Obama promised 'Change,' when are we going to see it?

By: Rick Crawford

Posted: 12/5/08

Right now, approximately a month after the election, I still feel exactly the same, except for the euphoric feeling I had for a week or so is now gone. For almost a year and a half, all we heard everyday is, "Change we can believe in, change in coming, vote for change," and you know what, nothing has freakin' changed.

I voted for Barack Obama because I was expecting us to have landed on Mars and have hovercraft cars running on oxygen, or some other cool scientific thing I know nothing about. But to be completely honest, we are no closer to accomplishing any of these things than some of the other things I hoped would change, including George Bush being out of office (still hasn't happened, people), and universal healthcare that apparently only applies to the people of this country (that doesn't make sense).

So it appears that Barack Obama has flat out lied to us, and I don't know if I can ever trust him again. Let's take a look at some of the things he has done in the past month that directly go against his "call" for change. First, he kept Robert Gates as defense secretary. How can you expect change if you keep the same guys that were already in the White House!? Second, Barack Obama, earlier this week, named Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. The last thing we need is another Clinton in the white house. Hasn't there already been like seven of them?

Since we have now covered what he has kept the same, there are some other very prominent issues that Obama has promised change in and has not delivered. The war in Iraq is still going on. During the election campaign, Obama routinely brought up the fact that we are spending billions of dollars in Iraq each month, but our soldiers are still there. Maybe there are still weapons of mass destruction somewhere in Iraq, but I doubt it. However, on a lighter note, gas prices have dropped significantly in the last month. But why is our gas coming from Saudi Arabia instead of off our beautiful Oregon coast like Obama, er scratch that, McCain promised. Sorry, sometimes I get confused.

I hate to do this, but I think I have to use the H-word to describe President-elect Obama. And no, I am not talking about handsome if that's what you're thinking, even though he is. The word I'm thinking of here is hypocrite. Maybe I am the hypocrite because I am writing this article, but gosh dang it I want some change now!

However, it is not too late for Obama to deliver this alleged change. We know that Obama has four years as president, and in all probability, he will be there for another four years on top that. But for me to re-establish my hope in the new president-elect, there are a few things I would like him to do by Christmas.

First, Obama needs to capture Osama Bin Laden and establish democracies in every country. I don't think that is too much to ask. Then, Obama needs to make a play-off system for college football. That is a much needed change. Finally, in order to bring real change to America, Obama should fire Hillary Clinton and exile her to France.

Many of you may read this and say, "Most of these things are impossible" or "Obama isn't even president yet." Well I don't care. All I know is that over the last eight years the country has gone down the tubes, and millions of Americans voted for Obama to change the way things work in this country and bring hope for the future to us all. So come on Obama, give us the change we all want, and more importantly, we all need.

Rick Crawford

diversions@dailybarometer.com