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February 21, 2008 at 22:26:02

Is Obama a True Agent of Change?

by Cody Lyon (Posted by codyco) Page 3 of 3 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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Senator Obama has said his vote for the energy bill was reluctant.

But more telling, in the heat of campaign season 2008, when Exxon Mobil announced, at $40 billion once again the largest corporate profits ever reported by any United States corporation, it was Hillary Clinton who called for a corporate windfall profits tax on oil companies that would be reinvested into a strategic energy fund.

While the Obama campaign has called for the removal of oil company subsidies and other tax breaks, he has steered clear of a clearly populist and progressive proposal that would impose a windfall profits tax on big oil corporations.

But finally, although Obama toots the horn of change for all people, happily embracing all members of the Democratic base, just four years ago, an incident in San Francisco offered telling traits that Obama is first a politician, who in the end, is probably capable of crafting a message or image that is capable of suiting whomever he seeks to appeal to.

According to a February 5, 2008 “San Francisco Chronicle” article by C.W. Nevius, in 2004, then Illinois Senatorial Candidate Obama told former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, that “he would really appreciate if he didn’t get his photo taken with my mayor,” Gavin Newsome.

Newsome, San Francisco’s current mayor, was then at the center of a national uproar over his decision to allow same sex marriage in San Francisco and according to the “Chronicle” report, Obama was worried about the image that would present to potential voters back in Illinois.

While things have certainly changed since then, and Obama has certainly championed LGBT individuals and issues, the incident doesn’t speak well of Senator Obama as a real agent of change.

Instead, that incident along with other serious reporting beg the question, is Obama’s message of change for real, or is it a carefully crafted political rhetoric that is in the business of selling an image.

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3 comments

Having lived six decades now, I've had a lot of experiences! Grew up in a family often oppressed because of our faith - we stood for peace and against war, and for the rights of all regardless of ethnic background. Active from youth in peace and civil rights. Vietnam-era draft resister. Worked for a while for peace and social justice groups, and then became a civil servant. Felt a call to a consistent life ethic, and am currently serving as President of Consistent Life. All this is out of Chr...

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Bill SamuelHaving lived six decades now, I've had a lot of experiences! Grew up in a family often oppressed because of our faith - we stood for peace and against war, and for the rights of all regardless of ethnic background. Active from youth in peace and civil rights. Vietnam-era draft resister. Worked for a while for peace and social justice groups, and then became a civil servant. Felt a call to a consistent life ethic, and am currently serving as President of Consistent Life. All this is out of Chr...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Believe in what?

“If we don’t inspire the country to believe again . . ." says Obama. This is a telling phrase. It isn't about change; a new understanding of our country and the world. It's about believing something again. This is a good summary of what Obama has been about - trying to shore up the old system that people are doubting. He has no new vision. He wants to try to excite people about the old lies.

Look a little deeper. He's been decrying polarization. An angle to that is opposition to any real change, from the right or left or wherever. Obama's position is that the same old is what we need - the problem is that we don't believe in it anymore, not that there's anything wrong with it.

Strange that so many talk of him as an agent of change when he is the quintessential anti-change candidate.

by Bill Samuel (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 342 comments) on Friday, February 22, 2008 at 12:15:46 PM

Joel S. Hirschhorn is the author of Delusional Democracy - Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government (www.delusionaldemocracy.com). His current political writings have been greatly influenced by working as a senior staffer for the U.S. Congress and for the National Governors Association. He advocates a Second American Revolution, beginning with an Article V Convention to propose constitutional amendments. He is Chair of the Independent Party of Maryland.
Joel S. HirschhornJoel S. Hirschhorn is the author of Delusional Democracy - Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government (www.delusionaldemocracy.com). His current political writings have been greatly influenced by working as a senior staffer for the U.S. Congress and for the National Governors Association. He advocates a Second American Revolution, beginning with an Article V Convention to propose constitutional amendments. He is Chair of the Independent Party of Maryland.

If Obama was a real rebel

He would be talking about changes in the SYSTEM, and many would require constitutional amendments, such as replacing the Electoral College with the popular vote, removing all private money from politics and making public financing of all campaigns mandatory, making universal health care a constitutional right, making presidential signing statements that in any way contradict a law illegal, etc.

Eventually, all the hope-addicts will see the truth about Obama if he becomes president, but then of course it will be too late.

by Joel S. Hirschhorn (133 articles, 37 quicklinks, 60 diaries, 533 comments) on Friday, February 22, 2008 at 12:35:44 PM

I am a social worker who works with chronically mentally ill people. Like enjoy reading, quilting and visiting with people
beccyI am a social worker who works with chronically mentally ill people. Like enjoy reading, quilting and visiting with people

Obana

There is something about him that scars me. He is almost a flim/flam type pers0n. It appears that his halo is shinning and Hillary can do nothing right. The media has really turned on her. It's not that I like her any better, but it doesn't seem fair. I am hoping that we get a third party candidate because I sure don't want to vote for either Obama or McCain. Hucklebee looks better everyday even if he is 100% off the track of me ethics.

by beccy (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 87 comments) on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 10:41:53 PM