A New Perspective, A New Hope
During the past few years, America has seen troubled times - the country has been embroiled in a dangerous and ill-planned war, which has shaken the security of its people. This has led to a loss of civil liberties and freedom in the name of protection, and a profound split between warring viewpoints - those who believe the government should protect its people no matter what the cost, and those who believe that the government has stepped out of bounds and is imposing unconstitutional restrictions on the liberties it is supposed to be protecting. Rarely have so many people been involved in politics, fueled by widely varying views on topics such as the war in Iraq, civil liberties, and the separation between church and state. In the upcoming election, American citizens will have the choice to drastically change the face of the nation, and it is difficult to choose a candidate who will be honest and active, someone who will both take a stand and respect the privacy and freedoms of American citizens. I believe that person is Barack Obama.
One of Barack Obama’s main prerogatives is to withdraw troops from Iraq and call for a complete end to the war. I think this is extremely important, as it will save millions of American soldiers from endangering their lives in a war with blurry motives and an unclear exit plan. If Obama were elected, he would “move one to two combat brigades each month, and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months” (http://www.barackobama.com). He would also engage a conversation with the United Nations, which “should not adjourn until a new national accord is reached addressing tough questions like federalism and oil revenue-sharing” (http://www.barackobama.com). I believe that this is the most important issue facing America today, and that retracting from the war will spare us any future expense, both financial and human.
Another important issue that Obama faces is environmental conservation. He recognizes the threat of global warming and is a cosponsor of the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act, which “would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by 80% in the year 2050” (http://obama.senate.gov). Another one of Obama’s reforms is the elimination of lead paint in children’s environments. In his first year in office, he successfully fought for the EPA to pass stricter laws regarding lead paint in the remodeling and renovation of homes (http://obama.senate.gov). If he were elected, he would continue to fight for the reduction and elimination of lead in paint, water, and toys, thus cutting down on lead-poisoning-related illnesses which afflict over 400,000 children a year. (http://obama.senate.gov)
From Barack Obama’s views and stances on controversial topics, he seems to value human freedom and safety over government financial gain. As president, he would be fair and reasonable, protecting America without sacrificing the freedom and privacy of its citizens. He would show a progressive stance toward repairing the U.S.’s relations with the rest of the world and ensuring its renewed peace and prosperity. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.”
Kiah Baxter-Ferguson
