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Tuesday, August 12, 2008

“Accountability”

To: Senator Barack Obama, The Presumptive Democratic Nominee, Democratic Party.

As stated earlier, I list the issues that are of major concern to me.

The economic, energy, health care plan and time line for troop withdrawal from Iraq and troop deployment in Afghanistan laid out by your Campaign is lacking in specifics and as a tax payer I am interested in precise solutions from you being the “Presumptive Democratic nominee”.

It is important for tax payers to understand how exactly the policies are going to impact the economic standards particularly with the current economic difficulties in all fronts ranging from energy costs to food, education, health care and hosts of issues that matter to every individual of our nation.

Further, the plan to fund most social programs does not elaborate on the strategy to provide for these services. The proposal to raise taxes on investments i.e. Capital gains on dividends earned from sale or investment holdings is another concern for small investor like me relying on income from investments during economic downturns contributing to weak job markets nationwide.

National Health Care proposal needs to address the costs involved to fund the policy. The grim reality is the costs will be ultimately transferred to the tax payers/consumers by the industry initially in agreement with the proposal.

Unfortunately the recent performance by the government at the State and Federal level in balancing the budget has been disappointing and the tax payers including myself have little or no confidence in the government with the money management.

I am also extremely disappointed with your seismic shifts on issues such as voting in favor of “FISA”, and against “Gun Control”, “Public Financing - it appears more corporate donations are pouring in through corporate executives who in effect neutralize the anti-lobbyists position claimed by your campaign during the primary election”.

Somehow the Senator Obama, whom I vigorously supported by enduring attacks and criticisms from both Democratic and the Republican fronts is lost in the same “Washington” crowd that follows the golden rule....“say anything and do nothing politics.”

If it comes down to winning the election by any means and any shifts in position is justified as “Political Expediency”, I fail to see any “transformation” in “Washington”with any new administration.

Since you emphasized on “Accountability” on the campaign trail and invited the electorate to bring forth issues concerning them, I have highlighted on some of them and hope to have a sincere response from you.

Once again, I appreciate the opportunity to present my concerns and not be treated as just another “donor” or one of “million volunteers” excited to get through the general election.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Padmini Arhant

3 comments:

Vadim said...

I feel the same way about Obama. You neglected to mention his shifting stance towards Israel (perhaps it's not your issue). He used to meet with Edward Said and do activism in the Palestinian community here in Chicago. Now he says he's been "pro-Israel" from the start.

FISA was the last straw for me. I'm going to vote third party unless he revokes his support for the bill: http://tinyurl.com/5w9w9v

I'm in Illinois so it likely won't make a difference but I'm too disillusioned with Obama at this point to do otherwise.

Padmini Arhant said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Padmini Arhant said...

Hi Vadim,

Thank you for your comment.

"Palestinian" issue is a humanitarian issue.

I have raised my concerns recently in public regarding human rights violation and the challenges faced by "Palestinian" population for more than half a century now.

I see no difference between a Palestinian Mother and an Israeli Mother's grief stricken images resulting from this ongoing conflict that could be resolved only if everyone involved could reach out to one another as human beings first and then anything next.

As a Mother, I can't imagine the courage and emotional strength required for any mother to bury her own child or children before her time.

Giving birth to "life" is the most arduous and joyous journey for a mother. The aspiration to raise a child in a free and secure world and provide basic to affordable comforts is a common dream of any parents.

Only if the "sources" responsible for this conflict could realize that they have been gifted with "life" by a "mother" who is rewarded with a second chance to life during childbirth despite modern medicine and technology.

Every "life" is precious and should matter.

When I see a child in Palestine, Tibet, Burma or Darfur suffering and yearning for freedom, I see beyond their ethnicity. I see the human pain and agony. The hopelessness in their eyes that "darkness" will never be expelled from their "dreams" and yet forcing
a smile for the "international press" coverage on the carnage and destruction of their lives.

I have mentioned on numerous occasions in my blogs throughout the "Democratic Primary Election" on my.barackobama.com about the "Palestinian Plight" and the importance for international support and action to restore human rights and dignity for the "Palestinian People" and others mentioned above.

My website www.padminiarhant.com to be uploaded and active from August 19th, 2008 has a "Humanitarian" header dedicated to human rights issues concerning all human beings on earth.

I am also in the process of publishing my very first book titled "Words Matter",
The Mind of a Blogger, subtitled "How Democracy is Hijacked during War and Election"?

I have sincere and genuine concern for people deprived of basic human rights and liberty to think and express as well as those struggling to establish a place they could call "Home" like in the case of "Palestinians."

Once again, your thoughts are much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Padmini Arhant