Over the course of the president's first term, there have been many here who have expressed disenchantment, disdain, even outright loathing for his performance. (Fewer lately, whatever the reason, but I'm assuming some are still here reading).
Their stated reasons are many, varied and often valid, in my opinion. Whether it is the ceding of the progressive options on legislation before negotiations begin (single what?) or the continuation of policies loathsome to any decent society, there are things not to love about Barack Obama's stewardship of our country.
There are also many good arguments that can be made for voting for a second Obama term despite these often glaring flaws--consider the other guys, forward slow's better than backward fast, etc.
I'm not going to tell anyone to vote for the O team for those reasons. I'm going to ask those considering sitting out this round to vote for Obama/Biden for one simple reason: someone else can't.
We have all read of the vigorous efforts of Republican state governments to restrict the franchise through new or more-restrictive voter ID laws. I'll not use up space and time going over the details. State courts and the Department of Justice are making some efforts to reduce the harm posed by these laws as we speak.
Those efforts will not be adequate.
Come November, there will be literally millions affected by these laws. These law-abiding, tax-paying United States citizens will be prevented from exercising the single most essential right of every citizen. They want to vote, want it desperately, and they will be unable to do so.
Will you be their voice? Will you stand for them? Will you weild the power you're hesitant to use for yourself in their stead?
It costs nothing. It compromises no principles. It breaks no laws.
And it is a step towards righting what even the most adamant progressive, even a dedicated anarchist, must admit is a terrible, terrible wrong and an affront to the intent of those who founded this country.
Humbly offered for your consideration.