L-R Edwards, Obama, Clinton, Richardson
"Gee Hillary, this doesn't look like New Hampshire"
"Don't worry- I can change that"
With Iowa now behind them, the Democratic and Republican candidates are now in New Hampshire. As expected, the winners in Iowa (Huckabee and Obama) are getting singled out for criticism from the also-rans. There is an interesting trend going on in both parties. The word of the day is "Change". Apparently, everyone has gotten the message that the country is hungry for "Change". So, most of the candidates are presenting themselves as the agent of "Change". I would like to point out (as a language purist)that "Change" is a very vague word when used as a noun. Therefore, my question to both the candidates and voters is this: What specific changes are we talking about? What changes do the candidates (specifically) plan to bring about that they will be open and honest about during the campaign?
Let's start with Obama. He presents himself as a candidate of "Change". Unfortunately, his speeches, while soaring, are very general. Does a "Change" mean that his election will bring about "A NEW DAY" in politics? Not good enough, Senator. You need to be more specific. You say you will bring the troops home. When? Day one of your presidency? Does it depend on the situation in Iraq when you take office? What will you change in regard to Afghanistan? How are you going to fight Islamic extremists? What will you change in regards to our out of control illegal immigration problem? What about taxes? Are you going to change them-higher or lower?
Now Hillary. According to her, she has been making "Changes" in the lives of people for 35 years. Could you please be specific? You didn't change health care although you tried to (behind closed doors, I might add). I would ask the same question to voters. How specifically has Hillary Clinton changed your lives? As for your plans, Mrs Clinton, I would present the same questions to you as I did to Obama. Is it possible, Mrs Clinton, that you are trying to keep your planned changes secret from the public until you become president? Are you planning to radically socialize America?
Edwards talks an awful lot about what is wrong with our "Two Americas". How about your solution? Are you goiong to bring about income re-distribution through massive tax increases-not just on "the rich fat cats" (however you define rich), but on the middle class as well? We hear a lot of Democratic rhetoric about the rich, the middle class, "working families" etc, but we don't hear much about what these people consider rich, middle class or who are "working families".
Also Mr Edwards, since you are against the war in Iraq, just when will you bring the troops home? What about Afghanistan? What about the War on Terror. You don't like Guantanemo? What are you going to do with those prisoners?
The problem is, the Democratic candidates know that their voters care more about domestic social issues than the War on Terror. They know that most Democratic voters want us out of Iraq NOW. The result is that they are basically running their campaigns on social issues and "get out of Iraq". It's like they won't have to face this terror issue when they become president. When asked, they just say that they will fight a "more effective War on Terror", get out of Iraq (no matter the situation), "improve intelligence" and work closely with "our allies". What allies?
On the Republican side, we also hear words of tribute to "Change". Mitt Romney tells people he is a Washington outsider. Thus, only he can bring "Change". John McCain reminds us that he is the one who brought "Change" to the effort in Iraq since he urged that more troops be sent there. Huckabee also would have us belive that he is the one to bring about "Change". I have gotten the impression that the Republican idea of "Change" is changing the way they do business in Washington. That would be a worthy goal, but, again, it cries out for specifics. For example, how are you going to change this rotten, corrupt system that infects both parties? McCain says he will veto excessive spending bills. That is a start, but there is an entrenced culture at work in our national government. Reform will not be easy.
My conclusion is simply this: Most of us want some form of change, but hearing candidates merely talk of change is not enough. When you hear a candidate start talking about "Change", listen for specifics. Also think whether the suggested change is actually good. I think all of the top three Democratic candidates do indeed have plans for big changes. I just don't think they want us to know specifically what they are until they become president and start making those changes. That tells me that some of those changes are scary.
posted by Gary Fouse @ 12:51 PM 0 Comments
Friday, January 4, 2008
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