Guest Blogger: Why Would an American Vote for McCain?

Why do middle and low-income Americans continue to vote against their own economic interests?

I have been thinking about this a lot lately because I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why McCain is staying so close to Obama. Also, I feel that whenever I am in any political discussion with a Republican I find myself pointing out to them that by voting for McCain they are voting directly against their own economic interests. Why? What makes people do this?

The economy is the number 1 issue in this election. This should be a huge edge for Obama. McCain and the Republicans want to continue to give huge tax breaks to the richest 1% of Americans, while also giving some minimal tax beaks to the rest of us. On the other hand, Obama wants to raise taxes for everyone making more then $250,000 while giving large tax breaks to the rest of us. I will concede that the richest 1% of our country should vote for McCain if all they care about is putting more money in their already platinum lined pockets. But the rest of the country - what the hell are they thinking? Here's my typical discussion with a Republican:

R - 'Barack will raise my taxes'
Me - 'You make more than $250,000 per year?'
R - 'No'
Me - 'Well then Barack won't be raising YOUR taxes. He is giving YOU a tax break which will be more than what McCain's offering you. McCain is giving the tax breaks Obama wants to give YOU to the richest 1% of Americans. Do you think this is fair?
R - 'No - but the rich people will invest their money in America and it will trickle down to me in the form of new opportunities'
Me - 'This is pretty much standard Republican tax strategy. How has it worked for you this last 8 years? Are you better off? You're skipping vacation this year so you can send your kids to college while your rich neighbors up the hill are taking their private plane to Paris to go shopping. Hey, by trickle down economics do you mean that you can buy your neighbors old clothes at Goodwill?'
R - 'No'
Me - 'Then why the hell are you voting for McCain?!?!?!?!'

So why would someone vote for McCain?

1. You are rich - OK, fair enough. Consider yourself lucky for making more money per year than 99% of Americans. But let it be known that you are putting your already fat wallet before the interests of the rest of America.

2. You're number 1 issue is overturning Roe vs. Wade and making sure that gays can't marry each other - Really? These are your biggest concerns? Did you even notice that the price of driving to anti-abortion rallies and feeding your gay hating family has been steadily rising? The country is AT WAR and GOING BROKE. Wake the f*#k up!!!!

3. You're a racist - Fine. So you are voting directly against your own economic interest because you're a racist. You deserve that rented trailer you're living in.

4. Obama doesn't have 'experience' - Hey, you know who had less experience than Obama when he became president? Abraham Lincoln, arguably the BEST president we've ever had. You know who had lots of experience? Richard Nixon, arguably the worst president we've ever had. Experience is an overrated criteria for a president. Leadership means everything. Leadership is inspiring people to follow your ideas to do something important. It's not hard to see which candidate has inspired more Americans to follow his lead.

5. You want Obama to lose so that Hillary can run in 2012 and be President - Seriously? You are going to let McCain win and appoint Supreme Court judges that will overturn Roe vs. Wade for spite? I hope your daughters and granddaughters never need an abortion or I hope you have enough cash to send them to Mexico or Canada if they do. Way to fight for women’s rights!

6. Obama isn't specific enough in his positions - Have you heard of the world wide web and do you know how to read? All of Obama's positions are clearly articulated on his website. If you don't have access to the interwebs, go to the library. If you don't know how to read, should you really be allowed to vote?

7. You want to kill the terrorists 'over there' so they don't attack us here - Fist of all, can you even find 'over there' on a map? Congratulations if you can, you're in the minority. Who are these terrorists you want to kill anyway? Iraqi's? We attacked (liberated) them because Saddam had weapons of mass destruction was a bad guy. Al Queda? Sure they are bad guys, but where are they hiding? Pakistan most likely, but most of 9-11 was planned and executed inside countries that are our allies. In any case, we need an army and money to carry out all these attacks you're planning. Our army is in terrible shape and on the verge of collapse and our wars are bankrupting our country!!! I hope you will be signing up yourself and your kids for active duty. Keep close tabs on your limbs while in the desert!

8. You think Obama will increase your taxes - Unless you are the lucky 2% of American family's that make more then $250,000 per year then this is just simply untrue. If you make less than $250,000 per year and vote for McCain then YOU ARE VOTING AGAINST YOUR OWN ECONOMIC INTERESTS. I can't be any clearer than that.

So why are you voting for McCain again??