La Politique #2, Why this Mormon favors Obama.

This blog is really intended to just chronicle events and experiences in the life of the Bowns family. My last post, "La Politique, the Romney Factor", was intended as a bit of family history, tongue in cheek,(a la Andy Rooney). Well, I have been surprised by some political reactions to my blog, so at this point, I would like to share my reasons for feeling the way I do.

Before I share, however, I would like to recount another little bit of family history. My dad tells a story, which, goes like this, if I remember correctly. The Apostle Henry D. Moyle stayed at our home when I was a child, and watched the Eisenhower/Stevenson election results. My dad vehemently cheered for "Ike". When they finished watching, Elder Moyle turned to my dad and said, "The best man just lost." When discussing politics, never make assumptions. A gentleman in my French conversational class made the statement, "If you don't want to vote for Romney because he is Mormon, then don't vote for him because he speaks bad French." At which point, I let him know, "Je suis mormon."

Oui, je suis mormon et j'aime Obama. One facebook friend said that he was trying to understand how I could possibly vote for Obama, and basically asked me why. Well, thanks for asking.

Nine years ago, I went back to teaching French full-time at a high school where the student population was made up of minorities. African-american, hispanic, asian, filipino were the predominant races in my classes. I saw that racism and poverty is still very much alive in our country. I saw students who had been challenged educationally, emotionally, and culturally in so many ways. I saw students who were abused,without medical care, students who didn't come into this world with the same advantages I was born with. They changed my heart.

When President Obama speaks of hope and change I believe he is talking about bringing our country to a place to bring where there is opportunity for everyone to be able to grow to their full potential, and that means having certain basic needs (health, education) met so they can thrive.

Some of my students were so far behind the eight-ball, that no amount of hard work was going to bring them out of the cycle of poverty that they were caught up in. I believe that President Obama was speaking to them, and that one of the fundamental changes he wants for America, is to level playing field. We need to change our mindset, from acquiring riches to acquiring compassion. I believe that those of us who have so much can give a little more.

You might think by now, that I am a left-wing socialist. I don't think so. A truly socialistic government brings about apathy and loss of incentive (i.e.Cuba). A uniquely democratic country fosters greed and chaos. Our country is a republic, and we have always had social programs, and will always need them to keep our nation strong. A nation that won't take care of its people is not a responsible nation.

I think President Obama understands this, and that is why I voted for him, and given what he had to start with, he has done a credible job. It is too bad that the media has chosen to use name calling, and to "demonize" a good man. He is intelligent, competent, and his core beliefs are evident in the way that he is able to quickly respond when questionned. The man can think on his feet.

I chose to de-register from the Republican party because it had become an embarrassment. I felt that the party was using "freedom" rhetoric to protect self-interests, rather than focusing on the needs of the nation. An important question to ask in any poltical race, is my vote based on what I want, or what really needs to happen?.

So where does this leave me with Mitt Romney? Well, I intend to listen to him, to read his book, just as I did Obama's books. I am open to seeing what his plan is for creating a healthy society, but so far, he has not been very convincing. This week he has not done a good job. (His comment that the safety net for the poor is ok, and accepting Donald Trump's endorsement is not helping me believe in him one bit.) He was born into privilege, and comes across as privileged and a little out of touch with the reality of what is really going on in America. To get my vote, he has some work to do.

Mitt Romney doesn't support the "Dream Act" and I do. This is one area where I am surprised his Mormon background doesn't play a factor, and I wonder if he is being true to his beliefs, or being politically expedient. The LDS church is soft on immigration,and very open to gathering people of diverse cultural backgrounds.

So, is what President Obama trying to accomplish feasible? I am going to recommend a book for you to read, Creating an Opportunity Society, by Ron Haskins and Isabel Sawhill. This book is non-partisan. (It has been quoted lately by politicians, Republican and Democrat, alike.) Haskins has worked with Republicans for almost two decades, and Sawhill is an economist who worked in the White House during the Clinton eras. This book proposes some ways in which we can (Yes, WE can!) create a society that is healthy and sane, in spite of the many challenges we have. It is not easy reading, and I am still slowly working my way through it but it gives me hope.

Thanks for listening. I just needed to say this! This is my personal value system, and if you disagree, you are free to do so. Just don't expect me to engage in lengthy political debates. It just isn't my style. Now, I will return my blog back to its intended purpose, as soon as something interesting happens around here.