Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Two Offensive Statements

The two ladies pictured here have recently made two of the most frightening and offensive statements I have heard in a long time. One is Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, running for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. The other is the Michelle Obama, wife of the other Democratic candidate, Illinois Senator Barack Obama.
I am not a Democrat (although I once was) so I don't have a dog in the fight - no pun intended. In my humble opinion there's not a dime's worth of difference in Senators Clinton or Obama. Both are making irresponsible promises that they haven't a snowball's chance of keeping - if elected. If all of those promises were kept, the cost to the taxpayers would be more astronomical than anything we have ever seen - even under our current reckless spending administration. In fact, it would total more money than most of us could even comprehend. Anyone falling for their empty rhetoric is either a dreamer or totally naive.
In the interest of fairness, let me also say that I am not terribly enamored with the apparent front runner on the Republican side of the race either. I respect his military service to our country (which neither of his potential opponents can claim) and I appreciate his fairly strong pro life voting record in the U.S. Senate. However, his weak stance on illegal immigration (one of the great crises facing this nation) and his self admitted weakness on economic issues is worrisome to this writer. This may come down to the most pitiful choice in my memory for picking the next resident of the Oval Office.
All that being said, let me get back to the subject of this post. Michelle Obama has made a comment that I think is absolutely amazing. And Senator Clinton continues to repeat a comment that is down right scary! Let's take a look at both.
Mrs. Obama has raised many eyebrows with her comment delivered yesterday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Here is what she said. "...for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback.” To me, that is an unbelieveable statement.

She has NEVER been proud of her country in her adult life until now?
I can't pretend to understand all of the experiences that Mrs. Obama has had in her life. I am sure that as a Black American, she has probably felt the sting of racism, but born in 1964, her "adult years" wouldn't have even begun until around 1982. How can any American possibly not been proud of their country SOMETIME in the past 26 years? Can she not be proud of the history of our nation and the strides we have made since slavery was outlawed. Can she not be proud of the fact that over 600,000 Americans died in the Civil War to bring that freedom? Can she not be proud of how we have come to the aid of oppressed peoples the world over in two World Wars? Can she not be proud of the struggle of her people during the turbulent years of her childhood - resulting in the Civil Rights Acts of 1960 and 1964? Hasn't anything positive been accomplished? Isn't there something, sometime that could have made her proud to be an American?
For one to say she has NEVER been proud of her country is just incomprehensible. For one to say such a thing leads me to question their very patriotism.
Then there is Senator Clinton. She has the "gift" of not only being to say offensive things, but to also be offensive in how she says them. The thing that bothers me the most is something she seems to say in nearly every stump speech I have heard. It involves change.
Granted, "change" is the mantra that we expect to hear from the Democrats. I would be shocked if they weren't talking about change. I'm ready for a change, myself, but not the change Mrs. Clinton seems to be advocating. Several times I have heard her screeching, "With your help, we can change America!" to the cheers of adoring crowds.
Change America? That is a mighty big statement.
Change administrations? - Well, that is going to happen, no matter who is elected.
Change the makeup of Congress? - If that is what the voters desire.
Change foreign policy? - That will be the new President's perogative.
Change financial and economic policies? - If they have the mandate to do so.
Change the Constitution? - As ammendments are needed and as prescribed by the Constitution, itself.
Change the makeup of the Federal Courts? - As the new President has opportunity.
There may be a number of things that need to be changed in this nation, but "Change America"? God forbid!
This is the greatest Nation on Earth. The USA represents that "Great Experiment" in democracy that has for over two centuries been the standard of freedom in this world. Even with its faults, shortcomings and blemishes - America remains the last best hope for Planet Earth. To advocate "Changing America" is a slap in the face to our founders, and the multiplied thousands of Americans who have given their lives to support their country in good times as well as bad. It indicates that the system is broken, and I reject the very concept.
Sure, we have some things that need to be fine tuned - always have - always will. But there has never been a nation on this planet more blessed than the United States of America. I am offended by anyone who would suggest that something is wrong with America - and I am frightened of any such attitude that compromises the sovereignty of this great country.
The comments of these two ladies are frightening. I find them downright offensive. Is it just me?

3 comments:

pastorleap said...

C.J.,
You have hit the nail on the head here. both Democratic candidates are making outrageous promises that they will be very hard-pressed to fulfill, and yet the voters are (seemingly) eating it up!

Sometimes it is very frustrating to see just how "popular democracy" works, I admit. It seems like whoever is the most charismatic and can make the most promises, wins. Regardless of their ability to back up those promises. I often voice my frustration at the way in which voters (of all stripes) actually believe that the president of our nation can "change everything" with the wave of a magic wand. It is not that easy, and the president really doesn't "control" nearly as much as people give him credit for.

I am reminded of how I felt as a young man, unable to vote yet, when Bill Clinton was elected. Everyone was clamoring for "change," but the real question is "what kind of change?" Change for the sake of change alone will not bring improvement to our country, but very few seem interested enough or prepared enough to really examine these promised "changes" to determine whether or not they are feasible or even positive.

That's why I pray...more and more each day.

I fear that following November, we may get the "change" that the Democrats are clamoring for, but I don't think folks are going to be satisfied in the long run.

TheHero said...

Change from what to what, is the question I ask. Change from a republic to a communist. Change from democracy to socialist. I pray not. The change we need is a change of heart. Its not a political change but a spiritual one.

Brother Paul's Blurbs said...

Hey Brother C.J. I hope all is well with you and yours! Thanks for the good words about our friends Hillary and Michelle. We must be in constant prayer for our nation. God forbid that either Clinton or Obama will sit in the Oval Office next year. I am not real fond of Mr. McCain either, but he is a much more accpetable alternative to these two.