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07 June 2008 - 12:01

a rare politcal rant

"Clinton suspends her historic presidential bid (AP)"

Damn. Damndamndamndamndamn.

Okay, I know I've said this election is a rarity, because we have had two great candidates for President. And a third second who, while supporting bad policies, is at least a decent and honorable person.

And I like Obama. Apparently his speaking style sets some off, since he pauses as he carefully chooses his words. Me, I kinda like the idea of a President who thinks before he speaks. Be a nice change.

But, damn.

Hillary is better.

So please allow me this rant.

Am I the only one who remembers one of the big key words in George W. Bush's first presidential campaign was "CHANGE"?

Well, he brought change, all right. The wars (note I said "wars", not "war") are usually first on everyone's dissatisfaction list. But remember, there are two wars over there. One in Afghanistan, which is right and justified, and one in Iraq, which was neither. (And yes, I remember I supported it. I was never foolish enough to believe the Bush/Cheney show, but I believed Colin Powell. Shame on me. And shame on him.)

Just for fun, sit back and try to imagine what the world would be like if we had fought and won the war in Afghanistan, and left Iraq alone. Free Afghanis would control most of their own country instead of just a fourth. American soldiers would rarely die overseas. When confronting the real threat to Western values and peace in Iran, the rest of the world would listen, rather than hearing the little Texan crying 'wolf'. Iran would look at American accomplishment in Afghanistan and think maybe our wrath was something to worry about. And our military, and our budgets, would both be healthy.

Just imagine a world without Bush. (Hi, Sis! Is this hurting your eyes to read? Sorry...)

But I digress. The point about Barack Obama is, what change?

Haven't heard much about that.

Do know his policy on guns: ban private ownership of handguns and semi-automatic rifles. I suspect most of the folks that voted for him here in the western states didn't know that. Heck, the main reason they hate Hillary is because her husband's administration is associated with the despised gun registration laws. (Which, oddly, were passed through a largely Republican Congress in response to gun injuries to a Republican (the Brady bill).)

Health insurance? Hillary proposes a plan to provide health insurance, as good as federal employees receive, to all Americans. Barack's plan would reduce the uninsured from 40 million Americans to about 30 million.

Sorry, 30 million is just as much a disgrace as 40 million. It's a great plan for 10 million people, but really sucks for the other 30 million. And also for all of us who would foot the bill and only see a problem slightly lessened, rather than solved. Why go with the guy who will reduce the blood flowing from your arm by 25 percent when there's someone else who can bandage the whole thing and get you healed?

Probably my biggest reservation about Obama is all the politicos jumping to his side because of "the enthusiasm" he generates in the younger generations. Kennedy said that, and it was almost the exact words of our local Democratic chairmen when he nominated Obama at the county caucus.

Ummmm, so what?

Yes, getting people excited and involved is a good thing. But where are you going to lead those enthusiastic people? That is what we elect a leader to do. I remember all too sadly the great swarms of young Republicans following Bush/Cheney off the Constitutional cliff. Just because someone is charismatic doesn't mean they know where to go.

Or that we want to follow.

Not saying Barack is a bad leader, mind you. I'm hoping he'll be great. But so far, you know, we just don't really know, do we?

Damn.

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