The Presidential debates are over.  The pundits have all offered their various views and perspectives.  And while there remains less than 2 weeks to go, there is much work to be done by both the Republican and Democrat campaigns.  The 2 candidates, Governor Mitt Romney, and President Barack Obama, have both proffered their platforms to not only the country, but to the world.

The campaigns, by way of the debates, offered entertainment if nothing else, for those of us who were looking for a so called, good “fight”.  But the debates, including the ones conducted between Congressman Paul Ryan, Republican, and Vice President, Joe Biden, Democrat, offered much more than entertainment for those of us who were looking for something of substance to compare these two accomplished political warriors.

The substance that we sought, and hopefully found, was not only in the candidates, but also in the platforms and policies of their political parties.  The substance, if we were not only looking for it, but were ready to acknowledge it, existed well before either candidate ever stepped foot into the 21st century political arena.  Here are examples of what I mean: 

• Abortion and a woman’s right to choose.  Where do we stand as a nation?  As simple a question as that is, my candidate, nor his party stands against a woman’s right to an abortion irrespective of rape, incest or health of the mother. Correct me, if I am wrong.
• Where do we stand with respect to a woman getting paid equally with a man?  The man I have come to know as president has signed the Lilly Leadbetter legislation into law. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilly_Ledbetter_Fair_Pay_Act
• As a country, we believe that jobs should be created and remain within America’s shores and not be sent overseas,  Mr. Obama stands by that promise
• Where do we stand when it comes to bringing our men and women home from a war that has outlast its purpose?  Should our men and women be left on the battlefield in harm’s way, or brought home?
• Where do we stand on welfare?  No, not individual welfare, corporate welfare.  We watched as corporations received billions of dollars in corporate welfare because they were “too big to fail”, but ask us to help someone who has lost a job, who can’t feed their families or who are trying to get back on their feet.   Where does America stand when it comes to providing for others to get back on their feet?  I know where President Obama stands.  Last, but not least,
• Healthcare- or “Obamacare”.  Mr. Obama’s opponent, Mr. Romney says to scrap Affordable Healthcare and give the monies to the states.  Mr. Romney (former Governor of Massachusetts) and the current governor of Louisiana, both Republicans, stand substantively on closing hospitals, mental health facilities, and rewarding insurance companies who dictate medical care instead of doctors.

  You may not agree with me, after all, who am I?  I am just an Independent Registered voter.   You may not agree with President Obama, but the policies that save lives are important to all Americans.  If you don’t like the man, for whatever reason, it is noted.  But for the sake of the lives his administration will save, if you must, hold your nose. 

Hold your nose as you vote to re-elect President Obama. 
Hold your nose as you vote to bring our troops home.
Hold your nose as you vote to keep Affordable Healthcare, or more affectionately called, “Obamacare.” 
Hold your nose as a woman’s right to choose is not placed in jeopardy by policies that could be taken back to a time pre-Roe V. Wade

  The substance of which I refer to is that which defines not only Mr. Romney and Mr. Obama as candidates, but us as a country. That substance can be found in the policies that both men are privileged to put forth.  With that said, I believe that who we are, is best represented by President Obama.  So if you don’t like the man, I can accept that.  I believe that even he can accept that.  But to vote against the policies that he represents just because he is the person that represents those policies, requires doing something awesome, despite the hatred, or dislike, or disapproval that any one of us may have for him.  I encourage you to re-elect President Obama, even if you have to hold your nose.

Vote November 6, 2012 as though your life depends on it.  Because, it does.

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