Biting the hand that feeds me

Issues I have with the Obama/Biden ticket:

1. Gay "marriage"

The "I'm all for gay rights but just don't call it 'marriage'" stance is a political cop-out designed to pander to the homosexual base of the Democratic party without pissing off the blue-collar and old liberals base of the party. It's been a while since I graduated from law school, but I do remember "Separate but Equal" was held to be unfair and impossible.

2. Off-shore drilling

Obama's capitulation to off-shore drilling enthusiasts is yet another political cop-out. Instead of standing up to the Republicans and remaining steadfast that off-shore drilling is not a short-term - it will take years for it to affect gas prices - or a long-term - it may be "our" oil but it does nothing to help stop global warming or promote renewable energy technology. Obama voted against going into Iraq - a very unpopular vote at the time - yet he can't remain resolute when faced with the inane "drill, baby, drill" mantra?

3. U.S. market jingoism

In a continuing trend to pander to the regional wishes of his party, Obama understandably tells the Rust Belt and places like Flint that jobs will come back and that China is the evil monster that took away their jobs. Instead of promoting US econo-jingoism, Obama should be explaining globalization and why it helps us if China consumes more. If people understood the basics of a global market they might also understand why pursuing and perfecting renewable energy facilities will provide jobs, money, and save the Earth for the future of America. Stop wasting money and my time on ads that castigate McCain for owning foreign made cars; I drive a VW, does this mean you don't want my vote or just that I am unfit to be President?

4. The cold shoulder given to American Muslims

In short, Obama should have stood up and said what Powell did re: American Muslims and the way they have been treated during this election. Obama could have distanced himself from the imputations that he was a Muslim without hanging our American umma out to dry. Change, Unity, and Trust fell short when they were needed most, to protect our fellow Americans from hatred and ridicule.

5. What happened to "change" and the promise to rise above the muck?

I am extremely cynical when it comes to politics and, in particular, politicians. Obama promised to be above the usual Washington bullshit, yet even Mr. Change couldn't stop himself from using ads calling McCain "erratic" - perhaps in an effort to intimate that McCain was senile or mentally unfit- or from using ads calling McCain "out of touch" because he's not computer savvy. Nor could Mr. Unity keep his hands clean and avoid the use of misleading statements during negative campaign ads. I stupidly believed Obama when I listened to him on the Pentacrest on Earth Day 2007 when he talked about taking the high road and giving Washington a piece of his mind on behalf of the people. (I saw that movie, it's called Bullworth) Of course Obama played with our emotions and pandered to our prejudices, he is a politician; why should he be any different? In 2000 McCain stuck to his guns. It cost him the nomination; however, it gained him the respect of millions. I understand that sometimes the best leader is the one that "reaches across the aisle," but there is a difference between saying you'll at least consider off-shore drilling and running a campaign that -while not as vile- goes toe-to-toe with your adversary in smears after riding a banner of "change."

In the end, I guess this post is aimed at two types of people:

1. To those that think Obama is the American messiah sent to reform Washington, you are setting yourself up for great disappointment. It's still Washington and unless we as citizens push for reform and elect reform-minded candidates it's unlikely much will happen. The first rule of politics is to look after #1.

2. To those that think I'm nothing but an Obaaama sheep or Obamabot, meh... I don't really care what you think. Especially those of you that hide behind anonymous Internet usernames and feel free to fire vitriol at-will with no accountability.