320 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 42 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing Summarizing
OpEdNews Op Eds   

Obama's Role Models: Bush I, Reagan & Kennedy - This is Change?

By       (Page 2 of 2 pages) Become a premium member to see this article and all articles as one long page.   2 comments

Kenneth Theisen
Message Kenneth Theisen

Supporting U.S. hegemony

Why in a April 24, 2007 major foreign policy speech did the agent of change explicitly reject "the notion that the American moment [he means global hegemony] has passed", and insist that the U.S. once again fill "the position of leader of the free world," while building "the first truly 21st century military...we must maintain the strongest, best-equipped military in the world." In the same speech he stated, "No President should ever hesitate to use force, unilaterally if necessary, to protect ourselves and our vital interests."  Whose vital interests – those of the ruling imperialists?

Targets Iran & North Korea

Further in the speech he argues, "[T]he world must prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and work to eliminate North Korea’s nuclear weapons program...In pursuit of this goal, we must never take the military option off the table."

Following in the footpath of George W.

Under Obama the U.S. foreign policy will change?  Then why has he refused to unconditionally endorse U.S. ratification of the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court? Which war criminals does he wish to protect from prosecution? Why has he not condemned the torture policies of the Bush regime and called for impeachment and criminal proceedings of those responsible?  Why does Obama refuse to call for an end to most U.S. economic sanctions against Cuba? Why has he not endorsed a ban on nuclear weapons in space? How is he different from the current leader who also refuses to do the above?

Middle East Peace?

He will have a different policy toward reaching peace in the Middle East, right?  Then why did he say on March 5, 2007, "We must preserve our total commitment to our unique defense relationship with Israel."  He also stated, "we should never seek to dictate what is best for the Israelis and their security interests" and that no Israeli leader should ever feel "dragged" to the negotiating table. In 2006 after Israel invaded Lebanon, Obama co-sponsored a Senate resolution defending the invasion. He has called for "fully funding military assistance" to Israel. Did he oppose the $30 billion arms deal that the Bush regime promised to Israel and the billions in arms that will be provided to Saudi Arabia and Egypt in a related arms deal?  Of course not!

While he has called for the strict enforcement of UN Security Council resolutions targeted at Iran and Syria, he has never called for the strict enforcement of similar UN Security Council resolutions targeted at Israel, especially those aimed at its illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.

Who does Obama represent?

None of the above should really surprise anyone. Obama did not get to where he is by threatening the interests of the actual rulers of this country.  While posing as an agent of change, he is actually catering to the real interests of the U.S. imperialists. But in his campaign he is also playing a powerful role.  There are tens of millions of Americans alienated by the political trajectory of the Bush regime.  Obama’s role is to play the "pied piper" to round up these people to follow in his footsteps to serve U.S. imperialism. He knows he can not do this by telling the truth, so instead he plays on people’s hope for change by sewing false illusions of what he will do as president.

We do not have to follow

But we do not have to follow and his real intentions must be exposed. Electing Obama, or Clinton, or McCain will not change the fundamental direction charted by seven plus years of the Bush regime.  We can not just hope for change, but we must act in our millions to actually create change.  Following false leaders will only lead us down the path to destruction. To see how you can create real change, see worldcantwait.org.

Next Page  1  |  2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Rate It | View Ratings

Kenneth Theisen Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Kenneth J. Theisen is veteran activist of movements opposing U.S. imperialism, its wars and domination of countries throughout the world. He wrote his first op-ed piece against the Vietnam war when he was only 12 and has been writing on various (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter

Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Clinton's press conference supports Israel and demonizes Iran

U.S. State Department report exposes extensive human rights abuses in Afghanistan by U.S.-backed government

Iran, the "silent war," heats up

"Supporting the troops" = Supporting U.S. Imperialist War

Torture memo reveals tortured legal justification for Bush regime's crimes

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend