Obama's background and Bill Clinton's background resonate with me in a big way.

[AlCzervik]

I debated on sharing this but hey what the hell, why not?

Anyhow my parents got divorced when i was 5, my mom was the daughter of self described Irish working class and my dad was the product of jewish working class. After the divorce Mom was a cook and a waitress (please tip well) for about 20 years until she died at 44 of brain cancer, i was 17 at the time. I didn't see my dad through much of my life, on the weekends until i was 13 and then up until i was 17 almost not at all until mom passed. My dad's parents were the people i turned to for comfort and guidance , i still call my Nana to this day for all reasons great and small. I put myself through college because dear old dad said "No one gave me a dime" ok, i get it and honestly i'm glad i had to do it myself as i owe nothing to anyone.

All these years later i'm middle aged woman that's been married for 17 years tomorrow, mother of one wonderful daughter and Aunty 7 and Great Aunty to one, i've been fortunate in my life, i had a good career and i have a wonderful immediate family and that's what i wish for everyone.

Obama and Bill Clinton were both self made with the help of wonderful moms and grand parents and to that i really relate.

To McCain, not at all, i feel no connection on any level.

[tularetom]

1. My parents both served in WWII

and even after the war they both worked for a few years so my brother, sister and I were raised (until I was 10) primarily by my Scottish grandfather and my Italian-German-Swiss grandmother.

My grandfather was a big gregarious guy who owned a feed store and my grandmother was the most positive optimistic human being I've ever met in my life. She would not tolerate self pity or gloom and doom ever in her presence. May have had something to do with her living to 107.

There are definitely pluses to being raised by grandparents, they're smart and experienced enough to be able to control kids without resorting to harsh measures. Mine were also smart enough not to spoil us even though they were better able to do so than my young and struggling parents.