Fight with Tools

First, I’d like to ask all of you who are reading this to take my words with a grain of salt. I am not you, and my opinions may not be your own. In fact, they might be completely opposite. But that does not make me stupid, just as it does not make you an idiot if you don’t agree with me. Smart people can disagree. In fact, most of the world’s most fantastic and unique discoveries were made due to intelligent people not agreeing on an answer. I hope those who read this today understand this website is my personal space, a space to air my opinions and thoughts on whatever I deem important at that moment, whether it be the state of my daughters wardrobe or the state of my country.

Wednesday night I was afforded an experience that I can only wish all of you are able to have sometime in your life. Clarity. In the midst of chaos and flashing lights, I felt a clarity like I haven’t since this whole political process began a year ago. I stood with a crowd of hundreds, my fist in the air, finally, clearly, loudly voicing all that has been locked up inside of my head. The release was so intense, I didn’t think anything could top it. I was wrong.

Here’s a little secret, I’m liberal. Bleeding heart liberal, in fact. What, that’s no secret? I know, but growing up in a small Kansas town, most people I know (family members, friends, the guy who works at the local gas station) are not liberal. In fact, they mostly are religious, right-wing, conservatives. I’ve even had people tell me I am a terrorist because of my support for a certain candidate. Also, that I hate America and want to kill kittens. So for the most part, I try to keep my views as quiet as I can in mixed company. I allude to my feelings here and there, post certain humorous videos that show what I believe, while making fun of myself and those who agree with me. But it seems that even when I keep quiet about my beliefs, they are still attacked.

And after Wednesday night, I say screw staying silent. Screw trying to please people by convincing them that I am in the center of the aisle when I am really leaning so far to the left I’m surprised I don’t fall over. I need to stand up. Fight with everything I have. Because this country is in shambles, and I refuse to sit still when my daughter is inheriting this mess.

On Wednesday, I was lucky enough to attend a concert by the Flobots. Yes, they sing that song “Handlebars,” but they are so much more than that song (although it is a great tune). That concert reminded me of all the good things that come out of standing up for what you believe. As I stood with a crowd of so many, singing these words at the top of my lungs:

My God, the energy that rushed through me could have powered a small city for a week. I was so proud to be there, to be a part of this gathering. After the show, my heart was so full and my smile was so big that I thought it couldn’t get much better. But it did.

The crowd filed out slowly, the current of people rushing for the exits. In the corner there was a table for the group Iraq Veterans Against the War, who regularly travel with the band. My friend and I stopped by their table and mentioned we worked with Rock the Vote. We talked for a bit about their organization, about how proud we were to have people like them serving our country AND standing up for what they believe. They are such heroes, and I was so honored they took the time to speak with us.

A minute later the band came out and I had them sign an American flag bandana I had purchased. They were all so sweet and thankful for our support of them and their cause. We headed back over to the Iraq Veterans Against the War booth to say goodbye to our new friends, when one of the lead emcees for the band, Jonny 5, asked me about Rock the Vote and how he could get involved. I almost fell over. When I regained my balance, Jonny 5 (a.k.a. Jamie) asked us if we’d like to join them at a bar after they got cleaned up. He wanted to talk more about our organization and learn about Kansas City.

Then I passed out.

OK, not really, but I was plainly shocked. Somehow I convinced my amazing friend Mikayla to stay at my house until 2 a.m. with Lucy so we could hang out with the band. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay her. The conversations that were had took my very full soul and tripled it in size. We spoke of the war, the election, Kansas City, Lucy, being a parent, being young, charities and faith. We also made fun of several ladies who felt the need to dance on poles in the bar. It was one of the most incredible nights of my life. These guys were so nice, so caring, and so very normal. They were modest and sweet, not a big rock star persona in sight, and genuinley interested in what we had to say.

I feel so inspired by them and by myself. I held my own with activist rock stars, and they found me as interesting as I found them. Good for me. And so, with that feeling in mind and my heart full to the brim, I will say the following:

I support Barack Obama in this election. Plain and simple. Obama’s economic plan will cut taxes for me and my family. McCain’s plan will not. Obama agrees with me that we are in an environmental crisis and has plans to grow a green economy, which will create 2 million jobs and help our planet. As the wife and financial supporter of a small business owner, I support his incentive plan for new/small businesses, entrepreneurs and women, which includes providing a $500 “Making Work Pay” tax credit, eliminating all capital gains taxes on start-up businesses to encourage innovation and job creation, and supporting the expansion of the Small Business Administration’s loan and micro-loan programs. He won’t overturn Roe v. Wade and supports getting rape victims the help they need. He supports giving tax credits to working parents who have to put their children in daycare, and spend a good portion of their income doing so. He supports life-saving stem cell research. He believes in dialouge before military force, but will not hesitate to use military force when necessary. He will fight for me, my family, my country.

Don’t get me wrong, Barack Obama is not perfect. No one is calling him the Messiah, the one who will save the world. But he is the best choice for the job, in my opinion. Although the word “change” has been quite overused in both campaigns, I do believe that Barack Obama will change the course of my country for the better. He will try and bridge the awful divide that has overtaken this country. He will make my world a better place. I do not believe John McCain will.

I support this change. I support hope, equality for all, the troops, my government and my glorious country. Most of all, I support the youth, my daughter’s generation that is going to have a hell of a job cleaning up the mess my country has become.

To learn more about Barack Obama and his policies, visit BarackObama.com.

To learn more about John McCain, visit JohnMcCain.com.