Barak Obama - You're Scaring Me!

One has to believe it is good for America to have minority candidates such as Clinton and Obama demonstrating that they possess the political savvy to mount a viable campaign for the highest elected office in the world. Nevertheless, some of their rhetoric is a bit scary.

Could I be the only one who listened to Obama's victory speech in South Carolina and was bothered by how he might pursue foreign policy and redistribute income in America? I'm retired and not rich so the direct financial implications for me, no matter which party occupies the White House are minimal. However, it is important that America maintain a place of prominence in the world to combat Islamic terrorism as well as to sustain our economic power. I want to pass on freedom and economic opportunity to my heirs.

Regardless, of what one believes about entry into the Iraq War, the fact is that we are there and after sustaining significant losses in the first few years, we have now succeeded in establishing a relative calm over most of the country. Political and economic reforms can now take place in an environment where escaping death previously occupied the minds of most people. Iraqi radicals as well as Al Qaeda, while still present, have much less fertile ground for establishing any type of governance. A stable Iraq is a necessity for the Middle East as well as for America and the world. Obama's pledge to withdraw our troops immediately frightens me. One has to believe the rest of the world may be concerned too. Even Russia and China may give pause. I've been a soldier and know how much I wanted to depart a combat zone. However, I did not want to depart and leave chaos behind. I suspect many presently serving soldiers would feel the same even as they yearn for their families.

Secondly, on the economic front, Obama's example of a teacher that had to work at Dunkin Donuts to make ends meet certainly qualifies as a great example of political hyperbole. While teachers should be better compensated, one would have to search far and wide for many examples like that one. Since the first students entered schools in America, there has always been a need for improvement and teacher pay has always been an issue, but overall the system has worked. Improvements needed - absolutely, radical overhaul - not so much. One can recognize that Obama's teacher example was just a stepping point to describe a vision, but the vision he possesses must confront reality.

Obama's health insurance plan is also a bit troublesome. While costs need to be controlled, some of the political suggestions are the inspiration for nightmares. Can one imagine what our doctor's offices, local urgent care facilities and emergency rooms would look like if medical care was free or reduced to a very small copay? Is it old-fashioned to believe in such things as growing pains for both the young and old. If one was to seek medical attention every time something didn't feel quite right . . .

Finally one has to be cautious about over taxing the rich. Their wealth is the source of jobs for many and provides the seed for others to secure fortune. They buy things others produce, they invest in new enterprises and they provide an example for others to strive to achieve. Will more government spending do that? It hasn't been the case in Europe or in any other country that aspires to greatness.

Opportunities and incentives for individual education and success need to be created, not giveaways and promises of easy living. Obama sites a background of neglect (his father left when he was an infant) and relative poverty. Did he achieve his present status because somebody gave him money or will he site motivation and hard work?

One has to be inspired by the vision that Obama articulates as he often discounts any pragmatic considerations. His idealistic words create hope for many, but the reality is that politics is really the art accomplishing what is possible and success is achieved through dogged determination. Obama's "Candy Land" vision in foreign policy, economic processes and domestic education and social policy will come at a cost that will be detrimental to America.

Barack Obama - I love your rhetoric, but you're scaring me.