1. Barack Obama is a candidate who supports open Internet. I assume most Internet savvy individuals are aware of the term "Net Neutrality." Unfortunately, a lot of big corporations want to be able to control and market the Internet even more so than they do now. Barack Obama is opposed to corporate communication companies having more say in what web sites, applications, and services you can use on the Internet. Need to no more about Net Neutrality? www.savetheinternet.com In my opinion, Barack Obama could be the "Technology President."
2. Revamp NCLB. I had a discussion with some colleagues last weekend about NCLB. The goal, in and of itself, is well... not all bad (I'm choking!). The way NCLB has been (mis)managed? Horrendous. Obama wants to find the funding and support NCLB the way the Bush Adminstration couldn't-- with teachers and withOUT vouchers. The NEA (of which I am a member) is one of the most influential education groups in the United States, and I can foresee them supporting an Obama administration that can actually put government funds into Head Start, teacher mentoring programs, and worthy assessment tools. And Hillary? She wants to scrap NCLB altogether, which will likely lead us to another lost cause program. Her solutions are meagerly outlined on her website.
3. Obama plans to expand the Peace Corps. A little reminiscent of Kennedy, eh? However, the Peace Corps has historically been one of the best programs for getting out positive perspectives on American citizens. It is also a great way for Americans to connect with another piece of the Earth and another people; something more Americans really need to do!
4. National service is one of his biggest undiscussed issues. I happen to think a little bit of service by everyone could do this country some good-- raise well-being, lower illicit drug use, perhaps build jobs. Many presidents have called on their people to serve this country, and I think we desperately need a call to action now in the 21st century. One of his most innovative ideas is to offer college students $4,000 per year with every 100 hours of service. That's tuition (or a good chunk) at most public universities! I guess Hil wants to let Bill handle this issue-- I can't find any information on her website regarding service.
5. Iraq. This is not a topic I typically like to breech, but I'll keep it short and sweet. Yes, Barack wants out of Iraq, but the bonus to his plan is that it is flexible. The overall idea is to get us out within 16 months, but I get the impression he plans on leaving "peace-keeping" troops wherever necessary and for an unspecified amount of time. This is important, because it shows his perspective on reality-- we can't just get out and go, it would destroy Iraq (and probably us too). At the same time, realizes we need to hand over Iraq to the Iraqi people; something Bush has been very reluctant to do (does he have his hands stashed in a cookie jar somewhere? Hmmm?). Barack has diplomatic qualities other candidates do not: he has connections to Islam, he has lived in other countries, he has family in other countries. His childhood was uniquely diverse from any other candidate which has provided him with an innate sensibility in achieving real diplomacy. I have faith Barack would actually find the means to give power back to Iraqis, maintain a positive relationship with Iraq, and find middle ground with other countries in the Middle East. Compared to John McCain, Obama may be hard for many leaders in that region to initially accept, but I think he has the character and the charisma to restore positive relations more so than any other candidate on the playing field. And honestly, I don't think Hillary Clinton could find enough common ground with many of the Middle East leaders; being a woman, in this respect, is a disadvantage.
Yes, I'm still voting Obama! I have to wait until March, being a Texan and all, so I am counting on the rest of America to support Obama.
If you live in a Super Tuesday state, I ask you to please vote on Tuesday. Have fun!
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