Looking at the Candidates: Barack Obama

This year's presidential election is an important one for the nation. The country is suffering from erratic growth patterns (growth in some areas and contraction in others) and generally holds the white house to blame for it. Further, there is a war, or two, going on overseas and it appears the current conflict in George is steaming towards another. There is a global housing crisis in play though domestically it feels like the worst housing bust ever. There is a problem with rising prices and falling real wages (though rising nominally). Overall, at first glance, things suck to put it bluntly. At least this is the message that the democrats and Barak Obama are arguing.

(Before I continue, just for disclosure purposes, I am a registered democrat).

Over the next few months, I will attempt to break down the policies of the candidates for the oval office. I figure now is a good time to start with the democrats as they just finished their convention and the policies, or the proposals, are now "out there" for everyone to analyze. Next week the republicans will have their chance to spread their ideas and following that period, the proposals will be out more formerly which will allow for a more thorough analysis.

Initial Thoughts on Obama's Plan
Obama starts his economic plan with an expert from a speech he made in 2007. He endorses the free market as building block to our nation. He argues that everyone is involved in the process and should benefit from it. However, if you continue on with this plan, reading down the rest of the page, every policy discussed goes after the free market. It argues for the government to bend over backwards for everyone. It depends on a good deal of money. Overall, it is essentially a plan to socialize the free market. Is this necessarily a bad thing?

Well, everyone should care for each other some vicinity - to have compassion for those who are having problems. I myself are healthy. However, many people are not. Does that mean I go out and donate my life to medicine? No but it does argue that if I have a few extra dollars or some extra time, I should volunteer it to an organization or to an individual. One thing that the free market does not create is compassion as the free market is pure capitalism. Pure capitalism is survival of the fittest. Unfortunately, not everyone can survive and that is the environment that we currently reside in. Obama's plan is to move the pure capitalist environment towards the social side. Is he saying to cross it? It does not appear that way.

In his opening missive, he argues that the problem is two fold: First the rich are not paying enough. Second, wages are stagnant. In regards to the former, that is an debate that has been going on forever. One could argue that the system allowed for the rich to get rich and some of those "riches" so to speak should be plowed back into system for the benefit of others. On the other hand, if one works hard and achieves riches, why should he be penalized? In regards to the latter problem, on wages, this is not something the government should be involved in. Sure, the minimum wage should exist but beyond that, stay away. The government, through the Fed, should push price pressure lower so real wages are positive. Rising wages are a good thing. however, given the current environment, rising wages are not helpful. Knocking down inflation should be the goal.

Over the next few days and weeks, I will break down Obama's plan. It involves several topics including

• Middle Class Tax Relief
• International Trade
• Job Creation
• Small Business
• Labor
• Home Ownership issues
• Credit and bankruptcy issues
• Work Family balance

Each of the issues will probably be discussed by the candidates so when I present John McCain's plan, I will probably run the same list. Just a different perspective on the issue. So with that said, I shall start with Taxes and the issues behind it in my first post later today (or tomorrow depending on my time).