The Problem with Obama

In less than a month the American people will elect a new president. For almost two years we have endured a campaign that amazed, astounded and more than anything else, befuddled us. We see the candidates and as Americans we should be making a strong effort to know who these candidates are and what they stand for.

I am a conservative, and as such, I make no apologies. I believe strongly in the free market and have participated in it for many years. That being said, I also believe in helping my neighbors, friends and others in need. I believe that the United States is comprised of people with many different schools of thought and all of them are necessary and important. All of us have a right to be heard and considered, and that my friends, doesn't change because of party lines.

Barack Obama is a smart man and has done well for himself. He promotes himself as the candidate of change and that is attractive to many people. It would be attractive to me if he could show us, or explain to us what he has changed. I don't see any track record for Senator Obama. I can't see his record of change and I wish someone could show me before the election, because if there was one, it could make a difference. Years of living tells me that it is easy to make promises and much harder to keep them. What will he change? And how will he change it?

Senator Obama calls raising taxes "neighborly". Is that what it really is? Is it "neighborly" to force people through taxation to subsidize others? I can't see that. Giving something to someone that didn't earn it is not "neighborly" it is charity and honesty dictates that we recognize that. How can Senator Obama promote charitable behavior from us when his own has been so dismal? If he were really concerned, wouldn't he share a little more of his own with those that he considers in need? It is easy to tell others what they should do, but if you aren't doing it, your message is hollow.

Much has been made of the fact that Senator Obama is a black man. I can understand the pride of Americans when they see that we are truly equal and that opportunities are there for everyone. What I can't understand is why we haven't moved on from the racial issue. At the risk of being controversial, being black, hispanic, white, gay or anything else does not count as a qualification to be president. What counts is experience, knowlege and the ability to lead our country.

Another concern is Senator Obama's friends and business associates. Jeremiah Wright, William Ayers, Father Flager and Antonin Rezco are interesting people. Senator Obama has denounced all of them, one at a time. This is big world and you meet many people, I can understand that as a Chicago politician, they may have been necessary to his rapid ascent of the political ladder. I don't believe that these people were his best friends, but I do believe the reports that political patronage was the rule of the day. Senator Obama wasn't best friends with Bill Ayers, he just assisted him in promoting his philosophies.Isn't that much worse than just being a friend? Jeremiah Wright was his pastor for many years and Obama has called him a mentor. Can anyone reading this understand that Pastor Wright was instrumental in advancing Senator Obama's career? Being a close associate with the Pastor of the biggest church in your district is a big help and Obama is smart enough to know that. When it came to light that Reverend Wright was a vocal critic of America, Obama distanced himself. He is a smart politician, but I am concerned about his ability to throw down those that become a political burden. I wonder if he truly disagrees with the man that was his montor for so long, or if the reason for his distance is purely political. Maybe Senator Obama can tell us that.

Antonin Rezco was a Chicago developer. He gave financial assistance to Senator Obama in his various capacities. It happens every day. Political contributions are a rule of life in America, but what do the politicians offer for that support? Rezco was on the receiving end of considerable amounts of money from the political machine in Chicago, and Obama was a principal in those transactions. Will Senator Obama continue the practice of political patronage if he should become president? He needs to tell us that too.

We talk about experience while we know that unless you have been the president, you really don't have the experience. How can you know a job that you haven't had? The truth is that you can't. Hopefully the voters will examine the histories of the candidates, because they are important. Will they ask who is more versed in the mechanics of National Defense? Maybe they will consider that the candidate most qualified to repair our ailing economy should be the one that has demonstrated the most financial acumen in his own life and dealings. Hopefully the voters will examine history and see which candidate has been instrumental in fighting corruption and which has been a recipient of the spoils.

Senator Obama appears to be a nice guy, but my plumber is a nice guy and I wouldn't vote for him either. I want to hear Senator Obama's answers. I want to know where he is going to get all of the money that he is going to be "neighborly" with. Maybe he can even tell us what he will do when the government makes less money as a result of raising taxes. Change is good, but history tells us that that is what will happen. Then what Senator Obama?