(Fans of the original ‘Star Wars’ films may remember Princess Leah’s quote: “Help me Obi Wan Kenobe- You’re My Only Hope.” This was her plea to the jedi night to help fight the dark forces who were taking over the universe. Sound familiar?)
I try to avoid politics on this blog. This blog should be about music, books, film, food and observations on life.
But with the election fast approaching and the fate of the United States hanging in the balance, the subject of politics is one that is too important to avoid.
If you’ve ever trusted me about anything, trust me about what I have to say here:
Barack Obama for president makes sense on many different levels. It is urgent that we get him into office and change the course we’ve been on, that of George W. Bush. This course has brought shame upon this great country and John McCain has been a big part of that.
I’ve listened to Obama. I’ve watched him under pressure. I’ve seen him unscripted and off the cuff and seen how he handles himself. It’s impressive.
It’s not all talk, it’s plans. I’ve heard him describe his economic stimulus package plan as well well as his plans for health care and education. It all makes sense to me when I hear it. If you haven’t done so, I encourage you to listen.
Although he appears to be winning, I’m still baffled by the occasional person I run into that is against Obama.
Why are there some people that still don’t like him? Is it because they can’t handle the idea of a ‘black guy’ being president?
As idiotic as that is, it is true in some cases. But more often, the people I’ve talked to aren’t comfortable for other reasons. Sometmes, it’s that they just don’t understand him.
Perhaps it is because he speaks about things in great detail. For example, his economic plan involves the following: an independent board, federal deposit insurance, boosts to small businesses, Taxpayer protections. Not exactly simple stuff.
Are these details above people’s heads? Maybe so.
Fact: the issues facing our country are complex and there are many details. It’s understandable that not everyone has the time or energy to understand them fully. But that doesn’t mean we’re better off with a president you feel you can have a beer and shoot the shit with.
Republicans have seized upon this opportunity to label Obama ‘elitist,’ in order to excuse their own boneheaded soundbites which sound good to simple minded folks but in actuality, have no relevance.
Paying attention to real issues is like listening to jazz, classical or other forms of music which require heightened level of focus in order to get it.
If people would just put a little more effort into reading, listening and doing their own research I think they’d understand the issues better and realize how their is no comparison between the candidacies of Barack Obama and John McCain.
We need someone with the intellectual and capability to tackle these issues and the linguistic ability to explain them. For the past eight years, we have had neither.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden have that capability. John McCain and Sarah Palin do not.
Barack has been labeled ‘Professorial’ or Professor like. That’s just fine with me. I don’t mind having a professor like person in office. Sure a hockey mom is more simple to hang out with. But that doesn’t mean she should be running the damn country!!
C’mon people. Let’s get someone in there who is well spoken. Someone that is educated and can handle the complex issues without dumbing them down.
Honestly I don’t understand how anyone can say they don’t like the idea of Obama for president. Whatever it is, you need to get over it. And fast.
Obama will CUT taxes for 95% of workers in the country. When McCain says Obama will raise YOUR taxes, he is speaking to the wealthiest Americans and corporations, both of whom can afford to pay slightly higher taxes.
If you want to protect insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and other lobbyist driven industries, then McCain is your guy. Enjoy him. You see where eight years of Bush have got you. Congratulations.
Most of us agree that Clinton was a far superior President than Bush and the country was in much better shape. Sure Bush can’t have helped 9-11 and Katrina (unless you believe the conspiracists) but his response to these challenges made things much, much worse, not better. And Clinton and his entire administration are all supportive of Obama and against McCain.
The economy is in crisis. Jobs are being lost. The dollar is losing value. All because of people like Bush and McCain.
We’re spending ten billion dollars a month on a war that doesn’t make sense. This continues even as the Iraqi government sits on an 80 Billion dollar surplus. Republicans have no issue with this, yet they slam Democrats and Obama for wanting to spend money on education, health care and other social programs- pennies on the dollar compared with what is being spent on their false war.
We’ve been ripped off by team Bush and the country is falling apart as a result.
It is not just the candidate, it is the team. Obama has the entire Clinton team supporting him and his administration will reflect that. He has Joe Biden as a running mate, an experienced tried and true .
John McCain has…Sarah Palin. Someone who didn’t even have a passport until last year. Someone who couldn’t name a single nerwspaper or magazine that she reads.
People, I urge you. Talk to your friends. Let them know that this is an important election on the magnitude of no other.
It’s not about one issue , like abortion, immigration. Anyone who votes based on one of these hot-button issues is being socially irresponsible. We can debate those issues. This election is not about that, but about something else: quality.
Barak Obama and Joe Biden have it. McCain and Palin do not.
Barack Obama:
“I want our young people to learn art and music as well as math and science. I want you to be able to afford a college education.”
When was the last time any politician acknowledged the importance or art and music? That would be practically reason alone for me to vote for him but the fact is, he’s the right guy in every respect.
Sarah Palin on Barak Obama:
“We’re not talking about someone who sees America like you and me. He pals around with terrorists.”
How disgusting.
Anyone that tries to distract you from real issues and use scare tactics so they can achieve victory at any cost is not fit to be President or Vice President.
Like Dick Cheney, who had the audacity to say four years ago that, if he and Bush don’t win the election, we risk having a new terrorist attack.
I had this in mind when I wrote these lyrics for the recent Testament song F.E.A.R. “The politicians and the freedom fight. When all is wrong there is no right”
I hate to resort to scare tactics like they do but I feel that, if you put in McCain and Palin, we risk continued damage to our economy, our standing in the world, our education system and our entire way of life.
Obama’s not perfect, like the rest of us. But I’ve watched him in interviews. I’ve watched him in debates. I’ve listened to what he has to say. He handles himself and makes the most sense of anyone since Clinton. Just watching him in tonights debate: he is focused on issues. His explanations make sense.
If you still don’t feel comfortable with Obama, I urge you to do research on him, listen to his plans, compare his anwers to those of others, especially our President, whom must of us agree was an enormous mistake.
Those of you who voted for Bush in 04:
Please listen to us this time: this is not about our side versus yours. When it comes down to the survival of our country, we are all on the same side.
The fact that anyone would consider putting McCain/Palin in office represents a sickness that this country is going through. But like an illness that individuals come down with, our country is going through an illness of its own. And I believe Obama/Biden represents the only possible cure right now.
In case anyone has forgotten- please view this YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdJUCU1UH2w.
And remember to vote November 4th.