Last week, Illinois Senator Barak Obama announced that he will be running for President in 2008. In the months to come, if his campaign manager does his job correctly, you’ll see commercial after commercial extolling the virtues of Mr. Obama. And if the Clinton camp does it’s job, you’ll see no shortage of commercials focusing on why Mr. Obama should not be your next Commander in Chief. One thing is for certain: nobody will be talking about where Barak stands, and how he has served to date.
Here are some key issues Sen. Obama sponsored or voted for during his eight years as an Illinois state senator:
Budget and Taxes
Voted to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.50 an hour (2003)
Helped pass a 5 percent earned-income tax credit for low-income families in 2000; made the credit permanent in 2003.
Voted to end $300 million worth of tax breaks for businesses (2004)
Voted against making permanent the repeal of the state’s 5 percent sales tax on gasoline (2000)
Crime and Gun Control
Voted against letting people argue self-defense in court if charged with violating local weapons bans by using a gun in their home (2004)
Voted to let retired police and military police carry concealed weapons (2004)
Successfully sponsored requirement that law enforcement videotape interrogations of suspects in some serious crimes (2003)
Successfully sponsored law enforcement study of the race of people pulled over for traffic tickets (2003)
Helped pass an overhaul of the state’s troubled death penalty system (2003)
Unsuccessfully sponsored a measure to expunge some criminal records and create an employment grant program for ex-criminals (2002)
Unsuccessfully sponsored limit of one handgun purchase per month (2000)
Voted against making gang members eligible for the death penalty if they kill someone to help their gang (2001)
Health Care
Voted for having Illinois endorse embryonic stem cell research (2004)
Successfully sponsored the Health Care Justice Act, a study of ways to implement a universal health care system statewide (2004)
Voted against restrictions on public funding of abortion (2000)
Successfully co-sponsored a prescription drug discount buying club program for the seniors and disabled (2003)
Other
Unsuccessfully co-sponsored ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation. The measure became law after Obama was elected to the US Senate (2003)
Successfully sponsored move to shield Illinois workers from federal rules that threatened overtime pay for some employees (2004)
Successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform called the Guft Ban Act (1998)
Voted against giving tax credits to parents who send their children to private school (1999)
So at least now, it’s not all a popularity contest.
Source - Sacramento Bee print edition
January 21st, 2007 at 6:50 pm
I like the guy… He grew up here in Hawaii. He’s almost guaranteed to carry this state. His inexperience worries me though. He’s only been at it for about two years. I haven’t decided if that’s a good thing or not.
January 22nd, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Sure, he’s charismatic - but - I don’t like the large number of items he’s supported that aren’t authorized by the Constitution. Just another big government democrat or republican who wants to legislate away our rights is not something that’s going to help this country.
January 22nd, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Thanks for taking the time to do this. Amazing how much is being said about Sen. Obama, but how little of it has to do with his record. Face it, if Sen. Obama were an Irish white guy from Chicago, no one would give him a second glance. Shame that Americans still judge people based solely upon their race (or gender) - even if it’s for reasons that those people consider virtuous.
April 4th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
“Voted against letting people argue self-defense in court if charged with violating local weapons bans by using a gun in their home”
Just let them take away all rights while your at it; This is what bothers me the most, people fail to realize that this country was “made” by people protecting their natural born rights. Just think for a second… what if our forefathers hadnt had the weapons to defend with? where would that put you? where would that put the US? arguing that the Constitution is “over the hill” and no longer holds any meaning is as good as saying that your life holds the same. If Rudy G. finds a solid stance with guns he might get my vote, as for the others, no chance.
July 13th, 2007 at 1:06 am
Looking back a few months, it’s been amazing to see what’s been accomplished for his campaign. He’s ahead of the democratic pack now in terms of money raised, and his grassroots efforts with his website are really becoming a enormous sword for his upcoming battle. I can hardly wait till 2008 when we can finally vote.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Barak Obama and Ron Paul are the only candidates who seriously want the change our country desparately needs. Ron Paul has been so marginalized (read edited out and lied about) by the threatened, conservative, Old Media, that he doesn’t stand a chance. Hillary has shown that she is up for sale, which makes her a prime candidate for the old-school, fat-cat system our government has so carefully refined. So, she has a damn good chance. If Barak gets the nomination, he is the ONLY choice that makes sense. Does he really lack valuable experience? Does being First Lady count? What has he missed out on? The art of taking bribes? I for one would love to see a young, energetic, unjaded revolutionary take our tired old system by storm. Unfortunately, there are many unethical devices in place to stop this sort of thing from happening, so universal health care is probably just a dream. Many would kill, buy, or even rig elections (GASP!) to keep this from happening. I hope you have the best secuirty of any other president, Barak. Maybe go with a private firm. ;0)
Stay strong and optimistic. Maybe that’s what youth and “inexperience” can afford you.
ILLEGITIMI NON CARBORUNDUM!!!!!
Love ya, man.
November 14th, 2007 at 7:25 am
who is Barass Obama
December 6th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
John,
You hold really good reasoning for Barak Obama. While, Ron Paul falls in to my catagory more. It said that Barack Obama, “Voted against letting people argue self-defense in court if charged with violating local weapons bans by using a gun in their home (2004).” Does that not make you think about him twice? Yeah, theres alot of grey area in that. But, it is still self defence. All they should be really charged of is the Gun Ban Charges. Well I’m tried, talk too you later if you respond.
Nice Responce.
Well, My vote is for Ron Paul is I could vote.
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I really believe In Barak Obama, I am not a very political man, but I have supported everything that Mr.Obama has to say to this point. I have never voted, but you can bet your ass I will be voting in 2008.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:34 am
I’m not much into politics, but I have to say, Barak Obama is definitely catching my eye. So what if he doesn’t have the “experience”! In my opinion, he’s a fresh start that this country desperately needs. Besides the whole gun issue, I see no reason not to vote for him. He seems the most pure, not to mention his charismatic nature is a definite bonus (why else would we have liked Clinton so much?).
It’s time for a change… let’s pick the right person to lead us into that…
January 12th, 2008 at 4:14 am
About Universal Health care.
Everyone seems to believe that this is a good thing, of course that’s because you haven’t experienced it. Take Spain for example. People can’t get life saving surgery done on time. My Fiance’s Uncle went blind from cataracts because they set his operation date a year after being diagnosed with it when they could have and should have done it right then and there. If some one is getting a certain wage no matter how hard they work do you really think they are going to care about how well they do their job?
Do you like being able to pick the doctor you want? What if your doctor was wrong? And you can’t go to another one in a Health care system. My Fiance would be dead right now if she hadn’t been able to go to a different doctor.
Another thing too, some people actually believe it’s free. It’s not, you still pay for it, only difference is its a tax so you aren’t directly paying for it giving you that false sense that it is free. So now you have tons of people going to the ER or doctor for stupid things because its “free”.
There is a military hospital in Hawaii. It’s called Tripler and it serves the military on the island. Its not the only one though. Now the military is a health care system. And let me tell you. You have a better chance of getting better at home than going to their emergency room. I’ve had friends that were terribly sick and other people I know that were badly hurt go there and sit for 3 or 4 hrs before being helped. They finally just gave up and went home.
And one thing about guns. The only thing a gun law does is take the guns away from the honest citizens. The thieves and robbers are still going to have them. The bad guys probably want it so that they can have an advantage over us home owners.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Obama is the right man for u.s that is if only racism will be negelated.
February 5th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I am a black small business owner and traditionally, I vote Republican. The black man in me says, vote for Obama and support my race. The business owner in me sees how Obama has voted and his lack of an opinion on what will happen to the small business man under an Obama administration and frankly, business wins every time. Being black is what I am, not who I am. I made a choice to take a opportunity, and turn it into a means to support my family. Obama says that he will do away with the withholding tax on employees and that business pays. I am business and taxes are my biggest headache now. I pay tax after tax year after year and it gets worse. I voted for G W Bush twice and I can say with all honesty, I regret my part in his winning the white house. Keary would have been worse, and Gore, a nightmare in my opinion. I like Mike Huckabdee and voted for him super tuesday. His values are close to mine. I hope by some miracle, he wins the primary and on to the white house.
February 9th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I would be happy with either Obama, Ron Paul, or even a MacCain, and certainly either of them would be better then another Bush. I would probably move to Mexico if Hlllary became president, and would take Bush over a Hlllary anytime. The big thing we need in this country for president is not so much experience, but finally someone who is HONEST. I am tired of presdients who dream up WMDs that don’t exist, or who can with a straight face tell the American public that oral sex is not really sex. On the negative side, Obama is rather new to the game, and I am a bit concerned that he has the backbone to stand up to all the pressures that drag you down as the president. Roland Riemers of North Dakota
February 11th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
On the candidates, I see no one of any substance that I feel has the concerns of the American people at heart. All I keep hearing from the candidates is what “they” will do when “they” get elected as president, not what “they” will do for the American people. It is their agenda that the American people keep hearing about.
The two party system offers no choice for the American people. Ask yourselves, “out of ALL the people that we have in this great country of ours, these people are the best that we have to lead us?” I see NO difference (other than sex) between any of these candidates. It is the same wallpaper every four years, with the same speeches, and unfulfilled promises. It is foolish to vote your own party just because you are a member of that party! I hear people say “I am going to vote for him/her because they are the lesser of two evils.” Hey stupid… lesser or not, evil IS still evil! Your vote is private, so vote based on your research of the candidates, NOT just because it is your party.
Maybe someone of substance will run as an independent, if not, I will simply vote, and write in “None of the above.”
February 17th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Healthcare? Why does everyone assume that all healthcare (universal healthcare) is the same? Why does everyone seem to presume that if we adopt a universal healthcare system, it MUST be just like all those ‘failed’ systems (funny how those failed system sare still running, but I won’t go there). Remember, WE design the system. Cutting PROFIT out of the medical insurance means you can cover more people for the same $$$. Some things are NOT done best when done for capitalistic purpose. Some things ARE best done for socialist reasons, and in socialist ways. Never let the capitalists (or anyone else) tell you that theirs is the tool for all jobs; use a hammer where a hammer is needed, a wrench where a wrench is needed, and universal healthcare where it is needed too.
March 4th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Obama may be able to see the Forrest from inside the trees because of his lack of experience. He may not be all caught up in the drama and the details of Washington.
March 6th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Both from him and from Hilary I pretty much hear: take away from the rich and from corporations and give away to the poor. I am familiar with this, it hapened in my home country in 1944 where a newgovernment took over and took everything away from the hardworking prosperous richer people to give to the “poor”. It was called communism, I grew up in it before coming to the US and becoming a US citizen. I do not like these ideas. Also, we had universal healthcare, completely free … guess what.. you get exactly what you pay for.
Tax the corporations because they make too much money….???? Who owns these corporations? Are you forgetting that the majority of stock traded publically is owned by the American people as part of their retirement accounts? More taxes on those corporations, less money in your 401K and more jobs to China and more companies incorporating abroad!
I wonder what will happen to the country if Obama or Hilary take over. They will se a bad precedent and probably ruin the chance of another black man or another woman ever being elected president in the future.
June 4th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Mr. Obama.. How can you serisouly look america in the eye and tell them you want to take away a mans right to defend his home, his family! Thugs are going to have guns.. they will have them no matter what kind of gun control you put in place. You won’t ever get rid of bad people.. so how do you keep a straight face when talking about gun control. Lets keep the honest hard working american equipedto defend himself from the evil that is taking over this world.
I heard you the other day talking about how you would rather someone not vote for you because they did not agree with you. Not because of your race.. Tell me that keeping a gang member off of death row for murder has nothing to do with your race.
What a joke.. I am with the guy that said he will right in a vote that says “None of the above.” You want to change the US Obama?? Find me a magic lamp and get some real candidates running for president.
June 8th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Funny how americans are so afraid of everything socialist because it “takes the power away from the people”. Well guess what, universal healthcare does work - at least in Sweden. Sure it has issues, but those issues can be resolved.
And in Sweden, it’s very difficult to get a hold of guns yet we don’t seem to be wiped out by all the bad guys who do have them?
And how can you trust corporations to take care of your health? All they want is PROFIT, and they lose money by helping you. Hence, they’re always going to try and weasel out of situations where they should be paying for your healthcare. That’s really the reason you can’t trust them with it. And if the lines are too long in countries with universal healthcare, that’s because not enough money is going into it. What’s needed is a serious project, a serious attempt at trying to give America the best healthcare in the world - for everyone, not just the people who benefit from the low taxes.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Some of this is great some scary and some missing
Crime and Gun Control
Voted against letting people argue self-defense- shouldn’t we be able to protect our homes and family
traffic tickets - If they broke the law speeding why does it matter what race they are? We could spend our money on something more important.
How does he stand on creating employment grants for people without a criminal record?
Sorry to week on gang members murders…no consequence you won’t ever get them to stop
Where are opinions on Illegal Alien problems?