Common Sense

[amber benson]

I've always felt strongly that all of humanity was created equal. Not because it is written in the United States Constitution (actually the Constitution says "...that all men are created equal..." which isn't exactly the same thing), but because the notion of equality is just good common sense.

All human beings breathe - ditto for going to the bathroom and eating. We all get sick. We are all born and one day we will all die. I think Shakespeare said it best: "If I am cut, do I not bleed?" I think that can be applied to every person on this entire Earth and if that does not make us equal then I don't know what the heck does.

Yes, you can argue that our skins are disparate colors and our languages and cultures diverge at numerous points, but the thing that makes us human, the very essence of our bodies and souls, is exactly the same. That you just can't argue. Of course, some people will still harp on our differences, make the case that because of them, we are not equal, but I think that it is our varied differences that make us, as a human race, great. When we work in concert with one another, using our unique differences, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish. It's only when we choose to segregate and fight amongst ourselves, that all I see is our eventual ruination.

Like in everything, the whole is equal to the sum of its parts - and that applies to humanity, too.

Okay, time to get off the soapbox. I just wanted to say all of the above because I believe that for the last eight years we have been living under a Presidency that does not think ALL human beings were created equal. Only a select few - white and primarily male - were treated the way that every American, every human being, is supposed to be treated. Basic Human Rights (Habeas Corpus, anyone?) were trod upon, our Constitution was ignored and, in some cases, outright abandoned. We lived in a state of fear - I, too, bought into the lies and misinformation like the majority of Americans - where we were so terrified of terrorists blowing us up that we went out and did that exact same thing to a whole other country. We have had eight years of insanity and it just seems totally nuts to have four or eight or - God, forbid if Sarah Palin gets under our skin - sixteen more.

This is why I support Barack Obama. I believe that electing him as President will swing our country away from the far right position we're currently maintaining and return us back to the middle.

Also, it gets us closer to having a little equality in this country, which is, like I said, just good common sense.

[Kate Burkhalter]

I think a lot of the difference between the far left and the far right is what they think should be regulated, and what we know in our hearts to be the right thing to do. It has been said that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, but on the same level, I believe that the needs of the individual outweigh what the populace thinks is right or wrong. Obama understands the needs of individuals as well as what is right for our country, and that is why he has my support.

[Phoenix]

I'm the type of person who hears negative comments everywhere, especially sexist ones. Having been raised in a home where sexism was so highly frowned upon, but in a community where it's common and no big thing, sexism strikes me deep in the core. Men and women being equal, I believe, is a basic right.
Now, I've been listeing to Obama speak since America began to hear his voice. I have not heard one sexist comment come out of his mouth. Not one that I can cleary remember.
Doesn't that tell yuo something?
So, you're absolutely right- Obama for equality!

[Pawluh]

This is great. It really helps to be able to step back and see the big picture. Of course there are a million billion reasons to vote for Obama, but basic human rights and equality is really at the heart of most of those issues.

as an aside, much of this can be applied to animals and why we should treat them better!

[Mary Mo]

Well done. Basic human rights... who ever thought that would be something we'd have to fight for? Well, I guess we're constantly fighting for them. :)