Barack Obama, another reason to vote for him
March 2nd 2008 19:09
More than a few kids know what it's like to grow up with just a mom or just a dad, or to live with grandparents. Many kids know what it's like to grow up in a country other than America. Still more know the injustices that come with race. Barack Obama knows these challenges, and more. And it has helped to shape him into the next American president. Far different from the privilege and wealth provided to a Bush or a Romney or the like. It's not my purpose to broad-brush by saying someone born of wealth and privilege is bad or someone who wasn't is automatically better. Far from it.
But it is important to note this year, as so much is riding on how our next president feels about the division and accumulation of wealth. There are some who see wealth and privilege as a family right. Be they named Bush or Hilton or something else, some relish the idea of an American aristocracy being catered to by the "service serfs" who tend to the world for them. Those who fall into that grouping care not for America as anything more than an ATM machine. Of course, not all of those with enormous wealth can be grouped this way. To do so would be a disservice to those who have wealth and choose to do good in the world with it. That's not the policy of those on the right. Take as much as you can as quickly as you can - that's the neo-conservative economic mindset in a nutshell.
What is important about Barack Obama is that while growing up and as an adult working in Chicago, Obama was able to both experience and expose himself to hardship. He knows that he was able to climb above but still holds a kinship with those who did not. He knows that his hard work combined with some luck and wants to make sure more kids have the chance to do the same. He is an inspiration not only to kids, but to their parents who have to struggle for the sake of their children. He knows that for a country to be truly moral, it has to hold itself out to all of its citizens. He knows America should be for of us, not just for those who are in the top money categories.
Another very important facet of Obama's upbringing is the fact that he didn't just grow up in an American town. He has a background that gives him a culturally aware perspective that someone growing up in one place (or one country) doesn't have. It is no accident that the vast majority of Americans who have traveled extensively or have lived overseas are liberals. There is something very eye opening about being exposed to the rest of the world. Most lose their America as the center of the world views. And they aren't afraid to confront American shortcomings abroad instead of ignoring them in a patriotic mind-fog.
Of course there are exceptions. Some travel and become more entrenched in their myopic visions. Like John McCain, who still views the world as a place America needs to lord over. But most people will find some humility in realizing that America is one of many countries and cultures having something to offer. And regardless of what the right wing harpies will say, having a multi-cultural outlook is far more important than having an MBA or having been a CEO when it comes to leading America. It is not unpatriotic to suggest that we need to take our rhetoric down a few notches and work with the international community.
Barack Obama is the best suited candidate to lead America in a world that sees America in the sad light of a George Bush presidency. The horrible legacy of Mr. Bush is one of fear-mongering and incompetency that will take years to overcome. Obama, "yes, we can!"
But it is important to note this year, as so much is riding on how our next president feels about the division and accumulation of wealth. There are some who see wealth and privilege as a family right. Be they named Bush or Hilton or something else, some relish the idea of an American aristocracy being catered to by the "service serfs" who tend to the world for them. Those who fall into that grouping care not for America as anything more than an ATM machine. Of course, not all of those with enormous wealth can be grouped this way. To do so would be a disservice to those who have wealth and choose to do good in the world with it. That's not the policy of those on the right. Take as much as you can as quickly as you can - that's the neo-conservative economic mindset in a nutshell.
What is important about Barack Obama is that while growing up and as an adult working in Chicago, Obama was able to both experience and expose himself to hardship. He knows that he was able to climb above but still holds a kinship with those who did not. He knows that his hard work combined with some luck and wants to make sure more kids have the chance to do the same. He is an inspiration not only to kids, but to their parents who have to struggle for the sake of their children. He knows that for a country to be truly moral, it has to hold itself out to all of its citizens. He knows America should be for of us, not just for those who are in the top money categories.
Another very important facet of Obama's upbringing is the fact that he didn't just grow up in an American town. He has a background that gives him a culturally aware perspective that someone growing up in one place (or one country) doesn't have. It is no accident that the vast majority of Americans who have traveled extensively or have lived overseas are liberals. There is something very eye opening about being exposed to the rest of the world. Most lose their America as the center of the world views. And they aren't afraid to confront American shortcomings abroad instead of ignoring them in a patriotic mind-fog.
Of course there are exceptions. Some travel and become more entrenched in their myopic visions. Like John McCain, who still views the world as a place America needs to lord over. But most people will find some humility in realizing that America is one of many countries and cultures having something to offer. And regardless of what the right wing harpies will say, having a multi-cultural outlook is far more important than having an MBA or having been a CEO when it comes to leading America. It is not unpatriotic to suggest that we need to take our rhetoric down a few notches and work with the international community.
Barack Obama is the best suited candidate to lead America in a world that sees America in the sad light of a George Bush presidency. The horrible legacy of Mr. Bush is one of fear-mongering and incompetency that will take years to overcome. Obama, "yes, we can!"
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