Recent Democrat talking points to rebut accusations of inexperience are that Barack Obama has already been vetted by millions of primary voters during this presidential election culminating in his nomination as the Democratic candidate for president. To believe that, one must assume that the major news organizations have admirably investigated, dug deep and got to the bottom of everything voters need to know about this presidential contender. That is quite a leap to make given all that is unknown about Obama.
Obama’s first book titled Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance is an autobiography telling the story of the racial awakening of a young bi-ethnic man who immerses himself in militant, black-separatist teachings. He rejects assimilation and multiculturalism in favor of an Afro-centric view of the world. Perhaps that does not represent the candidate Barack Obama. It doesn’t sound like the man who wants to transcend race and unite the nation. But, shouldn’t he be questioned about his beliefs from the previous decade? When and why did he abandon such a divisive subculture?
Researchers have found Obama’s ties to convicted and unrepentant terrorist William Ayers to run deeper than just “a guy in his neighborhood”. Conservative columnist Stanley Kurtz believes that Ayers may have appointed Obama to the leftist Woods Foundation. This seems to be an off-limits topic for the mainstream media as well.
In spring of this year Obama’s mentor and spiritual leader, Jeremiah Wright, made news when inflammatory, racist and anti-American video clips surfaced of him in his pulpit. Shortly thereafter, in Obama’s famous “race speech” he refused to cut ties with Wright. Wright’s words, he told us, were taken out of context. Then, in May, Wright made colorful appearances at several media events, but never apologized for his controversial sermons. Obama immediately quit Wright’s Trinity United Church. But, what changed from April to May? Wright hadn’t said anything new or different. How many times had Obama heard these sermons before while seated in Wright’s pews? Why did he not quit the church back in April or earlier?
Few people have heard of the Global Poverty Act, a bill sponsored by Obama and supported by Joe Biden. The legislation would commit the U.S. to spending 0.7 percent of GNP on foreign aid. This would amount to a 13-year total of $845 billion over and above what the U.S. already spends. The bill’s goal is the spreading of U.S. wealth across the globe. Not exactly putting our country first, is it? Amazingly, the news media has shown little curiosity about this bill.
A shady figure many people have heard about is Tony Rezko. He was recently convicted of multiple felonies. This gangster is also known for being associated with the Obamas’ 2005 purchase of a $1.65 million home in Chicago. The house was purchased for $300,000 below the asking price on the same day that Rezko’s wife, Rita, purchased the adjoining lot from the same sellers for the full asking price. If Obama were a Republican, would this story be treated as hands-off by the media?
Finally, in Obama’s nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, he rattled off a litany of vague promises. As president, he told us, he will hire an army of new teachers and pay them higher salaries. To work where? Schools are managed locally not by the federal government. He will ask for higher teaching standards and more accountability. How would his plan differ from No Child Left Behind? He will make certain that insurance companies “do not discriminate against those who are sick”. How will he do this without forcing the cost of premiums higher for the average individual or family? He will protect social security for future generations. No specifics on that either, and that is a problem financial gurus have been wracking their brains over for years. He promised to institute equal pay for equal work, a recipe for government control of hiring and pay decisions that are today done by individuals and businesses. The list goes on…but, oh, before he rests on the seventh day, Obama will eliminate programs that no longer work, making the ones we need better and cost less. Has there been a president in our lifetimes who hasn’t promised to eliminate programs that no longer work? How will Obama succeed where others have failed?
I’m waiting for the media to ask these tough questions. I expect I will be waiting for a long time.
Stephen Poschmann is a member of the Bedford Republican Committee.