Each week we post an article or paper submitted by a member or "silent participant" of Guyana Caribbean Network. The featured article runs from Monday to Sunday each week. To submit an article for feature of the week contact us at admin@guyanacaribbeannetwork.com This week's feature is brought to you by "Charisma".

Why I will vote for Barack Obama. by "Charisma"

There are now less than two months of campaigning left before the next leader of the free world is elected. I, like many people I know, am caught up in the saga of both candidates and what they are claiming they'll do for the American people. In some cases it's what is not being said that concerns me. At the Democratic National Convention in August, Obama clearly stated what his plans are when he's elected. This includes making sure our young people can afford a college education if they give back by serving their community or country; accessible health care for all; and tapping our natural gas reserves which he would pay for by closing corporate loopholes and tax havens. Personally, Obama is a breath of fresh air bringing new hope that perhaps for once there will be some semblance of real change. I am pleased with his judgment against the war in Iraq. I am also pleased with his judgment in choosing Joe Biden as his running mate because I am confident that Biden can take the reins of the Presidency if need be. I am comfortable that together they balance out each other in terms of strengths and experience.

His opponent, John McCain, is yet to clearly state what his plans are on health care, the economy, and anything that matters most to the shrinking middle class. Well, he did say he'd be on our side but he didn't say how. He did mention global warming but, again, gave no details. Now keep in mind that one of the reasons these conventions are held is to showcase the party's agenda but from what I observed it turned out to be all imagery and a Bash Fest! This is what the republicans resorted to because they do not have an agenda. In fact McCain's camp clearly stated that this election will come down to personalities instead of issues. I guess if I'd voted with Bush 90% of the time I too would be hoping that voters would be naive enough to vote for personalities. His running mate, Sarah "the pitbull" Palin has caused a stir for the Republican party and for some Hillary-ites who are still smarting over the fact that she is not the Democratic nominee and appear to be hell-bent on "cutting their nose to spoil their face!". I can't help but note how women who usually vote as democrats are considering voting for McCain simply because he has a female running mate. I am uncomfortable with the fact that these two are so alike - the scale weighs heavily on one side.

Now I can't deny that Sarah did a good job of delivering that speech that was written for her and that is why I can hardly wait for her to leave the safety of McCain's coattails and the protective cocoon of her supporters and begin traveling and answering questions on her own. I want to see how well she survives press scrutiny. And since when is being a community organizer a bad thing? I'd have her know that a lot of great work has been done by community organizers in this country. They are one of the reasons a segment of the population in this country no longer has to ride at the back of the bus. Ironically, community activists - who fought for equal rights for women - are the reason that she can be nominated as Vice President today.

But back to this thing called judgment: Where was McCain's when he agreed that we should go to war with Iraq? And where was his good judgment when he chose his running mate? The only thing I can say about the latter is that he made that choice to appeal to Hillary's disaffected supporters. I think that, contrary to what he says, this time he put himself first and his country last.

Under Bush's watch the economy has tanked! Unlike the last democratic administration, which created 22 million jobs, the current administration has not even managed to create half that. Their history of protecting big business, for example curtailing class action law suits against them while determining that the small man should fend for himself the best way he can is not my idea of good governance. None of this is to say that I totally agree with everything the Democratic party does but I must choose the lesser of the two evils. So, come November 4th I will be voting bright and early for the Democratic ticket, while envisioning fresh winds blowing across the horizon. I've had enough of the same stale, stagnant air for the last eight years.