The best speeches from Denver in last night's historic event were the six ordinary citizens speaking their mind on why they're support Barack Obama, missed by most of the 38 million watching.
American Voices.
These citizens, pulled from a variety of demographics (but isn't that the true America?), spoke from their heart on the issues that are at the core of what an Obama presidency will mean to all of us.
The meat below.
"I was a proud Republican. Not anymore," started Barney Smith, describing his downward economic spiral (sound familiar?) because his job was outsourced.
"We need a President who puts Barney Smith before Smith Barney." Priceless.
http://www.youtube.com/...
My favorite "voice" of the night came from deep-throated Pamella Cash-Roper, a retired nurse from North Carolina who opened with a simple "Hello" and intrigues us with "... and wait till you hear what's happening to me." I knew then that the Bush administration was going to be the bad guy, but I wanted the juicy details. I wasn't disappointed.
You might find my story familiar. Maybe it's happening to you.
Another damaged middle class family, this time because of health problems, loss of job and loss of health benefits. She asks, "sound familiar?" You bet, and to millions of Americans watching (if they were lucky to see this on C-Span). At the heart of Pamella and Keith's problems is a theme to the McCain's approach to the health care crisis:
Not having health insurance is OK ... as long as you stay healthy.
Money quote:
I am a lifelong Republican. I voted for Nixon, Reagan, Bush and Bush. But I can't afford four more years like this. (The crowd erupts) I can't do it. I can't do it. And that's exactly why I'm supporting Barack Obama as MY President.
Why do I find the Voices From America speeches so compelling? As I watched each speaker, each so different from each other and from me, I couldn't but help identify with each of them in one profound way or another.
Though I may not be suffering from a serious health problem, I have a loved one who is. Though I may not be a teacher, or even have children, I understand the value of strong families producing strong children -- a basic tenet for a vibrant and thriving citizenship. Though I have never worked on a factory line, I know the angst of losing wages and benefits -- first hand. Though I have never been a Republican, much less a lifelong Republican, I too am angry and afraid that we can't afford another four years of the same.
Barack's candidacy, his values and his presence, have brought one thing back into our consciousness more than any other. It's that one thing that has made me want him to be President more than anything else. That one thing that allowed me to connect with each person who spoke as a Voice From America.
What is that one thing that we've lost for eight years and now yearn? Empathy.
Obama's allowed us to connect with each other again. This time, with a higher purpose.
He said it best himself:
That's the promise of America - the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper.