Just spoke to my sister (lives in RI...married to a Fundamentalist) Got her leaning to Obama!

She said her husband has been saying that *they* will be voting for McCain. But she has been doing more reading and hearing of things on TV that has her turning toward Obama.

I just spent a good 30 minutes with her on the phone laying out everything I could think of.

How McCain is married to the warmongering neocons who got us into Iraq (and she doesn't agree with the invasion/occupation anymore).

How so many people follow the Republican party because they think taxation is evil and let the rich have their money. I told her to look at her family situation and whose tax plan would best benefit them. McCain would tax her husband's healthcare benefits while Obama would cut their income taxes. Also, their kids would have a better chance to attend college, esp. if they went into the community service for tuition program.

I brought up abortion as it's always a wedge issue. I said that the Republicans controlled the government for 6 years under Bush and did nothing to try and get Roe v. Wade overturned. They don't want it overturned (just like they don't want to get bin Laden.) They want to keep it out there as a wedge issue to trot out every election to get out the vote. I said that Obama's policy would lead to fewer abortions through education and prevention. Get to the root of unwanted pregnancies.

I said the deficit has more than doubled under Bush and that puts more pressure on the government to keep paying interest. Clinton balanced the budget (and then some) in his last two fiscal years. Bush's first year ran a big deficit and this past year was just gargantuan.

I mentioned how many moderate conservatives (Colin Powell) and even arden conservatives (Frank Schaeffer) have put their support behind Obama.

I closed saying that Obama has made two points that NO other candidate has discussed:

1) Getting parents involved in their childrens' lives. IMO, this is the most crucial aspect of restoring this country. Parents (in general{) need to get off their duffs and involved in their kids' lives. No more babysitting by the TV or video games or the PC.

2) Build the country from the ground up. Keep everyone healthy and educated and people can attain better jobs and be more productive at those jobs and keep us competitive in today's global economy.


I think I've won her over but getting my brother-in-law...whew...don't think it's possible.

Worst case, they will cancel each other out.

let him into the voting booth with her.

Tikki

and it sure ain't the GOP!