But as I reviewed the history of the primary and the current issues facing us, it seemed increasingly like the only ethical, pragmatic and appropriate choice.
Consider the caucus fraud, stripping of
Clinton’s votes and denial of a fair and open roll call. The relentless sexism from the media and the silence from Democratic Party. Obama’s refusal to have town halls with her and then McCain. Obama’s waffling on important issues like FISA and campaign finance reform. The obscene amounts of money that Obama’s campaign has spent when people are losing their homes. Over 680 million dollars of which we know. Probably more. His lack of judgment in choosing close associates and friends. Like Jeremiah Wright. Tony Rezko. William Ayers. Khalidi.It is clear that the Democratic Party as we knew it, the Democratic Party of my parents, no longer exists. Its leadership does not support the most basic principle of one person, one vote. And they do not support women, the majority of its membership.
Clearly, it is time to look somewhere else.
And then the economy tanked and the choice became very clear. I have never voted Republican in my life. As I began to study the issues more closely, I grew to really appreciate what John McCain has to say. He understands that you cannot tax small businesses at a high rate, as Obama is proposing. Small businesses are what drive the economy. We need and must create opportunities for Joe (and Josie!) the Plumber. What can Obama be thinking? And how does he possibly plan to pay for all of the programs he is proposing? More taxes in a struggling economy?
Nobody gets this more than the Cuban community in
Miami.Traveling much of the time in
Miami with Dr. Lynette Long, the leading expert on the caucus fraud perpetuated against Hillary Clinton by Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee, we did a lot of canvassing and shaking of hands, otherwise known as retail politics.
November 4, 2008 at 3:42 pm
This is excellent. Cubans are dominant in Southern Florida, no?
Too bad Hispanics as a whole seem to be ardent Obama supporters, god knows why.
November 4, 2008 at 3:44 pm
As an immigrant myself from a country with strong governmental control, not fearful as Cuba but still, I feel the same way as the Cubans.
It is my worst nightmare coming true if Obama wins. I left a country where the government controls a lot of things and we pay high taxes. My country control the citizens in a different way than Castro, but it is still mind control and a lot of things forbidden. I came to this country because I have the opportunity to create a good life for my family. Why would I vote for a system that failed my country? And so many more? I am for individualism. And Obama is at least 50 years too late. Hasn’t he learned about the fall of the Iron Curtain? Oh, forgot, his history skills are not that good…
November 4, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Looks like Fidel’s endorsement of Obama registered with the Cubans.
November 4, 2008 at 3:47 pm
This is a great post. YOu described my feelings in a nutshell. I just got back from voting and I voted Rebuplican for the first time.
November 4, 2008 at 3:51 pm
This is what happens when you flirt with socialism (for instance: Socialized Medicine or HillaryCare). Eventually you get people who want full blown Socialism, which is what those of us on the right have been warning about for years.
I have a new found respect for Democrats due to the PUMA crowd. Hopefully the prospect of the full blown Socialism that Obama advocates will make Democrats rethink some of their positions and all of us on the center-left and center-right who love this country can work together to make it even better.
The extremists on either side of the isle are the real problem and hopefully those of us in the center can reach common ground and fix the things in this country that need to be fixed instead of going back to partisan politics as usual.
I look forward to the years ahead when American means more than Republican or Democrat.
November 4, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I’m American of Cuban descent who happens to be gay and my entire family has voted for McCain today in Miami, Florida-some are Hillary supporters! Go PUMA’s-Miami loves McCain/Palin….Country First!
November 4, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I’ve got a couple of good friends in FLA who are of Cuban descent. One came here when her family fled Castro’s socialism. She remembers her family speaking of it, the fear, etc.
Seems to me they know as well as ANYONE what can happen with an election promising change……
No one should have to go through what too many Cuban people have gone through.
To our Cuban friends – welcome to America, and thank you for your help!
November 4, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I have friends who are from Russia, Ukraine, Ireland etc…that have become citizens… they’re all registered to vote… and they’re all voting McCain. I find these ppl many times more patriotic… more passionate about our country… than others.
November 4, 2008 at 4:20 pm
[...] HillBuzz has a story on Cuban support for McCain. What was I just saying about their vote? Expect to see that state in McCain’s win column [...]
November 4, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Immigrants to this country understand the importance of Freedom. It is never free and it can never be bought. Here is a story from a man who truly loves his country and understands what she’s all about.
‘The Pledge of Allegiance’ – by Senator John McCain
‘As you may know, I spent five and one half years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. In the early years of our imprisonment, the NVA kept us in solitary confinement or two or three to a cell. In 1971 the NVA moved us from these conditions of isolation into large rooms with as many as 30 to 40 men to a room.
This was, as you can imagine, a wonderful change and was a direct result of the efforts of millions of Americans on behalf of a few hundred POWs 10,000 miles from home.
One of the men who moved into my room was a young man named Mike Christian. Mike came from a small town near Selma ,Alabama. He didn’t wear a pair of shoes until he was 13 years old. At 17, he enlisted in the US Navy; he later earned a commission by going to Officer Training School. Then he became a Naval Flight Officer and was shot down and captured in 1967. Mike ha d a keen and deep appreciation of the opportunities this country and our military provide for people who want to work and want to succe ed.
As part of the change in treatment, the Vietnamese allowed some prisoners to receive packages from home. In some of these packages were handkerchiefs, scarves and other items of clothing.
Mike got himself a bamboo needle. Over a period of a couple of months, he created an American flag and sewed it on the inside of his shirt.
Every afternoon, before we had a bowl of soup, we would hang Mike’s shirt on the wall of the cell and say the Pledge of Allegiance.
I know the Pledge of Allegiance may not seem the most important part of our day now, but I can assure you that in that stark cell it was indeed the most important and meaningful event.
One day the Vietnamese searched our cell, as they did periodically, and discovered Mike’s shirt with the flag sewn inside, and removed it.
That evening they returned, opened the door of the cell, and for the benefit of all of us, beat Mike Christian severely for the next couple of hours. Then, they opened the door of his cell and threw him in. We cleaned him up as well as we could.
The cell in which we lived had a concrete slab; in the middle on which we slept. Four naked light bulbs hung in each corner of the room.
As I said, we tried to clean up Mike as well as we could. After the excitement died down, I looked in the corner of the room and sitting there beneath that dim light bulb with a piece of red cloth, another shirt and his bamboo needle, was my friend, Mike Christian. He was sitting there with his eyes almost shut from the beating he had received, making another American flag. He was not making the flag because it made Mike Christian feel better. He was making that flag because he knew how important it was to us to be able to pledge our allegiance to our flag and country.
So the next time you say the Pledge of Allegiance, you must never forget the sacrifice and courage that thousands of Americans have made to build our nation and promote freedom around the world. You must remember our duty, our honor, and our country.’
‘I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible,with liberty and justice for all.’
PASS THIS ON… And on… And on! You can even send it back to me, I don’t mind, because its worth reading again.
Oh….and then you have the one, who refuses to place his hand on his heart and say the pledge……
Let’s all remember this on election day…if you have family serving in the military, make sure you send it along.
If you can read this thank a teacher
If you are reading this in English, thank a soldier
November 4, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Brett that’s so true.
Maybe its because they have seen the results of the policies first hand and do not want any part of it here.
November 4, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Andrea,
I am in tears. Thank you. Passing it on.
November 4, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Cubans have seen the gulags and know the jack boots of socialism from the raw side. My Cuban friends are perplexed, don’t people hear what Obama is saying? I just smile and say no, they aren’t listening.
November 4, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Thank you for this article guys. As a Cuban American, I can tell a socialist when I see one. We are united with the PUMAS in eliminating this clown from politics.
November 4, 2008 at 5:07 pm
This is unity for the right reasons. I just want to thank every one of you for making this day inspiring. Something really incredible is happening on Hillbuzz, don’t miss it!
I am moved by the love of country and I truly believe that such a love and devotion to this ideal, serves us greatly.
November 4, 2008 at 5:08 pm
The Lovely Mrs. Snake, who is not an especially politcally sophisticated person, fled communist Nicaragua (her beloved homeland) in 1983. She was the first one who woke me up to exactly what ObeyMe was, many months before I heard ANYONE else use the word “socialist” or “marxist” in connection with his name.
“When this guy talks, he sounds exactly like the Sandanistas did before they took over my country and ruined it,” she told me one night. And guess what, she was exactly right!
November 4, 2008 at 6:06 pm
[...] And then the economy tanked and the choice became very clear. I have never voted Republican in my life. As I began to study the issues more closely, I grew to really appreciate what John McCain has to say1.2 Million Cubans in Miami Support McCain and this Hillary … [...]
November 4, 2008 at 6:57 pm
This Cuban-American voted McCain, as did all of my family!
November 4, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Thank you to all of the Cuban-Americans for voting for McCain/Palin. A Florida neighbor in Port St. Lucie.
November 4, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Thank you all! Being a Republican, Mac was not my first choice, but when he brought Gov. Palin on, that changed my mind, as I knew a little about the Governor before McCain announced her.
I want to thank all you took that big step to cross party lines, I would have done the same if Obama had run as a Republican…I love my Country too much to see her changed in such a way.
Just wanted all of you to know how much I appreciate you!
November 4, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Thank you for all you have done today!