One thing this discussion is NOT about is race. The public support for Obama through this election has proven institutionalized racism is a thing of the past. That's a good thing.
Its interesting that there are still people who believe tax programs favor the rich, when 3 % of the US populations pays 50 % of the revenues received by the IRS.
The situation we find ourselves in is not caused by the movement of jobs out of country. There are plenty of jobs here, but many Americans simply don't want them. It is your option to choose not to take work when work is available. I understand that from a very personal perspective, having worked in positions I did not want simply because there was nothing available in the area I trained for or had experience in. My husband finds himself in that same position; but has made the positive decision to opt to take any job (even at our local McDonald's which pays $9 - $14 per hour) over remaining unemployed.
If you're dissatisfied with what you're paying for insurance, and I complain about that too, then you're likely to be dissatisfied with the amount of taxes you're going to have to pay to support a nationalized healthcare system. We have programs in place already that help insure coverage for those who need it most (CHIP, medicaid). It would be better to work towards fully funding those programs and expanding access parameters so that qualification isn't such a hardship.
Taxing coal and other existing fossil and nuclear energy industries out of business is not a solution as there are no other alternative, large-scale energy systems in place to replace them. Yes, we have green energy options; but they aren't available everywhere to everyone at this point in time. Once there are large-scale alternatives in place across the US, then it is reasonable to shut down fossil fuel and nuclear systems.
Throwing money at social problems and expanding government control into business, industry and our personal lives isn't a solution. History has proven that in other countries--repeatedly. We have the chance to learn from that and choose another path now.
As for pulling out of Iraq, that's a great goal. But we have Afghanistan and Russia/Poland coming in right behind this. The world's a mess. I don't forsee, even with a so-called Democrat in charge, a vast change in military interventionist policies. Why do I say that? Because Obama and many others who have bought into the promise actively support the concept of mandatory national service (including military service). Why support this if the intent is not to support ongoing military action overseas?
Bring the military action idea back home now. Obama has stated he will work actively with our elected representatives to make certain our domestic police force is as strong a force as our military. What does that mean? I'm not entirely certain; but the idea that we might have tanks rolling through our streets, patrolling our neighborhoods (and yes that is an extreme perspective, it may not get that bad), is a horrific one.
Will I change my perspective? No. Our President Elect has made too many public statements regarding his views and he's made too many pacts with Congressional members for me to feel comfortable doing that.
Is there hope? Absolutely, we have elected representatives now that are still centrist, still interested in the basic rights of the people, still supportive of our constitution and the freedoms it provide. We have a chance.
Is there the possibility that I'm wrong. Certainly. The only things in life that are guaranteed are death and taxes. I would be ecstatic if Obama and his supporters in Congress take action that causes me to eat my words. But, I don't see that happening.
Will I work WITH Obama? No. Not unless he does a 180 on policy and moves away from a socialist agenda to an agenda that insures we have a government of the people, by the people and for the people. I will, however, do everything I can to work with elected leaders who still maintain the interests of the people at the center of their agenda and frame their laws and policies around the people.
Our Constitution states that our government must be of the people, by the people and for the people. I'll grant you he has the best of intentions (most socialist leaders have good intentions), but his methods remove control from the people and put it in the hands of the government machine.
