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March 2008
Let’s put the Obama/Wright flap in context
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Let’s talk about Barack Obama. He’s been in the news a lot lately, concerning comments made by his minister, Jeremiah Wright.
A few caveats. I am not an Obama apologist. Nor is my intention here to make Obama your candidate, or to say why he shouldn’t be your candidate.
That said, I’m wondering why Wright’s comments are having such a big impact on Obama’s campaign.
Fact: for 87 years, African-Americans weren’t even considered to be citizens of the United States.
Fact: for the next 100 years, African-Americans were considered to be citizens, but without the rights of citizenship. It took massive civil rights legislation to make sure that all men were created equal.
Fact: in the ensuing 40 plus years, all US citizens have been adjusting to this “new” relationship. Granted, one that should never have been “new.” You can do some research on it if you want to know why.
Soundbites from You Tube about Reverend Wright’s comments has been the center of media attention lately. What’s lost in the comments is the context under which they were made. Talk show hosts won’t talk about that. It cuts into their “moneymaking” time. They are, after all, entertainers. Much in the same way that professional wrestlers are entertainers.
In wrestling, a little physical activity and a lot of manipulating the audience’s emotions make for a successful multimillion dollar enterprise.
Same with talk shows. A little political fact, and a lot of manipulating the audience’s emotions make for a multibillion-dollar enterprise.
My point is that if you’re going to base your opinion about the viability of the candidate because you accept as gospel, what a reasonably intelligent entertainer says, be he a talk show host or a charismatic preacher, then shame on you.
Friends and neighbors, you have a mind. Use it. If you do your own research and you come up with your own conclusions, pro or con, then you have done your job as a citizen. If you premise your argument by saying, “Hannity says this,” or, “Boortz says that,” or, “Reverend Wright said this,” then you are doing your country a disservice by not actively participating in the election process. Instead, premise your argument by saying, “this is what I found.”
I have questions for Obama that are far more in depth than his minister’s preaching. I say the same thing for Hillary, and for McCain. In the meantime, I’m going to do something different.
I’m going to turn off the TV and the radio, and I’m going to do some reading.
What do you think?
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As Waffle House goes, so goes nation
But when will politicians address money realities?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I had lunch with my roommate at Waffle House the other day. We had just finished grocery shopping, and Waffle House, for me anyway, it is always a good treat.
A discussion ensued between one of the service staff and a manager. The issue was whether a customer had ordered a menu “plate” or ordered several items “à la carte.” There was a big difference in price.
The outcome didn’t interest me (though they did explain to the customer his choices). What interested me was the fact that Waffle House was becoming more cost-conscious than I remember them being.
We all are. Lately, everything is taking a bigger bite out of my wallet. Insurance prices are increasing by double-digit percentages every year. Gas prices are up, causing me to rethink how and when I drive. Groceries are up. I usually buy generic groceries whenever a shop, but that’s helping my budget less and less. Meat, milk, snacks, sundries, everything is rising — except for my salary.
No, I’m not asking for a raise. I’m saying that, like many of you, my budget is having to undergo serious reanalysis. My 401(k) has taken a hit over the last couple of months. I have a great mortgage rate, but my condo is worth less than it was two years ago. My bottom line has been decreasing more and more at the end of every month. My lifestyle has to change.
It’s poignant to me that these questions arise during an election year. If I have to reevaluate my needs, I want my elected officials to do the same. Credit card companies and banks are raising the cost of doing business with them without telling customers. Earmarks to legislation, added spending without discussion, have been dramatically on the rise. Pay increases for elected officials every year. Our transportation infrastructure is in need of major transfusion. Health care, prescriptions, inflation, the list goes on and on. Let’s not forget how much money is being spent by candidates on their election campaigns. To me, they’re spending a lot money to say - well, nothing.
Why is my budget being tightened, but our government’s budget is not? That’s a good question for debate. What I want to hear hear, and I’m not hearing it, is that the people we will elect will do their due diligence to make sure that my money is not wasted. I know, I know, wishful thinking. However, if I have to stretch a dollar, I want politicians to do the same. Cut taxes, cut spending. If we need it, invest in it. If we add something, take something out. It’s that simple.
I hear talk about change. What does that mean? I hear talk about “stay the course.” If I did that, I’d either be broke or seriously hurting financially. It’s easy to talk about problems, but I don’t hear talk about solutions. This is an election year. I want less show, more tell. How can I pick a candidate to support — President, Senator, Representative, whatever — if they speak to me only in platitudes and rhetoric?
These are serious times for serious people. I don’t want to hear from the media: I want to hear from you. What do you think about all this?
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