I got a form letter email from the Obama campaign yesterday. I get a lot of emails from the Obama campaign. This one caught my eye.
I was supposed to forward it on to those I love, (with their names plugged in, of course) as an attempt to convince them to consider Obama as their candidate.
I decided instead to forward it to one of my friends that I constantly debate politics with. Well, doctored up a bit, of course. An ironic call to arms....this man is not likely to vote for Obama, regardless of anything I say in the next three weeks. But then, as I started to doctor it, my real feelings about this election started to come through. I couldn't merely be glib and sarcastic about all of this. I actually MEANT WHAT I WAS SAYING. Perhaps a first.
I became a bit strident, even to myself. I deleted. I cut and pasted. I really tried to convince the unconvinceable. But at any rate, this is the email that I came up with, and the weird part is....it says exactly what I mean. And even if it won't change the mind of my good friend, I hope it could change someone's mind.
Hi,
I've been thinking a lot about the election and how important it is to our family. (ok-so here I replaced "our family" with "the future of humanity and in particular, the survival of the United States.")
I've decided to support Barack Obama, and wanted to let you know why.
Addendum starts here. Although some of you may refuse to listen to why he is not only a better choice for me, or our country, but a better choice for you...personally.... I will once more invoke my hope for your transformation into one of those people. One of those people like me. One of those whom you maybe disagree with, or whom you have maybe chosen to dismiss for their idealism and unshakeable belief that one great leader can transform the world. For their belief that maybe, just maybe, Barack is that leader. Like MLK. JFK. Abraham Lincoln. (Illinois, and gangly to boot...hells yeah.)
But most of all...FDR. A man who will lead us through our next economic challenge (Greatly Depressing as it could be) with his optimism and intelligence and action. With his belief in a government that is for the people, by the people.
Maybe Barack isn't a man like that. Maybe he is just a political blowhard, an egotist, an overeducated evidence of affirmative action gone awry. (I won't even breathe the other allegations you may have heard...I refuse to voice them and feel nearly ill now for alluding to them at all.)
But have you read his books? Do you know his story? If he is making it all up, fine. But if he isn't....(and I am pretty damn sure he isn't)...well, than this man was forged in the same melting pot of confusion and enlightenment and self-propulsion that has marked the advent of many an exceptional soul possessed of an undeniably American story. Have you listened to him speak? Did not your heart swell?
My point is, don't forget to listen to your heart when you choose the leader of the free world, (nor your mind, I suppose....but never forsake your heart altogether) and remember---there are still great men who live among us.
There are many rumors floating around out there, so here's some information about Barack's positions on things I know are important to you:
-- Economy, click here.
-- Health Care, click here.
-- Education, click here.
This is probably going to be the most important election in my lifetime, and it's something I strongly believe in. So let's talk about it. Ask me anything.
Thanks!
love,
michael~