Life Will Go On After the Election

I was somewhat accosted by an old friend at 24 Hour Fitness the other day because I was wearing an Obama t-shirt. That this person was a McCain supporter was not a surprise. What was a surprise was the angry and confrontational tone that this normally very pleasant, always smiling and happy person took with me. “I make over $250,000 a year and I’m upset” started the “conversation”, and I use that term loosely. After she related a self-proclaimed “funny” story about a street beggar and a waiter who were Obama supporters that’s going around on the internet I tried to start explaining why I supported Obama but I was cut off and she walked off in a semi-huff.

By the time most of you read this the election will have already happened. Since I didn’t get a chance to explain myself to my friend I’ll explain here why I’m an Obama supporter. I’m “Joe business owner”. I don’t make anywhere near $250,000 and don’t expect to. I’ve been middle class all my life. For the last 20-plus years the wealthy have done very well in the U.S. Their incomes have shot up at a pace that well exceeds the rate of inflation. The rest of, however, have not done so well financially speaking. It seems all legislation that is passed favors the wealthy and the large corporations. Trickle-down economics became tinkle-down economics. Middle income wages have stagnated at best. In some demographics income has gone down over that period. I think I work every bit as hard as the wealthy. I used to be a vice president of a bank and chose to become self-employed because I wanted to be my own boss and establish something of a legacy for my children. I most likely would be making much more money had I stayed in banking. But that’s ok because I made the choice and I enjoy a lifestyle that is not possible when you work for someone else.

I feel like the middle class needs a break. I’m tired of seeing the wealthy get all the breaks. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy for my wealthy friends. I don’t resent your wealth one bit. But I also won’t lose one bit of sleep over the fact that you might pay a bit more in taxes if Obama is elected. Yes, there are a lot of other issues to be concerned about for this election; war, immigration, health care, education, etc. But right now, and for every election it seems, the economy is the big issue on everyone’s mind.

I feel like it’s about time someone stood up for the middle class and the working poor and I believe Obama will and McCain wouldn’t. So, I say to all of you, vote in your own self interest. I know I will. If you’re a part of the 5% that makes over $250,000, congratulations. I’m part of the other 95% and I’m a voter and an American and that really smart guy who is an eloquent speaker with the funny name doesn’t scare me at all. I’m excited by the prospect of real change in an Obama presidency. But if he isn’t elected, so be it. America will go on, albeit much less wealthy than it was just a few months ago, but it will go on. I’ll continue to complain about our government and its policies and how they seem to represent just the top 5% of income earners. If Obama is elected I suspect I’ll still complain about our government, but less often. After all, it’s not just my right to complain, it’s my civic duty.