BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

Indiana is a part of the process and feeling important for once in the primary process.  It was evident by the crowd and their comments.  Barack Obama addressed the audience then took questions.

 On the cost of the war he said we are spending $400,000,000 a day, $10 Billion a month.  There is a direct connection between the cost of the war and the economy.  There may have been a downturn in the economy, but without the war we would have been better able to confront our economic problems.

Taking a few questions from the audience, Obama discussed the need to create new jobs that will help the national infrastructure and the need for unions so the workers have a voice.  He discussed tax cuts for the middle class and a roll back of taxes for the wealthy.  He discussed the need for family and fathers who take responsibility for them.  From his own experience he knows the trials of a mother with children and no father in the home.  He mentioned the need for community support for families. He closed by mentioning health care for everyone.

There were questions from younger voters about global warming.  At that point Obama discussed how the economy could be given a hot in the arm while we fight global warming, mentioning a closed steel factory outside Pittsburgh that has reopened and is now making windmills.  In short, Obama tied the issues together showing how improvement and advancement in one area would affect and help solve other problems facing the nation.

As always, it was a inspiring speech.  Perhaps, one of the more impressive parts of his campaign is his call to action for all Americans.  He constantly talks about how each of us can make a difference.  If there is one thing I have noticed locally it is that perhaps we are being drawn into the rhetoric.  I hear people talking about doing more and I see some forming groups to help others and more interest being created in the community.  Perhaps, that is Obama’s appeal.  He spreads the responsibility of changing the nation across the nation.  Maybe, we all feel a little more important when we take part.  And, who knows?  Maybe things will change.

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking on the anniversary of the assassination, Obama spoke eloquently and inclusively.

The Illinois senator said King recognized “that no matter what the color of our skin, no matter what faith we practice, no matter how much money we have — no matter whether we are sanitation workers or United States senators — we all have a stake in one another, we are our brother’s keeper, we are our sister’s keeper, and either we go up together, or we go down together.”

As a note of interest, Bobby Kennedy was campaigning in Indiana the day Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed.

In Memphis Hillary Clinton spoke of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the opportunity she had to meet him when she was fourteen.  It is obvious that Hillary was moved by the moment, probably more so as she reflects back on the day than she was at the time.  There is no doubt that something changed Hillary over her formative years from being a “Goldwater Girl” to becoming a person who has worked for the populus.  Let us not forget, even in this time of campaign negatives, that the Clinton’s have taken up the cause of the people and been advocates for the middle class for years. 

If there is one exception that I have with the Clinton’s it is that they will do whatever is necessary to get the objective reached.  Both Bill and Hillary have worked to help the people, but at what cost?