Obama:
The Democratic Messiah?
By Joel S. Hirschhorn
23 January, 2007
Countercurrents.org
What
a wonderful political distraction is Senator Barack Hussein Obama. Perhaps
a good part of his attractiveness is that he is in so many ways the
complete opposite of George W. Bush.
Yet, what amazes me is how
our bipartisan obstacle to true political competition continually creates
illusions of change and reform. Thus it keeps a grip on Americans’
hope for the future, and preempts public support for more profound political
change. Is Obama just another example of how our corrupt political system
ingeniously creates candidates to keep hope alive? Is the self-professed
progressive Obama the real thing? Is he something other than a conventional
politician? I have read many of his speeches and other statements. I
applaud his upbeat rhetoric, but few policy details are given.
Joseph Sobran opined that
“the Democrats are looking for a political messiah, and many of
them think they’ve found one in Illinois’s junior senator,
Barack Obama. And Obama is, without question, a very charming, intelligent,
and impressive young man who is, moreover, catnip to the press corps.”
Cal Thomas made the good point that many Americans look at presidential
candidates as political messiahs. He said Obama “can also play
dual roles of messiah figure and one of the Wise Men.” And he
astutely asked: “Have political ‘messiah figures’
become false gods?”
In truth, none of the current
presidential hopefuls have obtained the political messiah mantle as
much as Obama has.
Yet I remain skeptical. Is
he willing to do whatever it takes to become President? In our diseased
political system, whatever-it-takes-candidacy produces screw-the-public-politics-as-usual.
Here are some things that would truly impress me about Obama’s
uniqueness, and that would support viewing him as something other than
just another opportunistic politician – albeit with a race, good
looks, anti-Iraq war, and intelligence advantage.
First and foremost, I would
be deeply impressed if Obama soon committed to taking campaign contributions
only from individuals and only in small amounts, say no greater than
$50. Because if he raised the huge amount of money necessary for a competitive
presidential campaign – say $100 million – from the usual
sources, then he will inevitably become (assuming he is not already)
corrupted.
Second, his voting record
in the Senate shows a strong allegiance to labor and teacher unions,
according to data from Project Vote Smart. These groups can be hugely
important sources of big campaign money. I would like to hear Obama
explicitly pronounce policy positions that show he is not a lackey of
organized labor.
Third, he has supported the views of the Population Connection, better
known by its former name: Zero Population Growth.. One of its core positions
is: “The only acceptable solution to the population problem is
through expanding educational, advocacy and service efforts that lower
birth rates.” Additionally, for the United States it advocates
“efforts to conserve energy and natural resources and improve
efficiency, eliminate our ‘disposable society’ lifestyle,
and use the best possible technology to protect the natural and human
environment.” I would be impressed if Obama spoke out about the
compulsive consumerism hallmarking U.S. culture. And if he solidly supported
higher gasoline taxes and stricter vehicle mileage standards to promote
less driving and gasoline use. Besides favoring abortion rights and
backing the interests of Planned Parenthood, what else does he support
to cut global population growth?
Forth, he has demonstrated
little support for the policy goals of the National Taxpayers Union,
that lobbies for “the merits of limited government and low taxes,”
fights corporate welfare and tax advantages for the wealthy, and advocates
for a balanced budget amendment to the constitution. Similarly, his
record shows little support for what the Americans for Tax Reform groups
advocates. A core position of this group is: “Politicians often
run for office saying they won't raise taxes, but then quickly turn
their backs on the taxpayer. The idea of the Pledge is simple enough:
Make them put their no-new-taxes rhetoric in writing.” So, this
is what I would like to hear from Obama: tell us you are not a free-spending
liberal that will easily justify raising taxes to increase funding for
social programs. And that you will fight for a balanced budget constitutional
amendment – in fact, be the first presidential candidate ever
to advocate for an Article V convention of state delegates to consider
this and other possible amendments!
Fifth, his views on illegal
immigration are very consistent with those of the American Immigration
Lawyers Association, and opposite to those of groups working to stop
the massive influx of illegal immigration. Has he bought into labor
union’s desire for more members, despite illegals lowering wages
for working-class American citizens, just what corporate interests want?
Does he favor ANY strict measures to stop the invasion of illegal immigrants,
including stiffer penalties for illegal employers? What would he do
to combat the plight of local governments facing high costs from illegal
immigrants?
Obama says “America
is a land of big dreamers and big hopes.” Then please tell us
– exactly and soon – what are YOUR big dreams and big hopes
for America that you intend to pursue if you become President. Give
us details that differentiate you not just from the other presidential
candidates, but from all conventional politicians that have lost the
trust and confidence of most Americans. You say “we need the political
will.” For what exactly? Not just the big, broad goals, but tell
us the “how” – the policy paths that you will fight
for to reach lofty goals.
I don’t care that he
has little government and no executive experience, not if he is willing
to boldly speak out with specifics about exactly what he would try to
accomplish as President.
Cynic though I am, if he
really is the Democratic messiah, then as an American I would be very
happy. But I share Cal Thomas’ skepticism: “What puzzles
me is why so many people put their hopes in politicians, when politicians
(and politics) repeatedly let them down.”
I want Obama to speak with
such clarity that he either earns the messiah label, or makes realists
of even his strongest supporters. We do not need another political false
idol, from the left or the right.
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