"Pride For America"

State Update — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:58:31 EDT

Barack certainly has an inspirational American story of uplift. But he is not alone. Libby from Connecticut shared her story and why she is supporting Barack.

About three years ago I had just finished college and taken a job. This was a last-minute decision - I'd been applying for grad schools and had been accepted, but my father was dying. On top of the psychological turmoil that one might expect with losing a parent, there were financial implications we didn't see coming. I could not in good conscience choose school and incur debt while my parents' financial security was being buried in the piling medical bills.

You might suspect that we were uninsured or under insured, but it was quite the opposite. My dad was a civil servant for more than 20 years, and had great benefits. Even though my mom was also employed with good health insurance, he continued paying his own premiums for the most expensive and comprehensive plan, because he didn't want to worry about medical bills in his retirement. Despite the foresight and best efforts, Dad fell through the cracks of a crappy system.

Suddenly, collection notices showed up at my parents' home-- the same parents who faithfully paid bills on time and didn't even own credit cards when I was growing up. The week after we buried my dad, it broke my heart to find collection notices that he'd hidden away, I guess in embarrassment. In his right mind, he would never have done that, but sick people can't be expected to act and think as if they're healthy.

So I took a job, worked with my mom and siblings to dig us out of the hole, and eventually went back to grad school for Public Health going to classes at night. The plan is to continue on to med school, to do what I can not only to help ease individual suffering, but also to advocate for the sick and their families. That career path is a ways off, and right now the best thing I can do is support policymakers who are in a position to effect change.

The only solution is to elect lawmakers who share the belief that a certain level of health care is our right, and a social good that benefits all Americans. This is what I tell people who ask why my vote is for Obama.

Libby's story is one that many can relate to. Her struggles with the failing health care system are not uncommon among Americans today. Nonetheless, Libby, like most Americans, will proudly celebrate her country's birth today.

4th of July is one of our big holidays. It's probably no accident - I was born on Flag Day and my name means Freedom in Spanish. Each year it becomes more evident that the 4th is what we Floreses do right. We all pile into my oldest brother's house in mid-Michigan, where once a year, his wife permits the use of his prized smoker.

For Libby's family, the 4th of July is to celebrate their pride for America.

Patriotism to me means thoughtfully supporting ideals that living in the US guarantees us. By thoughtful, I mean that I believe in the fundamental importance of free speech...I suppose defending the beliefs that have made our country great is most important when, in times like these, it is most challenging.

Enjoy your holiday weekend, and share how you're celebrating July 4th at blog@barackobama.com.

Obama HQ Blog Update

"Pride For America"