The contest is over and now we need to start presenting a untied front against the GOP machine that is prepared to do anything and everything to smear Senator Barack Obama. Right now, we, as Democrats need to stop bickering and start talking to each other in order to mend the rift that has opened during the primary season. In a few discussions with Clinton supporters, I found that we can begin to talk about what issues are important to Obama supporters and what issues are key to Clinton Supporters. I'll start by telling you what my most passionate issues are below the fold.
I did a comparison at the beginning of the Primary season between all three front runners on both sides and found that Obama was the ONLY candidate to specifically mention Net Neutrality when discussing technology issues surrounding it. HRC mentions developing broadband in rural areas, but nothing about protecting the openness of the internet. HRC and Obama are pretty much in line with their tech policies. Obama is heavy on investing in computer technology while HRC is heavy in investing in R & D, engineering and health care. Both policies compliment each other---but we NEED Net Neutrality, big time.
This is a HUGE issue for me as the internet has changed my life in so many ways. It has changed politics, it has given the little person a voice and it's changing the way the MSM does their jobs as well. (albeit, slowwwwwlllyy) I can't sit around and watch the entire 'net be controlled y a few huge telecoms hell bent on recovering their profits lost from the severe decline in land line use by splitting the 'net into what essentially boils down to those who have the $$$ to play and those who don't. Not only that, I do not want a corporation telling me what is acceptable content and forcing me to pay for my freedom. This is our last bastion of unbridled freedom of speech. It needs to be preserved so future generations can build upon it and create new and exciting uses for it.
Not to mention that persevering Net Neutrality can lead to technology innovation in many sectors(health care, updating government, reaching out to the OPEN SOURCE COMMUNITY) which will increasingly lead to investment in American knowledge and thus...lead to job creation. Not Bubble creation---JOB creation. right now, the next WH winner will be handed a HUGE shit sandwich when it comes to the current state of the economy. We're seeing a major paradigm shift with respect to high oil prices and what this will mean to new technologies. The next Candidate will have to carefully look at what caused the current state of our economy and what we can do to minimize impact on businesses and the working person. The effects of this will hurt and the shift won't be pretty. We need a leader who can do the following:
- Understand that bipartisanship can be useful when it comes to certain situations. Economic polices are one of them.
- Understand that while we can't be a socialist form of government and we can't be a total free market form of government, we can meet in the
middle, creating safety nets and positively driven social programs that are free of too much red tape and easy for people to utilize as a vehicle for assistance to get back on their feet, help them get education and assist in opening a business.
- Understand that while our economic system needs corporations, they also need to be checked and rechecked with smart regulation that will allow growth, but keep greed at bay.
- Encourage investment back in American manufacturing without devaluing the dollar to make it attractive to foreign investors. (read: innovation in newer technologies instead of it just being "cheap" to make stuff here)
I can't agree with HRC's stance on the current credit crisis. I do know that HRC is not WJC, but WJC did repeal the Glass Stiegal act which was the biggest roadblock to banks being able to own investment houses thus creating "Special Investment Vehicles" to house their hedge funds full of "bad mortgages". Most of the Financial messes we are currently experiencing is because this was repealed. Also, The Clinton's have a love affair with Alan Greenspan. That is also something I cannot stand behind.
Do I believe Sen Clinton was subjected to huge amounts of sexism from the MSM and the Obama camp (both supporters & staffers) YOU BETCHA. As a Woman who works in DC, this place is a BOYS TOWN and Girls are still subjected to misogynistic comments, glass ceilings, and ass slaps (in both the literal and metaphorical way). HRC and her counterparts, (Mikulski, Pelosi to name a few) have really made me want to continue through the muck and slime I deal with on a regular basis and try and bring about positive change. If they can do it, well--I can too.
I'm still patted on my head by my coworkers when I spout my Economic beliefs and told to go back and do my admin job like a nice little lady (in so many words). So, yes, HRC has really broken a barrier here and I have a lot of admiration for her. Do I want to work hard to change this veil of Patriarchy? YOU BETCHA. Why? Because I am a Feminist.
I simply have decided that OHB has spoken to a few issues I hold dearly and because of that, I have decided to support him.
Anyhow, I have been VERY reluctant to join the HRC v OHB debate because I really didn't know how I would frame my support given the massive amounts of sexism that has been thrown at Sen Clinton. Suddenly, this question was asked and it all came out flowing naturally. OHB is NOT perfect, I accept that. I believe most of HRC's supporters believe the same thing about her as well. If an issue she addresses speaks to you in a way that no other canidate has, then tell a level headed supporter of Sen Obama what it is and how change on this issue can be accomplished. The 'net allows us to take these discussions to the campaign directly. If enough people start to talk about an issue that hasn't been actively discussed by the Obama campaign, I'm certain we can all persuade Sen. Obama to start talking about it. Trolling, yelling and ad homiem (sp) attacks on supporters isn't going to work. Sensible debate and and understanding from both sides that both candidates have their flaws will start to fuel change.
I strongly believe in the power of the net.(and I have several examples, too!) "Change" and "Hope" comes from us. What we need to do is start talking to Senator Clinton's supporters and urge Sen. Obama's Campaign to start addressing issues they feel haven't been addressed by him. We have the tools, lets use them wisely and lets make sure these tools aren't modified.