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by Joel S. Hirschhorn
 What a wonderful political distraction is Senator Barack Hussein Obama. Perhaps a good part of his attractiveness is that he is in so many ways the complete opposite of George W. Bush.
Yet, what amazes me is how our bipartisan obstacle to true political competition continually creates illusions of change and reform. Thus it keeps a grip on Americans’ hope for the future, and preempts public support for more profound political change. Is Obama just another example of how our corrupt political system ingeniously creates candidates to keep hope alive? Is the self-professed progressive Obama the real thing? Is he something other than a conventional politician? I have read many of his speeches and other statements. I applaud his upbeat rhetoric, but few policy details are given.
Joseph Sobran opined that “the Democrats are looking for a political messiah, and many of them think they’ve found one in Illinois’s junior senator, Barack Obama. And Obama is, without question, a very charming, intelligent, and impressive young man who is, moreover, catnip to the press corps.” Cal Thomas made the good point that many Americans look at presidential candidates as political messiahs. He said Obama “can also play dual roles of messiah figure and one of the Wise Men.” And he astutely asked: “Have political ‘messiah figures’ become false gods?”
In truth, none of the current presidential hopefuls have obtained the political messiah mantle as much as Obama has.
Yet I remain skeptical. Is he willing to do whatever it takes to become President? In our diseased political system, whatever-it-takes-candidacy produces screw-the-public-politics-as-usual. Here are some things that would truly impress me about Obama’s uniqueness, and that would support viewing him as something other than just another opportunistic politician – albeit with a race, good looks, anti-Iraq war, and intelligence advantage.
First and foremost, I would be deeply impressed if Obama soon committed
to taking campaign contributions only from individuals and only in
small amounts, say no greater than $50. Because if he raised the huge
amount of money necessary for a competitive presidential campaign – say
$100 million – from the usual sources, then he will inevitably become
(assuming he is not already) corrupted.
Second, his voting record in the Senate shows a strong allegiance to
labor and teacher unions, according to data from Project Vote Smart.
These groups can be hugely important sources of big campaign money. I
would like to hear Obama explicitly pronounce policy positions that
show he is not a lackey of organized labor.
Third, he
has supported the views of the Population Connection, better known by
its former name: Zero Population Growth.. One of its core positions
is: “The only acceptable solution to the population problem is
through expanding educational, advocacy and service efforts that lower
birth rates.” Additionally, for the United States it advocates
“efforts to conserve energy and natural resources and improve
efficiency, eliminate our ‘disposable society’ lifestyle, and use the
best possible technology to protect the natural and human
environment.” I would be impressed if Obama spoke out about the
compulsive consumerism hallmarking U.S. culture. And if he solidly
supported higher gasoline taxes and stricter vehicle mileage standards
to promote less driving and gasoline use. Besides favoring abortion
rights and backing the interests of Planned Parenthood, what else does
he support to cut global population growth?
Forth, he has demonstrated little support for the policy goals of the
National Taxpayers Union, that lobbies for “the merits of limited
government and low taxes,” fights corporate welfare and tax advantages
for the wealthy, and advocates for a balanced budget amendment to the
constitution. Similarly, his record shows little support for what the
Americans for Tax Reform groups advocates. A core position of this
group is: “Politicians often run for office saying they won't raise
taxes, but then quickly turn their backs on the taxpayer.
The idea of the Pledge is simple enough: Make them put their no-new-taxes rhetoric in writing.” So,
this is what I would like to hear from Obama: tell us you are not a
free-spending liberal that will easily justify raising taxes to
increase funding for social programs. And that you will fight for a
balanced budget constitutional amendment – in fact, be the first
presidential candidate ever to advocate for an Article V convention of
state delegates to consider this and other possible amendments!
Fifth, his views on illegal immigration are very consistent with those
of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and opposite to those
of groups working to stop the massive influx of illegal immigration.
Has he bought into labor union’s desire for more members, despite
illegals lowering wages for working-class American citizens, just what
corporate interests want? Does he favor ANY strict measures to stop
the invasion of illegal immigrants, including stiffer penalties for
illegal employers? What would he do to combat the plight of local
governments facing high costs from illegal immigrants?
Obama says “America is a land of big dreamers and big hopes.” Then
please tell us – exactly and soon – what are YOUR big dreams and big
hopes for America that you intend to pursue if you become President.
Give us details that differentiate you not just from the other
presidential candidates, but from all conventional politicians that
have lost the trust and confidence of most Americans. You say “we need
the political will.” For what exactly? Not just the big, broad goals,
but tell us the “how” – the policy paths that you will fight for to
reach lofty goals.
I don’t care that he has little government and no executive experience,
not if he is willing to boldly speak out with specifics about exactly
what he would try to accomplish as President.
Cynic though I am, if he really is the Democratic messiah, then as an
American I would be very happy. But I share Cal Thomas’ skepticism:
“What puzzles me is why so many people put their hopes in politicians,
when politicians (and politics) repeatedly let them down.”
I want Obama to speak with such clarity that he either earns the
messiah label, or makes realists of even his strongest supporters. We
do not need another political false idol, from the left or the right.
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Sorry, but the US is still a pretty racist country, in case you haven't noticed.