1 post tagged “presidential politics”

Like most democratic-leaning people I know, making a decision this election cycle has been really difficult.  Now with our field of choices narrowed to two really good ones, in a way, it seems even harder.  Truly, I'll be overjoyed to vote in the general election for either Clinton or Obama.

But today, Super Tuesday, I want Hillary Clinton to win Minnesota.

Yes, I was disgusted by media coverage of whatever it was that happened in South Carolina.  But it was, after all, media coverage, and I was equally disgusted by the platitudinous coverage of the Kennedy endorsement of Obama.  Just because one story is warm and fuzzy doesn't make it less discouraging as for-profit media shapes our democracy.

Those two media "events" spurred me to articulate why Hillary is the right person for the job.  I sent the following letter to the editor of my local paper, but they didn't print it.  I know why.  I tend to overwrite when I'm worked up.  But my reasons, I believe, are sound.  And since I have a blog, why not publish it myself?  What was I thinking?
   
    Caroline Kennedy is “inspired” by Barack Obama.  I want to be inspired by Barack Obama, but I need to be insured.  Ms. Kennedy can afford to prioritize rhetorical inspiration over health insurance.  Yes, I mean to suggest that such inspiration is a luxury in 2008. 
    I’ve been a high school teacher for 13 years married to another high school teacher for 9 of those years, fortunately both working in resource rich suburban school districts.  We’ve had excellent, almost affordable health insurance.
    But now,  in 2008, my son has a new,  profound hearing loss and an emerging chronic illness--just in time for our state legislature to send most school districts into budget failure and for Medica to reconsider its contract with my husband’s district in particular.  We are careful savers and responsible spenders, but loss of quality coverage given my son’s condition could be financially difficult. 
    Now, in 2008, I have a mother in her sixties who struggles so much with her health that it’s been difficult for her to work continuously, to maintain health care coverage (and therefore treat her illnesses). 
    My husband and I are privileged and educated members of the middle class.  We’re relatively fortunate, but still in a precarious position.  It’s not hard to imagine the situations of those, like my sister’s family, so affected by their children’s health emergencies that they have lived on credit cards between paychecks. 
    Here’s what I’m choosing to be inspired by:
    Hillary Clinton has the intelligence, skills, and experience to repair the policy damage inflicted by the present administration.
    The most qualified candidate for President of the United States is a woman.
    Hillary Clinton’s every mistake has been exposed before the public, and she’s still willing to serve us.
    The tired apology for the glass ceiling “behind every hardworking man is a good woman” is undergoing a completely satisfying denouement.
    The next leader of the free world will be somebody’s mother.
    I like Barack Obama, but I’m not voting for him. I want him to continue to speak, organize, and garner experience.  Someday, I want to see a person of color in the Oval Office.  For reasons beyond his race,  I want Obama to be a leader, maybe even run in 2016.  (By then, we might know what his real flaws are and whether or not we can afford them.)   But if Obama wants to inspire citizens to come together and get involved in 2008, he doesn’t need to be President to do it. 
    And he isn’t the only reason to be inspired this political cycle.

See you at the caucuses, friends.  I have a Hillary sticker for you.