Dear Fellow Pennsylvanian,

We live in small towns and rural areas throughout Pennsylvania and we support Barack Obama for President.

A few days ago, Sen. Obama made some comments that his opponents are now using to make him appear as if he is something he is not.  Instead of speaking to us honestly about how they intend to solve the problems we are facing, they are playing the same old Washington games that accomplish nothing.

What Sen. Obama said is that over the last 25-30 years, working class people in places like Pennsylvania have been falling behind, and that politicians in Washington haven't been looking out for them.  He also said that, as a result, many people have become frustrated, angry and even bitter about all the broken promises.

He was right.

The politicians who are now saying that we shouldn't be frustrated are the ones who are out of touch.

People in the towns and communities we live in have seen their jobs shipped overseas.  We've seen our pensions disappear.  We've seen our health care costs skyrocket.  We've seen everything from the cost of gasoline to a gallon of milk go through the roof.

As our families have struggled to make ends meet and our communities fought to stay intact, how has Washington responded?  By giving tax breaks to the wealthy, rewarding corporations who ship jobs overseas, and turning the levers of power over to the lobbyists and special interests.

It's easy to feel a little frustrated when you see these Washington politicians continue to ignore you.  But it's not the only emotion we feel.  When someone comes along who is untainted by the system in Washington, who doesn't take money from federal lobbyists or special interests and who promises that things can be different, we feel something else--hope.

That's why we're supporting Barack Obama.  Others have come along and promised change, but failed to deliver.  Sen. Obama is different than the rest.  He doesn't take money from the special interests, and he speaks honestly about the issues we are facing.

In addition to supporting his plans for jobs, health care and education, we believe that he can deliver on his promises to ensure economic opportunity for family farmers, to provide support for rural economic development, to promote renewable energy in rural America, to protect the rights of hunters and other law-abiding Americans to purchase, own, transport, and use guns for the purposes of hunting and target shooting, and to preserve open land for hunting and fishing.

Unlike his opponents who have been part of the Washington establishment for decades, Barack Obama understands the struggles we are going through.  We welcomed him with open arms as he made his way through small towns and rural areas on his recent bus tour across the state.  And we will work day and night from now until the primary on his behalf not only because he has heard our frustrations, but because he speaks to our hope that Washington can actually work for people like us.

Sincerely,

Ted Alter, State College

Westmoreland County Commissioner Tom Bayla, Greensburg

Mayor John Brenner, York

Lloyd Casey, West Chester - President, Pennsylvania Forestry Association

Mayor John Fetterman, Braddock

Mayor Rick Gray, Lancaster

Scott Harrison, Warriors Mark

State Representative Bryan Lentz, Swarthmore

State Senator Sean Logan, Monroeville

Carl Majji, Claysville - Corporal, U.S. Army

Mayor Thomas McMahon, Reading

State Senator Bob Mellow - Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader

U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy, Doylestown - U.S. Congressman (PA-08)

Perry County Commissioner Steve Naylor, New Bloomfield

Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O'Brien, Dunmore

Fran Rodriquez, Lancaster

State Representative Josh Shapiro, Abington - Deputy Speaker, Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Major General Walter Stewart, Berks County - Former Commander, 28th 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

State Representative Dan Surra, St. Marys

State Representative Thomas Tangretti, Greensburg

Lackawanna County Commissioner Michael Washo, Scranton

Another interesting read here at TPM

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/04/well-here-we-go-again.php

Viva Obama, viva Obama, viva Obama.

ps How do I add a You Tube reference or citation to my entry.  Help!

Help and love are the most beautiful verbs in human language.

Suppose you scrub your ethical skin until it shines, but inside there is no music, then what? Kabir