Senator Barack Obama
Essay Preview: Senator Barack Obama
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America has long been termed the “Land of Opportunity;” a place where every man is given the same god given rights and has an equal access to prosperity. Is this truly the case though; is the government of the United States of America, still, currently able to make this statement truthfully to every citizen in its domain? Many say it is not; and consequently, many believe it is time for change in the Whitehouse. Our system of prioritizing major issues involving the national well-being is currently skewed, and there is need for immediate reformation in policy. One man promising to address this problem, and bring on this change in the government, is current Democratic Presidential Nominee: Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.
Barack Hussein Obama was born August 4, 1961, and lived much of his childhood in the state of Hawaii. Being the son of a black Kenyan father and a white American mother, he has been able to live a very culturally diverse life, and also has had the chance of living life as a minority citizen. This, combined with the fact that he received degrees from both Columbia University and Harvard Law School obviously show evidence that he is a well educated and worldly candidate who can truly understand and appreciate the ideals of the common man; without discrimination. Obama believes so much in this equality of the common man, that upon his graduation from Harvard Law School in 1991, his chosen career was fighting for it as a civil rights lawyer; right up until his election into the Illinois Senate in 1997. After serving 7 years in the state senate, in 2003, Barack Obama launched his campaign for U.S. Senate, and won by a landslide in the 2004 election. Since his election into congress, he has been involved in resolving many key legislative issues, and has used this previous experience and knowledge to help in developing his campaign for presidency, which he announced in February of 2007.
There are two major issues that are currently fueling Obamas campaign; two issues that he finds flawed and in need of immediate attentionÐ the first of which being healthcare. The Bush Administrations plan for healthcare reformation, which he announced when campaigning for presidency in the 2000 election (and has been in effect since then), has yet to show any signs of producing more coverage or economic benefits for the average citizen. Why is this; why can the United States, one of the wealthiest and most technologically advanced countries in the world not provide care for all of its citizens? Why is it that “Well over 30 million Americans are uninsured” (Woolhandler, 772)? This is a major problem now, and unless there is change in the near future, one could only presume that it will continue to rise in severity. One scholar, Dr. Walter Tsou, supported this theory stating, “The prevailing national vision for the future of health care, with components such as health savings accounts, will not achieve universality and could in fact destroy any hope for future cost savings.” (Tsou, 3) With this being the case, how can we allow the government to continue using this failing plan? Our politicians are allowing us to be subjected more to their ideology, and less to rationality, at the great expense of both dollars and lives. But what are the alternatives; how can this problem be fixed? Senator Obama wholeheartedly believes and supports the idea that providing a universal health care plan similar to that used by members of congress, to all citizens, can resolve this issue. In a 2007 Democratic primary debate, Obama makes this point crystal clear after stating, “My attitude is since you are paying my salary as taxpayers, you should have health care that is at least as good as mine.” This concept of universal healthcare is one that has been debated for years, and often been considered infeasible for the American public; at least till now! Senator Obama has revised this concept in a way to where he not only suggests that we could accomplish this in a timely manner, but promises in a June 19, 2007 press conference that he “will sign a universal health care plan that covers every American by the end of my first term as president.” These words are powerful, and deal with a topic that sits heavy on the minds of the American public; so one must wonder how he might go about fulfilling this obligation to the people of the United States if given the chance. His first step involves helping the “helpless;” those children who are unable to deal with the issue of medical care themselves. Currently, there are over 9 million children under the age of eighteen, who are completely uninsured. The reasons for this vary, but the problem remains the same; these children are not receiving the proper medical care they need. In order to reduce future health problems in the American public, Obama believes we must first prioritize those who are still at an age where chronic illnesses can be prevented. We must save those who can still be saved. Studies have proven “preventive healthcare in children now, will reduce healthcare costs in their future.”(Tsou, 3) Since it is assumed that children cannot pay the extravagant prices for coverage themselves, an annual average “exceeding $3000.00 per person,” (Woolhandler, 770) he states that he will “immediately ensure all uninsured children.” After the completion of this first step, the US Government will then be able to move on to phase 2 of his plan; assisting the elderly. This topic in general, is one of great importance to Obama specifically, and thousands of others in the nation. The reasoning behind why Obama is so interested is primarily linked to prior experiences that have involved and affected his own family. He has seen first hand the problems in the current system of medical care, and personally knows the hardships associated with it. Making the point that “the problem isnt mandating coverage, but affording it,” Obama goes on to explain and help relate to the general populous by giving the example of his own mother dying at the age of 53 from ovarian cancer. According to the senator, she, in her last month of living, “wasnt thinking about how to get well, she wasnt thinking about coming to terms with her own mortality, she was thinking about whether or not insurance was going to cover the medical bills and whether our family would be bankrupt as a consequence.” Is this considered fair; is it acceptable? Obama believes this is not only NOT fair, but also “morally wrong” and “objectionable.” The senior citizens of America should not, especially in their last days, have to worry about the costs associated with their deaths. They should not have to worry about the financial burden put on their families, due to their own chronic illnesses and the treatments involved.