Building Trades News

Not since Franklin D. Roosevelt have we had such a needed and desirous presidential candidate as we have in Barack Obama. Not since Harry Truman have we had someone who came from a working family who knows what every American experiences each day in finding enough to live on and the respect that goes with it. Barack Obama has demonstrated with his life and today’s positions that he can fulfill all of the expectations of Americans from every part of this great country.

Over the last few weeks we have watched as the results of pure, unbridled capitalism have taken our financial and economic system to the brink of collapse. Only through measured and hard-fought policy changes to the Bush bailout plan did legislation finally pass that has slowed the panic that was apparent throughout the financial markets and even between financial institutions – banks, savings and loans, and thrifts. Of course, we don’t know yet what the long-term losses will be for our economy, our savings and for our retirement funds. I know this sounds disjointed but it just has to be blurted out - Wow! Bush has been worse than even President Herbert Hoover, who wouldn’t lift a finger to aid the families that were destitute from the effects of the Great Depression.

This election is a referendum on the job that has been done and the job that needs to be done to change the future for the better for everyone. Even through the current financial losses and possible recession, our economy is the strongest in the world and that could be seen in every country as each waited to see what the United States was going to do to stabilize our economy because it was affecting their economies as well. We can all be proud that even in this economic crisis our dollars are what people were buying.

Now we need a new, “New Deal” to secure the fix that Congress has passed. We need a Barack Obama Administration to bring the security and regulation of the past to this Country to reestablish and cement the confidence of our citizens and the world. Obama has the policies that can provide an economically stronger America, a stronger middle class and that can provide all of us with the confidence that we can do what is necessary to lead the world in the present and the future.

Why should you have that confidence? It’s because Obama’s campaign is built on policy and commitment. He has effectively presented policies on the issues of this time. He has published his proposals, comments and plans for all to see. And, the major hurdle for a new administration will be convincing every American that they are a part of the president’s consideration. In 1933, newly elected President Roosevelt presented himself and his plan to the American public through radio broadcasts called “Fireside Chats.” Immediately he implemented the plan he had campaigned on and explained what its implementation would require. He said: “Confidence and courage are the essentials of success in carrying out our plan.” And; “Let us unite in banishing fear. We have provided the machinery to restore our financial system; it is up to you to support and make it work. It is your problem no less than mine. Together we cannot fail.” This was during the greatest financial crisis this country has faced and America became stronger and its citizens came closer together because of the leadership of its President. Barack Obama has the potential to be the next great President.

When you consider the issues that can be a part of any Presidential campaign it can be difficult to separate the candidates. That isn’t so in this election. If you want to consider that our government should be involved with what truly affects you and your family’s ability to have a equal chance to have a job and a good income, be able to afford decent housing, be safe and secure in our Country and neighborhood, have a excellent education for our children and have a secure economy then you have to vote based on common sense positions and sound information on the issues.

During this economic meltdown we were able to gain a measure of the two candidates for the Presidency. Anyone would have to admit that Barack Obama presented the assurance and calm that our Country needed in the face of this potential disaster. He talked about the need to support our financial institutions and laid out a sound plan for their approval. He didn’t panic and rush to judgment as the other candidate did. He didn’t jump to conclusions that had to be changed the next day. He conferred with economist and staff to come up with a plan that, while providing protections to taxpayers, depositors and investors, could give guidance for the future.

When Barack Obama accepted the nomination for President at the Democratic Convention he said; “ Ours is a promise that says government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves: protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools, and new roads, and science and technology.
Our government should work for us, not against us. It should help us, not hurt us. It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence, but for every American who’s willing to work.
That’s the promise of America, the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation, the fundamental belief that I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper. That’s the promise we need to keep. That’s the change we need right now.”

Let’s vote for the next Great President – Barack Obama! Let’s bring about the New, New Deal that we all need and want.