Obama: The Community Activist - Republican Disconnect

By Eric Makuna Tande

“I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities... My fellow citizens, the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of "personal discovery." This world of threats and dangers is not just a community, and it doesn't just need an organizer.” Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska at the Republican National Convention.

Even when Republicans have common roots, their understanding of the lives and concerns of the less advantaged is lightweight. How can Gov. Palin – and her speech writers - not understand what a Community Activist does?

US Senator Barack Obama with Eric Tande

How can she not understand the significance of a young man dedicating his life to mending the lives of people who have lost their livelihoods and the ability to support their families and community after the closure of steel mills in Middle America? Her attempt at belittling the service Obama rendered as a community activist does not even qualify as political theatre.

Security hyper-speak for the sake of security is meaningless, and a mainstay of Republican politics. Security ultimately has meaning when men and women in this great nation have the security of a job and a home, can provide healthcare and education for their kids,  and comfortably plan for retirement. A young man understood these needs and decided to walk the most unsafe streets of Chicago to help provide new job skills to Americans who had lost their security, and he gave them new and tangible security. Using tax dollars to go to war  under ill defined pretences because we can and then touting misplaced victory does not equate to security – OR JUDGEMENT.

At a very young age when most adults wallow in self indulgence and live for the moment, Obama decided to serve poor people and his country. After affording himself a stellar education, he elected to forego huge pay checks and an easy life for the danger and near squalor of Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods. That is tough decision making, that is character, that is service and, YES, that is COMMUNITY ACTIVIST. Obama understands the human condition. If he had done nothing else besides being a community activist for the last 20 years, he would still qualify to be President.

The Republican disconnect is real and it is a chasm. Negative attacks will not save their day in this election because the ladder of fear mongering is not high enough. Attacking the press will not help either. Bombastic rhetoric is good for the Republican soul but it does not protect families in Middle America from misguided economic policies and home foreclosures.

Eric M. Tande
Email: eric_tande@makunainternational.com
Web: www.makunainternational.com 

Comments

[Martin-Luther Fon]

All will be well with America and the world as Obama sails into the White House next January!
Our prayers are sincere and we are certain the world will heave a sigh of relief come November 2008, no matter what dirt is heaved at Obama.The world has gone past the age of gunnings and bombings...that is why we need an Obama to swing us into the new age with the USA at the wheel.
Bamenda.

[Carolyn Sollenberger]

Look at the whole speech and the history leading up to that comment. The obama campaign, in an official release following her appointment, belittled her experience as a mayor first. The media also followed up with criticisms of her experience. She was making a comparison between her executive experience and obama's community experience... and pointing out his hypocracy of belittling her experience as governor of the state of alaska. If she is not allowed to defend herself? Are you trying to say that Obama and his campaign are not to be held accountable for the criticisms of the opposition. I think this is a wonderful debate. Let us keep the debate to experience and vision for the country. There are far worse things, as we all well know, that could impact the election: racism, sexism, agism, and yes even metropolitanism. We need to keep the cheap shots in perspective. I think they are all rather entertaining. But since we live in america you are free to use your speech to contrive conflict, invoke sympathy, and yes, of course, raise money. I just hope that the truth is not a victim of our self preservation.

[martin sone]

Mcpalin knows very well that they will lose this election,they do not have any plan for America,With God help Obama will win

[akamembulle]

I will truly confess that politics has never been one of my virtues most especially considering the mediocre, greedy and self centred politics practiced by African countries where democracy is interpreted as politics of hatre and mayhem.
America is about to create history by chosing an unknown young man from an under priviledge background to lead the highest office in the world.
When this campaign kicked off a few months ago and Obama's name was mentioned as one of the runners,very few people could believe he could go beyong the first round just like the days of Jessie Jackson.
Today Americans have proven to the world that racism,colour,sex,complexion, etc no longer counts rather ideas and ambition are the champion of the day.This is the reasons why even Hilary Clinton who have been preparing for this office long ago invoked all kinds of criticisms and attacks against Obama yet she failed to realise her ambitions.
The Republicans headed by John McCain and Palin are very much convesant about this.Deep in their minds they are aware Americans are desperately hungry for a change from harsh and warlike policies to peaceful co-existence.A policy they are aware the Republicans can not deliver at this material time that Bush has killed their reputation.That is why Mccains advisers have told him that if he is to succeed he should tore himself out of party line unfortunately it can not work.
No amount of critisms from the Republicans will stop Obama from entering into the White House.Polls shows that he has already hit 50% in nomination reminiscent to Jimmy Carter's nomination in 1976.While McCain is on 45%. American polls always reflect the true figures on their final results.
McCain choosing Palin from a very unpopular minor Alaska state where the population is not even up to Obama campaingn team is a relection of the Republican safe journey to their grave.
Viva Obama the world is behind you.

[The Southwesterner]

>>>
Don't believe the polls. The spin beltway media cant also be trusted.
Don't undermine the GOP gangsters.
They are good,good at whacking the Democrats,oh ya ,they are.
An upset is likely and lest you forget,
it takes 270 electoral college to make it to the White house.
Bill and Carter did that,remember they're both from the South.

Breaking through that Republican firewall into one or two of those Southern States would be key to his victory.

Obama, is still to make his case better and close the deal to be sure of 270.

[emile]

Eric, Check out this page that i came across.it is quite and interesting and fascinating read i think. I hope you like and maybe some of your readers might enjoy it also.
http://www.nationalservicememoirs.co.uk/

[Louis Vuitton Outlet]

Many people think we now live in a celebrity culture that always seeks the next star.