In 1862 Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation which freed African Americans from confederate slavery.
The similarities between Barack Obama’s intended presidency and that of Abraham Lincoln have been the subject of discussion and comparison but who will be the subject of Obama’s Emancipation Proclamation?
Domestically the inequality of same sex relationships will be an issue with a constant drumbeat. There are environmental concerns which required an even hand and equalizer in the face of economic priorities. Additionally, there are millions of Americans in private jails languishing under the weight of draconian drug laws.
The final and most corrosive inequality within America’s sphere of influence is U.S. backed and sanctioned treatment of the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank.
Certainly one might say “well Palestinians are not a domestic issue, so forget about it” but it in fact is a domestic issue when tax payers fund, law makers endorse and our administration insulates Israel endless bombardment and economic strangulation of millions of Palestinians.
It is a domestic issue just as our laws and taxes are used to enforce discriminatory marriage laws, exploitative environmental laws and jail non-violent drug offenders.
Where is the “change” that Barack Obama campaigned upon if he parrots the past 60 years of U.S. foreign and drug policy. How can he hope to establish an ounce of credibility when the U.S. spites world opinion on the matter much like Bush did in Kyoto?
Same difference. Same irrationality. Same disdain for world opinion and equal human rights.
This is Obama’s chance for change.
This should be Obama’s Emancipation Proclamation:
1. Equal rights and the freedom to marry for same sex partners.
2. Equal rights and freedom from environment exploitation.
3. Freedom for millions of non-violent drug offending Americans from jail.
4. and finally, Equal rights and freedom for Palestinians.
Do the right thing Mr. Obama. The time is now.
