Dig deep, future generations will thank you

As the presidential election gets closer and polls show a tight race, everyone needs to take a minute to reflect on what this election will mean to you, your family and future generations. Then decide what you will do to impact the results.

Make no mistake that this is not just another election. This election will make a crucial difference in the day-to-day lives of all of us; but most critical is the impact it will have on women, minorities and the LGBT community. Mitt Romney has pledged to reverse Roe v. Wade; make it more difficult for women to get basic health and contraception by working to defund Planned Parenthood; he opposes the Dream Act, which would allow young immigrants to attend school; he favors a constitutional amendment making marriage only between a man and a woman. And this is only a partial list of how he proposes to take us backwards rather than move the country forward.

Instead of that scenario we have the opportunity to re-elect President Barack Obama. We all have and can share reasons why we may have been disappointed in one way or another by the president. We need to put those disappointments aside and instead focus on the great things this president has accomplished — focus on what he tried to do that was stymied by Republicans, and focus on the potential of what he will be able to accomplish in a second term.

I want a president who has the guts to stand up and support full civil and human rights for LGBT Americans. A president who supports women and choice. A president who understands that young men and women brought here as children by their parents looking for freedom and the opportunity to succeed should be allowed to go to school here and contribute their talents to the growth of our nation. A president who believes in the right of gays and lesbians to fight and die for their country. A president who understands that we need to take responsibility for each other and that includes paying our fair share of taxes. We need a president who will fight to see that every American has health insurance and access to decent healthcare.

If you share even some of those criteria for whom you want as your next president then it is clear the only candidate running in November that meets those criteria is President Obama. He is the only candidate we can trust to appoint Supreme Court justices to what most assume will be at least two vacancies in the next four years, who share these ideals. The thought of allowing Romney to make those appointments should scare everyone into action.

What can each of us do to ensure President Obama’s reelection? The first and easiest is to dig deep and make the largest contribution you can to the campaign. Whether that is $5, $50, $500, or $5,000 do it today. I’m helping to organize a fundraiser in Rehoboth Beach on Saturday, Aug. 4 as a way for some to do their share. Attend if you can, but even if you can’t, take the time to make a contribution to the campaign today. Just put this link in your browser and fill in an amount you are comfortable donating and do it today. https://my.barackobama.com/August4Rehoboth.

We know that this election will cost more than $2 billion, yes billion, and many think that is an obscenity. But the simple fact is that until we can reverse the decision made by the Supreme Court in the Citizens United case “SuperPACS” are here to stay. People like the Koch brothers and Sheldon Adelson, owner of the Sands Hotels, can each spend $100 million to impact this campaign and legislative elections around the nation. What we who support Democrats can’t do is sit back and say we are repulsed by this spending and walk away. The reality is that it is happening whether we like it or not and if we allow Romney to be elected it will go on. We must contribute to Obama’s campaign to have the chance to get a Supreme Court that will reverse the decision that allows this.

Then think about what else you can do to help. Many in D.C. and other places will be making phone calls or traveling to critical states like Ohio, Virginia or Florida to knock on doors and share the reasons why this is such a crucial election. Think about what kind of a future you want for this nation and generations to come. If you agree that our nation can’t afford to move backward with Romney you must do something about it today. Start by digging deep into your pocket and making that contribution.