I live in Bran don Florida but work in Northern New Hampshire telecommuting (Yes the joys of IT work). I work with allot of republicans. All who recently have become progressive and are going to vote for Obama. One of these co-workers and friends I will call John sent Obama's campaign this letter. I wanted to send it to you all because it is fundamental as to why people want Obama to win.
P.S. thanks for putting it on the rec list. Its a great letter and he so wants to help the campaign! :)
Dear Senator Obama:
You may find it a bit odd that I am sending you pictures of myself with Senator McCain. Well, 8 years ago I was recently married and just starting my family in New Hampshire with my wife and was a supporter of John McCain. I truly thought he would have made a good President. I even campaigned and voted for him in the 2000 Presidential election.
A lot has happened in those 8 years; George Bush was elected President, 9/11 happened, I lost my job on 9/12, shortly after that I was divorced which ultimately led to my bankruptcy. And the county entered an illegitimate and unjustified "war". I found myself at the bottom of a very deep hole. Fortunately I was able to pull myself up and out of this hole. I was able to find work again. I have made some great friends and have a new life. My children are and always have been a huge part of my life and helped me through my tough times. I was able to have my children in my life several days out of every week.
One of my greatest joys during these 8 years was to leave work early every Wednesday and drive 65 miles to pick up my children to take them out to dinner and catch up on their weeks' activities with school, adventures with friends and life in general. These were always great times to look forward to. Unfortunately, earlier this summer I needed to make one of the hardest decisions a parent could make: I had to decide to stop seeing my children because I just could not afford the cost to drive down to their house and take them to dinner anymore. At one point, I was spending nearly $1000 per month just to see my kids (most of that on gas - a truly ridiculous cost)! I broke down in tears when I had to break this news to my ex-wife and to them. Thankfully, they were all very understanding. But still how do you explain to a 9 and 12 year old that you can't see them. I hate to put money before my children but I find myself with no other choice right now. I do still talk to them every day on the phone and fortunately, I am still able to see them on the weekends, though it is still economically tough.
Despite all of this, I consider myself one of the fortunate ones. I find it difficult to comprehend and heartbreaking to imagine how people who are less fortunate than me are struggling to survive; having to make decisions such as choosing to buy gas to drive to work, or to call in sick so they can buy food to eat for the day, or even worse, having no choice at all!
Today I now see John McCain as too out of touch with the American People and the struggles we all now face. I do not believe he understands the sacrifices we all need to make every day just to get by. He is living in a "bubble" and when he looks out all he sees is his own reflection and his selfish desire to be President - nothing more; not the need to help this country and its citizens but only the need to fill his ego with a title and the power it brings. I do not believe he sees or understands there is anything wrong with this country or the economy.
Issues such as: this country now 10 trillion dollars in debt, foreclosures, banks and insurance companies failing, executives bilking millions of dollars from the American people, fuel as ridiculously high prices area all too sickening for me. We need someone who can help us and help us now!
Today I now put my full support behind you as the best candidate for President to lead us through these very tough times. I believe you have the knowledge and understanding of the American People to help us and this country. I know these issues will not be resolved overnight but I believe you have the foresight to get us though this mess. You will help to make this county great again.
If you can use this letter and these pictures to help in your campaign to show a once McCain supporter is now behind you, great! If not that is ok too. The main point of this letter is to let you know you have one more person who believes in you and supports you and more importantly one more vote for your Presidency.
You have a tough road ahead of you. Good luck.
My Friend with John Mccain Picture