A conservative who likes Obama

Parent Cafe
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<p>Mini- NJ and Calif were immense disappointments to many of us.
Hoping your Washington will put some more wind in the sails.
(even by the tired and worn :)</p>

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<p>Well, first, LTS, I laughed out loud when I read this:</p>

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<p>Second, on the topic of nuculur: top 10 Obama campaign promises:</p>

<p>(hopefully this is the right link!)
<a href=“http://youtube.com/watch?v=qJvF1x0S6sU&feature=related[/url]”>http://youtube.com/watch?v=qJvF1x0S6sU&feature=related&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Third, I keep donating to Obama now that I can’t do precinct canvassing any more!</p>

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<p>Oh my gosh - I started a long lived thread and haven’t written but a sentence.</p>

<p>Maybe that’s a good thing. ;)</p>

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<p>mini - you read a lot into Obama’s generalities! :)</p>

<p>I guess he can “symbolize” whatever you want him to!</p>

<p>(Especially since he hasn’t really spelled it out himself!).</p>

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<p>Here’s what I know:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/[/url]”>http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>of Feb. 7, 2008</p>

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<p>My vote is still up for bids-</p>

<p>I am a fundamental realist opportunist guy.</p>

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<p>trying to get my head around that description, thisoldman. :)</p>

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<p>Honestly I don’t care too much about the details of the plans these guys are proposing. They are all going to be modified by Congress before being enacted…if they are enacted at all.</p>

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<p>Symbolism is ALWAYS in the eyes of the beholder - that’s what makes it symbolism.</p>

<p>As far as I am concerned, being who he is, all he has to do is stand up there and sound good (though winning would help. ;))</p>

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<p>and I am trying to visualize you slitting your head, momof2inca. ick.</p>

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<p>I was actually trying to bend or mold my head, thisoldman, me and knives don’t get along so well… :)</p>

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<p>I see someone who talks of unity and change. I see someone who symbolizes and embodies “different”. I see someone who loves the common man (and who proclaims as much) and who wants us to be united as one again. I see someone who wants us to get past our differences and work together to solve the pressing problems of our day. </p>

<p>His platform includes “equality of rights” “spiritual unity” “profit sharing of [large corporations]” and a want to move beyond the “tired labels of left and right” and work for “a better nation.”</p>

<p>Who is this man? Is it Barack Obama? Hillary Clinton? Mike Huckabee? John McCain?</p>

<p>Nope. It’s Benito Mussolini as described in the book Mussolini and Fascism by John Patrick Diggins. </p>

<p>Remember: racial symbolism, meaningless slogans (Yes We Can vs. Il Duce), talks of getting beyond ideology and solving problems, messages of hope and inspiration, railing against corrupt or dysfunctional government, etc. is not new. </p>

<p>I’m not saying Obama or Hillary or McCain or Romney is a fascist; I’m just saying you must judge these candidates on the **substance ** of their candidacy, not their posturing. Because Mussolini and for that matter Hitler and Stalin all stood for change, but clearly not good change. Not all change is created equal.</p>

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<p>*I was actually trying to bend or mold my head, thisoldman, me and knives don’t get along so well… *</p>

<p>momof2inca meet Mary
[Warning</a> graphic- I didn’t click the clip, the description was enough](<a href=“http://www.komotv.com/news/15353161.html]Warning”>http://www.komotv.com/news/15353161.html)</p>

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<p>zarathustra - great post!</p>

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<p>Zara- “you must judge these candidates on the substance of their candidacy, not their posturing.”</p>

<p>When Obama stood in the Senate and spoke against the impending WAR and occupation of Iraq, </p>

<p>He displaye plenty of “substance”-“wisdom” and “courage” for me.</p>

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<p>As the French, who know a thing or two about revolutions and counter-revolutions, say, "Plus ca change, plus c’est la m</p>

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<p>marite: I agree. He is conservative in a real sense, not the hollow sense that Rush Limbaugh claims to be.</p>

<p>Another thing I admire is that Obama is the only national politician who uses the word “sacrifice”, as in “you, the people, will have to sacrifice for the country”. The only time other politicians use that word is when they are praising the sacrifice of the troops and their families. I find it so refreshing that he and Michelle are constantly warning us in their speeches that we will have to do our part and make sacrifices to bring about the change.</p>

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<p>“I’m not saying Obama or Hillary or McCain or Romney is a fascist; I’m just saying you must judge these candidates on the substance of their candidacy, not their posturing.”</p>

<p>Candidacies have almost no substance. Who thought Al Gore would turn out to be the person most responsible for global pollution in the 20th Century? Or that Bill Clinton would commit genocide, including half a million children? Or that George Bush would turn out to be the most profligate President in American history?</p>

<p>I agree with Tsdad that the two remaining are both rightwing Democrats. Both have more than enough wonkish stuff to bore everyone. Both have absurdist health care plans. One supported the aggressive, hostile occupation through 2005. Both have virtually no plan to deal with the two biggest threats to U.S. security in the Middle East - Palestine/Israel, and the four million Iraqi refugees, including the 600,000 ethnically cleansed by Warlord-in-Chief Betrayus, who will be a breeding ground for U.S. hatred for decades. What’s different is the symbolism.</p>

<p>Posturing isn’t all – but it’s about the best we’ve got. (Remember that, at its very core, politics is about talking.)</p>

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<p>You are aware that Obama did not stand in the US Senate and make these statements, right? As a person who was not privy to any of the classified documents concerning Iraq, one can’t conclude that him making any statement on Iraq was based on “wisdom”. If anything it was based on ignorance. Only those in Congress or otherwise privy to the information could be in a position to make an informed statement about Iraq.</p>

<p>As far as the “courage” aspect, it really doesn’t take much political courage when you are a state legislator from a safe district to make a statement concerning a foreign policy issue.</p>

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<p>Vicariousparent, I totally agree. When I think back over the years since 9/11 and ask myself what has my government, specifically Bush, asked from me? What sacrifices have I been asked to make, when have I been asked to roll up my sleeves and get to work on behalf of our troops in Iraq. The answer is none and never. </p>

<p>The only thing I’ve been asked to do is keep spending to keep our economy afloat. That, and continue to live in fear so I don’t question the methods of my government as they torture or water down our First Amendment rights. </p>

<p>I think I’m bigger than this and even as just one individual can do more. I want to do more. Obama tells me not only can I do more, I must.</p>