It appears Senator Obama has clinched the Democratic party nomination. He exquisitely delivered a victory speech last night that addressed many issues. There is no doubt that Senator Obama's oratory skills are superb. However, I would like to break down the substance behind a few of the issues he so superbly delivered. It is easy to be swept up in the key words that invoke passion, anger, or glee and overlook the actual substance behind the emotional driven words. First, I would like to say I am neither for nor against Senator Obama. My chosen candidate was plucked from this race at the beginning of the year. I am still contemplating which of the remaining two I will cast my vote for.
“That man needs us to pass an energy policy that works with automakers to raise fuel standards, and makes corporations pay for their pollution, and oil companies invest their record profits in a clean energy future ….” said Senator Obama.
Now, we all get a boiling feeling in our stomachs as we struggle to pay for the rising cost of fuel. We especially boil when oil companies report record profits. However, part of what is great about this country is that anyone anywhere can make their fortune and not worry about a government ceiling or bureaucracy dictating their wealth. There are not any laws in this country that would allow the government to force oil companies to invest their profits in clean energy. Forget if you think that would be the right or conscious thing to do. It is for our protection that the government can not dictate what any of us spend our money/profits on. If this door of dictation ever were opened, then it would remain ajar. Soon it may be your business that someone sitting in Washington decides makes too much profit and should be better used for a greater cause. So, remove the emotion of how oil companies make you feel and think about the actual meaning of Senator Obama's words.
“..that we owe it to our children to invest in early childhood education; to recruit an army of new teachers and give them better pay and more support; to finally decide that in this global economy, the chance to get a college education should not be a privilege for the wealthy few, but the birthright of every American. That's the change we need in America.”
Senator Obama has very lofty ideas and our educational system is currently failing our children. However, school systems are state run. The Federal Government does not play any role in recruiting teachers and teacher pay is budgeted by the state. The only conclusion I can come to from his speech is that he would seek to change this process. I only wonder what Government orifice the budget for this will be pulled from. I wonder the same if the government declares a college education is a birthright.
Now, these are just a few ideas that I pulled from one speech given by Senator Obama. We can do the same with Senator McCain. For instance, Senator McCain admitted last year that he was a novice on the economy. Yet, now he touts that he can solve all of our economic turmoil. So, the point is to look beyond the emotional driven hooks thrown by ALL the candidates and examine what is actually on the line.
