‘Jeff the Real Estate Appraiser’ of Tres Pinos says Obama’s tax
plan would hurt his financial well-being, while several young,
energized Democrats tout their reasons for supporting the Illinois
senator and opposing McCain.
HOLLISTER
Democrats and Republicans each have registered dozens of new voters as the presidential race and controversial voting opportunities – such as Proposition 8, to ban same-sex marriages – have raised the level of political interest.
“I just want to see a change in the world,” says excited 18-year-old Hollister resident Tanya Dubrul, who recently registered with the Democratic Party. “I have a chance to have a say in that change, and that is important.”
Dubrul says she will vote for Sen. Barack Obama, but believes that the presidency is “up for grabs.”
“That is why everyone should vote,” believes the new Democrat, “because this is going to set the future for all of us.”
Jeff Keppers, a 19-year-old Hollister resident who registered with the Republican Party at the county fair, says his father taught him the importance of voting.
“He was a big inspiration for me, and it was him that convinced me that voting gives you power,” says Keppers, “and I believe it is the job of an American citizen to contribute to the government.”
Keppers says that he is for McCain all the way because he is a “war hero with the right ideas.”
Tommie Jo Pierce – who was born in 1945, resides in Hollister and also registered as a Republican – says Obama’s approach is what convinced her to vote for the first time.
“His plan is socialism, and that’s not what we need,” says Pierce, who adds that she would “seriously consider moving out of the country if Obama is elected.”
Proposition 8 is important to Pierce as well.
“If people want to live together, that’s fine,” she says, “but marriage is a sacred thing between a man and a woman.”
Hollister’s Dina Silva, 18, holds the opposite view.
“I am a Christian,” says the newly registered Democrat, “and I understand that marriage is sacred. But if two people love each other, why in the world would the government interfere?”
Silva says she has known she was a Democrat since fifth grade, when President Bush and Al Gore were running.
“We did an exercise to determine what party we liked,” she remembers, “and I decided right then I was a Democrat.”
Jeff Tomasini, a newly registered Republican, says that as he has become a little older, he is “paying more attention to politics.”
The 43-year-old Tres Pinos resident asserts he is a strong opponent of Obama, affirming that he believes the candidate’s tax plan would have “a big negative effect on me as a real estate appraiser.”
“If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain,” Tomasini explains as his reason for registering for the first time.
Finally, Maricela Montelongo, a 49-year-old newly registered Democrat, has a different reason for voting.
“I became a citizen of the U.S.A!” said the proud Hollister resident, whose decisions aren’t based solely on her party affiliation.
“I am still thinking about who I will vote for as president,” says Montelongo. “I like McCain a lot, but he is so old, and I don’t like Palin.
“Obama, though, is a little young, and he changes his mind a lot … I’ll make my decision soon, though.”
Montelongo says everyone should be grateful for his or her ability to vote in this country and make a difference.
“So many people need help right now,” says the new citizen. “It is up to the voters to find some solutions.”
