Vote!

Elections are tomorrow. Polls and polls see most races going Republican. Incredibly they’re being rewarded for six years solid obstructionism virtually without having offered any serious social legislation. At every turn the GOP has had one goal: Make certain President Obama fails. Makes me wonder what patriotism means to these folks.

I could go on about Big Money and the descendants of the Flat Earth Society who have taken over the GOP. But, today, I am most upset with those Democrats who’ve run from Obama’s shadow, which has been smeared ruthlessly by distorted campaign ads. These Democrats chase polls rather than influencing them.

Why aren’t they celebrating Obama accomplishments? Where’s the champagne?

How about:

• Sixty-three months of economic expansion.
• A depression averted.
• Deficit cut by two thirds.
• Two thoughtful women on the Supreme Court.
• Health Care coverage for an additional 32 million, most poor.
• Record high stocks.
• Unemployment cut from 10.2 to 5.9 percent.
• Gas prices down.

This list from a political campaign? No. From a recent Bill Maher Real Time broadcast.

After five presidents over a century failed to bring us universal health insurance, Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act. Perfect? No. But a serious step in the right direction. Remember, with Obamacare:

• You can no longer be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• No longer can you lose health coverage simply for losing a job.
• Young people, mostly students, can stay on their parents’ health plans to age 26.
• Tens of millions now get preventive care at no extra cost.
• Health Insurance companies can no longer cap the dollar amount one receives over a lifetime.

How is this paid for? Mostly by slight tax increases on the investments of Americans earning over $250,000 a year. This is a victory for the other 99 percent. You wouldn’t know this after American ad carpet bombing for the last two years, ads paid for by those who have never worried about monthly gas payments or who’ve never had to skimp on family food near month’s end.

Yes, I have my beefs with Obama. I disagree with his Drone policies. They will certainly come to haunt us one day. They may be “clean” here, but not “there.” It’s ironic, if not obscene, that a Nobel Peace Prize winner has authorized $70 billion to build more nuclear weapons.

That said, I wish Obama would share his ideals, his deepest hopes for the nation. He’s best when he’s simply talking about family. Where’s the inspiration? Why not challenge us more?

Why not universal service? If not the military, then become a teacher in the inner-city or serve in a rural health clinic. Or join the Peace Corps. We’ve got to rebuild community and it starts with sharing both pain and glory.  

Obama has not been perfect. But I recognize he’s a reluctant warrior.

• He took us out of Iraq.
• He’s drawing down troops in Afghanistan.
• He’s kept us out of Syria.
• He won ratification (START Treaty) in Congress, limiting Russia and the US to 1,550 strategic warheads, (down from 2,200) and 700 launchers (down from more than 1,400). I want much more, but ratification was a big lift and won little GOP support. Building new nukes was part of the price.

No, not perfect, but he’s far closer to representing the real interests of most Americans than many of those set to win tomorrow. Oh, suffering America.

Here’s to the vote, then. Here’s for democracy. Real democracy. Not the kind we’re seeing in our country today. The kind we want for the future of our children.

So be sure to vote tomorrow, if you have not already done so. Make your protest known.