A friend of mine posed this question and the following was in large part my answer. It sums up why I am so passionate about this man's campaign.
Baracks larger point- the vision of his candidacy- is to reach beyond the seperations, barriers, petty disagreements that we all have with one another. To rise up as a people and tackle the challenges we all face. His speech tonight (South Carolina) was a perfect illustration.If we give up the stupid drama, we realize that the only folks against health care are those that profit from the current system. They are an inordinate minority. When we take lobbyists out of the equation- the peoples voices can be heard.When you generate a multicultural, cross sectional movement- the power that was once granted by cynicism, non-participation, racism and greed starts to dissipate.When more people vote for you than voted in the entire primary 4 years before- when a 99% white state goes your way and a 50% African American state landsides for you, you are generating power. When the youth of this country reengage with the process, you are generating power. When Republicans and independants are voting for you- you are generating power. Barack Obama even rejected class warfare as a tactic this evening. When was the last time you heard a Democrat reject the notion that the rich don't care about the poor? His vision is Unity. That Vision is manifest in his words, his deeds and his movement.With this power and the permission this new coalition will grant him to reach across the aisle- the oceans etc... He will be able to get the very things done that we all wish to have Accomplished. More affordable college tuition- $4000 dollars a year in return for community service. Doubling the peace core. Getting out of Iraq. Solving the health care debacle- making social security solvent- seating a pro-choice justice to the bench- tackle global warming- reintroducing the United States as a leader and partner in the world.All of it comes into view because of the realization that we are truly our brothers keeper.We may differ on how to get there- but the huge majority of us have the same goals.So let's have a debate/discussion on the merits and then act. Democracy. Barack is generating a following of diverse, energetic, hopeful supporters that are sowing a spirit of togetherness (as kum by ya as that is) in the nation. Don't knock it- There is great power in healing.There is great power in realizing that others aren't so much unlike ourselves.I believe that framing any policy question, any diplomatic situation or foreign policy questionin those terms gets you 80% of the way already.Unity=Power=ImplementationThe Obama movement is a movement that is addressing fundamentaly false underpinnings not only of our political process- but of our lives. That underpinning is seperateness. Hope, Unity, Yes We Can, Change- this is the progression and power of his message, and will be the power of his presidency.It's the only way sh_t will get done.
Hillary led in the African American community until two weeks ago when she said Martin Luther King and Barack Obama were just talkers and dreamers- not doers. "It took a president." she said.Today she said- "I'm a work horse, not a show horse." But what are the facts?
I've gotten sick of this criticism so I did some research- seems as if there are two horses working. One a little better than the other: Hillary Clinton has sponsored 350 bills since Jan 22, 2001, of which 304 haven't made it out of committee (Very Poor) and 2 were successfully enacted (Average, relative to peers). Clinton has co-sponsored 1706 bills during the same time period (Average, relative to peers). Source: www.Govtrack.com Barack Obama has sponsored 129 bills since Jan 4, 2005, of which 120 haven't made it out of committee (Average) and 1 were successfully enacted (Average, relative to peers). Obama has co-sponsored 529 bills during the same time period (Average, relative to peers). Source: www.Govtrack.com
Hillary sits on 12 committees:
Member, Senate Committee on Armed Services Member, Subcommittee on AirlandMember, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and CapabilitiesMember, Subcommittee on Readiness and Management SupportMember, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Chairman, Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental HealthMember, Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear SafetyMember, Subcommittee on Transportation and InfrastructureMember, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Member, Subcommittee on Children and FamiliesMember, Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace SafetyMember, Senate Special Committee on Aging
Barack sits on 13 committees:
Member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Chairman, Subcommittee on European AffairsMember, Subcommittee on African AffairsMember, Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific AffairsMember, Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Environmental ProtectionMember, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Member, Subcommittee on Children and FamiliesMember, Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace SafetyMember, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Member, Subcommittee on Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and IntegrationMember, Subcommittee on InvestigationsMember, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International SecurityMember, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Don't believe the hype, Barack Obama is a strong candidate with a strong record.He has worked hard for all of his constituents. Regardless of race or gender. In Illinois: Sponsored 233 bills pertaining to Health Care Sponsored 125 bills pertaining to Poverty and Public assistance Sponsored 112 bills pertaining to Crime, Corrections and the Death Penalty Sponsored 97 bills pertaining to Economy, Business and Finance Sponsored 62 bills pertaining to Education Sponsored 60 bills pertaining to Civil and Human Rights Civil Rights Lawyer, Community Activist, Professor of Constitutional Law... More than 800 bills sponsored in 8 years in Illinois, passing tough Legislation on the Death Penalty, Video taped Interrogations, Health Care, Racial Profiling, Job Skills Training, Campaign Finance Reform, Privacy for Sexual Assault Victims etc...
The man deserves some respect.
Black, White, Latino, Asian, Homosexual, Straight, Male, Female, Republican, Democrat, Independent, Christian, Muslim, Jew, Agnostic and Athiest.This and many more make up the Obama Coalition for Change.Tired of Politics as usual. Tired of divide, mislead and conquer.
We are for reaching out to those unlike ourselves in order to create the power needed to transform the nation. We, like Barack, are working hard to manifest a new reality.
We value Truth and Integrity.We are for Unity. Barack Obama 08!
