First, I would like to ask...what is wrong/scary about this picture? 1. That it looks like one of those crazy church services 2. The crowd's dazed-arm stretched out- look is very similar to another country's population in the 1930s 3. That this is a Barack Obama rally not a rock concert.
George W. Bush has done such a bad job at being president that Americans will turn to almost anything and anyone that is not George W. Bush. In fact, I heard that if Sanjaya from American Idol was over 35, he may be a lock for the next President. I will admit that a few months ago, I got caught up in this craze. I was an American that loved to hear the word "CHANGE". I didn't care what the change was, things just needed to CHANGE. I feel that most American, besides the 22% that still find something great about Bush, want a very different leader in the White House. But, there are many types of DIFFERENT and not all mean a better change. I finally decided to read about the candidates and now firmly believe one stands above the other because of his experience and stance on very important issues.
I will give Obama the Wow factor. He has been able to get people to fall in love with him. At very least, it has pumped some new blood into American politics not scene in a long time. But, there is a lot of bad coming with this Obama Wave. First, most people have no idea what he really stands for, except it's different from Bush. Well, as bad as Bush has been as a national leader, not all of his policies were bad.
Although the Media, who has fallen under the spell, loves to paint McCain as a war lover...and the comments at the end of many online news stories have jaded Americans calling him McWar...McCain is not pro war. McCain, unlike most Americans, fought in a war...McCain was tortured in war...McCain actually KNOWS how the military works, and knows what its like to lose friends and to be in some of the most horrible conditions. I would think McCain would think twice before sending his son to war. Obama does not have this experience.
My point, though is that many Americans look past this fact and many important others. Many do because they do not understand that you cannot just walk away from something and leave it worse off. Okay, we broke Iraq with the war, but I was taught if you break something you fix it. You don't just walk away. There are ways to fix it without losing a lot of life, either. The current surge has proven this. Of course, our government has been teaching us for years that Americans do not need individual responsibility. I have nothing against people that support Obama because they think and believe that leaving Iraq in a worse position is better, that having higher taxes is better, that the government needs to be our mom and dad, that the government needs to be involved in every aspect of our life. I disagree 100%, but if you really believe this then you should vote for Obama. He is YOUR man.
Many people forget or don't know that McCain is a uniter as well. Sure, he doesn't have the great speaking ability, he isn't as hip...but for decades he has been bucking his own party and making compromises for the good of the country. Look at Obama's voting record, that evidence is not there. McCain has some tough language for people that don't like to take personal responsibility...he thinks people need to be more accountable, along with businesses, but he isn't about leaving people out to dry either.
People need to understand about how the economy works, understand that higher taxes mean less money in your pockets to buy gas, less jobs for you to work, and not always more money in the government coffers. People need to understand the difference between record profits and profit margins. People need to understand you can cut plenty of government spending before you need to raise taxes to balance the budget. People need to understand that getting off oil isn't a one step solution, but takes many things happening at the same time to keep prices stable NOW and break away from oil altogether in the future. People need to understand that because the surge worked in Iraq now more troops can start coming home...but that setting an arbitrary date is stupid for so many reasons. People need to understand that the President has almost no say in what happens to the economy and has little power to affect the economy, but has enormous power over the military and upholding our laws...do you want a novice or an expert?
I really hope that people vote for the next President not based on the media, but go to their websites and read their stances. Americans need to first understand how our government works, then understand simple economics and then need to read about the candidates. After that, place your vote based on the person you agree with the most and you think can best lead this country. If you take those steps, I don't care who you vote for, because at least you are voting based on what you truly believe and not on misinformation or hysteria. Even if I disagree with your belief.
