November 4, 2008: When America Voted for Change

Barack Obama is now the President-Elect. "Jobama" is now the game in town. I found the day to a moving experience for me. What a day!!

I will be thinking about this for a long time. I wrote about it earlier in my current affairs blog, outsiderviews, to reflect upon what happened and what to expect:

Source: http://www.outsiderviews.com, retrieved November 5, 2008

As I write this, Thursday has arrived. I am personally still coming to grips with the historical nature of the election in the United States. I had been reading up on the analysis by all the pundits and the world reactions so far. The entire world seems to have embrace Senator Obama's election. From the reports I have seen, it appears that Senator Obama has hit the ground running. He got the job because he did run a superb campaign and did not lose his cool no matter what. But, as he begins to get ready, he sure has his work cut out for him. The market lost 5% on Wednesday alone. I am still trying to figure out why anyone would want this job.

I was out today on my on-going business commitments. I was amazed to see that folks ran out of newspapers to keep a memento of this election. I actually checked out all the newspaper stands and even the local starbucks. I did manage to pick up a copy of my local paper to keep it for posterity. But, Tuesday was the day I truly understood how significant the election was. For me, it started around 5:30 AM when I left to report to my first precinct. I was amazed as to the volunteers who were staffing the precinct. There was a chaplain from the local fire department, a student, a housewife and a retired gentleman. They all came together to do the right thing. They had gone out the night before to make sure everything was set up and ready to go. When I got there at 6:00 AM, voters were already then ready to go. My reaction was simple this: OMG!!! This was a tempo of things to come. At my second precinct, I again saw America. People were lining up and ready to go. I ran into a bit of snag. But, thanks to the team in place, we were able to resolve it with two minutes to spare. I then proceeded on to my third, fourth and fifth precincts checking on things and making sure everything was on track. As I continued to make the rounds of my precincts, I continued to be amazed by the folks who were showing up. The enthusiasm by all the poll workers uplifted my spirits. I will never forget when one of the volunteers ran to me with joy at reaching the 500th Vote. She had volunteered for that poll and that school for years. It was a long day. But it was a day to be proud of because I saw America at its' best.

I read reports on stuff going wrong. I had two machines that went down. I also had poll watchers keeping a watchful eye. I also had folks advocating for the position they were either for or against while adhering to the 100 ft boundary that was mandated by law. I had folks who had an Obama Sticker, a Republican Proud Shirt who walked in and were reminded to be nonpartisan. But, it was a great experience. But, of course, I was as interested in the elections despite my commitment of service to the Registrar of Voters. I started getting the first returns which pointed to an Obama Victory. I also heard Senator McCain very gracious concession speech. It was the Senator McCain I knew who fought the big spenders and who the patriot was. I also heard Senator Obama speak as well. He told the country and the world of the challenges ahead. He gave the world hope and promised that the world will overcome. I think he set the tone for what he is going to do.

The Democrats had a very good night on Tuesday. There were a lot of celebrations. As I have come to grips with the significance of what has happened, I am also quite mindful of the profound challenges that remain. The world economy is in shambles. We have two wars that do not seem to want to end. We have an Auto Industry that is about to die off. I read a report this morning that a potential death of the Auto Industry will cost 2.3 Million jobs. He will also have to deal with those of us who have begun to speak up and will support him when appropriate and will speak up when he is wrong. I take comfort in his stance on Afghanistan, for instance. I wrote about it earlier in my daily commentary whereby I saw how he understood the nature of the government and the need to have a change in strategy. I will be assessing who is going get the top appointments. I think this will set the tone on how he is going to govern.

The work begins. The experiment we all call America is about to enter a new era. America will renew yet again. All of us in America must do our part. I intend to do mine.

May we live in interesting times!!!!

To this "ordinary face", the amazement of how the world works takes my breath away. I do yearn for a time where leaders truly care, tell me the way it is and will not look for the own interests to perpetuate their own power and privilege. We in the United States are blessed because our political leaders are subject to so much scrutiny. The prosecution of Bob Ney and the indictment of Ted Stevens are just one example. As the week of the Democratic convention begins, there will be a lot of talk about the ordinary folks who are suffering. All speakers will claim to speak for us. As I listen and reflect, what I will look for is simply whether they will truly live up to their rhetoric or not. The two Presidential candidates, in my view, represent what is best about America. One can be passionate about either one. The pundits will continue to analyze their every move. Whatever the pundits say, it will be that simply ordinary guy in the voting booth that will make the call. We must remember it, respect it, nurture it and fight for it. As I see it, that is our obligation.

May we live in interesting times.......And This week was no different!!!

We had a shortened week in the United States. This is the week that we in the United States celebrated Independence day. There is not to celebrate, though. We are fighting in two major wars half-way around the world with no end in sight. People continue to die for an objective that seems to change. The word we get out of the Administration is that we have to "win". But the definition of winning has never been made clear to me at least. The only people who are sacrificing are the people on the front lines who are fighting and dying every day.

The Presidential campaigns are in full swing. We are subject to the "build-up" of a brand as if we're trying to decide between Coke and Pepsi. The McCain campaign just changed the management of its' campaign. The new guy is the guy who navigated the successful re-election of the Present Governor of the State of California. Whatever the "message", we're looking at four more years of George W. Bush. We're looking at more tax breaks for the rich, market-based solutions for health care (under the so-called guise of choice) and more military spending. Whether Senator Obama is able to insure that the people of the United States understand that suffered a bit of a blow this week when he had to "clarify" his remarks on refining his Iraq policy. I sense and understand the pragmatism of this statement. He has to be steadfast and insure that he is not swiftboated either by his supporters or opponents. It is a tough thing to do.

Moving down South, Ingrid Betancourt was freed along with 14 other hostages by the Colombian Army. President Uribe of Colombia pulled off a master stroke, with the support of the United States. But, some of the underlying problems in Colombia remain. Kidnappings continue. The drug trade continues to grow unabated. There has to be a different way. There has to a way that will insure that the average person can work to grow and evolve. According to what I have read, things are getting better in Colombia. But, being better is still not good enough. The people deserve a lot more.

Change...Can it be truly possible?

Barrack Obama is talking about change and how he is going to be different. He has gone after the President and Senator McCain by making sure that they understand that Patriotism is something that is not exclusive to the Conservatives. Although I was disappointed that he gave in to the corporate mass media criticism of wearing a flag pin, I still am waiting for him to totally and unequivocally repudiate all Presidential Signing Statements issued by George W. Bush so that a new era of transparency dawns so that the nightmare of the past 8 years is behind us. As I noted before, I am counting the hours until January 20, 2009 at 12:01 PM. Hopefully, it won't be President McCain...although he has promised he would be a different kind of President. But, George W. Bush promised us compassionate conservatism and look what it got us.

The struggle goes on.....

John McCain in New Orleans

CNN (http://www.cnn.com) and other news outlets reported on the John McCain Visit to New Orleans this past week. During that tour of the lower ninth ward in New Orleans, Senator McCain noted that he would have landed Air Force One at the nearest Air Force Base and gone right to work. Yet, a funny thing happend. DemocracyNow's Friday edition (http://www.democracynow.org) reported that while Katrina had landed, President Bush and Senator McCain were together at the President's Crawford, Texas Ranch. The President had apparently presented Senator McCain a cake for the Senator's 69th Birthday. They hypcrocacy of it all just blows me away. I have noted before that Senator McCain's service to the country is not in question--and should never be questioned. What I have noted (and at least both Democractic Candidates seem to agree) is that we will have Bush III if Senator McCain wins. That worries me greatly. There lies the challenge.

:-)

Mike

George W. Bush Owed a Debt of Gratitude???

The BBC just reported (and it was also noted on the White House website) that Gordon Brown, The UK Prime Minister, said that the world owed George W. Bush a debt of gratitude. First of, one must remind the Prime Minister that it is the people of the United States who have paid for this war by giving up a lot. I am counting the day when George W. Bush simply leaves the White House and I won't hear from him again. He can go speak at the right wing amen crowd and make his $ 100K+ per speech. I cannot understand why the world owes him when he destroyed a country in the name of saving it. I just listened to the BBC with stories of the "survival sex" trade in Iraq. It is simply sad...and George W. Bush needs to understand what he has done. This also holds true for John McCain, Lindsay Graham, Joe Lieberman and the rest of the "war hawks" who think that everything is solved at the barrel of the gun. War is what Douglas MacArthur called "most malignant of human creations". When will this malignancy be rid of? I wonder.......

Running On Empty.....

Yesterday's New York Times had an article about John McCain looking to pass on tax breaks. Supposedly, the tax breaks include a gas tax break (which I suppose is a good thing) and other tax breaks. Interestingly enough, though, I can't understand how he can give away something that he can't is beyond me. Things do not add up. Yet, John McCain continues to enjoy a free ride while the Democratic Candidates continue to tear each other up every day.

As for what is going on locally, our school district is working to try to save 266 teachers from losing their jobs. The Capistrano Unified School District Foundation has undertaken an effort to raise money from the community to help maintain the reasonable student to teacher ration. There has been a continued debate within the community about some of the policies that the School District may or may not have pursued. But, we are here now. I think we have enough of a strong community that would indeed rally to the cause. But, it pains me greatly when I see us sending $ 10 Billion/Month in cash we do not have for a war that we did not have to fight with no end in sight, yet our school has to recycle water bottles to help raise funds for schools. Our priorities are not in line with what Tom Friedman called, "creating the future".

I am amazed as to how George W. Bush is not being held accountable for all that he has done. All the stories on what is going on with the stress and the suicide rate due to repeated combat tours worries me. When will the suffering end? When will we focus on the right things? Who truly knows what the right thing is these days?

Iraq..Five Years On (Cont'd)

Tomorrow will the five year anniversary of the Iraq War. The Vice President made a surprise trip to Iraq and said that the effort was "worth it" and that there was "success". John McCain also said it as such. I am not sure what the Vice President is thinking or what he's smoking. The lies continue. While this deception continues, here at home, The California Department of Education announced that 20,000 staff members have received early termination notices. Yet, our esteemed leaders are sending over 10 billion dollars a month to Iraq. People keep dying...and my son's school has to hold recycling drives to raise funds for their school. The US Corporate Media has been silent. That silence is mind boggling. The same people were the ones whom , as Frank Rich said so well in his book, were so gong-ho. When will the hypocrisy end?

Iraq...Five Years On.....

I caught a glimpse of CNN's reliable sources this morning. This week marks five years since Iraq was invaded. Senator McCain, according to CNN, BBC and other sources is in Iraq with Senator Lindsay Graham, Senator Joseph Lieberman to assess the situation. Questions may well come up about whether it is proper or not. I don't think it to be the question. The bigger question is whether the policy is working or not. Yes, the surge has given a pause to the violence.

In Juan Cole's Blog this morning, Patrick Coburn said that Iraq is gone. Yet, folks within the Republican party continue to cling on to the fantasy of saving "Iraq". Senator McCain's view that people who disagree with him are not patriotic is also beyond contempt. There is nothing wrong with admitting failure. Senator McCain needs to be held to account for his so-called "conservative" record. That conservative record has resulted in our country been overtaken by the European Union in terms of economic size. Conservatives should be free to speak up. But, they have had a 20 year run.

I continue to be worried for the future. I do think that the future is in our hands. We have to be aware and vigliant. The vigliance is key for us to insure a viable and safe future for our children.

What a Day....amazing!!!.

Well, John McCain is officially now the presumptive Republican Nominee. George W. Bush endorsed him today. I envy George W. Bush. For a man who has presided over such a disaster of a Presidency, he has a lot of nerve to go before the people and basically tell the people that they should accept another 4 years of the same. Their time has passed. I don't see anything that tells me otherwise, right now.

Meantime, the Democrats are still at it. Senator Clinton fought back, yet again. The fight goes on. What I am fearful of is that this fight will embolden the Republicans and once again we will have four years of Republican Rule. John McCain has said he will run a "respectful" campaign. For the sake of the country, I hope that is the case.

The struggle continues.......

What a Night!!!!

The General Election to choose the next President of the United States began tonight. John McCain became the presumptive Republican Nominee after he swept the four primaries. The Democrats will have a fight on their hands. Although some believe that McCain has some problems withe Republican base (the so-called Base plus strategy), I think he's smart enough to overcome it. Everyone needs to remember that this guy was written off and everyone anointed Mitt Romney the nominee (and then Giuliani & Thompson, etc.) before they all flamed out. Therefore, anyone who underestimates John McCain does not at his own peril.

As I have noted before, I will not question his patriotism and devotion to this country. His family has been part of the fabric of this country for over 200 years. What I have a problem with is his vision. I disagree with his vision of less taxes, less regulation. I disagree with the fact that we should stay in Iraq "for 100 years". I believe that we have some profound challenges at home. We have a runaway military budget we cannot afford. We have a health care system that needs fixing now. The idea of choice is just not going to fix it. We have yet to adjust to the world economy. I agree with Senator McCain in this regard. We do have to create the future. That time is now. I don't believe, though, that Senator McCain is that man to lead us in that charge.

As for the Democrats, I remember 1992 when Bill Clinton was written off. He fought off Jennifer Flowers, Bill Bradley, Dick Gephardt and others. Everyone wrote him off, but he stayed it and went on to win. Can Hillary do the same? I think she can. But, what I wonder is at what cost to the party....because 2008 is not 1992, and the stakes are higher because of the changes this country has undergone over the last seven years. This is probably the worst seven years of my lifetime, in terms of what the country has gone through. Of course, President Bush does not think so because he thinks that everything is great. But, when Warren Buffet says we are in a recession, then the President better wake up.

The struggle continues......

What A Day!!!!

What a Day, Today!!! John Edwards dropped out of the race for President. I am sorry for it. He was the voice for the poor. His program was a forward looking program that promised to uplift our lives. I hope that the remaining two candidates for the Democratic Nomination for President will understand that the people are hungry for change. I do get scared, again, by Ralph Nader. Why can't he just give up....he does not want to accept the fact that his participation gave us 8 years of George W. Bush. Any rationalization or justification will never wash away his political sin.

As for the Republicans, well Rudy Giulani withdrew...and not soon enough in my view!!! He endorsed John McCain Today. There is no question of John McCain's service to the United States and what he suffered. There is word that the Governor of California is about to endorse him as well. McCain is now the frontrunner. For the Democrats to counter this, they have to basically show how out of touch he is. Simply cutting taxes is not enough. He supported a war that did not have to be fought, has almost cost this country billions while the country is suffering from increasingly poor service. I can't phantom when we spend money overseas under the guise of being scared when my kids have to sell gift paper to help fund their schools. In California, schools are about to lose funding due to the implosion in the economy. What is the solution that Mr. McCain has? Cut Taxes for the richest lot among us...that's the problem I have with Senator McCain. There is no question of his patroitsim, his service and speaking up for what he believes in. But, in these tough times, it is simply not enough....not enough!!!!

I am concerned...and worried!!!

Iraq...The Nightmare Goes On.....

The Congress has finally begun to live up to what the Constitution envisioned it to do. We in the United States do not have Kings. We settled this issue over 200 years ago. Mr. Bush seems to have forgotten that. The President has promised a veto and a compromise will eventually have to be reached. But, at least the President is being reminded that he has to listen.

What bothers me is the the fact that John McCain and Joe Lieberman are taking to the Airways (and say on the floor of the Senate) that the Plan is starting to work. I don't doubt their patriotism or their committment to this country. But, I don't know what planet they're living in. If the "surge" is working, why is it that the Government has ordered all US Personnel to wear protective armor. Juan Cole, in his blog today, reports on a very disturbing development:

(Source: http://www.juancole.com, retrieved March 30, 2007)
"The US embassy in Baghdad circulated a memo to all Americans working for the US government in the Green Zone. It ordered them to wear protective gear whenever they were outside in the Green Zone, including just moving from one building to another. Guerrillas have managed to lob a number of rockets into the area in recent days, and killed one US GI on Tuesday.

The Green Zone is therefore actually the Red Zone. I.e., it is no longer an area of good security contrasting to what is around it. Senator McCain was more wrong than can easily be imagined. Not only can American officials not just stroll through Baghdad districts unarmed and unprotected by armor, but they can't even move that way from one building to the next inside the Green Zone..."

When will we see an end to this nightmare? What is worst that Iran is being targeted especially with what Chris Dodd and Tom Lantos have apparently just introduced. It seems to me that talking will achieve a hell of a lot more. But, the folks in Washington seem not to want to buy into it.