Why I'm voting for Obama

I was born during the Eisenhower administration. I voted for the first time in 1976 for Jimmy Carter. I was a Reagan Democrat then later voted for Bill Clinton twice and Al Gore once . I've watched elections, somewhat, and always voted for whom I thought was the best person instead of along party lines. In the past election, I was so disgusted by Bush and Kerry that I wrote in Mickey Mouse, as the best "person" to lead the country, seems I was right about that. I still voted, which was the point.

In the years, I participated in the voting process I have never seen or felt the excitement Barack Obama has stirred up. High school kids, normally oblivious to the voting process, are involved in heated political discussions.

People all over the country are galvanized and inspired by Obama's message that change begins from the bottom up and it will take all of us to change the way business is done in Washington. His message of creating jobs by becoming more entrenched in green technology is reminiscent of FDRs program to put people back to work during the Depression.

People may be thrown off by his funny name, big ears and color of his skin, they may be thrown off by his "lack" of experience. But honestly, if someone can lead the largest number of voters in US history to the polls, then that should be enough to SEE that the man has leadership skills that can change the country and change the world. Hillary has also drawn new voters, but Obama initiated the first step. Obama came up with the word "change" in his slogan first, Clinton and McCain followed. Obama is setting the standard with NO lobbyist working his campaign. McCain had to follow!

He has my vote because of these words in his speech in N. C. back in January:

"Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can seize our future… And where we are met with cynicism and doubt and fear and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of the American people in three simple words — yes, we can."

Cristina Friar

Bigfork

Thanks and thoughts for Vets

Sometimes things happen in life that just stick with you. Several months ago I was helping a friend clean a house. She did something that has stuck with me. After vacuuming a good sized rug with fringe on each end she got down on her hands and knees and straightened the fringe. That's right, she straightened the fringe. I asked myself why it made such an impression on me. Because, my friends, it is the little things in life that speak volumes. I call it going the extra mile. All it takes is one person to make a difference. Remember the movie "Pay It Forward?" It's the same principle.

Why am I writing? As the Montana Adopt a Soldier program director, many of you have gone the extra mile and I want to thank you! You have written letters and sent care packages to our brave men and women in Iraq. Some of you still have not heard from your soldier. Yet you are faithful because you know what you are doing is an encouragement to them. You understand that they are at war and understand that it might even be hard for them to communicate with their own families. You understand that unless the mail is returned he/she is receiving your words of support and encouragement. You understand that because of your letter you have made their day better and moral is high in the camp. Soldiers love to share. And some of you have spent hours volunteering your time sewing crazy fun pillowcases for our soldiers so each time they rest their weary head they will know they are always on our hearts and in our prayers. Perhaps you didn't sew but you donated supplies, and/or space!

Perhaps you baked your favorite cookies for "Operation Cookie Drop." I wish you could have seen the smiles on their faces. You blessed them so. Are you one that is supporting "Adopt a Box" with magazines or monetary postage donations made out to the U.S.P.S.? Sending your donations to Soldiers, PO Box 909, Lakeside, MT 59922 will make it possible to continue blessing our soldiers in Iraq. You are appreciated! And more recently, perhaps you blessed one of 377 soldiers in Iraq by sharing your time at the recent neck cooler sew-a-thon. Our soldiers are blessed by your generosity.

Thank you ever so much for your faithfulness and generosity. They need us.

Lastly, on my heart is an event that was held Saturday, May 17 for the Kalispell Northwest Montana Veteran's Food Pantry. A guest speaker caught my attention when he said this week we received six new HOMELESS VETS! HOMELESS VETS! What's wrong with this picture? Citizens of the Flathead Valley our veterans need our help. Please stop by the pantry on Montana Highway 35. Ask yourself if they don't deserve better accommodations. They gave their all to serve our country. The very least we can do as a county, is provide for them a facility that says, "Thank you for serving our nation." In honor of our vets I would like to challenge every business, large and small, every church, large and small and every individual of the Flathead Valley to make a commitment to send a monthly donation to the Northwest Montana Veteran's Food Pantry. Decide what your business, church or person can share with these men and women, then mail it to the Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry!

Remember the saying, "many hands make light work." Our vets are counting on you. On behalf of those that have served, are serving and will serve in the future THANK YOU!

Kim Jones

Bigfork