Wake
Up
Same ol’ Politics vs. Change
By: K.D. Perry
Qualexcel@gmail.com
We are living in a time where gas prices are steadily rising, costs of food are rising, and monies being taken away from schools as teachers are being laid off. Funds are being misused and government is corrupt in their policies. We are in a time of war, recession, and at the same time trying to be “Superman” to other countries.
Medicare is at its worst, AIDS/HIV/STD’s are becoming common amongst young people under 25 and African American men make up approximately 46% of new cases each year. Correctional Institutions are overcrowded at the tax payer’s expense and politicians now live like celebrity’s, while the communities around them fall apart.
What are we going to do America? Who’s going to be the voice for the everyday American? Instead of the same old Politics, we need change. We need not just any change, but a change we can see and believe in whole heartedly.
There are three candidates running for the office of president of the United States of America (as of this article Barack had not yet won the candidacy). 2007 has brought an unprecedented flavor to this election process. We have Senator John McCain (71) who is seen as a maverick in the Republican party. Then we have Senator Hillary Clinton (Former First Lady) who is not only a democrat, but the first woman to run for office in a presidential election to make it this far. Finally we have Senator Barack Obama (mid 40’s) who is a Democrat and the first African American to be nominated to run for President who has made it this far. Each and every one of them has a certain flare or tactic that draws a certain crowd. All eyes are definitely on them and I’m sure that there will be more people at the polls this year, than any other time in history come November.
We have these 3 candidates running for office but what do they have to offer the United States?
Senator McCain:
“I have many responsibilities to the American people, and I try to take them all seriously. But I have one responsibility that outweighs all the others and that is to use whatever meager talents I possess, and every resource God has granted me to protect the security of this great and good nation from all enemies foreign and domestic. And that I intend to do, even if I must stand athwart popular opinion. I will attempt to convince as many of my countrymen as I can that we must show even greater patience, though our patience is nearly exhausted, and that as long as there is a prospect for not losing this war then we must not choose to lose it. That is how I construe my responsibility to my country. That is how I construed it yesterday. It is how I construe it today. It is how I will construe it tomorrow. I do not know how I could choose any other course.”
Senator Clinton:
“So today we say with one voice, "Give us the child who wants to learn, give us the people in need of work, and give us the veterans who need our care. We say give us the economy to rebuild and this war to end, give us this nation to heal, this world to lead, this moment to seize.
For seven years, we have seen President Bush's answer. They don't know what's at stake in this election, but we do. We know what we need is someone ready on day one to solve our problems and restore our opportunities. Because when the bright lights are off and the cameras are gone, who can you count on to listen to you, to stand up for you, to deliver solutions for you? Together we're going to take back America because I see an America where our economy works for everyone, not just those at the top, where prosperity is shared and we create good jobs that stay right here in America.”
Senator Obama:
“I am running for President because I believe that we need fundamental change in America. Not just a change of Party in the White House, but change in Washington that the American people can believe in - unity instead of division; hope instead of fear; a politics that leaves behind the fights of the past so that we can finally take hold of our future.
It is time for a new generation of leadership, because the old politics just won't do. I am running for President - right now - because I have met Americans all across this country who cannot afford to wait another day for change. That is why the real choice in this campaign is not between regions or religions or genders. It's not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white.
It is about the past versus the future. And when I am the nominee, the Republicans won't be able to make this election about the past because you will have already chosen the future.”
We must not deny that all of the candidates have made valid points. But we must also agree that some of the candidates still use the same kind of tactics used in previous elections. Are these candidates really addressing the people in a real way? Are they communicating to the general public as if they are on Capital hill or are they relaying their message in a lament tongue so that no one is out of reach from their vision?
I currently reside in Los Angeles California and I decided to create a poll of 100 people on their choice for President. Their response was amazing! In the city of Compton at a local train station, I began asking the people about the presidential race and this is what they had to say:
63 out of 100 people were first time voters. Out of the 100 people 87 of them voted for Obama. Only 11 voted for Clinton, 1 for McCain, and one didn’t care. It has been said that during election times the black vote fails to put even a scratch on the ballot. Obama seems to be already making change here.
I 
Something struck me as odd because if I remember correctly, Clinton won the votes of California. So why the gap? So I decided to go way out to Riverside County where my immediate family reside and try it again. This Time I went to a local mall, where I was sure to find a younger crowd. I was kicked out because I was told that “ I was harassing the customers” and that I need a permit. So I left.
So I decided to catch some people at a local grocery store. I did the same test with 100 people. The results were mind boggling.
A total of 61 people out of 100 people voted for Obama but only 12 out of 100 voted for Clinton. Now, here’s the kicker, 27 out of 100 voted for McCain. On the first test only 1 out of 100 people chose McCain. So in this rural back-woods town Obama is still the majority. As you can see in the chart, there are many in that area that support McCain. But Obama is still pulling 1st time voters than any other candidate. Wow! Now that is change we can believe in. Why? Because we see it!
In California I don’t think religion, sex, and definitely popularity play the major card in the people’s choice for America. From what I’ve witnessed is that the people can feel and foresee change over the horizon with Obama. He talks a good game and has remained consistent in his approach to backing that game up. McCain has remained consistent too but one local told me “We don’t need no Regan in office again!” One woman stated that she’s …”tired of politicians holding the people to 9/11.” A student at University California Riverside stated “we need a president for all people… although Obama is black, I’m Korean yet I still believe in what he says.”
I truly believe in what the majority speaks. We want change. We’re tired of the same old B.S. and we want equality, stability, and security. As a SGL male I voted for Clinton in the beginning. Clinton had my vote for one reason… she’s a Clinton. But then I had to really ask myself, “What do I stand for? What do I want to see changed? Who best fits my vision of an excellent leader?” Well, my vote changed. I know that now I’ve found a voice that I believe. MICHAEL JACKSON! LOL! Just kidding, but I do believe in one candidate. What do you believe in? Are you the change that you can believe in? If you are let your voice be heard and vote. “Keep the dream alive and never give up on you!” We are the real voice of America. Let your voice be the president’s survival guide. If enough of us pull together, we will see the American Dream fulfilled. If we remain silent, the dream will fade to gray.
http://www.barackobama.com
http://www.hillaryclinton.com
http://www.johnmccain.com