As you may have noticed, I don't ever get political on this site and I'm not one of those people who is constantly updating their Facebook page with political rants about binders and bayonets - although that does sounds like an awesome band who might open for Mumford & Sons. But I digress. Today I've just gotta get into it and since I'm the one paying for this URL, friends...it's time to talk about the President.
I think that people easily forget that one of the most thrilling things about Obama's win four years ago (aside from obvious gravity that an African American was now the most powerful man in the free world) was the deep sense that finally a political leader had come along who could live up to our highest aspirations. He was smart as a whip, an inspiration and as serious as they come. On a completely superficial level he was also handsome, conversant in things that the "young people" like and had a J.Crew-clad wife who was pretty good friends with Oprah and Beyonce. The Democrats were in love and the Republicans were definitely hitting first or second-date levels of "like."
Then these past four years happened. Yes, they have not been amazing but come on, they haven't bad that bad. To all of the Republican readers I have (loveyoumeanit) if we could endure the malaise of the Bush era, TRUST that you can deal with another four years of Barack. We should all be so lucky. And as a little reminder to those of you who are so quick to knock Obama, please take note of a few things below...
*throws mic down and walks off the stage*
- This is the first president to endorse same-sex marriage equality.
- He signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers.
- He provided travel expenses to families of fallen soldiers to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB.
- Provided the Department of Veterans Affairs with more than $1.4 billion to improve services to America's veterans.
- He established the Credit Card Bill of Rights which prevents credit card companies from imposing arbitrary rate increases on customers.
- Oh and you know, then there was this little doozy called the Health Care Reform Bill that prevents insurance companies from denying insurance to anyone with a pre-existing condition and allows kids to remain on their parents' insurance until they're 26.
- He increased funding for national parks and forests by 10%.
- Significantly expanded Pell grants, which help low-income students pay for college.
- He appointed the nation's first Chief Technology Officer.
- Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.
- He created more private sector jobs in 2010 than during the entire Bush administration.
- And you know, HE GOT OSAMA BIN LADEN.
*throws mic down and walks off the stage*
Image courtesy of Gawker and the factoids above are courtesy of WhatthefuckhasObamadonesofar.com.
Well done Johnna! Let me tell you that it's not shameful to be patriotic. Many people will tell you "it's so annoying hearing rants on FB", but the truth of the matter is that in this election the stakes are higher than they have ever been before. As a sister of a gay brother and the mother of a daughter, I have no issues in voicing my opinion. Loved your post
ReplyDeleteKyle Roth
I totally disagree with "Anonymous." You love "Kimye" and follow Obama...why for being the best of the Joneses? I appreciate the facts you included, but any Democratic knows this. Your blog seems to be more about you than the candidates at face. I applaud the try to seem smarter though.
ReplyDeleteAs a tree hugging liberal, not that one could tell from my posts, I think it's important to voice our opinions. I also don't have work colleagues and people of influence in my life that may judge me for my opinions as friends on FB (at least not anymore, I fixed that problem when I started ranting) so I understand the desire/need to keep some things private so to speak. On the other hand I also believe that if its not posted on FB it's not really true, friends workout routines, what they had for lunch, how's traffic...that's important shit. Political feelings and opinions are a little different I guess.
ReplyDeleteFor the record Johnna while I was reading that I felt like we were in that final battle scene in 8 Mile. I'm down in the front row a la Cheddar Bob and you're B rabbit and I just watched you smash that fool papa doc AKA the metaphorical right wingers. Love it.
Kyle!! I could not agree with you more that there is nothing shameful in being patriotic and when I referred to FB rants, I sadly meant the uninformed, misspelled, almost blatantly racist posts that keep popping up.
ReplyDeleteFor whomever "Annie" is, I am completely unsure of the point that you are trying to make other than just being nasty and I can only thank you for the applause.
Skylar - I miss you and even more so now that you made a Cheddar Bob reference.