“American should be a place where you can make it if you try.” – Michelle Obama

I’ve been asked many times why I support Barack Obama. I’ve never had a solid answer. The truth is, he charmed me. I think that is true for many Americans. He’s a well-spoken, passionate man who talks about change. He's young, he's new, he's different and I find him inspiring.

However, I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to support a presidential candidate. Decisions of that caliber should be made based on solid facts and every American should be educated on the issues before deciding which politician to support. So, I took the time to read about Obama’s positions on his website www.barackobama.com.

Below is a list of issues that are important to me, followed by what I like about Obama’s views on each. Agree or disagree, if you’re reading this, I hope you take the time to make your own educated decisions and vote this November.

Environment
Obama wants to eliminate our need for Middle Eastern oil within 10 years by drilling for oil at home. If oil were a domestic issue today, the U.S. wouldn’t be at war with Iraq, so that sounds like a good plan to me.

He wants to get 1 million hybrid cars on the road by 2015. He also wants to increase fuel economy standards by 4 percent per year and provide funds for domestic automakers to renovate manufacturing facilities in the U.S. to produce these greener vehicles. He has a goal – and a plan to achieve that goal.

Obama also wants to see that 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025 and has a program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.

Foreign Affairs
Barack Obama believes in renewing American diplomacy through a willingness to meet with leaders of all nations, friend and foe. Problems can’t be solved through silence. Open communication is the only hope for change.

I believe that one of the most critical foreign affair issues today is the situation in Darfur. Obama promises to impose tougher sanctions that target Sudan’s oil revenue and engage in more intense, effective diplomacy to stop the genocide in Darfur.

Healthcare
Obama has a plan that involves health insurance for all Americans. If you already have health insurance, he wants to provide you with cheaper insurance. If you’re uninsured, he promises to fix that. Most importantly, his plan requires that all children have health care coverage.

Immigration
Obama will work to secure American borders while fixing the current dysfunctional immigration system and increasing the number of legal immigrants to keep families together. He supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English and eventually become citizens.

I don’t think it makes sense to deport the parents or grandparents of children born in the U.S. They’re already here, they’re willing to work and their kids deserve a better life. We should work to prevent illegal entry into the country, bring illegal immigrants out of the shadows and help them do the right thing.

Iraq

“Here is the truth: fighting a war without end will not force the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future. And fighting in a war without end will not make the American people safer. So when I am Commander-in-Chief, I will set a new goal on day one: I will end this war. Not because politics compels it. Not because our troops cannot bear the burden- as heavy as it is. But because it is the right thing to do for our national security, and it will ultimately make us safer.” – Barack Obama

Obama is fully committed to ending the war in Iraq through a responsible, phased withdrawal. While I believe our troops need to come home, I don’t think dropping everything and leaving the Iraqi citizens to fend for themselves is the answer either. Obama’s plan will remove troops by the summer of 2010, but a residual force will remain in Iraq to conduct counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda and protect American personnel.

Obama also believes that America has a moral obligation to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Iraq, as more than five million Iraqis are refugees or are displaced inside their own country.

Economy
Obama promises tax cuts for the middle class and wants to eliminate income taxes for seniors making less than $50,000. I’m not an expert on the economy, but I am a middle class citizen and that sounds good to me.

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The thing that I like most about Barack Obama is his background. He is the product of a single-parent home and claims to be raised with working class values. His mother worked hard to provide a better life for her son. His wife, Michelle, comes from a similar background.

In her speech at the Democratic National Convention tonight, she talked about being “raised with values that you work hard for what you want in life and treat people with dignity and respect.” Cheesy as it sounds, Barack and Michelle are products of the American dream. They made their own paths in life, nothing was handed to them and they know the value of hard work. There’s something to be said about growing up like that and those are the values I want in the person running my country. I hope you take the time to think about what’s important to you.

Land of the Free

The raw human emotion that has emerged throughout the first days of competition at the Beijing Olympics has been fascinating to watch. There are so many stories about overcoming adversity and triumphant achievements, but there have also been stories about disappointment and tragedy. For every winner, there are dozens of disappointed athletes going home without the gold.

From Michael Phelps' amazing winning streak to disappointment for the ladies of the U.S. gymnastics team, I've wanted to laugh, cry, jump around and hug the athletes on my T.V. screen every night. And it's only day five of competition.

One of the coolest stories I've heard so far involves Lopez Lomong, the Sudan native elected to carry the American flag in the Opening Ceremonies. Lomong has only been a U.S. citizen for 13 months. He was separated from his parents at age 6, escaped to a refugee camp in Kenya and was brought to the U.S. in 2001 as part of a program to relocated lost children from Sudan.

At age 23, he's a 1,500-meter track runner representing the United States in the Olympics. That's quite a turn-around. He even has his own website. When asked about the honor, Lamong was more excited to be part of the democratic process involved in electing a flagbearer than the experience itself.

The U.S. athletes that elected a native of Sudan to carry the American flag in Beijing, China made quite a statement. While I don't believe the Olympics should be used as a political forum, it's difficult to ignore the host country's investment in Sudan's oil industry, despite the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. China is also one of Sudan's largest arms suppliers, which some say makes them an enabler to genocide. Read up on your China-Sudan news here.

I think the U.S. athletes found a respectful way to express their discontent with China's handling of the situation in Darfur, while still getting their message across loud and clear. I disagree with activists that called for a boycott of the so-called "Genocide Olympics." The athletes that have worked so hard to earn a spot on their country's Olympic team shouldn't suffer because of the Chinese government's decisions. And the Chinese people shouldn't be blamed for poor leadership.

As I've said before, don't judge a country's people by its government. Kudos the Team U.S.A. for expressing their opinions and maintaining the integrity of the Games.

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become." - Buddha

I’ve been staying up much too late these days because I can’t stop watching the Olympics. I’ve always been fascinated by the Games, but this year’s location is especially intriguing. Every time they show a shot of the Great Wall, the Bird’s Nest or any major tourist attraction, I yell from my spot on the couch “I’ve been there!” My family is getting slightly annoyed.

The media coverage has been overwhelming. I don’t know if there has been more coverage of these Games than in the past or if I’m just paying closer attention this time, but China is everywhere. I’ve been reading articles and watching television shows about the food, culture, government, people, environment and, oh yea - the Olympics in Beijing - just about every day for months now. I’m addicted.

Unfortunately I missed the Opening Ceremonies due to bridesmaid obligations, but people say they were spectacular. Hopefully, some sort of Beijing 2008 highlights video will be available soon. I want to soak up as much China as possible before the world stops caring about our friends in the East.

My trip to China last May taught me so much about myself, human nature and the world in general. Walking up and down the insanely busy street in front of the Friendship Hotel in Beijing by myself one day (don’t worry, it was broad daylight in a safe neighborhood), I felt so small, so insignificant. People looked at me funny because I was the only white person around. It was very intimidating.

At the time, I didn’t like it one bit. I was also hungry, tired, hot, sick and miserable. But reflecting on that experience now puts things in perspective. Sometimes we need a reminder that most of our every-day mumbles and grumbles are trivial in the grand scheme of things. This world is a big place, but not so big that we should be out of touch with the other side of it.

There are many things I’d rather forget about China – the smell, the scary food, the squatter toilets, etc. But some things I hope remain with me forever, like the breathtaking beauty of the Great Wall and walking the paths of emperors that lived thousands of years ago in the Forbidden City. I don’t want to forget the thrill of seeing the Terra Cotta Warriors or the tranquility that comes with finding a quiet corner to meditate at one of the sacred Buddhist sites, like the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Most importantly, I don’t want to forget the lessons about people, like the patience required to communicate without words or the simplistic way of life that most Chinese know, happy just to wake up and be able to provide for their families another day. The American way is certainly the way for me, but it’s not the only way. It’s important to respect that. Thank you, Olympics, for refreshing my memory.

Hey There Amigo

Got a new blog title, new colors and hopefully lots of new posts.

Going to the chapel, but NOT getting married!

It’s been a busy summer. Or maybe it’s just been a boring summer. Either way, I haven’t had much of a desire to blog lately. I’m trying to get back into it though. I think it’s important to keep writing, especially writing for pleasure.

The Militello-Barrie wedding went off without a hitch. The ceremony was lovely, the weather held out, the reception turned out to be a great party and everyone got along swimmingly.

No sooner did I stumble in the door, bridesmaid shoes in hand, than I found an invitation to yet another bridal shower on my kitchen table. One of my closest friends from college is getting married in October. I haven’t talked to the girl in a year, and even then it was only a quick hello-goodbye. I’ve made many attempts to stay in touch with the bride-to-be, along with a second girl that made up our threesome at Bonas. Every one of my emails and phone calls has been ignored, but I’m invited to the shower and bachelorette party in a few weeks.

Thankfully, I’ll be out of town for the shower and her wedding falls on the same day as another wedding that I’m standing up in. I think it’s a bit ridiculous to cut people out of your life and then ask them to buy you presents. I know we’re all busy and keeping in touch is difficult, but if that’s the road you want to take, stay on it.

In total, seven weddings will take place in my social circle this year. Some of them are my best friends; some of them are barely acquaintances, but seven couples that I know one way or another will be married by the end of the year. That’s fourteen people total, all approximately my age, saying “I do.”

That makes me feel oooooooold. And also, a little unaccomplished. If my friends aren’t getting married this year, they’re at least moving into their own apartments. Some of them are even moving across the country. Where am I? Living comfortably with mom and dad, still hanging out in my childhood bedroom, with no hope of new digs in sight. My financial situation just won’t allow it and most of the blame can be put on student loans. American Education Services and Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation and the HSBC Education Loan program OWN me.

I had a long talk with a dear friend about feeling like I’m being left in the dust as everyone around me accelerates into real adulthood. She said screw adulthood; let’s go teach abroad for a semester. That sounds like a lot more fun than wedding bells.