It has not escaped the attention of the Statesman editorial board that all the presidential candidates have policies that deserve merit and discussion. Nevertheless, we have decided that our next president needs to offer more than just a likable platform.
Sen. Barack Obama represents what we hope will be the future of American politics. Both Obama and Sen. John McCain have policies which we like and dislike, but only Obama comes out as the “statesman” who will be able to represent the interests of the American people both here and abroad.
In an era of increasing globalization, America’s ability to play a lead role in world affairs is crucial. We need a leader who will aggressively pursue democratic principles abroad, but who will pick and choose our battles wisely. We need a leader who can take an active role in promoting world ecological sustainability by taking part in global initiatives to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Obama’s relatively non-aggressive foreign policy will also allow us to save money by bringing more of our troops home.
The past eight years of the Bush administration have been quite revealing about the current nature of our government and country. Facing two wars, an uncertain economy in recession and a nation whose reputation has been tarnished and damaged, the next president will have to chose his actions carefully. They will be of utmost importance. We have been traveling down a road of self-destruction, but now we have the opportunity to steer ourselves off of that path, to change the direction in which we are headed.
While it would not be fair to blame all the problems of the recession on the Bush administration, the economic policies encouraged and pursued by the Bush administration have not proved effective. Instead, the current administration has rewarded the few in power while neglecting the backbone of the American people — the middle class. For most Americans, McCain’s policies will exacerbate the very real recession we are facing as he will be making Bush’s tax cuts permanent.
Obama’s tax plans will allow this country to pursue health care policy that will provide more coverage to more people. By giving tax relief to the middle and lower classes, money will be injected into the economy during this economic downturn. McCain has been hypocritical in renouncing a progressive tax plan during his current campaign — a plan he supported in his bid for president in 2000. We cannot fully trust him to ensure the health and safety of Americans.
With the world facing an international crisis, Americans have watched helplessly over $1 trillion of our nation’s wealth disappear. The subprime mortgage crisis and the systematic collapse of the investment banking sector have exposed critical problems in the American economy, problems that need to be tackled.
During times of economic uncertainty, it is especially important to consider how the next president’s policies will affect our pocketbooks. Barack Obama’s Democratic party has proven itself, in the past, willing and able to pass a balanced budget.
Although many Americans balk when the words “tax increase” and “universal coverage” are thrown around — because of our unwillingness to have more government in our lives — it has become painfully clear that many of our current policies are not working.
Obama’s plan is not perfect, but we believe that an Obama administration will create further acceptance of ideas that bring more help to America’s needy. Barack Obama conducted himself phenomenally during his campaign, and we believe that this performance will continue into his administration if he is elected president.
We urge all Stony Brook students and the surrounding community to consider voting for Obama as well.
