TOP TEN REASONS WHY I’M VOTING FOR BARACK OBAMA

10. More government transparency – Senator Obama refuses to take donations from lobbyists or PACs, and supports improving disclosure and creating a database where the public can track federal contracts and earmarks.

9. Senator Obama is a proponent of smart diplomacy to keep the country safe while improving America’s standing in the world.

8. Senator Obama is a strong advocate of increased security measures for our airports, ports, and land borders, part of a national plan to protect American’s infrastructure and keep our communities safe.

7. Senator Obama wants to ensure that Social Security is protected and viable for this generation and the next.

6. Senator Obama proposes a middle class tax cut for 95 percent of American workers.

5. Senator Obama does not forget our troops: he wants to provide armored vehicles and body armor for our troops fighting abroad, and fully fund veterans’ medical care and restore competence to VA planning to ensure our veterans have the resources they need when they return home.

4. Senator Obama is an advocate of investing in alternative fuels and renewable energy, including a plan to increase America’s energy efficiency and create 5 million new “green” jobs.

3. Working with military commanders to responsibly end the war in Iraq is one of Senator Obama primary goals. He has been critical of our original involvement from the beginning.

2. Unlike the Republican ticket, Senator Obama supports a woman’s right to choose, equal pay for equal work, expanding the childcare tax credit and paid sick leave for parents.

1. Hope.

And my prediction for the popular vote:

OBAMA: 53%

McCAIN: 45%

OTHER: 2%

GET OUT AND VOTE! MANY POLLSTERS AND COMMENTATORS BELIEVE THAT LATINO VOTERS COULD TIP THE BALANCE IN THIS ELECTION!

◙ Okay, I need to make one announcement about a reading I’m doing this Thursday and then I have to wrap it up and focus on Tomorrow’s election:

Thursday, November 6, 11:15 a.m.: Daniel Olivas in the Guest Speaker Series at Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405. Art Building, Room 214. Topic: Latinos in Lotusland - The Making of an Anthology. Phone: 310-434-4303. Open to the public. For more information, click here. I hope to see you there! I note that Latinos in Lotusland gets some coverage at Somos Primos and at the NBCC blog. And IMIX Bookstore has signed copies of Latinos in Lotusland...call and reserve a copy, or visit: IMIX Bookstore, 5052 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90041; Phone: (323) 257-2512.

◙ Next week, I will bring you some wonderful literary news. So, in the meantime, enjoy the intervening posts from mis compadres y comadres here on La Bloga. If you're a California voter, let me offer this suggestion: NO ON PROPOSITIONS 4 AND 8! And remember: ¡Lea un libro!