Have you been watching the Democratic National Convention? Did you watch Michelle Obama speak? How about Hilary Clinton? Bill Clinton? Joe Biden? Al Gore? Barack Obama? Did you watch the entire speeches or just catch the sound bites on the 10:00 news? Don't worry if you missed it, you can watch any and all of the speeches in HD at http://gallery.demconvention.com/. This is a high quality video, just like what NBC's Olympics site had. What I find interesting is their HD video content is being delivered via Silverlight. I find that very interesting.
If you've read my blog before you may know that I'm a registered Democrat. Early on in this election I supported Hillary. I was very disappointed and heart-broken as I watched her lead slip away. When it came time for Oregon to have its primary election I wasn't sure what to do. I was planning on voting for Hillary. On the Sunday before our primary, Barack Obama held a rally on the waterfront in downtown Portland. I didn't attend but watched it on television. I was impressed. I was amazed. I voted for Barack in the Oregon primary election.
I've been pretty quiet about my political beliefs when talking to family members. I grew up as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and my entire family is active members of the church scattered throughout Idaho and Arizona. Mormons traditionally vote Republican. Many of my family members were supporters of Mitt Romney. I feel now is the time for me to explain why I am voting for Barack Obama and why I think they should do the same. Good thing us Mormons are forgiving of each other, eh? 
Over the last four days I've spent an average of 5 hours each day listening to and watching the Democratic National Convention. I'm planning on doing the same during the Republican Convention. I've made a decision to support Barack Obama and I need to be sure that I'm making the correct decision. By watching the Republican Convention I will either solidify and finalize that decision, or identify new questions that need to be answered before my decision can be finalized.
This election is important. Some may say that all elections are important, but this one is important to me. I'm not voting for a candidate, I'm voting for me. I'm voting because I want my voice to be counted and heard. In 2000 I was supporting Al Gore but didn't vote because I lived in Idaho where Gore had zero chance of winning. I will never make the mistake of not voting again.
In this election I believe only four issues matter:
- Nuclear Energy - Our energy/oil crisis is the number one problem, and I firmly believe the only way we can fix this long term is with safe and efficient nuclear energy. Solar and wind power are great and help out a little bit, but we aren't going to be able to truly end our dependence on oil and solve the energy crisis we face without nuclear energy.
- Housing Market - Currently I rent a home in Hillsboro, Oregon. I have younger siblings in both Arizona and Idaho who have purchased similar-sized homes (or larger) for half the price compare to the one I live in. I'm wondering if I'll ever be able to afford a home in Oregon, let alone one with a yard. The prices on homes throughout America have started to adjust back to normal, but not in Oregon. Jeff Merkely, how can you help me on this? Will you?
- Economy - This is perhaps most voters' number one issue. I've moved it to three because I believe a large part of this can be solved by increasing the amount of nuclear energy we generate. Item number two is really a subset of this item, but is listed higher for personal reasons. There's a lot more to talk about here, but I assume most people already understand why this issue is so important.
- Universal Health Care - I find it very frustating that ever since I've moved out to Oregon I haven't been able to afford having my family on a health plan provided by any of my employers. It's actually cheaper to have my wife and children have their own policy. How in the world does it cost more money to have them on my plan, versus having them get their own? Their premiums consistently go up, and their benefits go down. This is one area that frustrates me to no end. What about all the families who don't work in the tech industry like me and have a smaller income? Ever see the movie John Q? How about Sicko? This is the point where I seriously start to consider moving up to Vancouver, BC. I could easily work as a software developer up there. I also hear the fishing is great. But seriously, why should I have to move from America to get decent and affordable health care coverage for me and my family?
Now there are lots of other issues that matter and need to be solved, but for me those are lower priority than these four. I recommend listing to Barack Obama's speech from tonight. I also recommend listening to Bill Clinton's speech from last night. If you do that you'll understand why I am voting for Barack Obama, and you'll come to realize that you should vote for him as well. Seriously, don't take my word for it, listen to him.
Barack Obama is grounded in reality. He knows what its like to not have a lot of money, to live from paycheck to paycheck. He knows what its like to have to go to school on student loans and then be wondering how you'll pay them back when you can't even get a job that brings in enough money to pay your bills. Barack Obama realizes that 95% of Americans deserve and need tax breaks. He wants to do away with tax shelters and corporate loop holes, and instead give breaks to those who take the risks of starting up new businesses. He believes in the importance of nuclear energy and wants to see us using more of it. He understands the importance of health care for every American and has a plan to increase benefits, not take them away. He will stop the insurance companies from denying services to those who deserve it. He had a grandma who had cancer and had to argue on the phone with the insurance companies to get services covered.
I'm not sure how Barack will help me with my housing market problems here in Oregon. I first need to go through my local representatives and get these stupid land use policies changed. It will be tough, and I'm guessing I'll be stuck where I'm at until this startup which I work for takes off and makes billions. Yeah, I'd be ok with that kind of solution to my housing market problems. But until then....
We've got a three-day weekend coming up. I know most of you won't be working on Monday. If you didn't take the time to listen to Barack Obama speak, then I encourage you to make an effort to do that. But don't stop there. Take the time to tune into the Republican National Convention (ignore the javascript errors on their website). Pay attention to the speakers and what is said. Take an interest in this election. Make sure you're registered to vote. Encourage others to do the same. Above all, focus on the issues that matter most to you. Make a list and verify the candidate you're supporting is actually the better candidate and will accomplish what you feel is most important. Don't stand for negative campaigning, but do stand for what you believe in.