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Tuesday, January 13, 2009 12:00 AM

Criticisms, political pressure and Barack Obama

The president-elect's advisors respond to the firestorm created by Sunday's remarks on Guantanamo, illustrating the value of criticizing Obama when he deserves it.

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  • Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:34 AM

    @ Baldie.

    Do you think you can return the republic/economy/global order/planet after you have bought and paid for it, and you find out it's broken?

    I would make the argument that this process is what voting is designed to acomplish. Put someone in office, and if they fail to live up to the rationale that resulted in your vote, vote for someone else.

    What you seem to be advocating is that once someone has been elected to office, they are subject to the electorate's whim on every matter that comes before them. I suscribe to the opinion that they are not errand boys. In this regard, I side with Burke who offered that "Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion."

    My goal, therefore, in chosing which candiates to vote for is predicated on my assesment of their errudition and judgment untill proven otherwise. It is why I voted for Obama. If this fits your definition of "consumerism", then so be it.

    I would also suggest (without harmful intent or hostility) attempting to stage manage the voting patterns of elected official, save through elections, is a fool's errand.

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