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OK, so I've just finished listening to Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the DNC, from a youtube video posted by CNN (link). For the first twenty minutes or so, I was made to understand that we need change. Apparently, we need lots of change. We need change for [sentimental story], that relates to [personal sentimental story], because that is how [generic American really lives]!
At 20minutes, 17 seconds, Obama announced that he was going to "spell out exactly what that change would mean if [he were] president."
OK, so tax cuts for those who need it;
keep American jobs here;
end dependence on oil from the Middle East in 10 years by tapping American sources of gas (hmm, myself included - hope not...), research into new sources of energy (nuclear, solar, wind);
create 5 million jobs that "pay well and can be outsourced;"
provide every child a world-class education (new teachers with higher salaries & more support, higher standards & more accountability), promise to every American: "If you commit to serving our country or your community, we will make sure you can afford a college education;"
lower healthcare premiums especially for those who are sick & need care the most;
changes in payment programs - social security, equal wages;
close corporate loopholes & go through the federal budget line-by-line to make sure we are spending money on programs that work;
a corporate call to individuals to do their part ("individual responsibility & mutual responsibility - that is the promise of America";
never hesitate to defend America, but only send troops into battle prepared and provide for them when they come home;
make America the last and best hope for freedom, lives of peace, and for all who long for a better future;
change the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other's character & patriotism (patriotism has no party).
My problem is not with Obama's promises. John McCain and every other politican will also be making promises they've no way of keeping. I expect that. My problem is with Obama trying to paint himself as a bringer of change to the system. But, as a politician, and now the nominee of one of the two entrenched political parties in these United States, Barack Obama is still part of that same system he claims to challenge. And I just can't get around that. Apparently, his constituency can't get past the idea that he will bring change.
To sum up his speech: "For 18 long months you have stood up one by one and said, 'Enough to the politics of the past!' You understand that in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics with the same old players and expect different results. You have shown what history teaches us - that in defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington, change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it, because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership."
OK, so bring the change you want. But honestly, I don't think it's gonna accomplish much - if it even happens.
And, lest we forget, there was another leader who used his voice to commit great atrocities by convincing people to follow him through lots of rhetoric with no worth-while substance:
"low and melodious, its very sound an enchantment … it was a delight to
hear the voice speaking, all that it said seemed wise and reasonable,
and desire woke in them by swift agreement to seem wise themselves …
for those whom it conquered the spell endured while they were far away
and ever they heard that soft voice whispering and urging them." (The Two Towers, Book II, Chapter X, 26th paragraph)
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| | Posted 9/13/2008 7:50 PM - 44 Views - 6 eProps - 3 comments
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