One of the resounding themes of the presidential campaign this year is change. So what is different? A black man and a woman are contending for the Democratic party's nomination. Whoever wins that nomination will likely be a serious contender for the presidency.
It also seems like many more teenagers are getting involved in the political process.
Much of this increased involvement is support of Sen. Barack Obama. His charisma and oratory skill are undeniable, but I am afraid that some teens support him solely based on these traits.
They also champion Obama for his "bi-partisanship" and think that he will bring an end to the bickering that has plagued Washington for years.
Funny then, that these are the same teenagers who like to criticize President George W. Bush over issues of the rising gas prices and the war in Iraq. They also criticize him with divisive personal jabs and failed attempts at cleverness in school newspaper columns. Doesn't that contradict the bi-partisanship they champion Obama for?
Obama's platform is impressively extensive and equally unrealistic. He claims the ability to contain all loose nuclear material in the world within four years. Must I explain the absurdity of that statement?
He also wants to remove all combat brigades from Iraq within 16 months. This is feasible - if the insurgents we've been fighting for five years line the streets as our troops parade out. Maybe they'll even wave back.
He is also going to create a new national healthcare plan that will be available to all Americans, be affordable, easy to apply and provide quality, effective coverage. It seems very ambitious to me, and it's one of the root problems that American politics has faced for many years.Sure, Hillary's an advocate for universal healthcare too, but it's one of the issues that's defined her political carrer. She cares about it. And sure, McCain wants to stay in Iraq, but can we leave? John McCain is a foreign policy expert, you can't deny that. What defines Sen. Obama?
Politicians try to appeal to everyone by covering all of the issues. This is unrealistic. It is much more effective to focus attention and energy on one or two serious problems and fix them than it is to attempt to solve too many problems and have a mediocre result with each. For Obama to cure all of the ills he mentions, he would need a bureaucracy so vast it would inflame bickering and severely hamper any real progress. These are exactly the problems the American
government is facing right now.
It would really be nice to see a candidate who would take a realistic approach to problem solving. Instead of micromanaging the county, our government should be focusing attention on problems it can solve.
The dollar that's on its knees would be a good place to start. We also need to abandon a fractured welfare system that has proven unsuccessful. Micro lending should be considered. We should also consider a national transportation system.
Perhaps the most important thing we should look at is the government itself. We need to consider what our government is capable of and what it is not. We should eliminate funding for programs that have proven unsuccessful, and re-allocate that spending to programs where the government can be effective.
Now that's change I can believe in.
hmmm nothing to say about this article reall... just pisses me off somewhat.
Good.
Mr. Obama is simply a joke. I think that sums it up. :)
Oh, Dylan, you had to go there?
I find it odd that you can so easily attack Mr. Obama in this article. You think he's so unrealistic, but what about many of Clinton's claims? You point out that Obama wants to pull out of Iraq in 16 months. However, at one point Clinton wanted all of her troops out of Iraq within her first three months in office. And you say that it's ok for Clinton to want universal healthcare because it defines her political career, but not for Obama to believe in? I believe your article needs to be more thoroughly thought out. When it comes down to it, perhaps it is Obamas eagerness and belief that he can change the USA that will make him a good president.
I don't feel it's OK for her to want the healthcare, I'm just saying it's something she has a deep conviction for.
Sounds like Dylan is a George Bush fan to me, and he certainly has a lot of knowledge in his (what 17-18?) years. Or are you a clone of your parents?
Dylan, for once in my life, I side with your political point of view. I'll tell you what Obama has a deep conviction for: "Hope...hope...hope...change...more hope..."
However, someone brought up an interesting point the other day. In our corrupted government, Obama is the fresh, new face that hasn't been completely molded into political scandal and intrigue yet. He brings a breath of fresh air and new ideas to the office, whereas McCain and Clinton have simply played the game too long to keep in touch with the public.
Granted, Obama hasn't actually REVEALED any astounding ideas besides the brilliant, "hope..." Still, if Clinton wants to win the nomination, she'd better work on changing her image from a seasoned politician to someone who can still learn a lot from the public.
Amber, people who lack a good counter-argument usually attack the person, as you attacked Dylan. Why do people always assume that conservative teenagers just listen to their parents?
Here's a question...is American more prejudice against race or against women? Think about how women are often portrayed as a "dumb blond." Or, a smart woman is portrayed as bossy, cold, etc.
Dylan, you mention three solid changes that candidates should consider. I find it interesting that you are criticizing the feasibility of Obama's idealistic plans, when you mention the implementation of a national transportation system. This seems like an idea that looks good on paper, but would never, ever be approved, let alone started, during a single president's term in office. Unfortunately, these types of claims are exactly what get presidents into the white house in the first place...
Ummm Diana I'm sorry but America is way more prejudice towards race than women. It was amazing how other races( African-Americans, Germans, Chinese,etc.) could be held in slavery, but forced into wars. Now today those same races are discriminated against in the work force and in everyday life. Blacks are still called Ni*****, and other races are mocked and humiliated. It is not too often that a woman walks into a room and cannot find other women, as for me, in certain settings it is rare that I walk into a room and see more than one person of my race.
Granted, women do take a lot of criticism and face discrimination because the workforce is male dominated but race issues are far worse off.
Jon, actually black Americans had the vote years before women did. Also, black males attended our service academies years before women were admitted. As one of the first women graduates of a service academy, I can testify that life in a man's world is different. I sat in many classes as the sole woman. I spent years in our male dominated military. Women are called lots of names that you're actually going to hear and not just partially spell. Jokes are made about women and nobody cares. I won't even go into the type of pictures of women you'll see posted in men's workspaces. The thing you need to notice is that Hillary Clinton is being asked to "change her image." Even one of the female respondents above said that. Barbara Bush, the grandmother, and Laura Bush, the librarian, were well liked as first ladies. Hillary Clinton was not well-liked because she was seen as a smart and therefore threatening woman. Our society has a hard time with successful, smart women. Society embraces successful black men. This is a big reason that Senator Obama is winning and will probably win the democratic nomination.
i know i might be "opening a can of worms", but i found this interesting:
Getting to know Cindy McCain
(note: I am not the author of the following bit of info)
All I knew about Cindy McCain was that she was worth a lot of money. Virtually everything that follows was news to me. Perhaps it will be to you, too. There was an article in the Wall Street Journal on Cindy McCain, John's wife. All I ever saw was this attractive woman standing beside John. I was surprised how talented and involved with world problems she is. This is a summary of the article. She graduated from Southern Cal and was a special-needs teacher. After her Dad died, she became involved with his beer distributing firm and is now the chairwoman. Sales have doubled since she has taken over from her father. They have a marriage prenuptial agreement, her assets remain separate. She is involved around the world clearing land mines - travels to these countries on a detonation team and service on their board. They have a 19 year old serving in Iraq , another son in the Naval Academy , a daughter recently graduated from Columbia Univ., an adopted daughter in high school, and a son who is the finance guy at the beer firm. They raised their kids in Phoenix, AZ rather than Washington D.C. (better atmosphere). He commuted. In 1991, Mrs. McCain came across a girl in an orphanage in Bangladesh. Mother Teresa implored Mrs. McCain to take the baby with severe cleft palate. She did so without first telling her husband. The couple adopted the girl, who has had a dozen operations to repair her cleft palate and other medical problems. They have a Family Foundation for children's causes.
She's active with 'Halo Trust' -- to clear land mines, provide water and food in war ravaged and developing countries. She will join an overseas mission of 'Operation Smile," a charity for corrective surgery on children's faces. She has had two back surgeries and became addicted to pain killers. She talks openly about it which she says is part of the recovery process. I'm surprised the media is so quiet about her attributes. She sounds more capable than Hillary or Obama. We would really get two for the price of one—a person with business and international experience. John did work for the firm for awhile when he left the Navy. She, however, has the real business experience.
dude im gonna poke the author. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA