I really appreciate the letter sent out by President Obama....I appreciate the fact that he always reaches out to contact his supporters...here is my reply:
President Obama concisely shot down each and every attack tonight by telling the American people exactly what has been going on. He addressed the death panel lie, the illegal immigrant coverage lie, and specified that no federal dollars would pay for abortions and the federal government will not take over the entire healthcare system. He appealed to the fact that healthcare is not only a social issue but a moral issue and shows the true character of the people of this country. He advised the American people not to listen to tall tales, and irresponsible lies. These bogus claims have been made by politicians who want a career boost by scoring short term political points and who want to kill reform.
Seniors will have the same medicare but it will be solvent. Not a penny of the medicare trust fund will be used to pay for the new plan but waste, fraud, and subsidies padding profits will be identified and dissolved so medicare can be in place for future generations as well as present ones.
Those with healthcare coverage through their job will have NO CHANGE but there will be no denying of coverage for pre-existing conditions, no dropping coverage if ill, and no cap on coverage for a year or for a lifetime. It will limit out of pocket expenses and there will be no extra charge for preventative tests to stop disease before it starts. This will bring more security and stability to existing coverage.
The uninsured will have quality with affordable choices. Small businesses can shop for coverage and insurance companies can compete for these new customers. If you cannot afford these lower costs then you will get tax credits. It will take four years for this to be in place but immediate relief will be offered by giving low cost coverage to people with now jobs now.
Just as we are required to have auto insurance, everyone will be required to have health insurance since each American now pays around 1,000 dollars a year to cover those who show up at the emergency room with no coverage.
Since the waste and fraud will be pared down this will lower our deficit by FOUR TRILLION DOLLARS and will give us greater security and not higher taxes. Since many companies hold a monopoly individual states in our country ( for example there is only one company holding 90% of the policies in Alabama ) these companies drop sick people from their policies, jack up rates to profit, and are rewarded for having the healthiest customers. So to keep insurance comapnies hosnest there will be a not-for profit phase of government insurance.
There was much more information but I thought it was important that President Obama reiterated that no one - not the left, right, or the media should lie or exaggerate the impact of this program. Abuses and suffering need to end and rather than making wild claims, people should work together.
Many of the folks who contributed to others and bought things and supplied in-kind stuff are not reflected on campaign pages, web sites and measurement tools.
SO many special interest groups called all over the country and not counted in as having done anything.
I believe that if we really sat down and looked at how much folks did - that we did not record - for example I called my district, Cincinnati and parts of PA for several groups (Catholic) - we would fall over by the efforts all ove the 50 states.
The biggest field and technicalogical effort ever done. History of other sorts were made in this election too.
MAny people found ways to reach out to others which they never did before.
Our new President gave us the hope and guts to not be afraid to go out on our own and work!
What a gift he gave us. God Bless Barack Obama and America.
I AM CRYING LIKE A FOOL - I AM SO HAPPY - BARACK - WE LOVE YOU- WE WILL STAND BEHIND YOU ALWAYS - LET US NOT FORGET TO THANK GOD OUR FATHER, THE SON, JESUS, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR ALL OF THE GUIDANCE WE HAVE RECEIVED!!!!LOVE, MARIANNE HERRMANN FROM NEW JERSEY
...but I am a bit nervous only because there were so many very elderly people voting and I was worried that there may be more McCain voters even though I know many elderly voters are for Barack. I hope these elderly people know that Barack would do much better for them and other middle class people - McCain wants to cut Medicare and will be bad for seniors.
It is just that McCain has been so busy stirring up hatred and divisiveness that I worry that some elderly may become confused...these white elderly voters seemed very, very old and infirm. Police were helping them out of their cars and offering to drive them back home. I was wondering since I felt that I had never seen so many very elderly - this was in Bergen County, NJ.
I also called from home last weekend and called today. Some people I talked to said they had received multiple calls. The setup on my computer was really great for calling - easy and clear.
GOOD LUCK, BARACK - I GUESS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE PRAYING AND WAITING!!
After hearing all of the news stories and looking at the polls yesterday I just began to nervously sing a little song to myself. I am going to sing it on Tuesday when I go to vote. Anyone care to join me???!!??New words by Marianne Herrmann from NJ.
TO THE TUNE OF "CHAPEL OF LOVE" BY THE DIXIE CUPS:
GOING TO THE POLLING PLACE I'M
VOTING FOR BARACK OBAMA
GOING TO THE VOTING BOOTH I'M
OH HOW VERY HAPPY I'LL BE
WHEN HE IS OUR PRES-I-DENT I'M
GOING TO THE POLLING PLACE TODAY!
This election is coming down to the wire and we need to make sure everyone is doing all they can to elect Barack Obama as our next President.
Please help us call voters. You can phonebank from home and help get out the vote in key states.
To join Mobile Obama, text NJ to 62262 (OBAMA) on your mobile phone to receive important updates and opportunities.
Throughout the Garden State, the movement of change has inspired millions. This is a defining moment in our history. We have a chance to bring the country together in a new majority — to finally tackle problems that Washington has ignored for too long. And that is why New Jerseyans are answering the call of the Obama campaign to become involved and volunteer during the final days of the campaign.
This weekend, volunteers contacted nearly half a million voters in New Jersey and battleground states across the country to personally deliver Obama’s message of Hope and Change. With over 2,000 volunteers signed up, New Jerseyans heard and answered the call to travel to Pennsylvania, a key battleground state in this election.
Volunteers have shown dedication, crowding NJ Campaign for Change offices sharing stories of why they believe in Barack Obama and the historic importance of this election. They also talked about how this campaign is bringing people together.
Arthur Thomas from Princeton explained, “I was calling a woman named Stephanie Watkins in North Carolina and a man answered. I identified myself as Arthur Thomas a volunteer for the Obama campaign and the response I received was completely unexpected: ‘Uncle Arthur is that you? This is your nephew Derek. Stephanie Watkins is my wife.’ I had called my nephew who I hadn’t seen in twelve years due to distance. We had a conversation about the election and the need for Obama to be our next president. I told him to pass the word on to his friends and coworkers. If they needed anymore information about Obama then he should feel free to give them my home phone number and I will talk to them personally.”
Volunteering with Arthur was his wife Linda. She shared her thoughts about the election: “As a baby boomer I think about the progress in our lifetime and what an honor it is to work on this campaign. This is the culmination of things we’ve worked for since our college days of demonstrating and fighting for civil rights."
“This is the first time that the world gets a chance to see America actualize its ability to be nonbiased by electing Obama to the presidency of the United States.”
Linda and Arthur Thomas urge you to make history and vote.With one day left before the election, there’s still time for you to become a member of the team and be part of history. Volunteer today by visiting your local NJ Campaign for Change Office or signing up here. If you aren’t able to go in person, set up your own phonebank and make calls from home or with a group of your friends.
According to John Weaver, chief political strategist of John McCain's 2000 campaign, if elected, John McCain would find it impossible to govern. McCain has shown disdain if not outright hatred for Obama, and Weaver ( taking the high road ) says McCain "does lack respect" for Barack.
"All campaigns reflect the personality of the candidate," Weaver said, "The problem with the campaign...( is we ) made emotional decisions. That's a relfection of John. He at times makes emotional decisions, and when he does, they are almost always a mistake."
Weaver believed that McCain could only have won by creating a campaign not based on McCain's emotional feelings and asked, " or are the darker forces going to prevail?"
He went on to explain that even IF McCain could possibly win " is he going to be able to govern?..." will he be able to govern after creating a division, hatred by Republicans towards Barack and the Democrats, while facing a Democratic Congress. He would not be able to govern or get any programs or legislation passed. So McCain would be a lame duck if elected.
PLEASE DONATE!!
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/MariannefromNewJersey
On a beautiful fall day in Union County College, President Bill Clinton headlined a rally for change with Assemblywoman Linda Stender, and other members of the Democratic team. The long lines began to form at 10 a.m. and by the time the event started at 1p.m. nearly 2,000 Democratic supporters were fired up and ready to go. “Presidential elections I can tell you having been there, should be decided by philosophy, positions on the issues, the decision making capacity of the candidates, and what we feel about their ability to turn a decision into real change in our lives,” said President Clinton. “Barack Obama clearly has the right philosophy. The economy grows from the ground up not from the top down. Senator Obama’s positions on the economy, on energy independence, with a clean efficient energy future, the key to creating more jobs and higher incomes.”
“Bill Clinton is a phenomenal force. Ten words from Clinton are a thousand words for McCain. He knows how to electrify an audience. His job today is to electrify the crowd and get them ready to knock on doors, make phone calls and get out the vote for the NJ democratic ticket,” said Diane Edkins from Westfield.
When asked how she felt about the upcoming election, Diane Edkins from Westfiled responded, “I feel nervous. We have to keep the pressure on and the push going especially in battleground states. We need to remember Pennsylvania. It’s very important for people to travel to Pennsylvania and do whatever they can. I have many friends who are traveling to New Hope, Pa. and Ohio to volunteer their time and help the Obama campaign.”
“I’ll be canvassing in Summit this weekend,” Clemens Gunther from Mountainside added. “I was undecided until this week, but now I know. I will definitely be voting for Barack Obama. There’s too much at stake not to.” NJ elected officials joining President Clinton included Governor Jon Corzine, Congressman Rush Holt, Congressman Frank Pallone, Congressman Donald Payne, Congressman Steve Rothman, Democratic Party Chairman Joe Cryan, Senator Raymond Lesniak, Senator Teresa Ruiz, and Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman. Please spend a few hours, a day, or even the next two days fighting for change in our neighbor state Pennsylvania. The people you talk to could be the ones that make the difference. Find a free ride to Pa. now at http://nj.barackobama.com/PArides.
The November 3rd TIME magazine has an article by Joe Klein named "Why He's Winning...The Evolution of Barack Obama". It mentioned Barack's July meeting with General Petraeus where Barack said "my job as potential Commander in Chief is to view your counsel through the prism of our overall national security." Barack then discussed the importance of paying needed attention to Afghanistan, the escalating costs of the war in Iraq, and the stress on the militairy due to being called back for multiple tours of duty. "Obama said that the timetable (for withdrawal) would obviously have to be flexible."
The important issue here, of course was that BOTH Bush and MCCain exhibited hero-worship of Petraeus "ABDICATING PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSIBILITY". It was so typical of Bush and McCain and I liken it to their stand on deregulation - shirking responsibility. THIS IS HOW THINGS GET SO DAMAGED. People like Bush and McCain don't do their job - they don't apply themselves but they let someone else do the work WITHOUT OVERSIGHT. In the case of John McCain this would be disastrous with Palin ready and willing to become another Cheney.
Another good quote:" Obama has prospered in this presidential campaign because of the steadiness of his temperament and the judicious quality of his decision-making".
Barack Obama uses crises as "teachable moments" and "speaks to the American people as if they were intelligent adults...like they can understand complexities'. "So he doesn't miss an opportunity for leadership..."
During the recent economic crisis Obama's aides said it would seem more "statesmanlike" for Obama to suspend his campaign as McCain was doing. BUT OBAMA DISAGREED AND DID NOT BELIEVE THAT ADVICE AND THEREBY LET HIS CORRECT INTUITION WIN OUT:
"What seems important or clever or in need of some dramatic moment alot of times just needs reflection and care" said Barack Obama. Obama also mentioned that a president has to multi-task. It was remarked that "THIS SORT OF CLARITY IS NEW". Obama realized that he did not have the power to influence the final outcome so "it was best to stay calm and not oversell his role" while McCain " was the least creative person in the room ...he simply had no ideas or any good questions," SAID A PROMINENT REPUBLICAN
Obama is all about long term solutions rather than quick fixes. "...he has not been childishly egomaniacal...or petulant, in contrast to his opponent"..."He (is) introducing MATURITY.
I was struck by parts of this article that showed Barack's leadership. It mentioned Barack's July meeting with General Petraeus where Barack said "my job as potential Commander in Chief is to view your counsel through the prism of our overall national security." Barack then discussed the importance of paying needed attention to Afghanistan, the escalating costs of the war in Iraq, and the stress on the militairy due to being called back for multiple tours of duty. "Obama said that the timetable (for withdrawal) would obviously have to be flexible."
The important issue here, of course was that BOTH Bush and MCCain exhibited hero-worship AND THEREBY COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE of Petraeus without really going over the details or questioning him thereby "ABDICATING PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSIBILITY". It was so typical of Bush and McCain and I liken it to their stand on deregulation - an attitude of really shirking any responsibility, not thinking things through, and just piling all responsibility on, in this case, Petraeus. THIS IS HOW THINGS GET SO DAMAGED. People like Bush and McCain don't really do their job - they don't really apply themselves but as Bush does with Cheney they let someone else do the work WITHOUT OVERSIGHT. In the case of John McCain this would be disastrous with Palin ready and willing to become another Cheney.
Following this line of thought, Barack Obama uses crises as "teachable moments" and "speaks to the American people as if they were intelligent adults...like they can understand complexities'. "So he doesn't miss an opportunity for leadership..."
During the recent economic crisis Obama's aides were all busy discussing that it would be more "statesmanlike" for Obama to suspend his campaign as McCain was doing. BUT OBAMA DISAGREED AND DID NOT BELIEVE THAT ADVICE AND THEREBY LET HIS CORRECT INTUITION AND STANCE WIN OUT. A perfect quote is:
"What seems important or clever or in need of some dramatic moment alot of times just needs reflection and care" said Barack Obama. Obama also mentioned that a president has to do more than one thing at a time - he has to multi-task. It was remarked that "THIS SORT OF CLARITY IS NEW". Obama realized that he did not have the power to influence the final outcome so "it was best to stay calm and not oversell his role" while McCain " was the least creative person in the room ...he simply had no ideas or any good questions," SAID A PROMINENT REPUBLICAN.
@@@@@NEW SECTION:@@@@@
Finally, Barack Obama is all about long term solutions rather than quick fixes that wind up costing the taxpayers more. "...he has not been childishly egomaniacal...or petulant, in contrast to his opponent"..."He (is) introducing a quality to American politics that we haven't seen in quite sometime:MATURITY."
The November 3rd issue of TIME magazine has an article by Joe Klein named "Why He's Winning...The Evolution of Barack Obama".
I was all signed up for a rally yesterday and wound up spending 2 hours waiting ( there was an emergency ) in my doctor's office instead BUT - the good news was that CNN was on and everyone in the crowded room was watching and discussing. They zeroed in on me since I had Obama stickers all over my pocketbook.
I was very surprised to find that some people STILL ( and this is Bergen County,NJ ) actually thought that Barack Obama was not born in this country - I told them it was a matter of record and they could go on the site and check along with checking independent news sources. An elderly couple who was for McCain seemed eager to be informed and we talked quite alot about the economy. At the end the gentleman came to me and said that he thought Barack would win and he wished me well -he was very nice - very sweet couple.
I was surprised by a middle-aged, very attractive, trim woman dressed in beautfiul jeans and jewelry and gorgeous blouse with hair long and curled like Lindsay Lohan has had hers lately was speaking total nonsense about Barack being a Muslim and not being born in the states - I kept talking to her but her attitude and approach were unfriendly and divisive. It seems to me that she would have been the last one to actually read about the issues and get involved and do any kind of volunteering but was just prejudiced against Barack no matter what I said. I talked nicely and evenly and was very friendly even though she was not.
I felt good because my arguments based on what I have learned from this site and following this election in support of Barack rang true and really left the doubters without any good retorts except anger or annoyance because they have no good answers.
Finally, I took my sketch and made it into posters with VOTE on the top and OBAMA 08 on the bottom and taped them all over my van. Then I slowly drove to pick up my daughter at a very crowded RHS. I hope that it helps and I will keep it up until the end.
I have more of these posters and would like any suggestions to pass them out - can I do it in a county park? Is that legal?
An important note from Tricia Mueller, Obama for America NJ State Director.
“We’re going to win in Pennsylvania,” John McCain told supporters on Wednesday before traveling to a rally in North Carolina.In 4 days, this race is going to be won or lost in a few crucial battleground states.We need you now more than ever to help secure our sister state Pennsylvania’s 21 Electoral votes. Please go to Pennsylvania the critical days leading up to Election Day! If you need a ride, or have a ride to share, visit http://my.barackobama.com/ridesPA. This election is down to the final stretch, and we're too close to slow down now. Can we count on you to help get out the vote for Barack in Pennsylvania? Sign up now to do your part and go to PA.Thank you for all that you do. Tricia MuellerNJ State DirectorObama for America PS: If you aren’t able to go to PA, please help get out the vote here in New Jersey. Sign up now at http://nj.barackobama.com/njgotv1.
The television program that ran tonight was incisive, direct, honest, and forthright. Barack is the right man for this time. I saw how much he cares and how much he wants to work for and with us. That comes from his roots and his upbringing.
Barack Obama, like John McCain, suffered hardships in his life but there is a huge difference between the two men. Barack chose to turn this hardship into a call to action, service, caring, studying and applying his gifts. He has a strong moral compass that directs him. He has used his intellect, morality, Christianity and hopefulness to serve in an unselfish way.
John McCain, however, has chosen a different path. He is like a rudderless boat being tossed and turned by his own confusion. When he returned from his terrible POW experience, he chose to leave his wife who had been disfigured in a car accident and who had waited for him faithfully along with his children, to pursue a woman who could pay for his rise in politics. McCain has lied blatantly and tried to slander, demean, and smear Barack Obama with the worst kind of accusations.
John McCain still demonizes Barack Obama every minute and has procured Governor Sarah Palin to be his attack dog. I was emotional tonight because I saw Barack Obama defending his honor and his good intentions in a direct way. John McCain jeers at Barack for buying this time but McCain himself caused this by his negative, frightening attacks. John McCain is a bully and a danger to our country because of his reckless,destructive,egotistical approach to governing. McCain said that he did not feel too well and wanted to cancel the debate as the economic crisis broke. He shoots from the hip as he shoots at the craps table. American people are made into cartoon characters like Joe the Plumber, an obvious plant who was a registered Republican and now, with his publicist in tow, reaps rewards.
DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIAR, JOHN MCCAIN. HE IS A WOLF IN WHITE SHEEP'S CLOTHING. INSTEAD, ACCEPT THE FACT THAT BARACK WILL WORK CONTINUOUSLY ON OUR BEHALF AND IS VERY SINCERE, INTELLIGENT, HONEST,ACCOMPLISHED AND READY TO LEAD. HE HAS TRAINED HIMSELF TO SERVE AND TO CARE. THIS IS HIS GOAL AND HIS LIFE. BELIEVE THAT HE WILL HELM THE SHIP OF STATE TO MAKE A BETTER COUNTRY FOR US ALL.
