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The more I learn about Obama the less I like him. He's a cynical political opportunist. He's a party-line voter. Except for his famous call on the war, he's a terrible prognosticator (eg, Fannie/Freddie). And he's of the same party as both houses of Congress. These are things I really, really hate. Granted, presidents aren't as powerful as we like to imagine and if the last in my list wasn't true, I would consider him harmless and, harmless or not, he will probably be good for the soul of America if elected. But, ephemeral arguments aside, I've lost nearly all my reasons for thinking he's a good choice. Charismatic hucksters aren't really my thing. And except for my soul-of-America arguments, what other reason do we have to vote for him?
So why in the world am I still planning on voting for him?
No wonder most Americans never bother voting.
Heh. Yeah, I'm sympathetic to that view. I do think he's smart and well-meaning, though.
ReplyDeleteGood question...why are you voting for him? Is it really just because you believe that a large minority of the country will go ballistic if we have yet another repulican president?
ReplyDeleteObviously it's because you couldn't think of anything else to get me for my birthday.
ReplyDeleteObama is indeed a politician. What other kind of person would you want in a political office.
ReplyDeleteYour voting for Obama because he is smart, calm, young and I believe really wants to change the direction of this country in a positive way. For one thing, just listen to him on the development of alternative energy sources and the jobs that industry can create. The list of good ideas is long. He lives in the 21st Century. His VP pick is even more of a politician than he is, so what.
The other choice, is also a politician. He has no new ideas, still believes in voodoo economics , is out of touch with 21st century reality and suffers from PTSD because of his Vietnam experience and demonstrated its symptoms by his aggression and anger. His foreign policy may well be shoot first and ask questions later, Quote, "Bomb, bomb bomb...bomb Iran." I do not want to comment on his VP pick.
Or, how about their staements about the arts.
ReplyDeleteMcCain's arts statement:
"John McCain believes that arts education can play a vital role fostering creativity and expression. He is a strong believer in empowering local school districts to establish priorities based on the needs of local schools and school districts. Schools receiving federal funds for education must be held accountable for providing a quality education in basic subjects critical to ensuring students are prepared to compete and succeed in the global economy. Where these local priorities allow, he believes investing in arts education can play a role in nurturing the creativity of expression so vital to the health of our cultural life and providing a means of creative expression for young people."
Obama platform: (see http://www.mybarackobama.com) ;
"Reinvest in Arts Education: To remain competitive in the global economy, America needs to reinvigorate the kind of creativity and innovation that has made this country great. To do so, we must nourish our children's creative skills. In addition to giving our children the science and math skills they need to compete in the new global context, we should also encourage the ability to think creatively that comes from a meaningful arts education. Unfortunately, many school districts are cutting instructional time for art and music education. Barack Obama believes that the arts should be a central part of effective teaching and learning.
The Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts recently said "The purpose of arts education is not to produce more artists, though that is a byproduct. The real purpose of arts education is to create complete human beings capable of leading successful and productive lives in a free society." To support greater arts education, Obama will:
Expand Public/Private Partnerships Between Schools and Arts Organizations: Barack Obama will increase resources for the U.S. Department of Education's Arts Education Model Development and Dissemination Grants, which develop public/private partnerships between schools and arts organizations. Obama will also engage the foundation and corporate community to increase support for public/private partnerships.
Create an Artist Corps: Barack Obama supports the creation of an "Artists Corps" of young artists trained to work in low-income schools and their communities. Studies in Chicago have demonstrated that test scores improved faster for students enrolled in low-income schools that link arts across the curriculum than scores for students in schools lacking such programs.
Publicly Champion the Importance of Arts Education: As president, Barack Obama will use the bully pulpit and the example he will set in the White House to promote the importance of arts and arts education in America. Not only is arts education indispensable for success in a rapidly changing, high skill, information economy, but studies show that arts education raises test scores in other subject areas as well.
Support Increased Funding for the NEA: Over the last 15 years, government funding for the National Endowment for the Arts has been slashed from $175 million annually in 1992 to $125 million today. Barack Obama supports increased funding for the NEA, the support of which enriches schools and neighborhoods all across the nation and helps to promote the economic development of countless communities.
Promote Cultural Diplomacy: American artists, performers and thinkers - representing our values and ideals - can inspire people both at home and all over the world. Through efforts like that of the United States Information Agency, America's cultural leaders were deployed around the world during the Cold War as artistic ambassadors and helped win the war of ideas by demonstrating to the world the promise of America. Artists can be utilized again to help us win the war of ideas against Islamic extremism. Unfortunately, our resources for cultural diplomacy are at their lowest level in a decade. Barack Obama will work to reverse this trend and improve and expand public-private partnerships to expand cultural and arts exchanges throughout the world.
Attract Foreign Talent: The flipside to promoting American arts and culture abroad is welcoming members of the foreign arts community to America. Opening America's doors to students and professional artists provides the kind of two-way cultural understanding that can break down the barriers that feed hatred and fear. As America tightened visa restrictions after 9/11, the world's most talented students and artists, who used to come here, went elsewhere. Barack Obama will streamline the visa process to return America to its rightful place as the world's top destination for artists and art students.
Provide Health Care to Artists: Finding affordable health coverage has often been one of the most vexing obstacles for artists and those in the creative community. Since many artists work independently or have non-traditional employment relationships, employer-based coverage is unavailable and individual policies are financially out of reach. Barack Obama's plan will provide all Americans with quality, affordable health care. His plan includes the creation of a new public program that will allow individuals and small businesses to buy affordable health care similar to that available to federal employees. His plan also creates a National Health Insurance Exchange to reform the private insurance market and allow Americans to enroll in participating private plans, which would have to provide comprehensive benefits, issue every applicant a policy, and charge fair and stable premiums. For those who still cannot afford coverage, the government will provide a subsidy. His health plan will lower costs for the typical American family by up to $2,500 per year.
Ensure Tax Fairness for Artists: Barack Obama supports the Artist-Museum Partnership Act, introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). The Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow artists to deduct the fair market value of their work, rather than just the costs of the materials, when they make charitable contributions.
The more I learn about both of them and their platforms, the more I dislike both of them.
ReplyDeleteI'm still undecided at this point as well. But not in the way others think or Andrew Sullivan derides. Obama is clearly a better choice than McCain. But, on paper, Nader seems to best represent my feelings. I'm having issues with this for multiple reasons, but regardless, I'm still trying to decide if I want to throw away my vote or not.
ReplyDelete(Okay, I live in Utah. So I know that if I don't vote for the Recrapican candidate, I'm automatically throwing my vote away.)
Most people I know in Utah are voting for Obama. Surely the people I know are representative of the entire population, aren't they?
ReplyDelete.
ReplyDeleteI voted for Nader in 2000 but I don't feel very aligned with him anymore.
And a vote for anyone but Obama is thrown away in my case.
I have a problem with his health care plan. I'm trying to start a business, and if I am required to provide health benefits or pay a penalty to the government, I may not be able to afford to start my business. The main issue for me is the old "allow the american dream" vs "spreading the wealth" argument. Because I'd like to believe I can start my own business and become successful without having to deal with further governmental penalties for doing so, I will be voting against Obama. I obviously stand on the "american dream" side of the fence. Besides, the only effect that "spreading the wealth" has is to increase the wage baseline, which just increases prices, and descreses all wealth. I believe anyone with a good idea and some capital (which just about anyone can get with a good idea) can live the American dream. Government shouldn't cater to those who feel "entitled" without doing the work. It reminds me of a cartoon I saw recently with some kids trick-or-treating at a door. The man handing out candy says "Oh.. look at all the candy you kids have... I'll just take half and give it to those kids who are too lazy to trick or treat." At this, one of the kids says "Oh great.. a democrat." I say ditto.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Orson Scott Card's bit about Obama? Find it here.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting. I suppose the long and short of it is that we can blame the Republicans for our foreign problems and the Democrats for our problems here at home.
How nice.
Here is a great article about why your not voring for Obama, or you are voting for Obama, or whatever your doing...too bad I'm no longer single...
ReplyDelete