DESMOND MILLER / GUARDSMAN
Obama will lead us to a brighter future.
BY PARREE FOSTER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The United States Constitution says: “…We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union…;” the Declaration of Independence states: “…We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” and in the Redeclaration of Independence by Kentucky Patriot is written”…[A]nd are empowered by their Creator…”
These passages begin the manifesto of a young rebellious country of people who felt they could change the course of the human condition and bring freedom and enlightenment, not by terror of oppression by the strength of their bombs and armies – but by the moral truths of said manifesto.
Unfortunately, no sooner were these written that the seeds of their demise were planted in the politics of our new government: the practice of slavery and racial superiority, the marriage of industry and power, the distancing of Washington from the common man. Today, scarcely anybody, not only in the United States, but throughout the world, recognizes us as the nation who penned those words over 200 years ago.
In this world, where any country can pose a nuclear threat, a so-called “superpower” like the United States can be defeated by Third World nations like Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. War can only mean the mutual destruction of all people. Our country needs a leader who can fulfill the ideas of the original manifesto to show the original promise to the people is not dead, but alive.
We need a symbol, a beacon. What better symbol to take us forward than a black man leading our country?
Black people have always represented American strife, struggle and various other aspects of our national identity. I believe we are not only ready, but we need to make a black man, in particular Barack Obama, the Commander and Chief, to facilitate the rebuilding of respect, stability and hope of our, once great, nation in our own country and as a sign for the rest of the world.
Yes, America is ready for a Black president!
‘Obama who?’ Middle America’s reaction.
BY LAUREN TYLER
STAFF WRITER
Aside from the liberal premonition of San Francisco, the United States embracing an African-American president seems far from likely.
Approval rates of McCain do not linger far behind that of Obama in a country who still does not know past the superficiality of their candidates.
Since the beginning of the presidential race McCain, without lifting a finger, has been inching his way toward the favorable light of Obama.
According to the August 25, 2008 poll on gallup.com, Obama and McCain both have a 45 percent approval rate.
Though nominees typically receive a five percent boost after announcing the vice president, Obama has found himself tied in the polls, a far fetched idea not long ago, as the election rolls on.
With racism and a fear of changing the rural blue-collar norm, an extra wrench is thrown into the political machine.
In an article from The Economist, “The Big, Bellwether Battlefield” from July 31, 2008, Obama has yet to appeal to rural “lunch pail” Ohio democrats.
In certain areas of the state signs read “Hell is real,” and “Repent!” along the highway. Obama “still has a problem connecting with the white working-class votes,” writes the Economists.
Many blue-collar Ohio democrats still ask “Who on earth is this guy?”
Obama campaigned twice as long as Clinton but still lost by 10 points.
Many Americans do not want liberal referendums to shake the foundation they were brought up upon.
Frankly, many feel Obama is just being audacious. MaCain might be in the same boat of audacity, but in the mouth of conservatism that is a bit more familiar.
Though both candidates had hopes for changing the system, on the “campaign trail, the system is winning,” the system of the rich, white man who say’s a lot while saying much of nothing.
