The Problem with Barack Obama
Obama is very good with words but if you think back on history, there are a lot of leaders who are charismatic and great motivators who were not so good. Hitler moved an entire nation. He, too, promised change. And that didn't end up too well. Cuba's Fidel Castro was also a great advocate for change and revolution in his time. Years later, Cuba is still in ruins because of what his ideas of change were. I'm not saying that Obama will be a ruthless tyrant, I just think that his plans are extremely unclear. His entire campaign has been about clever and inspiring words. But I couldn't tell you what his plans are for the war in Iraq or for economic reform. Sure, he promises that we'll get our troops home, but does he ever state how? Politicians promise the world in order to get elected. I think they seldom actually act on their words. It is very easy for the masses to be swayed by powerful speech but is there anything to back it up?
I don't think he has proven that there is.
In fact, the things that give me an uneasy feeling in my stomach all have to do with what he's said. This controversy with his pastor is a prime example. This is someone who Obama has cited as his mentor in the past- someone he looks up to and admires. Now that his pastor has been revealed to be preaching hateful things in his sermons, Obama is quick to point out that he doesn't agree with all of his views. It also makes me uneasy that in several campaign offices around the country, there have been flags of Che Guevara. I don't think people are aware of how dangerous this man truly was. He was undoubtedly a dedicated revolutionary, another advocate for change, but he was a brutal man. He employed harsh and cruel punishments on dissenters and that is not someone who I want my president associating with.
I believe in change as much as the rest of the country and I hope for the good of our country that change comes, but I want to be sure before we elect someone into the highest office, that his plans for change will be effective and for the good of society, not just slogans.
Published by Ana Montano
I graduated with a BS in Psychology and a BA in Criminology from the University of Florida, where I also minored in Mass Communications. I have experience as an arts and entertainment columnist for The Indep... View profile
My Problem with Barack ObamaThe President has a mandate to be creative and innovative. He must push his agenda regardless of GOP inclinations.- Hillary Clinton Hanging on in Primary Fight, Gaffes with Barack Obama-Robert Kenne...Hillary Clinton Claims She's Hanging On in Order to Be The Nominee In the Event Barack Obama is Assassinated
- Barack Obama is Wrong for AmericaDemocratic presidential nominee promises change in how Washington does business, but does he really represent a break with the past?
- The Problem with AmericaAn overview of the current state of American society and the problems facing it.
- Between Barack and a Hard Place: Is the Media Being Unfair to Barack Obama?Is the mainstream media's sudden change in tone with regard to coverage of Sen. Barack Obama's quest for the Presidency anything out of the ordinary? We will discuss this issue herein.
- Zane's Top Ten "Problems with Barack Obama Smoking in the White House"
- Barack Obama at Concord High School: My Experience
- Racial Issues in the Barack Obama Campaign: Jeremiah Wright, Obama-Bashing and Med...
- Barack Obama on Letterman, Talks Lipstick, Scores Laughs
- The Inauguration of Barack Obama
- Bill Maher is Angry with Barack Obama
- The Election of Barack Obama was a Big Mistake for the Country
13 Comments
Post a Comment"The Obama-Bond amendment is supported by the National Veterans Legal Services Program, Veterans for Common Sense, and Disabled American Veterans." This is not to insinuate that all disabled veterans voted for Senator Obama, but I wonder how many of those groups that support this amendment were "blinded" by speeches. Bond, btw is a Republican in Congress or proof that Obama means what he says.
This part of comment on FY 2009 did not post. "The Obama-Bond amendment is supported by the National Veterans Legal Services Program, Veterans for Common Sense, and Disabled American Veterans." Blinded? Or with more personal knowledge and experience than you?
I took a few minutes to gather some information for you about Bills and Resolutions authored by Senator Obama. The comments did not post last night (see below) which is why I returned to post them again this morning. This information is readily available to you on the internet. It is a small sampling and does not include co-sponsored and bipartisan legislation, nor which were passed in Congress and which are still pending. Every member of Congress must argue or give speeches before all other Congress members. Maybe he could "mop the floor with Hillary" as president. She was not able to convince Congress in 8 years of arguing (giving speeches) about her health insurance plan. What you label a negative is a plus.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Kit Bond (R-MO) today praised the Senate's passage of their amendment to the FY 2009 Budget Resolution to expedite the military's review of cases in which service members may have been improperly diagnosed with a personality disorder and subsequently discharged. According to reports last year, the Department of Defense (DOD) inappropriately and inconsistently discharged service members who suffered combat-related psychological injuries such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or closed head injuries such as Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). Over the last six years, Defense Department records indicate that over 22,500 personality disorder discharges have been processed; or on average 10 service members have been discharged per day, every day in that time. Such discharges can result in the loss of some benefits and care for wounded veterans.
S.J.RES.23 : A joint resolution clarifying that the use of force against Iran is not authorized by the Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq, any resolution previously adopted, or any other provision of law.
S.133 : A bill to promote the national security and stability of the economy of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on oil through the use of alternative fuels and new technology, and for other purposes.
S.453 : A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.
S.674 : A bill to require accountability and enhanced congressional oversight for personnel performing private security functions under Federal contracts, and for other purposes.
S.713 : A bill to ensure dignity in care for members of the Armed Forces recovering from injuries.
S.1306 : A bill to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to classify certain children's products containing lead to be banned hazardous substances.
"Perhaps you have been too busy listening to Clinton lies" is actually a better example of libel. I'm not claiming that Barack is a liar. But I think it's naive to believe that every Barack supporter is well-informed and intelligent. I'm sure there are a lot of people who are just moved by his eloquent speeches and might vote for him just because of his charisma and not because of his "Blueprint for Change."
These young people are tired of Republicans and Democrats and Red States and Blue States. What his speeches do for them is to inspire them that they can have a voice in government; that they can aspire to follow dreams; not settle for what looks like a dead end future. They have seen their parents lose lifetime jobs due to outsourcing and downsizing. They have seen their parents die or struggle through red tape associated with health care. They have lost parents in Iraq. They seem much smarter than many adults.
You can go to Obama's campaign site and download his "Blueprint for Change" if you have not been paying attention through, what was it 21 debates. Perhaps you have been too busy listening to Clinton lies to actually pay attention to anything Senator Obama has said. Obama is not empty words, he has a solid track record in Illinois and in Congress. The way he has run his campaign is another good indicator of his leadership ability. "What worries me is that people are so blinded to that by Barack's wonderful speeches." That statement put in writing is actually libel. Can you prove in a court of law that Pulitzer and Nobel prize winners have been blinded by a speech? Naomi Wolfe? Samantha Powers? Kathleen Sibelius? Scientists? Or are you just parroting something you read or heard on the news? 19 year old college students that registered to vote do not want a Bush/Clinton dynasty in DC. They are hardly blind to realities of attending college in today's economy.
Oh, there's no doubt that there's something wrong with all the candidates. I'm not implying that Hillary is perfect. I think all politicians are crooked and have hidden agendas. What worries me is that people are so blinded to that by Barack's wonderful speeches. I hope I'm proven wrong if he gets elected. I hope he does great things and is successful in bringing about the change he talks about, for the sake of our country. But until then, I am wary of him. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I think more people should be questioning and suspicious of their leader's actions. If we were our economy wouldn't be where it is and we wouldn't be in Iraq.
The real problem is that the three candidates McCain, Obama and CLinton are just not good for this country. Ralph Nader has some good ideas but too bad he is in love with himself and helped Bush Jr. win in 2000.