Barack Obama is a great orator, but do you really understand what his plans are? What about the Democratic Party? Does it really matter as long as we change from Bush’s policies?

Consider this. President Bush has some very unpopular policies, but he is also operating with both the House and Senate in control of the opposing Party. And the national media has countered Bush by being, on the whole, very unsympathetic to his agenda.

Regardless of the results of this election, Bush is out. And although John McCain has demonstrated that he is very different from Bush – if elected President he will face significant opposition to his policies. Since Congress is predicted with near-certainty to remain in Democratic hands, then President McCain will be forced to seriously negotiate and compromise with the Democratic Congress.

But President Barack Obama will have no such hedges against his power. He will operate with near impunity; all branches of government will be firmly under the control of his party – and Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. And with much of the national media clearly enamored with him, will a President Barack Obama be critically investigated by the press? Has he been to date?

Unless the “Fairness Doctrine” is put in place (as many in Congress desire), then much of talk radio will keep a watchful eye on Obama. But under President Barack Obama, no Presidential veto will prevent a complete consolidation of power under the Democratic Party. Whether you consider this a good or bad thing depends upon whether you wholeheartedly agree with the policies of Obama and the Democrats.

But we are talking about electing someone to the most powerful office in the world. Clearly, with what’s at stake, we had better be very sure of what we are doing.

Barack Obama has made this election a moritorium on change. But just what kind of change does he have in mind?

Admittedly, it can be difficult to identify a politician’s true beliefs from his bluster during his “electioneering”. The past record of a candidate has always been a more accurate predictor of future actions than his speeches; especially during an election. But since Senator Obama has had a relatively short political career, his positions are difficult to discern from his voting record alone. To obtain a complete view we must also look at his promises.

What does Barack Obama believe the role and size of government should be? How should the Constitution be interpreted? What about energy policy? Taxes? Other important issues?

A good source for information comes from www.ontheissues.org; information for much of my “Cliff Notes” summary comes from here.

What is Barack Obama’s view on how we should interpret the Constitution?

• He believes that the Constitution is a “living document”; no strict constructionism.
• Obama voted NO on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
• He voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice.
• Stated: “I would NOT nominate Justice Scalia – although I don’t think there’s any doubt about his intellectual brilliance – because he and I just disagree.” (2008)
• “I would NOT have nominated Clarence Thomas… Setting aside the fact that I profoundly disagree with his interpretations of a lot of the Constitution.” (2008)

Keep in mind that the framers of the Constitution intended for changes to be made – not by bending the Constitution to fit a favored viewpoint, but by passing amendments. This is an “original intent” and the “constructionist” view. Supreme Court Justices are extremely powerful government officials; yet they are unelected and serve for a lifetime. The evidence clearly indicates that Obama will nominate activists to the Court. And there will be no one to stop him.

On the role and size of government, it is clear that President Barack Obama will both increase the size and influence of government. Some of Obama’s positions include:

• He wants to provide guaranteed health care for anyone who needs it.
• Believes in providing funding for social services for noncitizens (including illegal immigrants).
• Proposed free public college for any student with a B-average.
• Wants billions of more dollars into early childhood education, including after-school and summer programs.
• To ensure access to and federal funding for contraception and abortion.
• Voted to provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees.
• Has stated that the $10 billion a month being spend in Iraq should be spent at home (not used to reduce the deficit)
• Voted NO on paying down federal debt by rating programs’ effectiveness.
• Voted NO on $40 billion in reduced overall federal spending.

No government entitlement program is free; it must be paid for by taxpayers. To pay for his programs, Obama has definite views on taxation:

• Obama has very frequently voted to raise taxes (54 times).
• Voted NO on supporting permanent estate tax cuts.
• Voted NO on permanently repealing the Death Tax and again NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M.
• Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax.
• Twice voted NO on extending tax cuts on capital gains and dividends.
• Raised $97K cap on payroll tax exempting earnings under $250K.
• “I’m not bashful about it: wealthy will pay more taxes.”
• “(The) last thing we need now is a permanent tax cut.”

Clearly, President Barack Obama would use a “progressive” tax policy to enforce his social agenda in America. John Marshall, the 4th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court wrote that “The power to tax is the power to destroy”. Obama will first take money from the “rich”. Who’s next? How will his definition of rich “change” with time?

What are Obama’s positions on illegal immigration?

• He voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security.
• Supports granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.
• Wants to “Give immigrants who are here a rigorous path to citizenship”.
• Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared “sanctuary cities” (those that shelter illegal aliens).
• Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government.
• Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program.
• Would provide funding for social services for noncitizens.

Obama has stated that he views himself to be a “citizen of the world”. Does this mean that he views non-Americans as being entitled to benefits formerly open only to US citizens? Even if US citizens foot the bill?

What will President Obama’s energy policy be, and his related assumptions on the impact to the environment?

• “We cannot drill our way out of our addiction to oil.”
• Twice voted to ban drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
• Although nuclear waste storage is one of the largest problems in any plan to expand Nuclear energy production, Obama opposes Yucca Mountain for nuclear waste storage.
• Wants to aggressively address accelerating climate change.
• Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning.
• Embraces Al Gore’s view of cap-and-trade carbon emmissions.

Obama on gun control:

• Wants to ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions.
• Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers.
• Believes in “common-sense” enforcement of gun licensing.

What about his stance on “pro-life/choice” questions?

• Obama is undecided on whether life begins at conception; stating that the answer to this question is “Above my pay grade”.
• Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions.
• Sponsored bill providing contraceptives for low-income women.
• Voted against banning partial birth abortion.
• Was given a 100% rating by the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL).
• Was given a 0% rating by the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC).

Clearly, Barack Obama’s support for “abortion rights” is very strong – there can be NO limitations. Unlike gun control, Obama has no room for “common sense” restrictions on abortion.

On national defense:

• Pursues a goal of a world without nuclear weapons.
• Wants to register women for draft, but not for combat.
• Would repeal “Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell”.

If America gave up our nuclear deterrent, would the world be more safe or would we simply make it easier to fight another world war?

What about other hot-button issues?

• Gay rights? Obama want’s to include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws. He voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.
• On AIDS? “We need condom distribution to deal with the scourge of AIDS. Homophobia prevents talking about HIV/AIDS.”
• On drug use? He questions harsh penalties for drug dealing.

Since Obama admits using marijuana in high school and college and experimenting with cocaine, perhaps he cannot be completely objective on the issue of drugs?

What are Obama’s overall principles and values?

• He was ranked the most liberal member of the Senate, based on 99 votes.
• He has voted with the Democratic Party in 96% of 251 votes.

For those really interested in the truth, it really is out there!

If we elect Barack Obama as the President of the United States, the resulting consolidated control over ALL our branches of government will grant him an almost unprecedented power to enact his agenda. And clearly, the United States of America under President Barack Obama will be changed to be a very different place from anything we have ever seen. Will it be a place where you and your children will want to live?

When pursuing change, America must be very careful what we wish for. We just may get it!