Are you worried that McCain's smears may be gaining traction in your state or district? I've been worried about Ohio, so I wrote a series of replies to fight back. Please feel free to use one of my letters as a model and send your own letter-to-the-editor of a local paper. Time is running short: many papers have cut-off dates for election-related letters, so do it TODAY!Small town papers are a better bet for getting printed than big-city dailies that receive tons of letters. Also, those "pro-American" towns might need some balance about now. Find lists of newspapers here: http://www.50states.com/news/ and here: http://www.usnpl.com/It's always wise to check in advance if your paper has a length limit. They often don't tell you this on the website, so a quick phone call can save wasted time. Most will accept letters by email, so ask for the editor's (or relevant person's) direct address, too. Always include your address and phone number. They will not print these, but may call to verify that you are the sender.Please leave a comment to let others know where you've sent a letter. Of course, you can also revise any of these letters in your own words.
242 Words:Dear Editor:What is Joe thinking? How does he expect to buy a business that nets over $250,000 a year, on the average plumber's wage of $47,000? He's better off taking his Obama tax cut—3 times what McCain would give his income bracket—and starting a business of his own. For the next 2 years, Obama proposes a big credit for employers who add jobs on American soil, and he will help provide health care for those workers. How will McCain help small business with a budget freeze across the board on non-military spending? How will Americans afford to patronize those start-up businesses with a freeze on student loans, Pell grants, Head Start, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and everything else?If Joe the plumber--or Josephine the waitress, dental hygienist, teacher, nurse, and etc.—really believes trickle-down economics will save his pension or standard of living, he needs to consider getting his head examined. Have those policies worked so well over the past 8 years? A financial system geared to make the rich richer landed us in the current recession with a tanking stock market and jobs disappearing left and right. John McCain proposes more tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans—exactly what led to baroque investments, a housing bubble, and inevitable collapse the last time around.Joe, take your head out of the sand! Don't drink that same old Kool-Aid. Whatever the smear-machine is telling you, Obama is the one who's on your side.
PLEASE USE THIS SAMPLE LETTER, COPY AND EDIT, TO CREATE YOUR OWN--SEND TO NEWSPAPERS IN YOUR LOCALE OR REGION. THE FOLLOWING LETTER IS UNDER 200 WORDS LONG. MANY PAPERS ENFORCE A STRICT WORD LIMIT, SO CHECK ON THIS BEFORE YOU SEND. ALWAYS INCLUDE YOUR NAME, SIGNATURE (if sending by snail mail), ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER. THEY WILL NOT PUBLISH YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION, BUT MAY CALL TO VERIFY THAT YOU INTENDED TO SEND THE LETTER.
Even before the current financial crisis, economists at the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center endorsed Obama 66% to 28%. Their reasons include inaccuracies in John McCain's proposal to slash earmarks: his own advisers admit that only a fraction of the amount first claimed could be saved without damaging defense priorities, such as aid to Israel. Others cite exploding deficits resulting from more tax cuts for the super-rich and the elimination of domestic spending. Former Fed Chairman Paul Volker affirms that Obama's tax proposals give more relief to more Americans—95% of working families. Under McCain's plan, 100 million Americans receive no tax cut. To address the current crisis, Obama demands safeguards for taxpayers: Oversight and accountability No "golden parachutes." Our investment must buy equity, not worthless paper. Help for families facing foreclosure. By contrast, McCain's trickle-down philosophy was never designed to protect common wage-earners. In 26 years in Washington, McCain's fight for deregulation led to the risky deals that are collapsing around us today. We need real leadership through these difficult times. Vote Obama for economic security.
Want to make a difference in this election? Want to be a part of History? Then come to Indiana and help us turn the Hoosier state blue for the first time in 44 years. The race here in Indiana is close. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to deliver our 11 electoral votes for Barack Obama on November 4th, but with your help, we can do just that and help put Barack Obama in the White House. We are neighbors. We share common values. We are facing challenges because of the failed Bush economic policies and we all share a common desire for change.
Go to http://in.barackobama.com/cometoindiana to signup
OR Can’t make the trip but want to help? Make calls from home at
my.barackobama.com and select the call Indiana campaign on your dashboard
I always think its interesting when people ask me why I'm supporting Senator Barack Obama. I'v posted a few (ok, several) flyers on MySpace regarding a happy hour event for Obama. One of my MySpace frieds wrote to day:
Hey Lindsay!I'm hoping you can help educate me:Why Obama over Hilliary? This isn't a criticism - I genuinely want to know what you think! - I tried to do my own research to compare them. But on the issues, the two candidates seem really similar (on paper). Yet a lot of ppl think Hillary is a liar and don't trust her and worry that she will piss off the rest of the world. What is that based on? But then others say the last Clinton administration was good and Barack doesn't have enough experience. So tell me why you like Obama so much...you're obviously a big supporter and I'd sincerely like to know why.Thanks!~ Anynomous
See below for my responce :-).
Fabulous wins in Wisconsin and Hawaii! Our margins are awesome! A lot of the talk I've heard now is, of course, about how important Texas and Ohio will be, which we already knew. There was also talk that Ohio will be harder for Senator Obama than Texas. I don't think they know about our super staff and super volunteers! We have such an amazing team willing to contribute so much time. It will be a lot of work, but WE CAN and WE WILL!
Ohio for Obama!
Let's make History!
Let's change the world!
I live in northwest Ohio,Bowling Green actually.And last year the company i worked for moved our plant to Mexico.I had worked from the ground up for 6 years.I started as a assembly worker,and through tons of overtime,and hard work moved up to production manager.When I was laid off I was making 12.75 an hour with Health/dental,and 401k.Now the only job I could find for full time employment was for 7.00 an hour with no benifits.
I noticed in recent debates the discussion of illegal immigration was brought up by both parties.I think it is sad that we are talking about immigrant Americans as criminals seeing that is how we all started out here,with exception to "first Americans".The problem I see is not illegal immigrants taking jobs away,but American companies shipping jobs to countries to increase "bottom line"profits.This has not been brought up enough and I feel it is a huge problem.My grandparents both worked for Wagner Ware in Sidney OH. all their lives and retired from there.This seems impossible to do these days with the ability of companies to have foriegn workers do the job for pennies an hour in other countries.It takes the pride of employees and dreams and destroyes them.Instead of taking jobs away from immigrants I think we need to bring jobs back here and give everyone the chance to have a good paying job.
Next on my mind is these long running Senators running a campaign on what changes they are going to make when elected!I learned most of my understanding of politics from Mr. Russert,my mom(who lost her job and home after 9/11,she is a travel agent who lives in an apt. in Tampa just to keep her pention),and congress.org.I understand that congress makes laws not presidents,so if they were really to change america they have had plenty of time to do it.I almost feel like we are being played by Mc Cain and the likes.You had all these years to do something but failed to do so.Please if you can Mr. Obama let them know how we feel,and that we are not stupid enough to fall for these issues that they want to make relevent,instead of addressing the real problems.i find it hard to believe these senators think they can fool us.Sorry about my spelling and grammer I tried my best!
I wish the media spent less time on who is ahead and behind in the presidential race and other things not concerning their political voting record, accomplishments, and views on issues.
I wish the candidates could debate one issue at a time, not multiple issues.
It would also be good to see candidates receive free time to campaign on radio, television, print, and media. I do not support many proposal concerning public funding of candidates beyond allowing access to the media. I always resented incumbents sending mail from their office with public funds while opposition candidates received nothing. I think candidates should be able to summarize on a page or two their views and party affiliation directly on the voting ballot. Who says it should only take a few minutes to vote. Election day should be a work-free holiday, with consideration given to those who must work, like safety services. Registration should be simple and be allowed on election day. Running for office should be simple and open, with no restrictions based on party affiliation or pre-qualifications.
My presidential voting record.
I voted for George Bush in 1988 (But registered at a Democratic campus table, I have never forgetten that Democrats seemed more interested in registering voters). I remember Democratic voters rejecting the Rainbow Coalition. It was my first election. Ronald Reagan visited my campus. I regreted Bush's foreign policy decisions. George Bush was present in Detroit when John Paul II said Mass in the Detroit Silverdome, I and some high school classmates were also present.
I voted for Bill Clinton in 1992 (He did not accomplish enough on domestic socio-economic issues)(The current leader of the Ohio Democratic Party in Ohio was in one of my college classes, a person who has a bright political future)
I voted for Bob Dole in 1996 (mostly a rejection of Clinton. I still have never voted against now Sen George Voinovich, who occasionaly takes independent postions)
I voted for Ralph Nader in 2000 (I voted Green, third party, or independent in all state and national elections)
I voted for Ralph Nader in 2004 and was present at a local speech he gave. (I voted for Dennis Kucinich in the primary, and Democrats for state and national office, except governor. I voted Green for governor (in opposition to the death penalty and support socio-economic concerns). I voted for Sherrod Brown for Senate (a winner) and Robin Weirech for House (who lost).
I will vote for Obama in Ohio's March primary.
I would likely not vote for Hillary Clinton as a presidential or vice presidential candidate, but might vote her to the Senate if I lived in New York.
I would not support a Nader candidacy over Obama's candidacy.
I would likely support a John Edwards presidential candidacy or vice presidency.
I intend to vote in the Ohio Democratic primary for Barack Obama on Mar 4th. A few years ago my polling place was moved essentially next door to me to a local church. Before that it was held in a local elementary school. I walk out of my front door past one other house and into the polling place. Absolutely no need for an absentee ballot!!
Link asked everyone for a small donation, even if only $5, “I would rather raise $5 from 100,000 people, than $100,000 from 5 people”, goes here to help Senator Obama. Link
