It’s About Compassion
By Eva Longoria on December 15, 2011
My support for Barack Obama is personal, and I can trace it back to a defining moment in my life. When my sister with special needs was in high school, someone stole her lettermans jacket, her most prized possession. When she told me, I was furious. I couldn’t believe that someone would take something so precious from her. Angrily I asked, “What kind of person would do something like that?” I will never forget her answer … “Maybe they were cold.” My sister, through moments like these, truly taught me compassion. She showed me that standing in someone else’s shoes is the only way to understand what they’re going through—it’s the only way to treat them fairly. She taught me that living compassionately is the better way to live.
President Obama has my support because he embodies this quality. In him, I see someone who stands in other people’s shoes, understands what they are going through and helps them. I see someone who understands the struggles of hardworking Americans and uses his power to help.
You can see it in the President’s accomplishments. He passed historic health care reform that means insurance companies can’t discriminate. His Wall Street reforms are protecting American families and stopping abuses. He prevented credit card companies from charging hidden fees and imposing unfair rate hikes. He made sure women can get equal pay for equal work. He created incentives for companies to hire returning veterans.
I also support the President because he’s fighting for the Hispanic community. He knows that the future of America is closely tied to the success of the Hispanic community. He knows that Latinas are helping drive the economic recovery, starting small businesses at a rate of six times the national average. He’s made historic investments to help our small businesses and established programs to help more Hispanics get a college education.
For me, this election is personal. It’s about compassionate, principled leadership—the kind of leadership we need. That’s why I’m ready to do my part to make sure President Obama is re-elected. I hope you’ll join me by signing up for Latinos for Obama today.
