My family has roots in Northeastern rural PA going back three generations. Many of my Irish relatives (on my Dad's side) settled in Wayne county in the late 1800's. Some of the relatives lived there year round and others were summer citizens who later retired there. Scranton is the closest "big" city.
Wayne County is largely a rural farming communtity...although wealthier city people are slowly moving there now. I sometimes feel like I'm in a time warp when I visit there as it still retains much of the feeling of the fifties: Little churches, granges, neighbors helping neighbors, and a sort of taciturn self sufficiency, particularly when the long hard winter sets in.
Many of the people there used to be Democrats, but were more recently converted to Republicanism by the wedge issues of Rovian fame: sex and morality, fear and hate.
In 2004 I moved back there to take care of my Dad near the end of his life. I was there during the 2004 presidential elections. Huge billboards sprang up implying that God was involved in politics and a vote for GWB was a vote for God. Abortion was the wedge issue du jour. I fired off a few fiery letters to the editor to 2 different little newspapers while I was there... and I was surprised and pleased to find they were published! (Much more difficult to get published here in CA... in the SF Chronicle).
So today I started to think that maybe I can still write some letters to the PA papers...that maybe I can make a difference. And thought if some of you have PA contacts, or Indiana contacts or NC contacts, you might be inclined to do the same. This is the letter I submitted today (300 word max)...I don't know yet if they will print it.
Dear Editor:
On why I am supporting Obama:
Obama, more than any other candidate, is suited to take the reins from day one. He has incredible intellect, integrity and compassion. His knowledge of government and our constitution is unsurpassed. And although he can articulate very well, he is not just words; he has consistently walked the walk of his beliefs and caring. Time after time he chooses to serve people instead of corporations; chooses to educate rather than triangulate, and like rich cream he rose to the top, from the state legislature to the federal. He has strength and depth of character that is apparent in everything he does and says.
If you seek morality in your leader; if you seek wisdom in your president; if you seek a statesman and a unifier rather than politics as usual, Obama is your ONLY choice.
Obama is not a fair-weather friend; he will fight for you every inch of the way. He will build his foundation before the roof, and it will be strong. As a commander in chief you know that sound judgment will prevail, because he knows that WE are his constituents...not ExxonMobil. He will never think that war and death are "romantic".
Most importantly Obama is the ONLY viable candidate not beholden to corporate lobbyists; not owned by PACs. In comparison Clinton & McCain vie for top corporate funding...and if you think that doesn't affect their decisions, I have a bridge to sell you.
"Our" politicians are not ours if they are beholden to corporate lobbyists. Do the research yourself. Then vote for integrity and a future for ALL of us; vote for an America by & for the people...not the corporations. WE can do it if WE vote for Obama. Yes WE can.