By Victoria Baptiste
America is a country that has habitually been regarded as the top nation in the world. Yet recently, America’s status as the “envy of the world” has declined greatly. To Democrats, as well as several disenfranchised conservatives and a great majority of the rest of the world, George W. Bush’s controversial two terms as president have signified a rapid decrease in the vibrancy and vivacity that once made this country so incredibly unique and loved.
Yet, it seems as though with the historical election of Barack Obama, the majority of the country is once again invigorated and the majority of the world is happy and hopeful for the future.
The night that Barack Obama won the United States presidency was a night like no other. Many of his supporters sobbed openly in wonder. Others, like me, stared at their television screens in disbelief. As I watched people of all races and ethnicities raise their American flags and chant the optimistic slogan, “Yes We Can”, I could not help but realize once again that American truly is a country where anything is possible.
Although his victory was no doubt one of the greatest moments of American history, as President-Elect, Barack Obama faces challenges that critics claim are impossible to overcome with wishful thinking alone. However, Obama has already proven himself to be an excellent organizer and an effective leader with the brilliant handling of his presidential campaign. As the McCain campaign flung baseless attacks and involved themselves in demagogic tactics instead of focusing on the hardships of everyday Americans, the Obama campaign proved itself to be a steady champion of the rights of the middle class. Thus, Barack Obama won the presidency mainly because of his steady hand in economic affairs.
As President-Elect, Barack Obama has already succeeded in surrounding himself with many of the most astute political and economic minds in the nations. He has also stressed the need to “reach across party lines” and draw from the ideas of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike. To many, Obama’s political diplomacy is a promising trait for eventual negotiations.
At a time in history when economic and diplomatic turmoil seem to be threatening the very fabric of American society, many Americans have rejected “old politics” and opted instead for a completely new style of governmental leadership. Although the stakes are challengingly high, these Americans believe with conviction that the President-Elect’s strong message of hope will be the ultimate driving force for true economic, foreign, and political reform.
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By Avery Geller
Around the world, dancing, cheering, and jubilation circled the world and the nation, when it was announced on the fourth of November, that an African American man named Barrack Obama would be appointed to the White House. His promise of hope and change from the last eight of years did only impact the nation, but it has influenced the entire international community. Americans once hassled for representing a country run by the Bush Administration now are given hugs on European streets, and in the blink of an eye, the world's opinion of America seems to be on more favorable terms. What is it about Obama's election that is so spectacular to the world? Is it that the man represents policies that are akin to the international community, a more collective, cohesive and stable society, as opposed to the Bush themes of crazy invasions and a looser, more open economy? Is all this fanfare just people being happy that they have another team mate in political ideology?
The Bush Administration was and still is seen as an organization of privateers acting at odds with the moral fibers of the global community, causing unnecessary strife and instability in some crazed pursuit of a perverted American dream of military and political supremacy. Some would even go as far as to claim that the democratic system of the States was flawed, broken, for how could such a villan take power. Alas, the night of November 4th changed their thoughts in a flash, their fear turned to hope as they saw more like themselves, more moderate and sane than his predecessor. Seeing as how America is far right to begin with, as compared to Europe and the world at large, anything in the right direction would be a positive sign to these bystanders. But Obama is not just a step, the man is mountainous leap in their political direction, and they have expressed their cheer as a measure of the man's charisma and international popularity. Furthermore, their recognition that is was the people and public of the United States that brought such a hero to power, has brought about a reverse in their opinions of the American political system, and its voters. Perhaps this is the start of a new age, one of humane pro-activeness and civil cooperation that the rest of the west, otherwise known as Europe, has been breeching this generation. Could this be a a new American era, after eight long years of what many internationals and Americans describe as a failed and reckless administration? Is this a generational shift that Europe has been waiting for the Americans to catch up with, in terms of political evolution? Time has not yet granted the people such a verdict, and time will be a fickle mistress before we see where the new Obama white house will lead the free world.
Even through the ideological differences, opinions and debating, one particular of this election that can not be understated however, as pitiful and pathetic as it should be, is the defeat of racial bigotry, not only in the halls of political party, but in civilian America. It was not just a more tolerant Washington that allowed a man of minority to rise to the top, but the American people, who's country was one of the last to abandon slavery after a devastating civil war, were able to see through the blinds of hate and the irrationality of racism. Their verdict is a testament to how far the nation has come, from a land of belligerents fighting each other at Bull Run and Gettysburg, to a land where the age old saying, "You can be whatever you want to be", is true and proven so, as a creed that has ascended past hate and prejudice. Another component of international approval is stemming from this concrete symbol of our acceptance and civil maturity, having pushed ourselves beyond the boundaries of racism.
No matter the reason, the world seems to be captivated and delighted at the election. America too, so far free of any accusations of detrimental election foul-play seems to be taking the change of power in stride. While no one is going to claim the upcoming years will be easy, most Americans, and most of the watching world, appear to be confident that we are heading in the right direction, even if it's left.
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By Ashley Valla
At the beginning of the election I fell into the category of kids right before the legal voting age who think to themselves, "why does it matter who I vote for, I'm not of age yet"? I then realized that a lot of my friends were able to vote, and that I'd like to take part in their conversations, mostly surrounding the upcoming election. As an opinionated person I wanted to chose a side that I could defend to the death, but with further investigation I found that difficult to do. So this year, I considered myself part of the independent group.
Like every other human, I can be a bit fickle. I will sway with whatever way the wind blows, or in this case with the wind of candidate's ideologies. I didn't want to subscribe to a specific candidate's side too early in the race, so I kept myself at a neutral standpoint right in the middle of the two. Between the pros and cons, it balanced itself to the center for me anyway.
Of course there is the obvious; Obama's acclaimed speaking skills and then McCain's decades of experience. In my social studies class I had the chance to watch parts of bios about both candidates which were very much insightful. I watched McCain's less than fortunate luck in the Vietnam war, and Obama's struggle to find out who he was when he was my age. These videos did help me relate to the candidates on an eye-to-eye level, but I was still not convinced.
Finally I considered their proposed plans for the country. I like Obama's energy and environmental plans, but I liked McCain's economic and war policies. I threw in thoughts like, "who will lead the country in a better direction so that in 20 years I'll be okay" or "what will the new president offer to the independents who are caught in the middle of the Republican and Democratic races"?
In the end I did make a decision, but I believe it was more important to realize that although I couldn't vote, I should still be on my toes in regards to who might be running the country where I live next. I think staying an independent is a wonderful idea, because there are more options when it comes to voting and keeping an open mind. Because in the beginning, wasn't this country based on independence anyway?
Thursday, December 18, 2008
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During his campaign, Obama promised the American people he would bring American troops home from Iraq in 16 months. He's admitted he can't do that now. He knew he couldn't do it when he made the claims during the campaign. But it sure sounded good to all those new, young voters who wanted to end the war.
At best, America will end its combat role in Iraq by 2011 - a deadline set by the Iraqi government and supported by Obama. His decision to keep Bush's defense secretary - Robert Gates - in charge of the Pentagon represents a major rollback in his promise for a swift end to the war in Iraq.
Campaign promises are normally as dispensable as a condom after sex so we shouldn't be surprised that Obama's reneging on Iraq is just another in a growing litany of "well, I may have said that, but…"
But Obama promised to be different. He promised to be a Presidential candidate who kept his promises and he broke that promise too.
Obama said lobbyists - the real power brokers in Washington - would have no role in his government yet his transition team is packed with lobbyists and they're the ones making recommendations on who should get top jobs and setting the legislative agenda of the new administration.
He promised an end to the old way of doing things but, so far, he has stacked his cabinet with retreads from past administrations schooled in - you guessed it -- the old way of doing things.
He promised an end to the bitter partisanship of the past yet his first appointment as President-elect was the most partisan member of Congress as his chief of staff. Rahm Emmanuel is not only a rapid partisan but a former political operative who makes Karl Rove look like a Sunday school teacher.
Perhaps we should have paid more attention to an early indicator of Obama's disregard for keeping his word. He promised to accept public financing if his opponent did. McCain accepted public financing and Obama broke that promise because he could raise and spend more money outside the system. And he raised more than $750 million. That's three-quarters of a billion.
Some say Obama bought the election. Buying an election is old-school politics - something Barack Obama said he would bring to an end.
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