I refer to the letter Why Obama will be bad for us.
This American citizen must respond. Yes, let 's indeed ‘focus on the bread and butter issues’ but from the perspective of the average American.
1. We are spending billions every month in Iraq, our central bank is printing money to pay for it causing a devaluation of the US dollar. Since the price of oil is pegged to the US dollar, consumers here are being killed with US$4 a gallon fuel and the prospect of much higher prices for some time.
Large investment banks are failing, hundreds of thousands of Americans have lost homes thanks to those shady subprime loans and food and medical costs are rising faster than inflation. Thousands of workers are losing jobs and health care.
The country is in an economic crisis and all this was set in motion by George Bush when he lied to the American people to justify this ungodly war in Iraq. When Bill Clinton left office in 2000, he left a huge budget surplus, 20 million new jobs created during his eight years in office and a country at peace and respected around the world.
My country is much weaker today than in 2000 thanks to the present administration in Washington. A weak America is in no one's interest - including Malaysia’s.
2. Just this past week, the Iraqi PM has demanded the US set a deadline and leave. He apparently feels confident enough in his own military to govern Iraq and protect his oil reserves.
3. There are now thousands of oil leases in the hands of Big Oil, yet they have not been drilled. Why? This itself will not ‘massively reduce’ America's oil demand.
Only a combination of alternative energy sources (wind, solar), more fuel efficient cars, appropriate biofuels like jatropha and sugarcane-based ethanol and biodiesel from oilseeds (Brazil), and drilling will seriously address America's energy needs.
Obama knows this and it is a major part of his energy programme.
4. Carbon capping is sound science that can be achieved efficiently with the latest technology. Obama knows this technology will create new jobs and ensure a clean environment for future generations.
5. Oil companies are receiving huge profits. Yet they have not built one new refinery in the past 20 years. Their huge profits should be taxed for the benefit of the people. They, in turn, will spend more increasing productivity and creating jobs.
6. The US is facing a huge trade deficit and has lost thousands of jobs because of ‘free trade’. Come to Ohio where I live and talk to all the workers whose jobs have been exported overseas. McCain (like Bush) supports these trade deals. Obama wants fair trade deals that protect American jobs.
7. John McCain would be four more years of Bush policies. The American people are fed up.
Perhaps the writer should take the time to talk to ordinary Americans and he would realise why 70 percent of Americans believe their country is heading in the wrong direction.
