Since I was opposed to both John McCain and Barack Obama, I was always going to be disappointed with the result of the U.S Election. What I wasn’t ready for, however, was the absolutely glee demonstrated by almost everyone I know, from my own family to seemingly everyone in my corner of the internet.
So why is that 99% of everyone I know perceives the new president differently from me? The only way to find out is to give my reasons for doubting Mr. Obama and hope for some feedback.
Fact: He voted for the Wall Street bailout.
Me: The constitution doesn’t give the government the power to bail out private companies.
Fact: He voted for the FISA bill.
Me: He therefore legalized George Bush’s warrant-less eavesdropping powers, which were both illegal and unconstitutional.
Fact: He plans to increase the size of the Army by 65,000 soldiers and the Marines by 27,000 troops.
Me: I would have expected the $1 trillion U.S debt would have encouraged him to reduce the size of the military.
Fact: Unlike the French president Sarkozy, Obama has not admitted that Georgia were the aggressors in the South Ossetia conflict.
Me: I think it was shameful how the Western media reversed the story and labeled Russia the aggressors, and even more so that Obama supported a $1 billion aid package to the country that started the conflict.
Fact: The CIA has no proof that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, yet Obama says Iran is “a threat to all of us”.
Me: I think it’s irresponsible for a president to make such statements without proof. The run up to the Iraq war was much the same.
Fact: He plans to send two more combat brigades to Afghanistan.
Me: This just makes me angry. Why does everyone think this war is justified? It’s absolutely not.
So those are some of the reasons I’m not jumping for joy about Barack Obama being elected president. People can disagree with my opinions, but you can’t argue with the facts. Of course, everybody is different, so if you agree with Obama’s past actions and stated policies, then I respect that.
I hope this clears up any confusion, and people respect my views.
Views respected!
Excuse me while I jump for joy!
Nick, people aren’t celebrating Obama’s victory so much as they think he’s the greatest person to ever throw his hat into the political arena; It’s just that after years of watching George basically flush America down the toilet, everyone’s ready for a change. And, most realize that only two people really stood a chance of becoming the next president. So, rather than bet on a sure-loser, people went with the guy who they thought could win and change things more than the other. Plus, there are so many positives to the story that don’t even need explaining here.
It’s not like everybody cheering Obama’s victory is foolish enough to think he’s our political messiah; they’re just glad for the chance to actually feel optimistic about the future.
Agree with Billy. As much as I sympathize with the stagnation created by a (practically speaking) two party system, there is no real chance of a third party candidate winning at the moment – and not just because of media issues – but that’s another argument.
The only real alternative to Obama was McCain and it was too important to risk making a protest vote. I don’t know if McCain differed on who started it in Georgia but that issue, and the rest of your issues, hardly compare to the corruption of the basic processes of the US government that the Republicans would continue to pursue with McCain in office.
The emotion is, in the main, twofold 1) the race issue is HUGE, no denying it and 2) sheer relief – not just that the promised change might come, everyone knows he’s still a politician and he might let us down, but that the majority of Americans (who voted) simply aren’t okay with what’s been going down – that the system may have been corrupted but the soul of the country wasn’t.
I agree with you Nick. Obama will change little. He is just as dirty as Bush. Obama is just another CFR globalist price of trash who is gonna sink American even deeper into the hell hole it is stuck in currently. I know I will catch some hell for making such statements but the truth hurts.
Very well said Nick although to be honest, a bit sad. God it would be nice to see a man/woman that has nothing but the good of the world in his ideals get in to power.
My utopian thinking haa haa haa.
Keith
Well Americans had their chance to elect someone who had nothing but good in their heart. Instead they chose to call Ron Paul a crazy old man.
Well, I’m happy. With the White House, Senate, and House of Reps in his control at least Obama might have a chance at righting some of wrongs W. and Dick have dumped into the lap of the world. We can’t live in a perfect world, but we can definitely live in a better one than we’ve got right now. I’m looking forward to his presidency.
Thanks for your responses everyone. There’s quite a mixed bag of opinions there. I’m reminded of a song on “Nihongo de Asobou” sung by the former super-heavy sumo wrestler, Konishiki, who is dressed as an orange with spikey bits. The song’s called “Minna Chigatte, Minna Ii”, which means “everyone is different, everyone is good”, or something like that. We’ll find out just what Obama is good at over the next four years.