JANUARY 15, 2008
Disillusionment, Iraq, Vetting Hillary, Leadership Qualities

I'm highly disillusioned with 'the system', and I'm always low on cash. I, Mike Leavitt, have never cared enough about any political campaign to give it money, but I've mustered $15 for Barack Obama. If you're already a Barack fan, feel free to distribute any part of this message, and don't be afraid to speak out. If you don't live in the U.S., you can look forward to interacting with our future U.S. President. I'm compelled to write this because I've never even remotely believed in a politician.

One decision decides this Democratic nomination. As soon as the planes hit the twin towers, a few of us foresaw a folly of war to swiftly follow. Barack publicy opposed the first funding of the Iraq war. He took the right position in an unprecedented time of emergency. Hillary agreed with a decision that has crippled our country. Barack didn't fold under the enormous public pressure after 9/11. Rewind to the emotionally charged politics of late 2001. Recall the swift formation of a line behind Bush's Iraq war march. I'm still shocked at how many people were swayed. When we were all stressed out and afraid, Barack kept his head and had some balls.

I love and support Hillary out of familiarity. There is no moral coloring to the fact that Hillary did not take the lead to speak against the two biggest Presidential blunders of both Bush and Bill. The rest of the country will question the support of her husband, I am only isolating her support of Presidential lies. Towing the safest line of least resistance is following, not leading. Watch very closely how Barack and The Clintons respond to the pressure of the primary election. In the face of mounting stress, we've already seen her lose patience unprofessionally. Anger and emotion don't directly translate to courage. The Iraq war is the biggest decision Hillary made as an elected official. She made her choice based on fear. Blood is on Hillary's hands too.

Why didn't Hillary use her power as 'an agent of change' to challenge the worst Presidential decisions in her '35 years of experience'? Hillary has already backed a failed universal health care plan. She's received campaign contributions from the same health insurance companies who helped defeat the plan. Why wouldn't she concede another defeat in the future? Can't we have the backbone to judge Hillary's decision-making and leadership before she gets lost in the gamut of moral judgement? Why does Hillary's defensive campaign hinge on her 'experience' as an Obama attack? Why is optimism an 'intellectual' message, or lacking in 'substance'? Do we want another scare tactic President? Isn't it dangerous that Hillary seems a 'safer' choice than Barack? The Clintons are better than the Bush's, but name recognition is no reason for comfort. Conservative backlash against the Clinton name would paralyze Hillary from executing decisions. Watch how symbolic figureheads like Rush Limbaugh and Pat Buchanon talk about Barack compared to Hillary. There's no more time for old-time moral debates. It's bad timing for Hillary. Her only move is to play on a stereotypical fear that Barack is 'too soon' or 'not ready'. Now is the time to end the predictable cycle of unprofessional leadership.

I want a real leader before I die. Barack's no messiah. I have no idea if he'll 'save' us. Making a lot of satirical art makes me a very skeptical critic. I melt when Barack is public and honest about his mistakes and addictions. I've never seen a politician be more real. When he speaks, I actually care to listen. Trusting a politician is such an oddity that it's becoming an ideological dream. One famous liar politician calls it a 'fairytale'. I don't 'believe' in Barack as if he's a savior. I just believe he's telling the truth. In a global limelight it takes fearlessness to be honest and make tough decisions. This won't just apply to domestic security and international relations. His courage and trust will also positively affect our personal lives. We don't have to keep forgetting the truth, bowing to fear, fracturing our cultural connections, and shouting the same slogans at people who won't listen. With the daunting prospects of our health care, environment, and domestic economy, only hope and optimism will give us a chance. 'Universal' health care is a beautiful dream, but Barack's health care plan is actually the most realistic. Passionate inspiration is the undercurrent of his feasible, pragmatic objectives.

Daily bills and housing costs are too much burden to waste more tax money on making enemies, especially within our own borders. We have too many hidden talents and fleeting dreams to get bogged down in another wasted Presidency. We can re-connect across the country and planet, on a common ground higher than moral values and individual egos. Barack's got the big picture, not just personal vision or passionate motive. He's not just a great man, and he's not just the right person at the right time. He's not just a dreamer. We won't even think of him as President. Barack Obama is a leader. For the first time in my life Barack' s got me believing in the reality, not just the promise, of the U.S.A.