I wasn't expecting a whole lot from The Audacity of Hope by Barack
Obama. I thought it would be a lengthy stump speech, worth knowing but
no revelations. What I found, however was a thoughtful plan, mapping
out a direction for restoring common sense into the political process.
Obama is a well-spoken, well-written, humble man who really knows how
to articulate a message. He uses personal anecdote, history,
Constitutional interpretation, and a healthy respect for the expertise
of others in building a cohesive platform for success. Were it
delivered consistently as well as he delivered his prose in this books,
it would be the basis for repairing many of the rifts in the political
landscape torn apart by extremism.
What really impressed me about his ideas was the respect he showed to the opposition. The book lacked the vitriol common to today's political discussion, more rightly called bucks in rut. He recognizes that most people don't live, eat, breath, and bleed politics. Most people have families and jobs and lives to live. Most people have dozens of important issues that are important to them and aren't nearly as extremist in their views as our dichotomous news media would have us believe. People want the opportunity for comfort, education, success, security, and happiness. Obama knows this and writes eloquently about it - it's not us vs. them, but it's us trying to succeed together.
His positions are clear - protect American jobs, regulate for safety with a mind toward capitalistic growth, health care for all, and a strong education system. He describes the process by which Republicans framed the debate, usurping issues and positions, claiming them as their own. He shows how this is false and declares the need to reclaim those arenas of discourse that Democrats have been thrust away from in public opinion. Democrats can be men of faith, most believe in God, most are Christians. Democrats are hard working motivated individuals and business owners who believe in a strong capitalist economic system so long as protections against abuses are in place. Democrats understand the need for both petroleum and petroleum alternatives and aren't trying to thrust us back into the 1800's.
He's right in this book and I'd have given him all five stars if there'd have been more passion in the words, more commitment to the change processes, and more leadership. Perhaps if he becomes president and afterward writes a memoir he'll speak of those passions and commitments more freely.
- CV Rick
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