Where is The Confidence in Positive Change under Obama Administration?

Nestled into the rolling hills of Western Massachusetts, a local Springfield television station has an online poll asking if there is confidence in the idea of positive change under an Obama administration. These non-scientific polls are just for “fun”, not necessarily used for much more – the question that was poised is not frivolous and what is of interest are the responses (considering the location). 51% feel that yes, there will be a positive change, 49% feel otherwise – which, considering the spread in Massachusetts, 36% for McCain, 65% for Obama – why the discrepancy?




It is a bit too early for buyer’s remorse to set in, or is it? What is telling is the content and reaction to President-Elect Obama’s speech. In his speech he talked about a unified country, a bi-partisan effort, hope and change (“yes we can”), and the kicker, “sacrifice and hard work”. He did not evoke John F. Kennedy or any other great Democrat leader, rather chose Abraham Lincoln, the first leader of the Republican Party, a Party that has stood for inclusion from its inception, of fiscal responsibility, of less government and individual freedoms. Some individuals actually believed that once Obama was elected, the taxes would be cut, and giveaways were going to increase. One young woman at a rally in Florida, was overjoyed because she would no longer have to pay for gas, or pay her mortgage, (video below), others questioned who on earth was going to do all this hard work and sacrifice? They failed to get the memo. Obama, in this speech, sent a clear message that he was going to govern his way; and not one of us has any idea of what that will mean until he actually gets to work. His intentions however, his policies, have been in place on his website since inception (granted changes occur time to time, but heck, this is politics!), leaving one to question why supporters were not better informed. This is especially true of the youth group, and those single women who voted in droves – they are anticipating a great deal, the problem is that the President-Elect is going to face challenges unlike any other president has to date: a financial crisis that will only worsen (Wall Street already gave its opinion of a Democrat at the helm, by posting the biggest post-election drop in history. This should come as no surprise, free enterprise despises over-regulation, higher taxes, (sacrifice) will stymie production, one should understand that those on Wall Street did read the memo.), there will be wars, as well as a general disregard for the United States from countries who lean Marxist or might be a tad revolutionary, there may even be an attack on our own soil; the President-Elect will have to deal with all of these situations, not like Carter - but like a Reagan in order to keep the country solvent and safe. This will leave little in the till and the result will be; social programs will wait – taxes will increase, across the board and the social services.


This scenario would have been no different had McCain won the election, all of these challenges would have been in place; the difference is, of course, the expectation of McCain supporters were not quite as high as those supporting Obama. They understand that the world view can change quickly and those whose friendship we desire, will so deride us, that there is a need to watch the war on terror, and that Wall Street reacts more favorably to Republicans (Warren Buffett aside). What each citizen must do now is exactly what the President Elect suggested; get ready for sacrifice, there will be hard times, we must work together in a bi-partisan manner, because, my friends, this is going to be one rough ride. For those still unsure of where Obama stands on the issues, BarackObama.com/issues, if you want to compare where John McCain actually stood on these issues (apparently George Bush was somehow involved according to Obama’s Campaign website), go over to the dark side and do an actual comparison. What one will find is that, there are some minor differences between the two, (McCain being more like Reagan than Bush), and that it would be of no surprise should President-Elect Obama, in an effort to move swiftly to the middle, borrow one or two ideas from the Senator from Arizona; as they work together to better the nation. That is one thing of which one can be fairly certain: McCain and Obama will work together. The promise of bi-partisanship and reaching across the aisle will have to take place; the stakes are too high to continue the level of partisanship this nation has been exposed to for far too long.

President-Elect Obama – A Mandate

The people have spoken, and the United States of America has a new president. Barack Hussein Obama is the 44th President of the United States. This was not, as some predicted, a close race, neither was it a landslide similar to 1980, rather a strong and unquestionable majority that wanted to move this country away from one political party to another. President-Elect Obama’s moving speech in Chicago last night offered hope and change, but also a return to bi-partisanship – hard work and sacrifice. He evoked Abraham Lincoln; recalling the division of the country at a time in history where the political and geographical landscape appeared to be irreparably damaged, he praised John McCain’s service to the country and his hard-fought campaign, and encouraged a return to a more united nation. While I may not agree with Obama’s stand on most issues, I must respect and support our new President. I was never able to accept the notion that his candidacy would be rejected due to his race – rather his Progressive Policy, including stances on moral issues that compel my vote – added to a worldview that was overly inclusive, and a lack of experience that left a feeling of apprehension. That said - it was with a great deal of pride in this great country and its people that I watched a man of African-American decent reach the highest office in the land. My father, had he been alive today, would have been so proud. My father worked tirelessly for civil rights and the great AFLCIO of the 1950’s, he was a Democrat because he believed it to be the party that best represented the disenfranchised and the working man, a man, born in southern Moorish Spain, whose name was different from our neighbors, who spoke five languages and believed that, in this country, anything was possible. It is the memory of my father, and those family, friends and co-workers that I hold dear, which will allow this conservative to proudly accept, without reservation, President-Elect Obama. It is also the knowledge that during primaries, political expediency drives remarks, and therefore, one must wait and see what direction this man and his party will lead our nation. Obama may be the centrist, the man who will be the Democrat’s Reagan – it is not fair in the least, in all honesty, to pre-judge without knowing. This election brought many isms to light, one of which will be continually addressed in the coming years and that is the rejection of women in the role of President or Vice-President. What cannot be tolerated or afforded is another twenty-four year gap before this county sees another woman elevated to the candidacy of either President or Vice-President. What did the nation reject about conservative values and the Republican Party? It was not so much a rejection of conservative values that drove the vote (Obama spoke to the center; i.e. tax cuts and a rejection of Gay Marriage), it was a rejection of a party that had abandoned its principals and had morphed into a cousin of the opposition. Runway spending, scandals and a lack of cohesive leadership aided by an inability or unwillingness to communicate with the country, drove the voters away or kept them home. The mainstream media and the celebrity status afford politicians can be taken with a grain of salt. The fact remains that everyone in this nation has access to multiple news channels; there was a definite slant, so noticeable that it hurt the credibility of some institutions but not a particular party. This election, historic in nature on so many levels, is also historically bound to have gone in a new direction. Kennedy and Johnson brought us Nixon and Ford, Carter brought us Reagan, Reagan brought Bush (George H.), Bush brought us Clinton, Clinton brought us Bush and now, Bush has brought us Obama. It goes without saying, that depending upon the direction in which we, as a nation, are led, that in four or eight years, statistics will favor a Republican – so goes the country, historically. God Bless America and God Bless the President-Elect of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama.

The Electoral College – Is it tied to the popular vote?

The Electoral College has been cast out in articles the past few days asking Can Obama Win the Popular Vote but Lose the Election?” - the answer is yes, however, it is possible but not probable – having happened in only a handful of elections since the inception of the Electoral College. The reason being that the Electoral College is tied to the popular vote – Electors are chosen from political parties in each State, to cast their vote for the candidate who has received a majority of votes. These Electors are generally bound by state law to cast their ballot for a particular candidate, that said, Electors are not constitutionally bound to do so. Electors cast their votes on December 24th – well after the Electoral College votes have been awarded to a particular candidate. The best way to insure that your voice is heard – vote! Regardless of choice, the citizen that votes has the right to complain. (States to watch closely – Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, Colorado and Nevada – polls are no bellwether this year; it will be the results coming in once the polls close will be the most accurate assessment – there is no doubt that it will be close – as everyone is making predictions: 271/269 – McCain/Palin.