Barack Obama is my current front runner, and not because he is the junior senator from my home state. I already mentioned the inspirational and charismatic aspect of his candidacy. Here is the other thing I really like about Obama, he likes to bring up issues that need to see the light of day, and he did it again today, suggesting that Homeland Security funds be allocated to States based on security risk not based on political power.
Suggesting is even an understatement, because he actually offered an amendment to current legislation pending on the issue. How novel an approach, take into account population centers, international borders and ecomonic risks when deciding where to spend our money. Life is going to be interesting for Obama because he tends to speak his mind. But that is his plan for this election, to offer himself up as a different politician. He might be on to something.
A quick search at the Library of Congress site shows that Barack has 14 pieces of legislation pending in the senate (1 resolution commending someone life - which you know I think are a waste of time, 9 bills and 4 amendments). Taking a closer look at his bills, here is what he is focused on. Awarding 20 grants annually to school districts that try to implement innovation districts (S.114); Ending tax incentives to oil and gas companies, you know the ones with billions in profits (S.115); Offering grants to create summer learning programs (S.116); Improving benefits to our veterans of Iraq and Afghanastan (S.117); Promoting the development of alternative fuels (S.133); Changing our policy in Iraq (S.443); Ending deceptive practices in elections (S.453); Providing oversight to personal security federal contracts (S.674); and Establishing regular assessments of our VA Hospitals (S. 692).
Promoting education, taking care of our veterans, ending corporate give aways, protecting our elections and providing oversight to our federal contracts all sound like important issues to addressed. It goes to show that Barack Obama is much more than rhetoric and snappy speeches. He has depth and an understanding of the issues that grip this country. I look forward to seeing what else he has in store for 2007.
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