Letters to the Editor
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a plea from an ardent Obama supporter
To those Democrats out there who claim they plan on sitting out the general if Clinton wins the Democratic nomination, such as Jdorfma4:
McCain isn't the worst Republican and at least the man's honest most of the time. I'll weep the loss of free choice but I know he won't support torture (too much) and too much erosion of our civil liberties. He's not worse than Bush. He won't roll back the tax cuts but I don't see him granting new ones. All in all, at this point, he's better than Hillary.
Keep in mind that McCain just sided with the notion that waterboarding (i.e., torture) was legal if the CIA did it. Such conviction, this guy.
And to think that he won't sell us out (any further, anyway) on civil liberties, tax cuts for the rich and corporations, etc.; well, I'm sorry, but that's a whole bushel full of false hope. See the CIA-torture issue, above.
I can't stomach another 4 years of that conniving weasel. And America is not a monarchy, I'd really like an election without a Bush or Clinton on the ballot. We haven't had one of those since 1976. I think its time.
I'm generally in agreement with you there, but none of these concerns should trump the greater concerns: ending this horrible occupation (tip: it's an occupation, not a war -- we've loooooooooooong since won the war), civil liberties, fair economic and tax policy, investment in the collective commons, etc.
A McCain presidency certainly could be more moderate and willing to compromise. Or it could just as easily be an extension of the lion's share of Bush's failed policies, only this time executed with competency. I shudder to think of the outcome of that.
So my plea to the more die-hard Obama folks out there: Realize that not as good (Clinton) is far superior to not worthy of our vote (McCain), and that in as important an election as this one not participating is pretty much a vote for McCain.
Please don't sit this one out. And certainly don't support McCain, a man who would sell out just about everything.
Support Obama if that's your inclination (after Edwards dropped out, it's certainly been mine). Be passionate.
But if Clinton prevails, and if you hold dear the principles of democracy, please try to look beyond Hillary's flaws -- she's still light years better on the issues than McCain could ever hope to be.