Yesterday Lincoln Mitchell posted Rethinking the American Electorate after an Obama Victory on The Huffington Post. Mr. Mitchell points out that an Obama victory will cause millions of people both within and outside the U.S. to rethink their views of the American Electorate as narrow-minded and anti-progress. It is an exciting prospect and it ties in with one of the thrilling visions I have had about an Obama presidency: a vision of real action on the part of the U.S. working with the international community to address human rights violations in countries around the world like those committed in the ongoing conflict in Burma.
In her RNC convention speech Sarah Palin snidely asked the audience “What does he (Obama) actually seek to accomplish, after he’s done turning back the waters and healing the planet?” Do I think that Obama can heal the planet during his years in office? No, but lord knows the planet needs healing and Obama can do a great deal to get things moving in the right direction both at home and abroad. For starters, Obama won’t wage preemptive wars that do more damage than good.
Regarding Burma, in a statement on his senate website from September 2007 Obama asserts, “While, ultimately, change must come from within Burma, the international community has an important role to play to signal strong support for the courageous Burmese people. I have supported sanctions against Burma and welcome the additional sanctions the President announced at the UN General Assembly. But far more needs to be done — immediately. It is not enough for the US to act alone. We must take the lead in working with the other key international players, particularly ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), India, Japan, the European Union, and especially China, to join the United States in pressing for the peaceful resolution of the current crisis in Burma…”
And, let’s not forget, the crisis in Burma is ever-current. For a recent update on the conflict please read Human Rights Watch’s report: Burma: One Year After Violent Crackdown, Repression Continues. Indeed, the world is in desperate need of a U.S. leader who will work with the international community to begin a healing process that has long been compromised. In less than two weeks I believe we will receive affirmation that we are officially on the right path towards change.
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