The Long Arm of John McCain

For two weeks after the Republican convention I was obsessed with the the presidential election. My mind was ablaze with skepticism, incredulity, frustration. I tried to remain level-headed, analytical, open-minded, looking at where the candidates stand on various issues, but still came up frustrated and saddened at the prospect of a McCain-Palin White House.

I tried numerous times to organize my thoughts into some cohesive arguments that would persuade other undecided, or at least open-minded, voters to check a box for Barack Obama in November, but the right words just wouldn't fall into the right order for me.

So then I decided to put my money where my words failed me and, for the first time in my life, make a financial contribution to an election campaign. I went online to www.barackobama.com, hoping that it could be used by people with better powers of persuasion than mine.

And then my bank called to verify some activity on my credit card. It seems my donation to an American political campaign was flagged as suspicious and they immediately blocked my card. It didn't take long to make a phone call and correct the situation, thank goodness. I know it's completely absurd to consider (especially since most every non-American I've talked to also wants Obama to win), but I'm still curious what might have happened if my donation had been for McCain's campaign instead of Obama's. Charles thinks I should have also told them I wanted to clear a donation to the VVD while I was at it!

Comments

[Us in the U.S.]

You can blame a lot of things on both candidates, but I really don't think you can blame this on McCain - rather on a bank/credit card company that is doing its job. With financial institutions failing everywhere - the good ones are doing their best to protect their customers.

[Kate C.]

This was also a first time donation for Halim and I. I think it speaks volumes about Obama that people our age, eligible to vote for over ten years, have finally found a candidate we feel is worthy of our hard earned cash. I, for one, have found in him a person so similar in thought and background to myself that the cynical contempt I've always held for those who seek public office has greatly eased. A guy who makes me believe that I can love and serve my country without a hint of irony, without getting lobotomized? Who makes me understand for the first time how people must have felt about FDR and JFK? How can I not support him? :)

[Amanda]

Another first time contributor here--I also really agree with Kate C's comments.. I've felt very much the same way. I'm *this* close to also getting out there to volunteer... a lot of good it would do in Utah, though. Redder than red in these here parts.

[Old Guy]

eligible to vote for over ten years

um, only 10?