Great column from an Obama supporter in today’s Burlington Free Press…

My Turn: Sen. Obama offers America hope
By Joe Randazzo

I drove by the busiest intersection in Williston the other day, and saw 20 college-aged people carrying huge Obama signs and large placards that said “HONK.” Nearly everyone who drove by sounded his or her horns. Young people here have been inspired by Obama’s candidacy, and it’s happening all over America.

For the last eight years, we have all sat by powerless while our beloved country was ravaged by a Bush administration that destroyed everything that we cherish. A short list of the losses is appropriate at this time: Initiating and prolonging the war and suffering in Iraq; allowing American prestige in the world fall to an all-time low; allowing our economy to sink to dangerous pre-Depression levels; weakening the EPA; destroying habeas corpus; eavesdropping on Americans without a court order; torturing prisoners of war; tax credits for the wealthiest corporations; vetoing the child health care bill after it was passed in a bi-partisan congressional effort. This list could go on and on.

Thankfully, George Bush’s last day in office is Jan. 20, 2009.

So why am I happy? I have renewed hope. I believe that Barack Obama will win the Democratic nomination for president, and that he will beat McCain in the November election. We can end the military-industrial-petroleum complex for good. America will no longer be the world’s policeman, a bad cop who chases only those criminals who threaten our oil supply. Obama has a plan to spearhead a movement away from oil dependency and toward environmental sustainability.

Joe Randazzo lives in South Burlington. Read his whole column.