“Why I Vote” by Jake Laperruque

I have always viewed this election as incredibly important, not just because it is a presidential election, not just because it is an election during a war, recession, and crisis in healthcare. I view it as important because 2008 is a chance to realign the country, to end the politics and political traditions that have caused all the problems we have and disillusioned the populace to what government ought to do.

This election is about issues, policies, proposals ideas, but it is about much more. It is about reaching out to the people, and acting in their interest, instead of catering to lobbyists and playing the same political games that have been common in Washington for my entire lifetime. It’s about having the courage to stand for an unpopular idea. It’s about admitting when you’re wrong. It’s about telling people the truth, even when they might not like the answer. It’s about looking towards individuals, and rejecting special interests. It’s about putting public benefits before political bickering and personal ambitions. It’s about being idealistic, and finally, for once, having a leader who above all else wants to do what is truly right.

The Democratic nomination is down to two candidates, and the differences between them are clear and obvious for me. One stood against a war when I and the rest of the country called out for it, and the administration and media labeled those who opposed it as unpatriotic. The other not only authorized and approved of it, but to this day refuses to apologize and say that her decision was wrong. One calls for all troops to be out by 2009, the other opens the possibility of leaving troops for training missions, permanent bases, forces to protect bases, and on going combat missions. One went to Detroit to give a speech on helping the environment and rebuilding the American auto-industry. The other says that it is wrong to raise taxes on those who make over $100,000 a year to prevent social security from collapsing. One has not taking a single dollar from special interests during this election and has stated he will not allow any lobbyists in his White House. The other takes money from the insurance industries that turn away dying Americans to increase their profit margins, and says that corporations being able to manipulate our government is a good part of the political process. One wears his minority status with pride but never exploits it, never tells you to vote for him because of it, never tries to make the election about black and white, but rather about what is best. The other uses gender stereotypes whenever it can be done to her advantage, has campaign officials say that anyone who cares about women’s issues must vote for her and those who endorse her opponent have betrayed women, and is even willing to engage in racial politics if it might help her. For Barack Obama to respond to his win in South Carolina by saying “I did not travel around this state over the last year and see a white South Carolina or a black South Carolina. I saw South Carolina” is noble. For Bill Clinton to respond to it by saying, “Well, Jessie Jackson won South Carolina” is disgusting.

I see one candidate who is ready to look to the people, all of them, regardless of age, race, gender, or political affiliation. I see another who is willing to do anything – whether it be to ban flag burning, vote for war with Iraq, war with Iran, compromise on environmental policies, sell out to special interests, or use any dirty political tactic – to advance and achieve personal ambitions. I see one candidate who is happy to accept our broken system, and another who wants to create a new one.

Barack Obama is not a perfect candidate. His healthcare policy is not the best I’ve ever seen. His environmental stance is not the best I’ve ever seen. But I’ve never seen a candidate with whom I agree completely, even the one I believed in so much that I was willing to devote months of my life to.

But what I do agree with about Barack Obama’s campaign is its most fundamental principle:

This election is about change. And change does not just mean a Democrat and not a Republican. It does not just mean new policies. It is about changing the nature of the political system, changing the priorities of our politicians, changing the influence that corporations and special interests have, changing the ruthlessness of “the game” that puts winning elections over helping people.

It is about rejecting the idea of simply turning a new page, and instead trying to write a new book.

For my entire life I’ve only seen presidents named Bush and Clinton. For my entire life I’ve lived under leaders who have lied to their people. For my entire life, I’ve had to accept the idea that the country is divided between red and blue, liberal and conservative. I’m sick of it. I’m sick of a government that is unprincipled, unwilling to take risks, and unable to listen to people over politicos and lobbyists advising them on how best to win the next election. And I’m sick of people saying that there is nothing wrong.

I want a New America. And Barack Obama is the only candidate who offers it.

Just One Other Thing I’d Like To Leave You With.

There Are Two Video Links Below, And I’d Ask You To Watch Both In Their Entirety.

The First Is The Moment I Realized I Would Never Be Satisfied To Vote For Hillary Clinton.

The Second Is When I Decided I Would Be Proud To Vote For Barack Obama.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isi6c2s353c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iVAPH_EcmQ

-a note by my friend Jake Laperruque, who spent months working for the Edwards campaign and now devotes his time to supporting Obama here at Washington University in St. Louis and the surrounding areas.