"An Appeal to Reason"

 A friend from a while back wrote this. Please take the time to read. Thanks Justin, hope you don't mind!

An appeal to reason

My fellow Americans, I will never be your president. Those of you that know me never even allowed that hilarious thought to enter your mind. Forget all those biased reasons. Here's a list of other reasons.

I will never be your president. I'm willing to admit I'm not perfect. I'm from Massachusetts and I live in New York. That takes care of the southern vote. I changed my name from Weinstein to Stokes, not to dishonor my father who I love, but to honor my mother's parents who I had a stronger relationship with. I have nothing but respect for the Jewish people but I've probably lost their vote for that. I'm pro choice and for gay equality. The Moral Majority's gone now. I think the financial sector has proven time and time again that regulation is necessary. I think the unions need to remember why they formed in the first place. I will not be president because when I'm done talking I don't think anyone would vote for me.

I make too much money to afford subsidized housing, health care and food stamps. I also make too little to pay for everything on my own. I have been on unemployement once. It is a miserable and degrading process that no one should believe is a willing choice for anyone.

I do not ask my government for a safety net. I do not ask of others to pick up after my mistakes, missteps and failures. I am where I am today through luck, the family I was born into and a tiny amount of courage and determination. I have a lovely wife and I have a job I love. But there is a problem. A problem that I share with millions of Americans. It is not enough. I barely pay my rent, utility and food bills. Nevermind paying for a campaign. That's a pipe dream or more likely the liberal SuperPac "Americans for President"

I have chosen not to run in 2020 for a multitude of reason, not the least of which includes a need to raise more funds than 8 years could produce. Plus, everyone hates a long campaign. Most importantly I suppose, is the fact that I am not eligible to become president until September 2020 so I'd be, 35 and 1 month, and therefore, far too relatable to the generation that will actually matter most at the time.

This country is being shaped by policy makers who could fight in wars before I was born. The Internet was something that at one point didn't exist for them. Hippies were actually a threat to them. What this country needs is a president who understands the future of our country, not the past.

My opinions are based on a morality higher than that of any god. My morality, my ethics come from Man. We are the single greatest species on the planet because we have choice. We have compassion. I believe with my whole heart that America can only survive if we rebuild the bonds we've broken over our shared hardship. We are all to blame for this. Some want to spend our way through the storm. Others want to run from debts we already owe.

I'm from the Boston area. Trust me, "no taxation without representation" is a phrase I know well. I do not think our government has done well by this statement in recent times. I am not against taxes. I just want to see where our money goes and if it goes at all. And I want to see everyone paying them. We need roads. We need schools. We need hospitals. We need firefighters, police and emergency response teams. We don't need subsidies to oil. We don't need blank checks to global banking firms.

Big business claims we need less regulation. We are losing jobs to India and China. Do we want to compete by taking away workers rights. Indian and Chinese workers have longer hours for considerably less pay and no security or benefits in many cases. Is that really the deregulation you want? Why not impose a morality. We don't allow business with Iran because they are considered a threat to America and our allies. Why are companies who support unsafe working conditions also considered a threat?

Unions are also to blame. They need to learn of shared sacrifice as well. Unions were created to protect workers, not make it impossible to make a profit. Don't be corrupt and then wonder why CEOs hate you.

Even as we bicker at home we police the world through fear and with a sense of entitlement. We should lead by example. Lead with tolerance. We must SHOW, not tell, why America is so incredible. And we must not beat others until they believe it. We should participate in our own democracy. Help, not hurt, our neighbors, next door, in the next town, state and country. Prove to the world why we deserve a place in history as the defining nation of modern times rather than a fleeting superpower in a game Risk.

The promise of the United States of america was one of hope and freedom from oppression. A place to be proud of. A country for everyone to call home. We have lost sight of that ideal. I am not here to attack the rich. Anyone who earns their money honestly through hard work is a true American. Nor am I here to destroy the middle class or condemn the poor. We are not black or white, Hispanic or Asian, rich or poor, blue or red. We are American. Its time we remembered what the stars and stripes truly stand for. It's a badge to be worn with honor and pride by everyone.

I will never be president so don't use me as a write-in candidate two elections from now. That IS throwing your vote away. What you must do, is remember what this country is all about. Think beyond tomorrow. Think beyond 4 years. Plant a tree whose shade you will never sit under but whose structure will protect and serve the descendants of what could be the greatest free and peaceful nation to ever exist.

For too long, tiny arguments have ripped our nation apart. Until compromise is lauded as triumph rather than failure, we will continue a downward spiral away from greatness. Divided we stand, but united we will fall.