|
{I posted this in another thread and someone suggested that I post it as an, OP, so I thought...why not?) :)
I was lucky enough to get a phone call from Obama during his Iowa campaign.
He asked me what my most important issues were, and I said that there really was only one and that was how our Constitution is becoming a relic and our how our entire system of government is being dismantled before my very eyes.
I expressed my devastation, as I watched Bush illegally wiretap us and trounce on our Privacy Rights. I told him I was shocked that Habeas Corpus could be set aside so cavalierly.
I told him how disheartening it was that torture was allowed. I expressed deep concern about the corporations being tantamount in the political process and that it felt as if "We The People" were no longer being a part of the equation in forming public policy.
I said, "I am more afraid of what is happening to our Constitution and of losing my civil rights, than I am of Al Queda."
Obama's response (and I'm paraphrasing, if I may) was, "You shouldn't have to be afraid like this in America."
He agreed that what Bush has done is deplorable. He took my arguments further and said that he was dismayed by the amount of secrecy in the government, and how he wanted to end all of that. He said that he does not believe in the "Unitary Executive" mentality that Bush has governed under, nor the signing-statement tactics either.
He assured me that he was just as dismayed as I am.
He also told me that he is a "Constitutional scholar." He taught Constitutional Law for a decade at the University of Chicago. Unlike our current thug-in-chief--Obama knows the Constitution inside and out and has profound respect for it. I think it's wonderful that Kucinich carries a copy of the Constitution in his pocket. Obama has spent his life teaching others about the importance of the Constitution. He's an expert in this area.
This is one of the reasons that I support Obama. There are many social issues on which Dems focus. However, this election is unique because now we understand that many in government are so corrupt that they decimate our way of government for greed and power. We have to fix the mess and restore the gifts that our Founding Fathers gave us, because BushCo has worked hard to tear that foundation down. If we don't have this basic framework, the all of the other issues--abortion, the environment, education, tax policy--mean absolutely nothing.
I truly believe that Obama will repair the damage and put our government on the right track-- and give back to Americans what has been stolen from them.
I could hear it in his voice. His resolve and concern for ALL OF US came through loud and clear on the telephone. I'm just as concerned about this as everyone here, and I'm telling you--Obama is on the side of "We The People".
|