Diary of a Democratic Delegate - Why I Support President Obama

Well, this is it. . . .After months of campaigning, millions of dollars in mostly-negative advertising, endless robo-calls and way too many political posts on otherwise "social" media, it will all be over Tuesday. . . .I'm writing today to tell you something you already know - I am voting for the re-election of PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. . . .What you may not know is WHY.  So, That's why I am writing.  -  -  -  As a product of and supporter of the auto industry, the first prism through which I view this election is, "who has and can do the most to help the Big Three?" You have heard me go on about this in the past (see earlier blogs), so I am not going to restate the full case other than to say OBAMA SAVED THE AUTO INDUSTRY, and he got little or no help from the Republican nominee ("Let Detroit Go Bankrupt") and his partisan pals in doing so. That alone merits our support.  - - - Despite hundreds of millions of dollars spent by the GOP to convince Americans that the past four years have been a financial disaster, the facts are clear:  The President's policies  reversed the economic slide that threatened a second great depression. We're not there yet, and with literally NO HELP FROM REPUBLICANS, but: job creation is up 5.4 million, with 32 straight months of positive numbers... unemployment is steadily going down (even as the GOP de-funds teachers, firemen and other public servants, exacerbating the problem)...consumer confidence is up...housing starts are up...the stock market (and your IRA) are up...new Wall Street regulations are in place to prevent future crashes (which the GOP wants to repeal)...new consumer protections were enacted (also in the Republican cross-hairs) and the President has rightly invested in clean energy, health research and community college job training. - - - AS FOR TAXES, most people don't realize Obama cut taxes for the middle class, as he promised, by more than $3600 (some from the much maligned, but successful,  stimulus package). And his priorities are spot-on relative both to bringing down the debt and raising revenue from high earners, loophole closing and consistent growth. That's how IT WORKED under Clinton, the opposite of how it didn't under Bush. - - - I like this President for the respect he won around the world, for ending the war in Iraq, focusing like a laser on Bin Laden and our real enemies, winding down the war in Afghanistan, taking on the Chinese on unfair trade, working with the global community  on Iran sanctions, and much more. He is strong and steady while the other guy - just isn't. - - - OBAMA ISN'T AFRAID to tackle tough issues, like health care reform that has eluded many of his predecessors. He had to do it all alone, too, because despite his persistent outreach to the GOP, they obstinately stuck to the "just say no" line. My strong sense is that Obamacare will be a loved and respected part of our society once it is fully implemented, and in some sectors it already is.  The President is also a strong supporter of Social Security and Medicare, something the Paul Ryan crowd would love to Etch-a-Sketch! - - - Finally, this President has stood up for ALL AMERICANS, not just those who look and think like him. He has signed the Fair Pay act for women, the order eliminating DADT, the plan enabling children of undocumented immigrants to work and educate themselves, the doubling of Pell Grants for students, the expansion of wireless for rural areas, and yes, the funding of FEMA. He has closed the prescription drug donut hole for seniors, saving them an average of $550. He enacted new incentives to help returning veterans and has stimulated more local education improvements through the "Race to the Top" program than any other policy I know. He truly has been a President for the 100%. - - - I AM NOT SURE WHAT MORE WE COULD ASK FOR from one human being in four years. He has delivered on those things we all care about, demonstrated integrity, represented our country well, and put together a second term plan (see his website) head and shoulders above the GOP platform. He may have rattled some cages, he may not have played all the DC politics, and, frankly, his heritage may represent a threat to some Americans - but, for me, I am sticking with President Obama and strongly advocating his re-election Tuesday. . .. I also believe that when THOUGHTFUL PEOPLE consider the alternatives, most will come to the same conclusion: the other side represents too much of a risk on foreign policy, on the safety net for seniors and "the least of these" and for our long-term economy. We can't risk a say-anything shape-shifting salesman as our Commander in Chief. We need BARACK OBAMA as President.