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October 22, 2008
Why Obama, by Jim Foley (Canadian Invasion)
Why Obama is a series of guest essays by musicians and authors, where they share their support for Democratic United States presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama and offer arguments why he needs to be elected president of the United States.
Jim Foley plays bass for the Canadian Invasion. The band's album, Three Cheers for the Invisible Hand, will be released on October 28th.
In his own words, here is Jim Foley 's Why Obama essay :
I am an American. In my America, patriots have the courage to stand in the crowd and call their country out for letting herself go rather than hide behind empty slogans, lapel pins and feign patriotism. In my America, elected politicians defend the honor and integrity of their nation by setting an example that inspires their fellow citizens to take responsibility for the future of their country; a future that is defined by the attitudes and actions of good people who believe in hard work, social responsibility and maintaining the moral and physical infrastructure of their country. People who not only believe in freedom, but who also believe in freedom with responsibility. A people who value education, good and equal health care, access to water, electricity and police, fire and rescue services for all. People who value well made products produced with good materials and ingredients in a manufacturing environment that is socially responsible while taking care to maintain the environment and community surrounding it. In my America, people would rather see fair profits and a stronger American community over higher margins that are detrimental not only to their country but to other nations. The detriment the outsourcing of jobs to places where the worker and environment are not valued but are abused and taken advantage of in the name of cheap labor.
In my America, we value our farmers and do not take for granted the healthy and nutritious fruits of their labor that we use to sustain our families and ourselves to maintain good health. In my America, we appreciate the craftsmen, artist and teachers whose work helps define our culture, feeds our intellect and keeps our spirits high. In my America, we don’t idolize gangsters, whether they hang on corners or in corner offices. My America is not a place where thugs are allowed to get away with terrorizing communities and murdering innocents. The Americans I know don’t tolerate corporate criminals who steal retirement funds or lobby for unregulated access to the US Treasury. In my America, lobbyists don’t write our nation’s policy nor do they dominate our politics. In my America, politicians represent the people, not industry. In my America, it’s time to remove ourselves from the times when fear, anger and hatred dominated the landscape and forced our people apart and into a time where love for ourselves, our neighbors and our country is the driving force behind our charge to redefine America, making her a place where all of her citizens are happy, healthy and free to positively affect their families, friends, neighbors and communities.
I believe America can become a nation that other nations point to as a model for doing things right. I think America can tend to her garden and lead the world by example in the process. My America works hard to build the UN into a resource all nations can depend on for guidance and support when needed. Nations around the world will come to regard my America as a compassionate, fair and generous neighbor and Americans will be proud and satisfied because of it. In my America, a man can come from nothing with all odds against him, but through hard work and determination can become President of the United States. In my America, Barack Hussein Obama is President.
Jim Foley links:
Canadian Invasion's website
Canadian Invasion's MySpace page
Barack Obama link:
Barack Obama presidential campaign website
also at Largehearted Boy:
other Why Obama essays
Book Notes (authors create playlists for their book)
Note Books (musicians discuss literature)
guest book reviews
musician/author interviews
tags: politics music obama barackobama canadianinvasion indie
