In the multitude of discussions that I have had about Barack and Hillary, I am always surprised at the large degree of simplicity in which people choose who they will vote for. Universal healthcare, economic stimulus plans usually don't matter, instead it always comes down to very simple points; "Kirstin, countries in the Middle East won't respect a female President" or "Hillary will change things cause she is a female" are essentially the two summarizing points." For that reason, going into Super Tuesday (Feb 5th) I felt that as Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Females, and Men living in the calamitous circumstances in which the US now finds itself, we owe it to ourselves to go into our respective primaries with a "smig" more political savvy understanding the very real implications that our vote will have on our lives over the next 4 years.
In no way am I trying to belittle the voting preferences of anyone that I know, the first thing that any Political Science class teaches you is that people are politically socialized by their families first, the associates second, their school and/or church third, and life experiences forth. Which is to say that whoever you are voting for is likely the same person that you would have voted for when you were 4 years old, per your realization that you are a Republican or a Democrat, Liberal or a Moderate, from your parent’s conversations at the breakfast table. Sorry, I digressed...
...As far as the female versus male debate...
1.) Don't believe that just because H(B)ill Clinton has breasts that she will take a softer approach to foreign policy or hesitate in throwing Bombs over Baghdad. Her voting record shows that she is willing to bomb a country with the best of them and depending on your foreign-policy preference, only you can decide whether that is a good or a bad thing. In all, the assumption that Clinton will be more diplomatic by virtue of her anatomy is probably missing the mark.
2.) Although the President sets foreign policy, it is not necessary for a President to be the face of foreign policy. This is why there is a Secretary of State. Even with the foolishness of the "Coalition of Willing" that was derived after 9/11, Condi has been the face of foreign policy for the totality of Bush's term. Though Bill Clinton took a more active role in foreign affairs during his presidency, during the debacle of "Monica Lewinsky" Madeleine Albright stepped up and maintained the U.S.'s foreign policy presence during Clinton's impeachment trials. This is all to say that the foreign powers of the world have grown more than accustomed to dealing with a female figure of state and will likely receive a female President with the same respect, in the even that she chooses to play an active role in foreign policy.
...Political Will versus Political Capital...
Change versus Experience. Although this is the one element of each candidate's campaign that they truly can not change, it is probably by far one of the most important. The truth is, we still live in a painfully divisive country, and in order to move policy forward, regardless of how great it sounds, a politician needs political capital to harness votes from his or her party as well as across party lines. 30 years of the Clinton machine has enabled H(B)ill to ascertain a lot of political capital, savvy, and knowledge that allows for her to have the clout to move the policies in the direction that should would like them to go. However, part of her savvy means that she will only fight battles that she knows that she can win, which are probably not the most important battles for the average American. Enter Barack Obama: His ambition to inspire people across party lines in a good indicator that he is willing to be unconventional and push for those issues that truly matter to the average American. This alone sets him apart all of the Presidents that we have seen since RFK. However, the million dollar question and the gamble for voters is whether he will be able to move HOPE into ACTION. The answer to that is 50% out of his hands. Is the rest of the country really ready to unite? Or will Republicans stonewall his efforts? Noticing that the Republican candidates have done little to begin to court independents or moderate democrats should make Obama very suspicious of whether a united country or a united government is possible.
More of the same ole' same ole....a fast-forward version of their policies:
Healthcare: Obama - proposes subsidies to bring down the overall cost of health insurance (opt-in). Benefits everyone with lower premiums; however people who choose not to pay can still receive medical services at the cost of those who do pay.
H(B)ill - mandated universal healthcare (everyone pays, everyone is covered).
Foreign Affairs: Obama - prefers using diplomatic channels as a first option. Aims to meet with five leaders of hostile countries to bridge foreign relations in the first 100 days (I think) of his Presidency.
H(B)ill: Shoot first, ask questions last.
Taxes: Obama: Wants to roll back the tax breaks on people earning $250K/year. Roll back corporate tax loops.
Clinton: Wants to roll back tax breaks on people earning $250K/year. No roll-backs on corporate tax breaks. Instead wants to shore-up Medicaid tax breaks when no services are rendered and to make the healthcare system more efficient (merging patients’ records into an electronic system will save $77 billion/year).
Immigration and Jobs: Obama: (Unclear plan) wants to first improve the economy, fix infrastructure and increase investment (like education in poor areas and inner cities) and everyone comes out ahead - poor Blacks, undocumented citizens, poor Whites, etc.
Clinton: Believes that the exploitation of illegal immigrants does drive down wages. Wants to tighten borders, crack down on employers, and do more to help Mexico create jobs in Mexico. Aims to register illegals deport criminals, will give you a path to citizenship (pay back taxes, pay a fine, wait in line, learn English).
Iraq: Obama: Wants to withdraw a vast majority of troops in his first 60 days.
Clinton: Wants to withdraw most troops in the same timeframe, but also wants to keep some there to protect ambassadors, Iraqi translators, and allied forces.
So that’s it. Be informed. Go Vote.
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