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I was an Edwards supporter for all of the reasons Michael Moore outlined in his open letter the day before the Iowa Caucuses. What spoke to me most was his belief that corporations have American in a choke hold and that the priorities need to be shifted from benefiting companies to benefiting the people. I believe that corporate greed at least partially explains so many of the problems we face now: rising gas prices, the war in Iraq, health care affordability, etc. If I had to boil down my choice of candidates to ONE issue - THIS would be it.
When Edwards dropped out, I was SERIOUSLY disillusioned. MAINLY because I felt neither Obama or Hillary were as tough on corporations as I would have liked - and in some instances seem downright cozy with corporate America.
For a week I pouted. I really believed Edwards was the best answer to our problems, the best candidate for the job, and my heart was broken by his departure.
AT NO POINT, EVEN AT MY MOST DEPRESSED, DID I EVEN CONSIDER NOT VOTING FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE OUT OF SPITE.
While I was still bitter that Obama and Clinton had ended my hopes of having John Edwards as President, I knew EITHER was going to be tougher on MY issue than McCain. Under McCain, corporate greed would flourish! So even while still in mourning for the death of the Edwards campaign, I made my choice of who the NEXT BEST candidate would be on my issue and several other issues important to me.
Hillary supporters are in the same position I was in just a few short months ago. You're angry and disappointed. You believe there has been unfairness and even sexism. Some are allowing their anger and disappointment to blind them to the greater truth. Some can't see the forest for the trees. You have 4 choices and NO ONE can make the decision for you:
1) Vote for a third party candidate or write in Hillary Clinton. If we ignore history we are doomed to repeat it. We don't need a longterm memory to recall 2000 and Bush/Gore/Nader. Sadly, voting for someone other than a Democrat or a Republican is like throwing away your vote. After all the talk about "electability" I can say DEFINITIVELY that unless there is a D or an R behind a candidate's name in November, they are, without question, UNELECTABLE. You might as well write in Mickey Mouse. Who does that benefit? Certainly not you. It's self-defeating.
2) Stay home. Is any feminist out there honestly willing to argue that THIS is the best strategy for showing your displeasure at Hillary not being the nominee? Are you willing to give up your RIGHT that suffragettes fought so hard for because your candidate is not the one? This is more self-defeating that voting for a third party! You are, WILLINGLY, giving up your voice.
3) Vote McCain. Are feminists honestly willing to vote a man into office who will inevitably appoint supreme court justices opposed to reproductive freedom? Are you honestly willing to let ONE CANDIDATE, ONE VOTE, force you to vote for someone willing to roll back all the advancements feminists have made since the sexual revolution? I believe this is the MOST self-defeating choice a feminist could make.
4) Vote Obama. He ain't perfect, but I can guarantee you that if he's President he will fight for choice. He will fight for the economic policies that will benefit women and children. No one's asking you to like him. Hate him with a passion if you must. But he IS the only logical choice to protect feminist ideals.
I believe most Hillary supporters to be good, rational, caring people. What you are going through right now is hard. But I have faith in you. I have faith that you will do what is right for the feminist causes and the nation in general and vote Democrat - NO MATTER WHAT - in the fall. No judgment. No criticism. Just faith in you to do the right thing.
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