Letter to My Son

Get energized. Be sure you vote. You and so many of your friends are apathetic about politics - and no wonder. The last 8 years have made you feel disgusted. You’ve seen families suffering from declining incomes, a “free” market that has resulted in foreclosures and oil speculation, a war launched on the basis of lies that is bankrupting our nation, weakening the dollar and placing on your shoulders the future burden of paying for the occupation and reconstruction of Iraq.

At the convention last night Republicans affirmed their plan for the economy– the failed “trickle down” and “borrow and spend” theories. It should be patently obvious that at the end of 8 years of Bush, as it was after 12 years of Reagan/Bush, these economic theories don’t work in practice. We can say now, as it we did then, “it’s the economy, stupid”.

Palin attacked the Democrats for wanting to control people from Washington, but hid the fact that if she gets to Washington she wants to control you and your future wife in the bedroom. She described her family as “typical”, but they are not. The typical family does not have 5 children – the result of her biases about reproductive rights. The typical family does not force a pregnant 17 year old daughter into marriage. As a matter of fact, the typical family doesn't have a pregnant 17 year old daughter.

I could go on, but suffice it to say I'm voting for Obama. I hope you (and your friends) are, too.