, or observing Islamic holidays with his family. Basically, it’s a smear campaign coordinated by people who wants to politically take advantage of Amercians’ natural fear of Muslims created after the 9/11 attacks.

The only semi-legitimate reason people are concerned about is Obama’s lack of experience in Washington. Since when was Washington experience a requirement for the presidency? If having Washington Experience meant that one would be a great president, then we would’ve had the greatest president in office right now. George W. Bush’s father, George H. W. Bush, was the 41st President of the United States; thus, one might argue that our current president had a lot of Washington experience. He was in and out his father’s office and he was undoubtedly able to learn much about the presidency directly from his father. Yet, in an informal survey of 109 professional historians conducted over a three-week period through the History News Network, 98.2 percent assessed the presidency of Mr. Bush to be a failure while 1.8 percent classified it as a success. Not only that, more than 61 percent of the historians say the current presidency is the worst in American history(historynews report). Most Americans don’t really need the opinion of a couple of historians to come up with their own opinion of the George W. Bush’s presidency. For the week ending April 11, 2008, according to a poll conducted by Rasmussen reports, only 35% of Americans approve of the job that our current president is doing (Rasmussen Reports). Thus, it is pretty clear that Washington experience is not a credible indicator of what type of President a candidate is going to be. General Colin Powell, who was secretary of state in the Bush administration from 2000-2004, decided to weigh in on the lack of Washington Experience of Senator Obama. When ABC news’ Diane Sawyer asked Colin Powell about Sen. Barack Obama’s “relative lack of experience”. The Four Star General, Colin Powell, replied “He doesn’t have experience at the senior levels of national government. But I’ve seen other individuals come along who didn’t have that breadth of experience and what they do is surround t hemselves with people who do bring that experience. With Sen! . Obama, he didn’t have a lot of experience running a presidential campaign, did he? But he seems to know how to organize a task and he seems to know how to apply resources to a problem at hand. So that gives me some indication that (with) his inexperience in foreign affairs or domestic affairs, he may be someone who can learn quickly.”(LA Times). Thus, his lack of Washington Experience argument isn’t a strong one.

He lacks Washington Experience, but does he have any experience at all that proves he’s able to help the United States of America as its leader? Yes, he does. Barack Obama, after graduating from Harvard Law School magma cum laude in 1991, decided to become a community organizer. Although he was offered lucrative positions in reputable law firms, he preferred to go back to Chicago to become very active in his community. From 1996 to 2004, he served in the Illinois Senate. There, he worked on issues such as health care for low-income families and increased funds for AIDS programs, among other vital issues. Barack was known for his ability to reach across the aisle and unite Republicans and Democrats to work effectively on all issues important to the people. In 2004, he was propelled into the spotlight when he ran for U.S. Senate in 2004, eventually beating out more well funded and popular Democrats for the right to run in the general election, where he then beat all the odds to win with 70 percent of the votes (opensecrets.org).

As only the fifth black senator in America’s history, Obama has proven that he has staying power in his community and in Illinois. His platform for his presidential campaign reflects his history of grassroots activism and community work. The biggest concerns for Americans today are definitely the war in Iraq, education, health care and climate control. Obama makes realistic promises to mediate some of these issues.

Obama is passionate about providing universal healthcare for the 46 million Americans who are uninsured and points out American taxpayers are already paying annually for that population. He is also an opponent of the current policies concerning the war in Iraq. He was the only presidential candidate who was against the war from the beginning and now is a frontrunner in the race to get the troops home with a phased withdrawal. While I am personally in favor of a more immediate withdrawal, it seems like he has the best plan to bring our troops home.

He also advocates real change in the fight over global warming and criticizes President George W. Bush for merely noting that there is a problem. He is an advocate of actually working toward reducing emissions. Obama has co-sponsored multiple bills in order to improve education. For example, he co-sponsored the legislation that created Future Teacher Corps Scholarships to provide money for students aiming to become teachers and has also sponsored several bills to increase Pell Grants to help students pay for college. It is clear that Obama is not only making a difference in his position in the Senate but he is now the frontrunner in the democratic presidential nomination.

He leads the entire race in fundraising efforts and he gains more supporters over the internet by the second. He is attracting voters from all ages and all backgrounds and, according to the Federal Election Commission, he has more than 1.3 million donors contributing to his campaign. He is the only presidential candidate in history to have ever attracted so many donors. Therefore, with Obama, we’ll finally have a government “from the people, by the people, and for the people.” There will be no more special interest and lobbyist influence.

I decided to point out why you should consider Obama rather than pointing out why the other candidates should not win. The 2008 election is different than 2004 in that most voters will not be choosing the lesser of two evils. The candidates are strong, impressive and ready to win. However, Barack Obama, instead of being the lesser of the evils, is the best of the best.

It is time for a new America, one that can endure the trials and tribulations of tomorrow with the grace and intelligence that is needed today. We have major problems facing this country ranging from health care, immigration, terrorism, education reform, social security, etc. We are literally facing a turning point in the history of America and truly, the world. Our generation will bear the main burden of these issues if we do not elect a leader who can understand us, our pains, our problems, and our needs to survive.

It takes a deep understanding of the average American and the issues we face in our daily lives-and how we can come together, no matter our race, creed, or income-to make this nation what it should be, which is a new and shining hope for our generation and future generations. Senator Barack Obama embodies that understanding. Thus I challenge you: take a stand, fight for your rights and beliefs, because if you do not, no one else will!

Wensley Edmond
Miami, FL