I am talking to you, America. Yes, you.
In particular, the ones that are still on the fence in this election. The ones that are the soft supporters of John McCain. The ones that "just don't know yet" about Barack Obama.
The alarm is going off. You can't hit the snooze button anymore. It's time to wake up.
What more do you need to know, hm? What is it that will move your vote this year?
Wake up and look around you.
Gas prices at an all time high. Wake up, America!
Unemployment on the rise. Wake up, America!
Inflation creeping up along with your grocery bill. Wake up, America!
The stock market in a free fall...along with your retirement account. Wake up, America!
Home forclosures at an all time high. Wake up, America!
WAKE THE HELL UP.
Here's the deal: John McCain, who knows very little about the economy, has no solutions to the problem other than a "blue ribbon commission." He's never supported regulating the markets and is so out of touch that he considers the fundementals of this economy strong.
Wake up, America.
Barack Obama, meanwhile, has recognized the problems with this economy from the beginning, put out comprehensive plans to get us back on track and stimulate the economy, and bring more regulation to markets run amok.
Wake up, America.
What's that you say? It's the "taxes" thing? As in, Obama will raise them? I think someone who attended my local Obama meeting recently said it best:
"Sure thing, George W. Bush lowered my taxes. After losing my job and a bunch of money in my retirement account, I pay 45% less taxes than I did 8 years ago! Sorry, but I'd like to get back to paying MORE taxes."
If taxes are you issue, I've got news for you: John McCain is your guy.
Because if you are out of a job, you don't pay income tax. If your home is foreclosed on, you don't pay property tax. If you can't afford gas or groceries, you don't pay sales tax.
Wake up, America.
Take a look at where you are now. It's that simple. With the markets tumbling, with home values dropping, where is your economic security? Where is this great "ownership society" you've heard so much about? Tell me, where?
You have been sold a bill of goods that isn't worth a bucket of spit. You've been sold it by the Republican Party. And all they are willing to say is caveat emptor, sucker...let the buyer beware.
Wake UP, America!
At least you have the Democrats to thank for preserving Social Security. Had McCain and Bush gotten their way in 2005, all that Social Security money would be invested in a stock market that is losing close to 10% of its value in the past 3 days. At least you'll be able to rely on that in your old age. But not much else.
Wake up, America. You may think Sarah Palin is sassy, John McCain is a war hero, but its time to wake up. We are at a critical time in our history, and our economy. And the choice you make in November could imperil you and this country for the next 25 years.
If the last 8 years has proven anything, we get the leaders we deserve.
We deserve better than this. We deserve Barack Obama.