Between 'Inspiration' and Health Care
by Froma Harrop
Why so many Americans want their president to be a personal motivator and religious guide vexes me. You do want a leader with dignity and self-control, but attending to the economy, national defense, foreign affairs, the environment and other aspects of the public's well being should be a full-time occupation.
For these reasons, I find President Bush's moral mouthing and Barack Obama's self-portrayal as the embodiment of hope both irritating. Their purpose is to lift the man above the ...
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Posted by: Albert
Comment: #1
Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:26 PM
Inspiration, a vision is important. In Obama's case it is a product of not only his words, but of his appearance, his youth, his intelligence, and his oratory skill. He cannot be compared to Bush, in any way. Bush was not inspirational. In running for the office he united religion and business. He could not speak, and his intelligence was often question. Bush's “inspirational moment” came after 911, and afterwards he used fear (not maliciously, no conspiracies here) as a way to motivate people to support his policies. The most IRRELEVANT language that is spoken during a race between two candidates is the debate that is policy specific. Arguing over the details of policy is useless, uninformative, and misleading. How many times are policies formulated during an election and carried out afterwards? Policy is always affected in the United States by public opinion and business interests.
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Posted by: Charles M LeCrone
Comment: #2
Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:49 AM
Froma, you have written and excellent article about the importance of judgment in a presidential candidate. I couldn't agree with you more; I too don't want a religious savior for president. Just give me a good old politician with a smattering of integrity.
I have one question for you regarding the judgment of Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. Who had the more correct assessment of the Iraq War before it started? I rest my case.
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Posted by: vanitea
Comment: #3
Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:41 PM
Hi there.
It seems that your analysis doesn't distinguish between "won't buy" and "can't buy." Yes, there will be those who can afford it but won't - but with Obama's plan those who truly can't afford it are not penalized in the process. It's like the law itself, some guilty men will go free, but it's better than one innocent man being imprisoned wrongfully.
In this case there will be those who will purposfully avoid responsibility, but they should not be the determining factor to create additional hardship on those who truly can not do better. With all due repsect it sounds that you are not familiar with the true existence of poverty among the working poor. Because the ocean of difference between would not and cannot would be clearer in your comparative analysis of their plans.
Clinton must recognize this as a flaw in her proposal, but would probably quietly include some provision to provide for that segment who truly cannot afford it. That is one very large difference I've noticed about them. It at times appears Obama for some personal internal reason needs to be transparent - to a flaw.
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Posted by: vanitea
Comment: #4
Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:44 PM
Re: vanitea
Nice read though.
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Posted by: Nevin
Comment: #5
Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:10 PM
Froma:
If H.Clinton has all the details why did she and her unfaithful husband not get us better health care during "their" 8 years in the White House? With all of their dirty baggage I have no faith in her "details"! ABC may be the best answer to this political race. ANYONE BUT CLINTON.
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Posted by: Andre Abreu
Comment: #6
Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:19 AM
Froma,
I've been waiting for someone to finally say what has been thinking.
The frenzy over Obama disturbs me... at the end of the day, there are real issues and details to be considered.
President Bush was never required to explain the details of his policies.
Going into Iraq seemed like a fun adventure with all the amazing video footage from guided bombs.... nobody bothered to ask what we would do with Iraq once we conquered it. Details Details Details.
Zealots ultimately never do the right thing. And I am sick of the unwarranted hype over Obama and the free pass he seems to be given from the press.
Andre
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