It is because of that that I am going to put all of my final thoughts into this blog and call it a day. I am not ashamed of my beliefs, nor am I afraid to communicate where I stand, but I am going to put it out there once and for all and then take the next 20 days off from political communication.
Very simply, I am going to vote for Barack Obama and here is why:
- I believe that Obama did inherit a massively broken economy when he took office. Do I think he has done a great job getting us back on track, no...do I think he could have been a stronger leader, yes. But, Bush did not put the war in Afghanistan or Iraq into the actual budget, nor did he put his Stimulus package into the budget either. So, a couple of trillion dollars in spending were not accounted for through his choice of accounting, and the hole was bigger than we all thought it was at the beginning of 2009. I am not blaming Bush or the Republicans for that, we the people are ultimately responsible and we should make sure that no matter who is President, we should never let 'exception' accounting happen again. We put two wars and a huge stimulus package on the nation's credit card. We all know how hard it is to get out of debt while at the same time running our households...it is a bad position to put ourselves in. But, the bottom line is...I think Obama will be the better leader to move us forward to a better economy based on his approach to taxes and spending cuts.
- I have thoroughly investigated Romney's and Obama's economic plans. I seriously have. And, I have researched these plans on their own web sites and the partisan web sites. Believe it or not, I did. I am smart enough to know that both sides of the aisle cherry pick their information and data. So, I took both plans and ran my financial situation through the plan. My taxes are lower under Obama's plan than Romney's. And, the difference is significant if my deductions are lowered under Romney's plan...even if my taxes are lowered by 20%. I am also a small business owner as of this year. Because of the size of my business, those taxes will be higher under Romney as well. I have done the math, and that is truly how it will work for me. I am sure I have friends and business colleagues that would have a different result, but this is how it works out for me and my husband...our taxes would most likely go up under Romney's plan because our income does not come from capital gains or dividends...it's all ordinary income.
- On social issues, that is easy...I believe in Roe v. Wade, I believe in same-sex marriage, and I believe in equality as a society and that we should provide Medicare, Social Security, Food Stamps, Housing Assistance, Education, etc. I am not going to argue my beliefs and I am not going to judge yours. These are fundamental beliefs I have that will not be served well by a Romney presidency. I believe society only works when those at the bottom of the economic ladder are given assistance by the rest of us to survive. But, I also believe in prosperity and individual's opportunity to be as successful as possible...just not at the expense of others.
- When it comes to foreign policy and immigration, I was undecided until the last debate. Now I am fully in support of Obama's philosophies and policies. When I saw how Romney behaved when he went to England, Poland, and Israel...I gave him a 'pass' that his arrogance and rudeness to our allies was just inexperience. But, his statement at the debate that he would brand China a 'currency manipulator' showed that he has no idea how to interact with the world. We owe China a little less than $2 trillion in loans...does he really think that if the U.S. takes a position of dictating currency management to China and preaching to them how to run their economy, that will end in a good result? I have worked in multinational corporations for the last 17 years...I have been to China in a business capacity, and in fact, I am traveling to Shanghai on business at the end of November. That is not how you do business with China. Whether we like it or not, China has risen to economic leadership with their monetary practices and 'bullying' them will not work. There has to be economic partnerships that are reciprocal or they can easily pull the plug. It is naive to think otherwise. And, immigration is an easy one...self-deportation that Romney suggested is just plain silly. I support the Dream Act for children who were brought to the U.S. and I support better and stronger immigration laws that balance legal immigration with U.S. security.
- And, last, but not least...as a woman, I cannot vote for Romney...especially after the debate this week. And, not because of his 'Binders Full of Women' comment...although, that comment is how I truly believe he thinks of women and his off-handed comments generally prove to be how he really feels. Romney did not ask for female candidates, a bipartisan women's organization brought the binder to him. Also, the number of women in his cabinet was not a record in Massachusetts...the number went from 30% with his predecessor to 27% under Romney and back up to 30% with his successor. All checkable facts. Also, in all of his career at Bain...not one female partner in that organization. I also found it very condescending when he said we need to have a flexible work place so women can get home to make dinner for their families and that single parents were the cause of gun violence...none of it works for me. I have never seen Obama show anything other than respect for women. Guys, you won't get this...but, it is really important to us girls.
So, that's it...I'm done. Here's where I stand and here's what I believe. I'm excited to get to November 7th to see where we are and what we can expect for the next four years. No matter what, I hope and pray that it is all for the greater good.
