“Circular Logic: Is Obama Responsible for Chicago’s Problems? by Kilimanjaro 09/06/2008, 11:34 AM ”
“Our best public servants enter politics because they want to change and correct problems they see in the system. Blaming them for the problems that existed when they showed up misses the point. Change is hard and doesn’t come overnight.Barack Obama has been in Illinois politics, representing Chicago’s south side, since 1997. Would we blame him for Illinois’ problems? Any objective measure indicates Chicago’s public schools are among the worst in the nation. Is Barack Obama a hypocrite for claiming he can improve education? Chicago just accepted the Governor’s offer to send in State Troopers to help fight out-of-control Chicago crime. Is Barack Obama a hypocite for claiming he can be tough on crime and defense? Chicago has one of the the highest sales tax rates (10.25%) in the country, a regressive tax on the poor because everyone pays it regardless of their income. Is Barack Obama a hypocrite for claiming he will be an advocate of more “fairness” in the tax code? The reality is that Barack Obama is no more responsible for Chicago’s historic problems than Sarah Palin is for Alaska’s.”
“The real question is what in their legislative experience gives us confidence that they will be able to accomplish what they say they will. Sarah Palin has begun hammering away at Alaska’s problems, affecting some positive reforms. Can we say the same for Barack Obama in Chicago?”
