Thursday, September 10, 2009

What if Obama was white????

After listening the last month to people complain about everything Obama wants to do from Health Care to Education Reform I have decided that if he were white nobody would care.
Today while scrolling through the low FM bands on my drive home I came across a talking head who was telling his listeners all about socialism and how Obama was bringing it to the USA. He went so far as to call it the USSA, United Socialist States of America. He compared it to the USSR. I am finding it amazing how certain people throw the term socialism around. I really believe that people are so out to destroy Obama's credibility they will do anything to do it. They call Obama a liar in the middle of his address, while they continue to lie to their own listeners. I decided I will give the Webster's definition of Socialism.

Socialism is: so·cial·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈsō-shə-ˌli-zəm\
Function: noun
Date: 1837
1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

I am having a hard time figuring out which of these definitions is fitting for what Obama is trying to do. He isn't trying to run FedEx, UPS or Wal-Mart. I still own my house, car and furniture. I guess you could say that the closest is the third definition. Where as there is an unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done. Those that have continued to have and those that don't still don't. I am pretty sure that the people gripping about Obama are the ones that have.

In true Socialism the government runs EVERYTHING. The government would be the administrator of the hospital. They would control everything the doctors do. They would control all of the pharmacies and drug companies. I am pretty sure that isn't even close to what is happening. I think it is a simple idea, give health care to those that can't get it. According the 2007 census there are 46 million people in the USA without health insurance. I think those numbers are low. I know many people who don't have it. It may be that their spouse has it or they have it for their kids and not themselves. This is a horrible position for this country. I see no problem with their being a public option where the uninsured have a way to get insurance at a reasonable price. If Obama were white would this be an issue? I think not since the census shows that the majority of the uninsured are naturalized citizens and minorities. If this issue was an issue of the majority there would be no issue passing it.

When it comes to education I still can't figure out why people were up in arms about the President was trying to inspire our young people. Today when nearly 50% of kids drop out of high school in the 50 larges USA cities. It is a disgrace that it isn't a concern. Kennedy in 1961 inspired youth by saying ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country. This speech has been recited for over 40 years and will continue to be. Obama gave great examples of how to further your education and create a nation of intelligent leaders. It is a concept that some right wingers don't want. Why would you want the minorities to take over power? We all know that we don't want the poor to be in charge. The biggest complaint from the right was Obama giving a recommended lesson plan. Asking students to write a letter to the President saying how they can help him. I guess it is ok for kids to write letters to Santa Claus with what they want for Christmas but they can't write to the President about how they can change the country. What if somebody used a picture of a black Santa, would you let your kids write a letter to him? If Obama were white it wouldn't be an issue.

I posted on my facebook the other day in a very sarcastic tone that is a horrible idea for the President to try and inspire our children. Most responses were agreeable. There were some however who simply put it that they hate Obama. No explanation why or what he has done to create hatred. I simply think it comes from the fact that he is an educated black man who is now the leader of the free world. It is easier to criticize him than change a believe system and support a black man. I am as white as white can get, however, I support my country. I support my President. I put up with 8 years of W and our country being in a war I can't support an economy that was failing and gas prices that were out of control. I think we owe Obama a little more than 9 months to grow the true hatred that some have already developed for him. I am trying to figure out how Obama has become so hated. I think it simply comes down to him being black. If Obama was white we would have health care, education and environmental reform. To me it is a huge disappointment that this country is falling back on old habits next thing you know we will have a separate restroom for him in congress. It is a shame that we as a country can't compromise on basic rights of Americans.

1 comment:

Sybsci said...

And so goes the great illusion of racial equality and the end to racism. I was raised to respect the flag, my country, and the office of the President of the United States. It does not matter whether I voted for the person in that office, once they are elected they are to receive the respect of the office. I think you are correct in that if Obama was white, he would not be receiving so much flack. I think part of the problem is that he is actually trying to do his job. They gave W 8 long years to accomplish something and did not begin to criticize him in earnest until near the end of his last term. Obama is head and shoulders above his predecessor in intelligence and his mission is admirable. He truly is trying to help the majority, not the minority that control most of the assets in this country. I think his reaching out to the children of the country was fantastic and the only reason for the lesson plan was so that schools could justify allowing the students to watch his broadcast. I am anxiously waiting to see what else he can accomplish.