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In reply to the discussion: Has Anyone Else On DU Noticed This Lately? [View all]pitchforx
(49 posts)i'm pissed that O didn't close Guantanamo
i'm pissed that he didn't open up Cuba
i'm pissed that he hasn't ended the drug war, been tougher on Chinese trade, that he hasn't stood up for unions and jailed bankers,
But the reason I am a Democrat and support Obama is because I could never vote for a reactionary, right wing, racist, anti-science, anti gay, anti choice, anti immigration, warmongering Republican, and that includes them all.
I am old enough (canvassed for Gene McCarthy), to know that THAT is the alternative to working for, and supporting Democrats. Even if it means holding your nose at times.
Really, I don't like the idea of drones and NSA "metadata" collection, but America has not forgotten 9|11. It is the Red Scare of the 21st century. Any politician who wants to get elected has to remember it as well. Dismantling some piece of security apparatus that is making some citizens feel "safe" has always been a very tough sell. Probably ever since the Trojans opened the gate.
I don't like the drone program, but if there are legitimate threats left out there, and who among us really knows, then drones are better than "Shock and Awe". Better than throwing away American kids in some Middle East deathtrap.
Republican Presidents would have troops in Libya and Syria by now. We'd still be manning checkpoints in Iraq. I know. I've seen them in action.
I'm glad that Obama got rid of DADT, restored middle class tax cuts, appointed some reasonable Supreme Court justices, killed Bin Laden, fought for marriage equality, speaks honestly about race, got out of Iraq, is getting out of Afghanistan, and fights for immigrants rights. I wish he were more forceful and effective, but Republicans are making everything as difficult as possible for him, especially on the economy and economic in equality issues.
So, like the Stones say, "you're not the only one with mixed emotions". But look at the alternative, if you don't vote for Democrats in America in the 21st century Republicans win.
That's how we got war in Iraq, Scalia, and the '08 meltdown.
Sometimes I hate Democrats, but voting Republican is not in my DNA.