Today, people around the world will hold their breath as Americans make a crucial decision: Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?
As a 20-year-old American college student, living in Ireland for a few months, being away from home today is like missing Christmas with my family. For as long as I can remember, election day meant no school – as they’re used for polling stations – going to vote with my parents, and sitting around the television at night with friends and family awaiting the initial verdicts. Whether victorious, as we were in 2008 when Obama was elected, or defeated as we were when Bush took office in 2000 (and 2004), we did it as a family. It’s a national holiday that comes just once every four years.
As difficult as it’s been, living abroad during this election season has opened my eyes to the privilege I have as an American. Before, I took for granted the influence my country has on the world and how much other nations care who my President is. Here in Ireland, the overwhelming majority of people obviously prefer Obama – I’m beginning to think we should include your votes, too.
As an avid Obama supporter, I was sad to miss the first Presidential election in which I was able to vote. I cast my ballot early, but there’s something about walking into the booth and receiving your “I Voted Today” sticker. It seems like a right of passage. Even without my presence, I’m confident these last few weeks have sealed the deal for President Obama. Holding his position with poise and responsibility throughout the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, he proved once again that he has what it takes to be the man in charge.
I’ve never seen a one-term American President, which isn’t surprising as there have only been three since World War II, but I can’t imagine how a one-term president could be effective. Obama followed the typical path. He spent the first two years in office making a difference, going after Osama Bin Laden, working to bring the two parties together through bipartisan discussions, reforming healthcare and saving the auto industry.
Then, he spent the next year-and-a-half working to get re-elected. He’s been on the campaign trail, making speeches at colleges and rallies, and mostly he’s been avoiding controversial issues. Bush did the same, and Clinton before him. The second term is when they can dig their heels in and make a difference. For better or for worse, they don’t have to concern themselves with reelection or waste half the term campaigning.
My support for Obama doesn’t only stem from my disapproval of Romney, but there’s no denying it’s a part. Living in Ireland, where abortions are, to all intents and purposes, illegal, has made me value the choice I have in America even more – though I hope it’s one I never have to exercise. Romney threatens all my rights as a young woman including the one to choose. He may have denounced Todd Akin’s “legitmate rape” claim, but Romney chose Paul Ryan as a running mate, a man who votes against women’s equality in the workplace and has co-sponsored more than three dozen bills that would outlaw abortion in any circumstance.
The truth is, Obama and Romney both want to reduce unemployment and fix the financial and energy crises. The difference between the two comes down to their priorities. Obama’s main concern is the American people - students, workers, mothers, fathers, children, all of us. Romney cares about the companies, the elite, the wealthy. Higher education in Ireland is available to all, an advantage any American would envy. Obama believes college should be more affordable for everyone. Romney believes anybody who can afford it should receive that opportunity. That’s a big difference.
Whoever wins this election will be in office when I complete my degree and enter the work force. Whoever wins this election will be responsible for whether or not there are jobs for me to apply for when I graduate. I’ve chosen to put my trust in Barack Obama because he’s made it clear that he cares about me – even if I don’t have a trust-fund and a copy of Daddy’s credit card to back me.