Why I'm Voting Blue (and not Green)

It is a perpetual struggle for me - to vote for the candidate or party I truly believe in (green/socialist) - or to choose the lesser of two evils (democrat). This election has been particularly difficult. However, I made my decision. I'm voting for Barack.



Even though I HATE that he vote in favor of FISA and hate that he doesn't support gay marriage, here are some things I do like:

I appreciate his decision to increase taxes for people who make over 250,000/year and decrease taxes for people making under 75,000/year - to do a little bit of wealth redistribution (I wish it was more).

I agree with his stance on hate crimes, flag desecration, the ERA.

I am glad he stands for corporate tax breaks, repealing subsidies given to companies that take jobs offshore, closing the tax loophole for US companies operating abroad, capping farm subsidies for Fortune 500 companies, and holding companies accountable for their work conditions and pensions.

I'm glad that he wants to reform health care (but wish his plan was stronger).

I love that he wants to work to end racial profiling (but am disgusted he wont go all the way to ban the death penalty).

I support his ideas for education reform, including increase teachers pay, college tuition breaks for public service, increase student integration, and work to provide college education for free.

I am behind him when it comes to funding research into alternative energy and requiring that the US move to renewable resources by 2002.

I believe in his desire to open diplomacy with Cuba, send aid to Congo, work to end the Genocide, and not enter countries with guns and flags waiving.

I agree with his demand to end torture, provide greater support for our veterans, restore habeas corpus to people abroad, and repeal 'don't ask, don't tell'.

While I wish that Obama's stances in many areas were stronger, I feel like I do not have the ability to vote for a third party candidate this year. While I may be privileged enough to withstand the repercussions of a McCain win, I have a responsibility to other Americans, who may not be so privileged, to enable a small degree of progress to be made under Obama.