(Video courtesy of ABC News.)
Here is Springsteen's letter to his fans:
A MESSAGE FROM BRUCE
Dear Friends: The election is coming up on all of us and we all have strong feelings about it. I’ve been getting asked a lot about where I stand, so for those who are interested, here goes.
This presidential election is different than the last one because President Obama has a four year record to run on. Last time around, he carried with him a tremendous amount of hope and expectations. Unfortunately, due to the economic chaos the previous administration left him with, and the extraordinary intensity of the opposition, it turned into a really rough ride. But through grit, determination, and focus, the President has been able to do a great many things that many of us deeply support.
Domestically, that record includes working to increase and expand employment for all, protecting our all important social safety net, passing guaranteed health care for most of our citizens, with important new protections for all of the insured, rescuing the auto industry and so many of the American jobs that go with it, protecting and enhancing the rights of women, and bringing us closer to full acceptance of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.
In foreign affairs, that record includes following through on the removal of troops from the misguided and deceptive war in Iraq, and vigorously pursuing our real foreign enemies, especially the killing of Osama Bin Laden.
Right now the opposition’s resort to voter suppression in so many states is not receiving as much attention as it deserves. I believe that all of us, of whatever views, should be opposing these anti-voter, anti-citizen efforts.
Right now, for the President to be effective in his next term he needs our increased support and he needs support in the Congress, where some sterling candidates, such as current Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, challenger Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts, and so many others, are fighting to make their constructive voices heard.
Right now, there is an ever increasing division of wealth in this country, with the benefits going more and more to the 1 percent. For me, President Obama is our best choice to begin to reverse this harmful development.
Right now, there is a fight going on to help make this a fairer and more equitable nation. For me, President Obama is our best choice to get us and keep us moving in the right direction.
Right now, we need a President who has a vision that includes all of our citizens, not just some, whether they are our devastated poor, our pressured middle class, and yes, the wealthy too; whether they are male or female, black, white, brown, or yellow, straight or gay, civilian or military.
Right now, there is a choice going on in America, and I’m happy that we live in a country where we all participate in that process. For me, President Obama is our best choice because he has a vision of the United States as a place where we are all in this together. We’re still living through very hard times but justice, equality and real freedom are not always a tide rushing in. They are more often a slow march, inch by inch, day after long day. I believe President Obama feels these days in his bones and has the strength to live them with us and to lead us to a country “…where no one crowds you and no one goes it alone.”
That’s why I plan to be in Ohio and Iowa supporting the re-election of President Obama to lead our country for the next four years.
Bruce Springsteen
And there's nothing more that I could, or should, add to that.
Wow...its VERY seldomly that another person voices my own particular take on things, but this sounded like I wrote it myself.
ReplyDeleteMy version would add that its very important that politicians who let their weird religious views determine how they legislate and represent the people who elected them, be shunned in the voting booth.
I love when the right wingers call Bruce a has been.My reply is yeah try and get tickets to one of his shows.The man proves it all night every night.A man of true integrity and vision.
ReplyDeleteO/T. Just heard about this on NPR: http://www.anthctoday.org/dehe/index.html.
ReplyDeleteCan IM'ers help?
I could only reach the web page for the Alaska Native Health Consortium - or something like that. Does this have anything to do with the use (abuse) of these services by the Palins?
DeleteSorry Gryph, last comment went before my edits. Pls delete if you can. I'll try again later.
DeleteO/T: the Worm is turning!
ReplyDeletefrom C4P commenter Hefmeir:
"I have struggled whether or not to mention this. However, I feel that it needs to be stated. Sarah needs to get rid of the flippen podium and notes when she does conferences like the one that she did in Idaho, especially when much of what she said was a rehashing of previous speeches. "
http://conservatives4palin.com/2012/10/open-thread-455.html#disqus_thread
I saw that! In case people don't want to go there, here is the rest of the comment:
Delete"There were 9 speakers (including Sarah) at this conference which was done in the round, and Sarah was the only one that needed a podium, while the other speakers used a clip-on mike to wonder around the stage without notes (except for Kristin Armstrong who had note cards). Sarah was one of the last speakers. When the hired help brought up the podium for her, I, more or less, had an epihany. For her to use a podium and use notes at a motivation conference caused her speech to be underwhelming, in my opinion. Even Rudy did not need notes or a podium. I know that my opinion might not be that popular. However, it is my opinion."
Then a long list of her talking points (in part);
-"If you love your freedom, thank a Vet".
--"You can see Russia from Alaska", and she states two places where. She hopes to one day to prove it, first hand to people (jokeingly).
--"I eat; therefore, I hunt".
--"There is room for all of God's animals......next to the mashed Idaho potatos".
--"Only dead fish go with the flow".
--"I have had enough critics, and have the scars to prove it".
I see why ol' hef thought she should have had those talking points down by now! Hahahahaha
My son sent me a pic of his performance at Iowa State University in Ames today. Looked like a packed house. I hope that many young people get a chance to read the letter from "the Boss"....
ReplyDeleteO/T ... a refreshing belly laugh.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybDKfGEw4aU
A has-been? I would venture The Man had no place in the empty hearts of the species we call Republicans.
ReplyDeleteExcellent Article Here, G. Take a look.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.alternet.org/election-2012/how-
propagandists-1-are-manipulating-christian-teachings-rob-middle-class
And another follow-up on RW tool Dinesh D'Souza affair. His mistress was also married.
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/big-love-
king-s-college-dsouzas-mistress-was-also-married
Bill's speech was excellent, he hit the right points with the right tone then introduced Bruce.
ReplyDeleteWhat a resounding endorsement. Bruce never forgot where he came from and what he's achieved hasn't ruined him. I only wish Clarence was still alive to be part of this, but I'm sure he'd be pleased.
Chris Christie can't be happy. LOL