A Plea to Obama Supporters

I've been unable to watch the news for the last few days.  I can't bear to see the MSM try to tear down such a hopeful, inspiring candidate over remarks that were clearly not meant as they're being portrayed. What's really sad is either these so-called "journalists" aren't nearly as smart as their diplomas and "credentials" would have people believe or they're in the tank for Hillary Clinton's Rovian campaign.  I don't think there's a single person here who believes these journalists don't know exactly what Obama was trying to say, and that he's in fact RIGHT about all of it.  And yet they choose to play dumb to boost ratings and keep their dog in the hunt.

Why is the MSM latching on to Hillary's claims that Obama is elitist? And why is Hillary trying so desperately to bang that drum for all it's worth?  For the same reasons we teach our children to ignore hateful comments or name-calling from their peers: When someone tries to tear you down by lying about your character and labeling you as something you're not, it's because they're trying to distract you from seeing that which they are.  We all know who the elitists in this hunt are.  They're the corporate masters who own our media; they're the DLC types who refuse to concede that their time has come and gone; and they're the people who make $109M in ten years, and try to pretend they're "one of us."  

Many of Obama's supporters are "kids" who are still young and wide-eyed enough to believe that we can make a difference.  Their energy, enthusiasm and faith have made this 44-year old, somewhat jaded mom believe it, too. In this election, we have an opportunity to make change that maybe comes along once in our lifetimes.  And it hurts me to watch as Hillary tries to kill the hopes and dreams of all the kids who are marching, canvassing, creating and posting videos, donating, making phone calls, caucusing and voting for the first time in their lives.  I know that us "older" Obama supporters have seen this swift-boating before.  But, I don't think we've really seen a Democrat swift-boat another to this degree until now.  While Hillary is doing everything in her power to destroy Obama's chances at the nomination, she can't see the forest for the trees - she's also destroying any chance she'd have in the general election if SHE were the nominee. The divisions she's creating don't just get put back together because some pollster tells her to do whatever she has to do to get the nomination and the "Democrats will all fall in line in the end." She's too short-sighted to see that in the process of destroying Obama, she's also destroying the Democrats chances for winning the election in the Fall.  And the worst part is, she doesn't seem to care... as long as she can say she won "something" in the end. What it is she's trying to win with her scorched earth tactics is beyond me, but by God, she's going to win it come hell or high water.

I'll admit I've wished that Obama would take the street fight right back to Hillary.  I can't count how many times I've secretly wished he'd just take the gloves off and get down in the dirt with her.  I've no doubt he could eviscerate her handily.  But then I ask myself if I would be as proud to be a supporter if he started really slinging the mud. Of course, the answer is no.  And by wishing he would hit her back HARD, I have to accept that I'd be condoning the very behavior I find so deplorable from her and her surrogates.

To all the young, middle-aged, old, gay, lesbian, straight, bi, trans-gender, African American, Asian American, Caucasian, Hispanic, wealthy, poor, middle-class, urban or rural dwellers, Prius or Ford RAM drivers, latte or black coffee drinkers, college grads or those who didn't finish high school, Army, Navy, Marines and National Guard members, single moms or dads, married couples, families with lots of kids, families with no kids and any other Obama supporters I couldn't think up "labels" for:  Make no mistake -  The MSM and Hillary Clinton will do everything in their power to make you believe that's all you are - a label.  And that your label prevents you from being smart enough to know the difference between an honest comment taken out of context and a verbal, condescending bitch-slap.  But the only "talking down" here is being done by Hillary Clinton herself - the patronization with which she's treating those of you in rural communities is particularly disgusting.  It's right out of the Republican playbook.  She wants you to see yourself through the same narrow prism she sees you through and is counting on the fact that if you weren't bitter before, you sure as hell will be when she's done tearing down the shreds of hope you have left that things can and will change.

Today I read the NYT article currently on the rec'd list - that the health insurance companies are now going to charge exorbitant amounts for what they consider "specialty" drugs.  I use Copaxone, one of the drugs determined as "special" to lessen the frequency and severity of Multiple Sclerosis. I have two friends who also use Copaxone.  Needless to say, the article was devastating for me, my friends, and so many others who rely on this drug which allows us to keep working and living productive lives. Fortunately, my insurance company hasn't gone that route yet, but the cynic in me says it won't be long. So take note, Hillary, I'm bitter alright. Bitter towards the politicians who have spent entire careers in bed with the health care lobbyists, insurance lobbyists and pharmaceutical lobbyists.  Bitter towards a government whose officials will say and do anything to get elected. Bitter towards candidates who willingly and gleefully take down those on the side of the American people. But that bitterness doesn't prevent me from having hope.  I know there's one candidate running who isn't taking PAC money and won't obey the corporate masters.  There's one candidate who understands that doing things the same old way will get us what we've always gotten, and won't be satisfied with that tired old status quo.

So my plea to all Obama supporters is - DO NOT GIVE UP.  DO NOT GIVE IN.  Do not doubt that hope you feel inside.  Do not let all the divisiveness and distraction being thrown in front of you by the MSM and the Clinton campaign take away your ideals and your faith that change is possible.  Keep up the good fight and don't stop until President Obama is in the White House.  Let's all do whatever we can to make sure we've got Obama's back.

Yes YOU can.  Yes WE can.