What Obama Believes In
I have to say I’m getting a little tired of hearing people whine about Senator Barack Obama. The most common complaint seems to be that they don’t know what he stands for, that the only thing he does is make grand speeches. Well, here’s what he stands for, according to OntheIssues.org.
Senator Obama voted against banning partial birth abortion; he believes women can make their own decisions about this procedure and don’t need Republicans to tell them what to do. He also believes stem cell research could hold the answer of up to 70 diseases. He believes federal programs are needed to protect the rural economy. Senator Obama does not believe being gay is a choice, but marriage should not be as important an issue as that of making sure civil unions are as strong legally as marriages. He does not think Confederate flags belong in a state house but in a museum. He also supports affirmative action. Even though Senator Obama doesn’t believe in gay marriages, he voted no on the constitutional ban on same-sex marriages, and no on the constitutional ban on flag desecration.
Senator Obama believes companies that send jobs overseas should not get tax breaks; companies that relocate abroad should have tax loopholes closed. Companies should also be held responsible for pensions and work conditions. As for crime, there’s something fishy about the good Senator; in 2004 he claimed to be against the death penalty, but in 2006 he claimed to believe that some heinous crimes justify the ultimate punishment (which should be the death penalty, right?). As for drugs, the Senator definitely needs to get tougher; he used marijuana when he was in high school and college and he has yet to make a definitive statement against drugs.
When it comes to education, Senator Obama believes the No Child Left Behind Act is underfunded (it is) and wants to create incentives to hire one million new teachers over the next decade. He’s also against the anti-integration Supreme Court ruling of June 2007. Senator Obama supports nuclear technology as long as we safeguard against waste and terrorism; he also wants to see a difference in the attitude to our addiction to fossil fuels. He has voted yes on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, as well as reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%).
When it comes to foreign policy, Senator Obama is willing to reach out to other countries that are usually seen as enemies. Europe and Japan are natural allies, but China should be seen as a healthy competitor. Palestinians will create a better life for themselves if they recognize Israel as a nation. He opposes CAFTA and believes NAFTA should be amended to add labor agreements. He also believes that communities that are burdened by globalization should be reinvested.
Senator Obama voted no on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers; he also believes in banning semi-automatics. He wants government health care to be like what members of Congress have; he’s definitely for expanding government-supported health care. Senator Obama wants to repeal “don’t-ask-don’t-tell”, doesn’t believe in torture of any kind and wants to close Guantanamo; he also wants to give more money to veterans health care.
He wants to give illegal immigrants driver’s licenses; he voted yes on the comprehensive immigration reform and no on declaring English as the official language of the U.S. government. He also voted yes on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. Senator Obama voted yes on restricting employer interference in union organizing. He also believes the wealthy should pay a bit more on the payroll tax. Any attempt to privatize Social Security should be stopped.
As for Iraq, Senator Obama believes the surge has not succeeded because it “ignores political issues”. He also believes that “we should be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in”. He hopes to remove all troops by 2013, but gives no pledge. He believes that the war in Iraq has distracted from the battle against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
So, there you have it. I may not support all of what Senator Obama is saying but I still support him for President. He’s leading in the polls in South Carolina, so let’s wish him good luck on Saturday.
politik usa politics barack obama
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