What Happens When Americans Order Change?

Obama & Huckabee!

Dutch Holland, a man I respect, penned a business management book entitled, “Change is the Rule”. In business that makes sense but in politics change is something politico’s like myself laugh at the notion of…because it is an illusion. Tonight Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee got the last laugh when they emerged as giant pillars of the American CHANGE theory.

Governor Huckabee is a change candidate and although an evangelical Christian winning in Iowa seems less than noteworthy, I invite you to look a little closer. Mr. Huckabee dances outside the fire of typical republican circles. He’s no battled war veteran like McCain, or 9/11 rough rider like Giuliani and isn’t a Mormon (which I think endears him to a sect of the republican party who are afraid of too many changes); Instead, Mr. Huckabee is the republican follower to Bill Clinton (as Arkansas governor) and a former minister. At least when this man panders to the religious right he will be pandering to himself as well. I’ve reviewed where Mr. Huckabee stands on the issues and I only found one thing that I think will hurt us as a nation if he were elected president. No, I’m not telling you what that is…..do your own research, form you own opinions, think for yourself. http://www.mikehuckabee.com/

I could write a book about the significance of Obama’s Iowa win. Tonight when Senator Obama addressed his Iowa supporters he began with, “They said this day would never come….” I have never heard such an understatement in my life! The notion that a black man could win a caucus in nearly all white (less than 3% of the population is African-American), conservative, Iowa speaks volumes about change in this country. I’m inspired by that level of change just months after the Jena 6 made headlines with memoirs of how little things have changed. I’m inspired my Mr. Obama’s willingness to work with America, not just the democrats or republicans. I’ve read his stances on the issues and find his approach fresh in that he looks at the world from a very different perspective than any other candidate I’ve known. Again, do your own research. http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

Alas Iowa is but one stop along the long road to the presidency so allow me to impart a few parting thoughts. If your candidate came up short, don’t give up. This is just the beginning. Supporters of those who won tonight, bask in the night but with this dose of realism; Neither Bill Clinton, nor George HW Bush, won the Iowa caucus the year they were elected President of these United States. Running for President isn’t a sprint….it’s a marathon……….. ask Howard Dean. ;)

So say the polity….
-A

As the race for the presidency continues.....the king and the queen of the democratic hill individually out-raised (in terms of money of course) all republican candidated combined. Impressive??? I'll say.

Off topic:

I call on all Americans to send a note of thanks to our troops.

It's as easy as logging on: http://www.letssaythanks.com/

-A

Happy Anniversary!

Today is the anniversary of "Operation Iraqui Freedom" or "Vietnam II," as a very industrious reporter once called it. Four years and counting...


Out of respect for my country I won't even explore my personal feelings about the war...instead I'll simply pray for our soldiers and thier families. I hope this was all worth it.

Think Progress "Iraq war" Timeline: http://thinkprogress.org/iraq-timeline

-A

Domestic Policy: What have we done for ourselves lately?

"America....America.. God shed his grace on thee.."

We're in a war and constantly extending our help and money to other countries and but what have we really done for ourselves lately? It sounds selfish, I know but our government is, aferall, in the business of protecting our national interests and its citizens first and foremost....at least that's the way it should be.

We have been so bogged down in the shadow game that was "immigration reform" that Americans neglected major domestic issues of the day.

The Issues: Agriculture, Business, Economy, National Security, Healthcare, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Delevopment, Labor, Education, Social Security, Capital Punishment and any number of sub-categories within each.

Voters typically list Health Care and Education as the two most important domestic issues:

Health Care: Yet we are the only "1st world" nation not to have a national healthcare plan. Some Americans even resorted to crossing the canadian Border to fill thier perscriptions because they could not afford it in thier own cuntry (That's shameful). Citizens and "Big Coporations" (i.e. Walmart & Target) have made the only good significant cahnges in the battle over percription medication by initiating a monthly $4 plan.

Education: No Child Left Behind(NCLB), a H.W. Bush iniciative that focuses on accountability and open exchange of information to parents. Some research has shown that more money for public education cannot improve schools without the reform of school bureaucracies and the creation of competitive incentives. NCLB addresses alot of that...and as most legislation does creates a few new problems. All in all I appreciate the effort and attempts NCLB introduced. it will require tweaking but its a good start.

Under The H. W. Bush Administration: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_policy_of_the_George_W._Bush_administration

Under the William Jefferson Clinton Administration: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Administration
-A

President-O-President

Let the race begin...

From Barack Obama to Rudy Guliani the race for President has begun...which wouldn't be such a big deal accept it's February 2007 (not 2008).

I will cover every aspect of the presidential election in this blog--but I have to tell you...I'm just not ready to start yet.

Since the candidates have shown up early I may as well ask the question: WHO (of the 3 majors of today) WOULD YOU VOTE FOR?

Hillary Clinton

Barack Obama

Rudy Guliani

-A

Websites:

Rudy: http://www.joinrudy2008.com

Hillary: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/

Barack: http://www.barackobama.com/

From "Do Nothing".....to "Do Everything"?

They're back!!!
The Democrats have officially moved into the majority again. After living through the so-called "do nothing" congress I'm just happy to see that the Democrats want to come to work. Okay, so my standards have diminished since the ninties. Can you honestly tell me that yours haven't? I didn't think so. Let us move on. The political shift has been felt but what can the Democrats do to improve conditions under this President? If nothing else it should certainly be entertaining.

Pelosi and company have a mountain to climb. They have a full agenda and I hope they can get something done. At this point I don't even have to agree with it, I just want to see congress working again. It won't be easy. This President and his "Stay the course" rhetoric seem to be joined at the hip. The Democrats have all but admitted that they will not use Congressional power to stop this war or take away supplies to troops (which should never be done by the way--leave the troops alone!). They have left the option of using congress to block the president from sending more troops to Iraq but just hours ago President Bush vowed to do just that. His plan is to send more troops to squelch sectarian violence which beggs the question; When is enough enough? I want to trust my President but he hasn't been very trustworthy(i.e. -WMD, -Osama bin Laden, - "Mission Accomplished", -Hurricane Katrina, -Domestic policy etc.). In theory, I can appreciate the President's strategy but I find myself doubting whether this White House can get it done. To me a fight against ideology is always a losing battle...how do you defeat something you cannot contain or kill? I want what's best for the iraqi's but mostly I want an end to this increasing American death toll. I'm selfish that way. More people would be if thier children were the ones dying and no greater good was in sight.

In the wars we all studied in school purpose was derived from a sense of loyalty to our country...and unity over a common enemy...in WWI we honored an alliance with the UK (sort of), in WWII we stopped Hitler and got revenge on Japan, and in Desert Storm we freed a nation. What are we doing now? (Other than protecting 65% of the world's oil supply)? I don't want what happened in Vietnam to happen to Iraq but I want a plausible end in sight. It should go without saying that Democracy can't be forced. If the Iraqi's are not willing to take control of thier own government....we have no choice but to walk away and exhibit some tough love. The conflicts in the middle east have existed since before the days of Christ and I find it foolish to think it can be stopped by anyone other than the major players within that region. I say we find Bin Laden and get out. Of Course we must do our part to rebuild what we tore down, but we can't be babysitters. Turn it over to Iraq and help while allowing the world to also mentor and aid the bustling new democracy. All democracies begin in bloodshed and sacrafice but it can only survive by the will of the people. We can't make them want it.


So say the Polity,
-A

p.s
Next time I'll address domestic policy.

Farewell to a President...

Gerald R. Ford

Tonight, as regular Americans watch a former President lay in state I am reminded of a good man and a good President. Arguable one of the greatest from "The Great Generation," President Ford was a great football player(Michigan), an athlete, a coach, a veteran, a lawyer, and a husband. He was elected Vice-President and later, following the impeachment of President Nixon, confirmed as our 38th United States President. He took the helm in a time where our system of government was a run away train, and like a good engineer he slowed the train down and, in a easy-going manner, guided our country back on the right tracks. In my humble opinion, President Ford never got his deserving measure of respect because he chose to pardon his predecessor....But even in that act of forgiveness, I see humanity. President Ford, I pray that you rest in peace with the assurance that you served your country when it desperately needed you.


-A

Now What?

The man we once knew as Saddam Hussein is no more......now what?
I know Hussein was a bad man, maybe even evil but I can't feel good about his death or the way he died. Although, I hope the people most affected by Saddams vicious reign find some solace in his demise, I cannot join them. To be honest, when I heard the news last night I was filled with a sense of dread. We are living in trying times and the implication of a man being put to death as a result of our waging war with no provocation and phantom WMD's leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I do believe the world is safer and justice was carried out but I wish American fingerprints were not all over this verdict and Hussein's death. I will say this, I appreciate the swiftness with which the court saw about the carrying out of its verdict.

Now will someone please point us in the direction of Osama Bin Laden? If anyone out there still remembers.....he's the person we were looking for when we found Hussein. I yearn to awaken to the news that Bin Laden was delivered a dose of JUSTICE. That's what this is all about, isn't it?

-A