Senator Obama’s rise to Presidential contender is a condemnation of our educational system. If today’s youth cannot see through the words to the truth we are certainly lost. If we have taught our youth that character doesn’t matter we are certainly lost. What do people see in this man that they would want him to be their friend, much less President of the United States? When the financial crisis leapt onto the stage, his response was “I told them to call me if they needed me.” It appears his party did not need him. His is his party’s leader is he not? Is this not odd that he didn’t lead them in the greatest crisis since the Great Depression? If Iran prepares to attack Israel will his response be “I told them to call me if they need me”? I believe there was no need for him in Washington because he had absolutely nothing to offer! He has no idea what to do to resolve this issue. Further, he and his party are much involved in issues which led to this meltdown. Obama’s campaign for change and saying McCain is just four more years of the same failed policies is a preposterous joke. Bush’s failed policy is excessive government spending. Federal revenues have increased under his tax cuts, so that certainly is not a failed policy. Obama is all about increasing federal tax revenues. Obama’s policy statements are to increase federal spending dramatically over their current (Bush) levels. So it appears he plans to adopt Bush’s policies of growing government spending. He has admitted if the economy were frail when he took office he would have to delay implementation of his economic plan. This reveals he knows his plan will be detrimental to the economy. He wants to wait until the economy is healthy enough to survive the implementation of his plan. Is this what he means by Hope you can believe in? Why would anyone have an economic plan they know will damage the economy? That is stupid! Why would anyone want that person directing the economic well being of our country? He further states he would cut investments in “unproven missile defense systems”, but would greatly increase investments (taxes, spending) in unproven alternative fuel and energy programs. Constitutionally the federal government has a responsibility to provide for our defense. I cannot find the area of the Constitution where it is called upon to direct our energy policy. People readily accept Obama would get our soldiers out of Iraq quickly and we would be saving that $10 billion per week we are spending on the war. And they were mightily happy. However, that is when most stop listening. They heard what they wanted to hear. But he says he would move them to Afghanistan, not bring them home. So they are still at risk and the spending continues. Is the rent cheaper in Afghanistan than Iraq? The man is an empty suit. His history of voting present rather than taking positions is very indicative of his character. He either didn’t have a position or didn’t want to publicly take a position which might prove unpopular and hurt his political future, or no one called him to tell him he was needed. “I told them to call me if they needed me.”