I've gotten multiple comments regarding disappointment and loss of respect since I've decided to support Senator Barack Obama for the Presidential race publicly on Facebook. That irritates me. Not the difference of opinion, that's fine. People can and will disagree. But the implication that I am somehow ignorant or less intelligent for supporting this man is absurd and quite aggravating, considering the amount of thought I put into everything else.
It all started with hearing about Doctor Ron Paul from Beth. Though I was disappointed that he was running as a Republican since the "GOP" has left me with a very bad taste in my mouth, he seemed to have some pretty good policies. So I investigated a little. His policies are for reducing Government power and returning control now held by Federal programs to the states. This also means tax cuts. Sounds pretty good. Finally, after being a registered voter for 4 years, there was someone that I thought I could vote for.
Then I started asking my family and Republican friends about their opinions. I found that Republicans, by and large, do not support him. Mind you, this is in my limited social network, but the polls seem to agree. Those that support Dr. Paul are free thinkers, libertarians (which is Paul's political Philosophy anyway) and those whose opinion I generally respect. Most of the Republicans I've talked to happen to be Conservative Christians as well, so they support Mike Huckabee. I did a little investigation into his policies as well, and found several scandalous reports on his use of money. Let's just say his spending of government money has been, shall we say...not very ethical at some points.
Of course, politics has never been my thing. These reports could be true or false, and politicians all have their own things that the other side accuses them of. However, I quickly found that Mr. Huckabee supports continuing the war in Iraq. In fact, every Republican I've heard except for Ron Paul wants to continue the war until it is done, saying that we'll just be attacked again if we withdraw. Nevermind national security when there is fear I guess.
The Iraq War is the deciding factor for me. Add to that the fact that Huckabee is a Baptist preacher and the voice of the Evangelicals...no way.
So far it's looking like Ron Paul's my man. I still like him for the most part, though my opinion has changed. You see, I then looked at the Democrat's candidates. Hillary Clinton's focus on global warming is uninteresting to me, though I like most of her other credentials. She's not very big on the war though, and I am so far irritated by her political image. It's not because she's a woman or too liberal or anything, I just don't like how she's handling herself now that it is election year. She's so far acted infuriated that she's being knocked off the top in the polls, ruffled, and generally aggravated at Obama and Edwards for "ganging up on her." Underdog tactics, which lead to a narrow victory in New Hampshire. I am unimpressed.
It's not like I'll be angry or sad if she wins the Primary, I just have no desire to vote for her. And if it ends up being her and Mike Huckabee or any other Republican besides Ron Paul, I'll not be voting this year.
However, looking at Barack Obama's positions impressed me. On all of the major issues, I agree with both him and Hillary Clinton. They both support withdrawal from Iraq, they both want universal healthcare and energy independence, they're both pro-choice and pro-gay rights, which aren't huge issues for me, but I think they're better political positions than the alternatives. Hillary Clinton is for the death penalty which I don't like, but that's mostly a non-issue for me as well, at least politically. Still, it's a point against her. Neither of them are hard on the immigration situation.
But this is aside from who I could tell the candidates are. I've mentioned what I think of Hillary Clinton already. I looked over Barack Obama's website's section on faith, and was frankly impressed by what I read/watched.
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/faith/
He claims to be a Christian, but his speech to a church full of Evangelicals was one of religious tolerance and universality of language when dialoguing with each other about matters of faith. He holds people of any faith in respect, as well as secularists, and points out the flaws in allowing an extreme of secularism or religion to dominate the climate very well.
Add to that, his reasoning on the major issues is solid. His Iraq policy outlined on his site is impressive and thought through, and his emphasis on diplomatic involvement rather than policing the world is a good one. I think people that say he's an imperialist are exaggerating the necessary caution that comes with a withdrawal from a country we have just pissed off a lot.
The main objection I've heard to every Democratic candidate thus far is taxes. Honestly, the system is a mess. You've got Huckabee's Fair Tax, Ron Paul's no tax, and everyone else's tax reforms. I have to wonder if Ron Paul is being realistic. I know he proposes to halt wasteful government spending, but is that really going to happen? Can radical change occur? I don't know, but I've always been a believer in it. Still, I wonder about him cutting support to so many government institutions and minimum wage at the same time...seems kinda crazy to me, especially with tax cuts. To be honest, taxes aren't that big of a deal to me. Everyone pays them, and we'll probably continue to do so, since cutting taxes and reducing the Federal Government is something the economy will be in shambles over, as well as probably not something anyone will vote for. But still, taxes are the only issue that Ron Paul would have my vote for, as well as being the only other respectable politician in the race I've seen so far.
However, I hold Senator Obama's ideas on a much higher level. Ron Paul's policies are about reforming America's programs within itself, which is important. Senator Obama has different ideas about America's inner workings, and it involves more government involvement. Personally, I am fine with that. If that means everyone gets healthcare, everyone gets education of some kind, and the government is ruled with compassion, good. From all indications right now, that's what seems to be happening in his camp. So far in the primaries, despite Hillary's spoiled attitude, he has done nothing but run a fair campaign with a minimum of mudslinging in return, with perhaps a few convenient things working out against his primary opponent. See: Hillary getting ganged up on. Obama's cool head is a great contrast to her attitude, which is unimpressive to say the least.
Add to that his ideas about Iraq, faith and spirituality, social justice and foreign policy, and I just have to support him. I'd rather have someone globally minded in office than someone purely concerned with holding to the Constitution in internal policy, however good that may be.
Every presidential candidate, regardless of what their supporters say, has flaws in their policy and in their character. I think the only thing that would disturb me would be if another Conservative takes office that is not Ron Paul, who is not a modern Republican in any sense. America does not need GW Bush the 2nd, and after reading Irresistible Revolution, I believe the killing in Iraq needs to stop, and we need to leave, now, which is something no GOP candidate endorses, except for Paul.
In my opinion, Senator Barack Obama would be the best choice for America's next president. Globally minded, freshly optimistic, and not obnoxiously preachy or secularist.
Above all, no matter who wins, I hope for a president that is honorable and will designate no more ridiculous labels like "Axis of Evil," preside over America with compassion for the citizens of America and the people of the world, and can do what needs to be done, with death on their hands being a last resort. I believe Senator Barack Obama is the man for the job.
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