The Only Choice

I work in a company that helps people who have fallen on hard times or simply are in the poverty to below-poverty bracket. Needless to say, every week I am reminded of this lowest percentile. It gives me mixed emotions. I feel so lucky for what I have, even though at times it doesn’t feel like a lot. But I live comfortably, I have a fantastic support system, I’m relatively healthy and I see opportunity to improve.

On the other gamut of emotions I feel very helpless because while we’re able to change lives, some people’s problems compound so much that while multiple programs work with them, it’ll be a long time to pull themselves out of these tough times, if ever.

But the thing is, it’s getting harder for these programs to serve thousands (millions nationwide) of hard working Americans. “The common man” is faltering under the Bush Administration and they’re one wave away from drowning. And like Katrina—there’s no response.

These are people you know: your friends, family, grandparents and neighbors. They’re hurting, and it will only get worse if America elects McCain.

Because Republicans promise “no new taxes” every year, but yet they keep coming regardless of which party holds office. There’s a reason taxes are compared to death, but they aren’t the proverbial nail in our collective coffins.

No, what really is causing devastations across the country trickles down to the common man, and it’s not a windfall. It’s tax breaks and legislation for mega corporations that cut corner and make their dollars off our backs. The Republication Way is that these huge financial gains ultimately strengthen the economy (and of course you’ve seen how that works).

The cutbacks are happening to essential services: public works, streets, schools and human services. Because none of these institutions are creating a profit, they just are caring for the general public. Sure you got a tidy little stimulus check and paid the rent or will heat or your home one more month. But the national budgets will reflect this new debt with other cuts—and those cuts aren’t going to hurt that one percent.

Now, you might think the ideologies of a quick fix to build a stronger economy sounds pretty good. After all you have a good job, home and a few toys to make life worth living. That gamble will hurt when you get sick and have mounting debt because health insurance can’t sustain the cuts made to it and you’re paying for more and more out of pocket. Or by some stroke of bad luck you lose your job or can’t work.

Unemployment dries up awfully fast. Then the tough choice of going to the cabin to fish or taking a camping trip to hike seems a little petty. Now you’re choosing between buying food and paying the rising cost of gas and fuel (because, by the way, off shore drilling won’t lower costs for another eight years, if they are able to pull enough out to make a dent).

So weigh your options this November. If that quick fix check that can be gone in a day and then only a memory when real help and services are needed, vote McCain.

But if you want to create a country that will benefit everyone and sustain you and your children into the future … then Barack Obama is the only choice.