Obama spoke to a crowd of almost two thousand at the Rio Grand High School today. After a short speech he took questions from the crowd. I arrived at the meeting at around 10:30 and the crowd was let into the gym around 10:50 am. The VIP list was a long one (Just check the pictures on my Webshots, link at the bottom of the page) as the party falls in behind Obama for President. I even saw Mayor Martin Chavez at the event. You must admire Senator Obama for being able to welcome even the most outspoken politician to the party this year. Senator Obama is a man of inclusion not exclusion like senator McCain. Senator Obama arrived around 1:30 pm and went to work by taking off his jacket. He rolled up his sleeves and started answering questions. The first question was on the war in Iraq and on the FISA bill that he voted for to the dismay of so of our party. I personally did not support the FISA bill so I was glad to hear his take on why he voter for it.Question 1: He gave a three point answer to that question. First he never supported the war in Iraq and will pull our troops out but that does not mean that he will not send troops into Afghanistan to fight the real war on terrorism. Second he did vote for the FISA bill but only because it allows for a review of the spying. Senator Obama does not want to tie the hands of our government to do spying but he does want to protect the constitutional rights of our citizens. Third compromise is not a dirty word. We need to be able to work with all of the interested parties to find common ground.
Question 2: The second question was on social security. Senator Obama wants to raise the cap on people earning more then $250,000. This would increase the percentage they pay in Social Security. At present those individuals pay less then 1% of their income in taxes to the social security. Why should people earning less than $105,000 be paying 6.2% of their total income when richer people pay a smaller percentage on their total income? Clearly on this issue his grandmother who works for a bank has taught her grandson well.
Question 3: Was on healthcare for all Americans. Senator Obama said that he was in favor off health care for all Americans and has a plan that is close to one that Governor Richardson is trying to pass in our state. While he would like a one payer system he said that was the dream but the reality forces us to work with what we have at present and improve on the system.
Question 4: What would he do about Immigration? He said that he would enforce the law for employers so children would not have to work in unsafe conditions and for less then minimum wage. He said that he would enforce the borders. He said that he would give immigrates a path to citizenship but they would have to pay a fine and move to the back of the line.
Question 5: Was on Education. He said that he would raise teacher salaries and hold them accountable. He did say that some people are just not suited to be teachers and those people should be removed from the system while others were rewarded for work well done. He said that he had spent his entire public career trying to improve education. He is in favor of a fair system but one that holds people accountable.
Question 6: Small government in America. Senator Obama said that up until the Bush Administration the government was getting smaller and doing a better job but after Bush took office the government grew without improving it service to the public it is suppose to serve.
Being one of those single mothers with a child in school I had to leave right after the event was over to pick up my daughter from school. I can say that working in education has not been easy over the last few years because as the administration salaries grows mine only gets smaller because I work with students as a substitute teacher and tutor. I want to see that our party truly shows that they respect education by keeping their word and raising the salaries of those who work with the students. The person who ask the question about education was right when he pointed out that the promise had not be keep by members of our own party. Senator Obama told him to hold his feet to the fire on this issue in the future. Trust me Senator Obama you will hear from me if that promise is not kept.
