10 February 2008

My Obama dilemma

Why not Obama?

When I lived in Illinois, I voted for him. He’s charismatic, smooth and presents a front based on the idea of change. And Chicago politics is well known for its patronage and corruption, so his voice was new and different enough to sway me.

It wasn’t until I left Illinois, and saw that his record in the senate was spotty at best and who seemed to support big business that I began to wonder if I made a mistake. I love change, and I love someone who can be decisive leader, but with Obama you ended up with was the same old same old that has haunted American politics since time immortal. The question is that bad or good?

But what change is he actually going to do, I ask?

He’s very tight lipped about how he’s actually going to change Washington (and is that a realistic goal for any leader of our country?). But that bothers me, as I feel it would be like buying a house based on the picture of the outside and never bothering to see what’s on the inside.

What does Obama stand for, besides change?

Yes, he wants to pull the troops out of Iraq, which all of you would like, but even the dyed-in-the-wool liberal that I am knows that its no longer that simple. Like it or not, Bush has woven the US like a tapestry into the future history of that country. Pulling out now is not realistic or even practical.

For me to really support Obama, I need to see what his plans are for the US, and not some nebulas answers to the questions he been asked and the sniping between him and Clinton. While the War in Iraq is important, and one that should be addressed, it the economy that worries me more. How is he going to correct this recession we're in? How is he going to stop the hemorrhaging housing industries -and is he going to make the lenders pay for what is basically their fault (beyond the people who were stupid to buy a house they could never afford)?

Will he actually help the middle class, or be ignore them as many republicans have done? Will his interaction with the rich and famous (people like the ultra rich Oprah) make him more sympathetic to their whiny ass issues with paying taxes?

And for a guy who has missed 59% of the senate votes, do you really want him taking on a more complex role as leader of this country?

I think we need to take a hard look at all the presidential hopefuls. And while many hate Hillary Clinton and John McCain, they've actually tried to say things about what they want to do. You all may think them not important or even dumb, but they've said something.

Just because Obama says he wants to bring "change" to Washington, while not explaining what that really means, is not, in my opinion, a reason to vote for him.

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