10/14/08

Hope Will Prevail

Once again, I simply couldn't have said it better than my friend, Greg. Well written, well done.


Hope Will Prevail: Making the case for an Obama Presidency

By, Greg Hutchins

As the country prepares to elect its 44th President amidst a calamitous credit crunch & a heavily-scrutinized war, Americans find themselves facing several issues before heading to the polls. Racism, age discrimination, class wars, mounting frustration between Main Street & Wall Street and the philosophical divide between red states and blue states have all come into play as Senators Obama & McCain make their case for the presidency.


Never in my wildest imagination could I have envisioned the day where America in 2008 would draw comparisons to 1929. With 9 trillion in losses resulting from a collapsing stock market and another 5 trillion lost in housing values, Americans increasingly find themselves looking to Washington for answers and direction. As consumer confidence falls to record lows, the Bush administration has done little to explain the financial quandary we’re in and continues to advocate a war that cost taxpayers approximately $10B a month. Supporters of President Bush’s policies are pleased to know Senator McCain’s position is virtually identical. Thankfully, Senator Obama offers an alternative that is refreshing and sorely needed.


On the issues alone, Senator Obama has proven he is the superior choice for President. Unfortunately there are some - including registered Democrats - who will not vote for him because of racial prejudice. As Senator McCain & his running mate Governor Palin host Town Hall sessions across the country spewing red-meat rhetoric, some of their supporters have voiced inappropriate remarks that have no place in today’s political arena. Senator Obama’s ethnicity has also become the topic of tasteless imagery that’s been pawned off as satire. It’s rather sad to think that 2008 also bears a resemblance to 1968 where overt racism was commonplace. In that same year, Robert F. Kennedy famously said “ in the next 40 years a Negro can achieve the same position that my brother has.” He went on to say that “ prejudice exists and probably will continue to, but we have tried to make progress and we are making progress. We are not going to accept the status quo.” It’s amazing to imagine that RFK’s premonition four decades ago may come to fruition.


Senator McCain and his supporters continue to take aim at Senator Obama’s age & experience, despite the fact he’s been an elected official in the great state of Illinois since 1997 and has a strong legislative track record. At 47, Obama would be older than Presidents Clinton, Kennedy, Roosevelt & Grant if elected. Despite all the attacks heaped upon Senator Obama by his rival, he remains a class act focused on restoring America’s greatness and respect around the globe.


As election day approaches, Americans must search themselves and ask which candidate will steer this country in the right direction. While one campaign offers “Change We Can Believe In” the other’s message of “Country First” is drowned out by increasing vitriol and consistently negative attacks. Never in the history of politics has one candidate referred to his opponent as “that one” in a televised debate. It’s that level of disrespect that leads many to believe Senator McCain does not have the temperament to serve as Commander & Chief. After 8 years of President Bush’s failed policies and cowboy diplomacy, it’s time we Americans choose a candidate who has the intelligence, disposition & judgment to lead the United States in tumultuous times.


My support for Senator Obama is not because of historical importance, but because his plan for the country is far superior to the alternative. On topics ranging from the economy, war, healthcare, foreign policy, education & civil rights, Obama’s solutions are realistic and sustainable. He is also the greatest orator of this generation and like Martin Luther King Jr. before him, has inspired millions to achieve dreams that were once viewed as impossible.

Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope! In the end, that is God’s greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation. A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead.
- Senator Barack Obama