I Googled "Political Positions of Barack Obama". I decided that the WikiPedia entry would be as unbiased as any and checked it out. These are just some of the things that were present in that entry (my commentary in italics):
"Speaking before the National Press Club in April 2005, he defended the New Deal social welfare policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt, associating Republican proposals to establish private accounts for Social Security with Social Darwinism."
Social Darwinism? So now, giving people a choice in how they want their Social Security invested is tantamount to trying to weed out the poor? You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class warfare and you cannot help people permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.
"During an October 2004 debate, Obama stated that he opposed education vouchers for use at private schools because he believes they would undermine public schools.[8] In a July 2007 address to the National Education Association, Obama supported merit pay for teachers, to be based on standards to be developed "with teachers."[9] Obama also called for higher pay for teachers.[9] Obama's plan is estimated to cost $18 billion annually and would be partially funded by cutting funding to NASA."
Like all liberals, Mr. Obama apparently thinks "choice" is a bad word, unless, of course, you're referring to abortion. He and I do agree on one thing, though. I think teachers should get bonuses for high achieving students. Such a system would encourage teachers to maximum effort in helping students. Also, the space program has been the source of many of our greatest technological achievements. I can't see where cutting funding will be good for the country.
"He is willing to explore the expanded use of nuclear power, though is not particularly enthusiastic about the idea. Obama opposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but missed a 2007 vote on drilling off the coast of Virginia.[19]"
Nuclear power is, atmospherically speaking, the cleanest electrical power there is. We should be pursuing it enthusiastically. And I hope those three caribou enjoy the 19,000,000 acres of ANWR, because they're holding up progress for the rest of us. Drill here, Drill now, Pay less.
"On January 24, 2007 Obama spoke about his position on health care at Families USA, a health care advocacy group. Obama said, "The time has come for universal health care in America [...] I am absolutely determined that by the end of the first term of the next president, we should have universal health care in this country." Obama went on to say that he believed that it was wrong that forty-seven million Americans are uninsured, noting that taxpayers already pay over $15 billion annually to care for the uninsured.[20] Obama cites cost as the reason so many Americans are without health insurance.[21] Obama's health care plan includes implementing guaranteed eligibility for affordable health care for all Americans.[22] He would provide for mandatory health care insurance for children"
Would you take your hospital bill to your neighbor's house and say, "Hey Bob, how about chipping in on this for me?" Neither would I. But, that's what socialized medicine is all about. Here's a news flash: The more you get from the government, the more they control you. It's not about health care. It's about power. Notice the use of the word "mandatory".
In his write-in response to a 1998 survey, Obama stated his abortion position as: "Abortions should be legally available in accordance with Roe v. Wade."[98] While serving in the Illinois Senate, Obama received a 100 percent rating from the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council[99] for his support of abortion rights[100] Since his election to the United States Senate Obama has maintained a 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood (as of 2007) and NARAL (as of 2005).[101] Obama opposed the Induced Infant Liability Act, an Illinois law that would protect babies born accidentally during abortions. A similar law, the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, became Federal law with near universal support.[102] [103] Obama voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, saying "I think that most Americans recognize that this is a profoundly difficult issue for the women and families who make these decisions. They don't make them casually. And I trust women to make these decisions in conjunction with their doctors and their families and their clergy."[104] Obama voted against a bill that made it a federal crime for anyone other than a parent to accompany a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion.[105] The bill was signed into law by President Bush in 2005.
We agree on one more thing. The Supreme Court has spoken and we all must abide by it until they change their minds. However, to vote against banning partial-birth abortion, one of the most heinous procedures in the history of man, makes me sick.
As a state legislator in Illinois, Obama supported banning the sale or transfer of all forms of semi-automatic firearms, increasing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms and requiring manufacturers to provide child-safety locks with firearms.[123] He supported a "ban" on the sale and possession of handguns on a political questionnaire lacking specific guidelines.[124][125] In 1999, he urged prohibiting the operation of any gun store within five miles of a school or park, which according to pro-gun advocates would eliminate gun stores from most of the inhabited portion of the United States.[126] He sponsored a bill in 2000 limiting handgun purchases to one per month. As state senator, he voted against a 2004 measure that allowed self-defense as an affirmative defense to those charged with violating local laws making it otherwise unlawful for such persons to possess firearms.[127] He also voted against allowing persons who had obtained domestic violence protective orders to carry handguns for their protection.[126] From 1994 through 2002, Obama was a board member of the Joyce Foundation, which provides funds for gun control organizations in the United States.[128][129] While in the US Senate, Obama has supported several gun control measures, including restricting the purchase of firearms at gun shows and the reauthorization of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban.[130] Obama voted against legislation protecting firearm manufacturers from liability.[131] Obama did vote in favor of the 2006 Vitter Amendment to prohibit the confiscation of lawful firearms during an emergency or major disaster, which passed 84-16.[132] During a February 15, 2008 press conference, Obama stated, "I think there is an individual right to bear arms, but it's subject to commonsense regulation."[133] He voiced support for the District of Columbia's ban on handguns, for which arguments pro and con were heard by the Supreme Court in March 2008 in the case D.C. v. Heller.[133] Obama has also stated his opposition to allowing citizens to carry concealed guns[134] and supports a national law outlawing the practice.[135][136] Obama is rated F by the National Rifle Association.[137] The NRA describes the recipient of its F grade as a "true enemy of gun owners’ rights."[138] He is also rated F by Gun Owners of America[139] who stated that Obama will "Get the Dems 'Barack' into the Business of Gun Control".
The Second Amendment is the ultimate check on the power of the government. It gives citizens the right to arm and defend themselves against a government grown too intrusive and tyrranical. To restrict gun ownership freedoms in the way he wants to speaks to his desire for power. Government is about agreeing to live together under rules that protect our freedoms while ensuring that we have some security. Not about ruling with an iron fist.
God help us if he does get elected. I'll close with a quote:
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. --Ronald Reagan
Today's Musical Selection: Jerry Lee Lewis and Kris Kristofferson--The Pilgrim
