Enter Barack Obama

In a few hours Barack Obama will most assuredly be voted into office as the President of the United States of America. It will mark an important milestone and accomplishment for our country, as we see that equality for all people is still taking strides and today it takes shape in a black president. I think the Democrats and basically all those opposed to George Bush from day one deserve Obama's presidency. They felt they were cheated in 2000, and they felt neo-conservatism and smear politics snatched Kerry's chances in '04. Now they have a perfect political storm brewing and nothing can stop their man this time. They deserve it. I feel like if John McCain wins this election - like he has a chance- we'll have half the country happy to see a Republican still in office but only mildly excited about the chances of a rebound for our country economically and in a worldly sense. Yet, on the other hand, we have a group of people standing behind Barack Obama truly inspired by his words and fully expecting his Presidency to bring the "change" the masses are anxiously awaiting. I don't totally understand what this change is going to look like. or what exactly is going to change but neither do most of the Obama supporters. They just want change in general and they're going to scoop up whatever Obama wants to send their way. I can see why. They see our country in a dead-end war looking more and more unintelligent and out of touch in the world and yet at the same time in the midst of a catastrophic economic collapse affecting literally millions of Americans, They want this all to change.

I'm still not voting for Barack Obama. This is what I know about him: His underlying believe and desire is for fundamental change in the US. Does this not scare you people? What change is he talking about? He wants money in the hands of haves, going to the have-nots. He's Robin Hood with with millions in big money financing and a flag lapel. Or sometimes not. He has raised more money than any other candidate in history yet George Bush received more from small donors. What does this mean? He claims to be a man with his own values and ideas not controlled by the Washington Elite yet instead, he gets introduced to the public as a politician by convicted terrorist Bill Ayers, decides to conduct financial dealings with Tony Rezko, a now indicted felon, and spends two decades attending the Chicago Trinity United Church Of Christ listening to the ranting of one Mr. Jeremiah Wright and feeling so comfortable about the man he chose him to baptize his children and be the priest for his wedding. We've all heard Rev. Wright's ideas of America and his hatred of White America, yet most as voters completely disregard any mention of this. Does it not matter? Maybe not. Maybe Wright's ideas were like a "crazy uncle" as Obama calls him and didn't actually sink in to or represent those listening. If you listened to Michelle Obama you might think otherwise. She has called the United States a "downright mean force in the world" and has recently claimed that only now is she proud to call herself an American. Is this who we want in the highest office of the land?

Tomarrow will bring hope to a lot of people and that is a good thing. Let Obama have his chance. Let the Democrats rule all three branches of the Federal Government and do what they can to bring this "change". Let them tax the rich and pretend that will bring wealth to poor people. Let them pretend that we can just snap our fingers and bring free health care and education to all that want it. Let them think that those around the world who despise America will re think their position with Barack in the oval office and decide to never plan another terrorist attack again. Let them think anything they want about this facade Barack Obama. They deserve it.

The Times They Are A-Changin

This week has brought many significant events both published and unpublished. The Republican V.P. pick of Sarah Palin was met with mostly disbelief on both sides of the aisle, but has brought a new found charge of excitement and energy into the Republican party and the race itself.

This election has shown that America is ready for new leadership and is clearly not excited about the same old "Washington Elite" - as Palin puts it - running the show. We can't be too sure about the effectiveness of this new strategy by both parties but obviously now, with both parties selections sealed, we will either have a President whose only political experience is a state legislator for eight years and a U.S. senator for another three, albeit mostly spent on the campaign trail, or we will have a woman in the seat of vice-president having only been a mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, a town of roughly 7,000, for two terms and Alaska's governor since 2006.

It seems to me both parties have flip-flopped on their previously stated opinions for this election. When Bill Clinton ran against George H. W. Bush in 1992, he was openly criticized for claiming his command of the Arkansas National Guard as command experience, yet the Republicans are supportive of Palin using the argument of her command of the Alaska National Guard as command experience. On the flip-side, the political left, has somehow overnight became the moral authority on the family and family values and think they have the right to criticize Palin over her daughter's unwed pregnancy. If I were told two months ago the Republicans would be defending unwed mothers and the Democrats would be criticizing the same mother, I really wouldn't believe it. It's also totally ridiculous that the Democrats are taking this opportunity to bash abstinence-only sex education. They have absolutely no idea what is said inside the Palin home and regardless of Governor Palin's political stance on federally funded sex education programs, they still don't know what has been said to Sarah's daughter. Long story short, this in no way shows that abstinence-only sex education doesn't work. I fault both parties with the way Governor Palin has been introduced and treated. On one hand, I don't want her name to be splashed across a magazine with misleading titles and articles that might lead weak minded voters down a path of half truths and outright lies, however I don't want to vote in a vice-president and therefore potential president that I don't know very much about.

Palin gave a speech last night that gave the Republican party the boost they needed, and have stopped the Democrats in their tracks for the time being, and there's plenty more to look forward to. Obama will be on Bill O'Reilly's program tonight and we'll also hear from John McCain addressing the Republican National Convention. I hope you'll be tuning in.

Doing the Right Thing

In the past few months leading up to congress' summer break, the hot topic is off-shore drilling and whether congress should expand upon the territory currently available. It's obvious we have a problem in the U.S. right now. The problem is that people have been spending way too much money on things they don't really need for the last two years or so. We were in the middle of an economic boom and we didn't really know it. Hummers, huge flat-screens, houses we couldn't afford, etc.

Now in 2008 we've already discovered that sub-prime loans caused a bubble that has burst and with corporate bailouts under way the only real losers are the alarmingly high number of home owners being foreclosed on. Consumer spending is down on items like big screen t.v.s and so what's left are our hummers. Well not exactly. The hummer is going the way of the woolly mammoth, woefully unequipped to handle the current situation. In the mammoth's case it was a brain the size of a peanut; in the Hummer's case it's a deep thirst for fuel that was expensive even in the days of $1.50 per gallon gasoline. Today buying a Hummer is simply a tax on your stupidity. However the fact still remains, we need our automobiles.

We need planes to fly us and our cargo around the world, we need trucks to haul products to our stores, boats to haul our freight, and even some way to get us to the store to get some groceries; not to mention the thousands of commuters that our paying and arm and a leg per day just to get to work. But with all these concerns weighting heavy on the minds of all Americans, it's great to know that our congress is doing everything in their power to assess the situation and take the proper steps toward lowering our gas prices. Wait what's that? They're on summer break? How old are these people 13? You'd honestly think that even dirty rotten politicians like Nancy Pelosi would realize that with an approval rate hovering around 9% and absolutely no discernible progress made since this Democratic congress was voted into office, the leaders of this party would want work to be done. People are paying the price, business is paying the price. We need to expand all avenues of domestic oil production. America wants it. Do something about it, you big Nancy!

Racial Tension

In the current social climate of the United States, any figure even remotely public must choose his or her words wisely. One misstep and the Rev. Al Sharpton will be calling you demanding an explanation, followed most certainly by all of the mainstream media declaring their outrage over even the slightest hint of a racist remark. In recent months we've seen Don Imus fired and subsequently rehired over an on-air declaration that the Rutgers Women's basketball team is a bunch of "nappy-headed hoes." Isiah Washington was publicly skewered over an alleged homophobic statement made on the set of Grey's Anatomy. A sports anchorwoman was fired over using the words, "Tiger Woods," and "lynch" in the same sentence. The most recent addition to the list comes with none other than Don Imus again making a broad statement actually defending the notion that Black Americans are targeted by the police, which was taken out of context and somehow interpreted that he condoned such a policy. The truth is, our country is still infected with racism and has been since its inception. However, the path toward equality and respect does not lie in scapegoats and public apologies, it lies in people's common sense. We need to stop jumping to conclusions and quickly condemning any borderline statement. Public figures are far outnumbered by regular people like you and me. If one of them acts inappropriately and it is offensive to you, show your outrage with your pocketbook. Don't watch their movie, listen to their radio program, buy their book, etc. Demanding a public apology from a true racist really does nothing to stop the problem right? A racist person will continue to be racist, we can only hope their unfortunate offspring will realize decency and respect before adopting the racist attitude. But we must also remember, this is America, and we have a right to express ourselves as long as we aren't hurting or threatening others. I don't know about you but I hear about people being fired for very borderline offensive statements, it doesn't sound like America to me.

Immigration Debate

As the race for the White House moves steadily along, the issue of immigration is brought up time and time again. What is the solution to this ever-increasing problem? Is it a problem at all? Are the current laws sufficient, or do we need reform? The answer is not as simple, or as black and white as some would have you believe. According to the United States Border Patrol, it is estimated that between 12 and 15 million illegal aliens reside in the U.S. currently. That number is rising at a rate of roughly 500,000 per year. That's just about 1 per minute. What impact do these people have on the country? Well, one side argues that they take jobs Americans don't want. Most employers of unskilled labor will tell you that immigrants from Mexico and South American countries are generally hard working people. They are only here because of the disparity between the quality of life in their home countries, and here in America. On the other hand, many contend that illegal immigrants pose a security risk, as well as cause economic damage to the country by generally not paying taxes, and using our medical system even when they cannot pay for the services they use. There is hardly any way to deny the security risk associated with 500,000 people entering this country per year, all of whom we know nothing about. While the majority of the country agrees that it is unacceptable for our borders to be so wide open, our federal government seems to not want to truly address this issue. In the recent Democratic debate for the Presidency, Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton both stated that while they opposed a fence for the whole length of the U.S. - Mexico border, they were in favor of physical barriers in tactical places, and reliance on technology and advanced monitoring for the other areas. This seems to be a step in the right direction for the Democratic candidates, as they finally are addressing the issue with the angle that most Americans have - We need to stop this tide of illegal immigrants as soon as possible. We can argue about the economic boost for business' having the ability to hire more workers at lower wages versus the economic hit we, as Americans, take by allowing illegal immigrants to use the emergency room as general health-care, pay in state college tuition, have free or reduced school lunches, use after school programs, etc. Generally economists conclude that there is a need for seasonal unskilled workers which can come from Mexico, but the effect of illegal immigrants is a toll financially on the United States, not to mention the security risks. As we prepare to vote a new President into office, we as the voting public need to ensure we elect a candidate that is not going to allow the border to be over run as it has been for far too long. Whether a Democratic or Republican candidate can end this invasion remains to be seen.