Community reflects on epic election
America! The land of the free and the home of the brave has never been the America I know it could be. As an African-American woman, I voted for Barack Obama, not because he’s black but because he is quite capable of running this country. He is well informed on the issues affecting this country as a whole, not just for certain groups or classes. I believe the entire country will greatly benefit from his election. Obama has laid out a plan I can clearly see and hear, and has shown me something that’s tangible. McCain, on the other hand, did not paint a clear picture on what he wanted to do as president. All I saw him doing was throwing dirt and pointing fingers. I believe he was ill-advised to focus on Barack’s policies in a negative light. He should have been encouraged to develop some tangible policies of his own. I would like to share an old wise saying with McCain: “He who throws dirt loses ground.” McCain lost. McCain said Barack didn’t understand and then slammed him for wanting to spread the wealth around. I say Obama not only understands but he can relate. He focuses strictly on the issues, can clearly state how and why America is beginning to fall to pieces, and offers a clear-cut plan to put those pieces back together. He understands America has made a mistake by giving big businesses the keys to this country. As a result, big businesses are down on their knees begging for the federal government to bail them out. Barack realizes that if you spread the wealth around everyone wins. It’s real simple: if you’re not looking through greedy eyes, if you keep taking from the poor and giving to the rich, soon there would be nothing left. I lost hope for America when Bush was “put in” office for a second time. But now my spirits have been lifted and my hope restored. Barack’s race has nothing to do with my passion-it’s his vision that moves my soul. I love America, but she has not always been fair to me, and I know she could be better. Just like a mother who has more than one child, if asked, “Who’s your favorite?” She’ll probably say, “I love them all equally.” However, if you ask the children that same question they will more than likely point out the more favorable child. That wouldn’t make her a bad mother, it makes her human.
Lakisha Taylor
Today’s youth need our help
I am a counselor on the West Side of Chicago for a substance abuse treatment program [If you had the chance to ask Mayor Daley a question, or more than one, what would you ask?, Oct. 16, Streetbeat]. I would like to know how I can help my adolescent clients get jobs to keep them off the streets. How can I motivate and encourage businesses in the community that these kids need something to do. My mission is to find businesses that care about helping the youth and give them jobs. These are our kids and why are we giving up on them?
Alisia Brown
Submitted at www.AustinWeeklyNews.com
