| "Dissent is the Highest Form of Patriotism." That's what we told conservatives when they tried to shut us up during the long 8 years of the Bush presidency. The phrase still applies as we congratulate Barack Obama on his election victory and look forward to the dawning of the Obama Era.
Many of us look forward to the beginning of Obama's presidency with some trepidation. Yes, Barack Obama's victory is historic. Yes, Barack Obama is clearly made of finer presidential material than John McCain. That's why we voted for him. But along the path to victory Barack Obama made some pit stops that are disturbing to political progressives. As progressively patriotic Americans who want America to be the best it can be, we must voice our concerns, and then we must act upon them. If you're interested in action, then by golly my friend, go act: over here we keep a running list of progressive activist events in the Era of Obama. But marching in the streets isn't the only way to effect some change. Part of what has to be accomplished is the articulation of a progressive direction for this country... and come on, let's be frank: that isn't always the Obama direction. On this web page we encourage you to read the words of Americans who voted for Barack Obama, but have something else to say to President Obama, too. These are the words of citizens who feel an asterisk placed next to their vote. These are the words of citizens who feel that the need for the kind of Change We Can Believe In has not ceased with the election of one man. Find the words that speak to you here. Caveats: I Voted for You, But...
| 10 Most Recently Submitted CaveatsHome City: Portland Home State: OR Occupation: Registered Nurse Age: 36-45 Warren's caveat: All those dems that wouldn't do as the voters wanted in 2006 got it wrong. Dennis Kucinich was re elected even after all his push for impeachment, universal healthcare, end of the illegal and immoral war, and bringing the corporate rapists to justice. You all sat on the sidelines hoping to gain a strong majority on the next election, and now you have it. What now? will you worry about your re elction potential as early as day one, or, will you do the peoples bidding? We want: A return of our constitutional rights including the right to assemble and speak out against our government, an end to the Iraq war, end to the oil (not just foreign oil)economy, a repeal of the draconian survaillance of American citizens, Univeral healthcare, better education, punishment to the corporations that rob us, send our jobs overseas and expect to be compensated with a bailout, a return of habeus corpus, a repeal of every single signing statement by Bush/Cheney, do not pardon Bush/Cheney allow the legal chips to fall where they may, let justice work its magic. Home City: Home State: MT Occupation: retired Age: 56-65 E.'s caveat: The economic crisis has shoved to the far back burner the issue of the Iraq "war," which since the summer of 2003 has really been an occupation. And of a country which was never a threat to us, attacked "pre-emptively," on trumped up evidence. Do not wait a day to start bringing our troops home. This shameful episode in our imperialist history must be ended as soon as possible. Home City: Nederland Home State: CO Occupation: Retired Age: 56-65 AJ's caveat: Whenever liberals win elected office, they're invariably urged to "move to the center" in order to appease conservatives, libertarians, and other right wing extremists. All too often they acquiesce, as Bill Clinton did. (It didn't help him, the right wingers still hated him!) Be a real liberal and fight for real liberal causes: ~ Do you seriously think that the insurance companies and for profit health care providers will cooperate in providing affordable universal health care? Let's dump our unworkable system and join the rest of the civilized world in providing single-payer, government financed health care. ~ Our newspapers and broadcast news are filled with daily reports of the carnage in our streets and homes caused by private firearms. What kind of society allows its citizens to buy unlimited quantities of these deadly devices with less restriction than it applies to beer purchases? Let's get serious about real gun control and recognize that people who kill animals for fun are demented sadists and need to be institutionalized! ~ For thirty years the Republicans have waged unrelenting war on labor unions, with the result that union representation has decreased from nearly 25% to 7%. The result has been lower wages, fewer benefits, vanishing pensions, deplorable working conditions, jobs sent overseas ... For once, let's have a President who's pro-labor & really fights for working class Americans! ~ FDR knew a thing or two about being wealthy - he was rich himself! Under his administration the top marginal tax was more than 95%. The middle class trived and the rich still got richer! Let's have a President who sticks up for the middle class! Amd so on ...! Home City: Kansas City Home State: MO Occupation: unemployed writer/photographer Age: 46-55 Jody's caveat: First off, I want to say that I'm thrilled that we have elected our first African-American President, a man we chose not for the color of his skin but for the content of his character. Though racism is still alive and well in America, I believe that African-Americans have finally achieved full citizenship. Now we need to extend that to Gay Americans, in accordance with our Constitution. Though President-Elect Obama said that he does not support Gay marriage, as a Constitutional scholar he must know that anything less relegates Gay people to second-class citizenship. It's not right and it's not fair. In fact, like discrimination against any minority group, it's un-American. Home City: Sacramento Home State: CA Occupation: Blogger Age: 36-45 Robert's caveat: Already Israel's prime minister is dictating to President-elect Obama that he shouldn't have a dialog with Iran. President-elect Obama: The American taxpayers keep Israel afloat, so the White House should be giving orders to Israel -- not vice-versa. Keep us out of World War III by refusing to take marching orders from Israel for fear of being called an "anti-Semite" if you don't. ("Anti-Semite" is a convenient epithet to throw at someone who disagrees with the fact that Israel dictates our foreign policy.) And, Mr. President-elect, you would NEVER posit that each state should be able to determine blacks' rights -- so you need to stand up and jettison your position that each state should determine same-sex marriage. Racist Strom Thurmond's third party was called the "States' Rights Democrats"; it is appalling to hear you, of all people, lauding "states' rights," Mr. President-elect. Home City: Los Angeles Home State: NA Occupation: Human Relations Advocate Age: 36-45 Victoria's caveat: I love the new president, he is smart and thoughtful. I do however want him to hold the Bush Administration accountable for their lawless behavior for the past 8 years. I don't want our President to let bygones be bygones when those bygones consist of torture, illegal detention, violations of privacy and looting the treasury. Investigate, indict and jail Rove, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and all the Neocons who got us into this illegal occupation. Home City: Home State: SC Occupation: Age: Anon's caveat: I voted for Barack Obama, but I want to see him express his faith more fully. I do not think we have ever seen him praying in public. Why is that? Home City: Home State: NA Occupation: homemaker Age: 26-35 Mary's caveat: The first thing to be done to set this country right is to keep a close eye on Obama! He is an avowed socialist and plans to take this country to the extreme left. We will be sorry that he was elected . our taxes will go up substantially as will our energy bills Home City: Chino Valley Home State: AZ Occupation: secretary Age: 56-65 Barrett's caveat: I am celebrating! I couldn't be happier! But...I've heard that President Obama may support new restrictions on our freedom to keep and bear arms. I would like President Obama to sit down with people from the Gun Owners of America, the National Rifle Association, Second Amendment Sisters and others who understand the importance of the Second Amendment, and find out why we affirm this important right. Previous administrations have disrespected the Constitution; we want the Second Amendment respected along with all the other Amendments. The founders of this country understood that an unarmed populace is a vulnerable populace, and they sought to protect us by making our right to keep and bear arms a fundamental tenet of our basic rights as Americans. Let's show our maturity by emulating their wisdom. Home City: Crossville Home State: TN Occupation: Retired Age: 56-65 Patsy's caveat: Short and to the point... President Obama... The Bush Administration not only violated our Constitution but are guilty of "Crimes against Humanity / War Crimes", in their gamble to steal oil control from Iraq. They are responsible for the killing of thousands of our military and thousands of innocent Iraqi people (especially the children). IF anyone in the position to charge these people with crimes, PROMISE NOW, to not interfere and especially promise NO PARDONS! "No one is above the law, especially with the killings of innocents" including a President of the United States. |