Many political pundits, conservatives in particular, are fond of asserting that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton hold very similar policy positions. It is true that the two candidates share quite a few policy goals, but this is where the similarities end. Only one candidate has consistently spelled out what it takes to turn policy plans into real solutions.
Sen. Clinton speaks of having solutions to the country's problems. What Senator Clinton does not explain is how she intends to initiate effective change. It is clear from her public pronouncements that Senator Clinton intends to retain a business as usual approach using the outdated politics of exclusion and division ' the politics of don't get your hopes up.
Sen. Barack Obama knows that, in order to implement real solutions, the politics of Washington need to change. Sen. Obama has challenged each one of us to demand an end to business as usual. This challenge requires that we abandon the hopelessly tired and failed approach of us versus them.
As a father and grandfather, I feel strongly that we have a responsibility to repair the damage done during the last eight years and leave a world where social and economic justice are the standard, not just a dream. As a veteran, I see the need to end war as a tool of conflict resolution. The time to make a real change is at hand and together we can make it happen.
Sen. Obama represents the future, not the tired rhetoric of the past. As Americans, we are faced with tough policy choices that require real leadership. America needs the hopeful and realistic vision of Sen. Barack Obama.
Michael P. O'Brien is a 2006 graduate of the Scripps College of Communication and writes from Shade, Ohio.
17 Archives
Letter to the Editor
