One of the ways in which I do research on the presidential candidates is by checking their voting record and, in the case of Senators such as Obama, reading the bills they have sponsored or cosponsored. I also find it interesting to note whether or not the bills they have sponsored have been passed, because that gives me some indication of how well they do when it comes to generating support on a given issue.
Barack Obama has sponsored two important foreign policy bills which have been passed by the Senate: S. 2125 is a bill to promote relief, security and democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (this not only passed the Senate but was signed into law); S.CON.RES.25 is a concurrent resolution condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society. Both bills can be viewed in their entirety at the Thomas (Library of Congress) website.
Now, I don't pretend to be an expert on legislation and I know I still have alot to learn, but I think it is admirable that Senator Obama has been actively involved in working towards peace in an area of the world that is often ignored. Our country has a terrible history of leaving dictators in power just so long as they are willing to give us what we want, usually oil. We claim we care about human rights and ending injustice in the world, but that is often just so much rhetoric to hide our more selfish objectives. The international community is not fooled, and world opinion of America is understandably diminished by this type of dishonest policy-making.
Comments are closed for this post.
