By Wilton Hollins

          If the presidential elections were tomorrow I would probably stay home.  Neither of the presidential candidates have impressed me post the primary rhetoric.  I’ve yet to hear proposals to solve issues that are front and center with most Americans; primarily the high cost of gas which has caused a ripple effect throughout the economy.

            I will admit though if the congressional elections were tomorrow, I would be the first in line to vote for anyone but the incumbent.  Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House promised the American people in 2006 that congress would present an energy policy that would reduce the high cost of energy…a gallon of gasoline was about $2.39 then.  Well since 2006 congress has delivered over sixty hearings and has subpoenaed hundreds of witnesses and provided zero legislation - and I don’t expect anything from congress this week because they are on vacation fiddling as Rome burns.

            Go ahead pick either presidential candidate, can anyone tell me how he plans to: stem the rising cost of feeding your family, stabilize the housing markets, bridle oil speculation that’s artificially driving up the price of gasoline, become energy independent in the near future, not 50 years in the future, secure the borders, stem the proliferation of nuclear weapons, bring peace to the Middle East, develop equitable trade policies that will benefit the American worker, address the high cost of healthcare access, and oh yeah find Osama Bin-Laden?  Don’t worry I’ll wait.  These issues plus a plethora of others don’t appear to be on the front burner of the campaigns.

            What I do hear is whether John McCain’s military record qualifies him to be president and if Barack Obama is patriotic enough.  What I should be hearing instead is how they plan to “…form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…”

            Until then, I vote for a third party.

          People around the nation and the world are celebrating the accomplishments of Senator Barack Obama.  History was made last night when Obama became the first African American to become the presumptive candidate of a major American political party. 

          African Americans were slaves 143 years ago; were forced to live in a segregated society less than fifty years and were guaranteed the right to vote only forty years ago.  Now there’s and African American just one election away from being the President of the United States - the most powerful position in the free world.

          Becoming the democratic presumptive nominee is a great achievement and as some will say a realization of the dream…not only Dr. King’s dream but the American Dream.  But this achievement may prove to be the easy part.

          Governing will be the challenge.  Not only would he receive scathing attacks from the right side of the aisle which is to be expected, but he will receive them from within his own party.  We can already see Hillary Clinton positioning herself to be the “I told you so” candidate.  Instead on congratulating Barack on his historical accomplishment Tuesday night, she asked her supporters to go to her website and suggest what she should do now… (and while you’re on the website, send money).  Hillary realizes Obama needs the white female and white blue-collar vote in order to be successful in November.  Her reluctance to bow-out and bring the party together could be an indication of stonewalling and setting roadblocks to ensure his failure in the future.

          A President Barack Obama will be constantly view through a microscope.  Every decision made from the oval office whether it’s who will receive a state dinner up to every bill signed into law will be held to a higher standard.  He will not receive the same latitude as those who occupied the office before him.  Elements within the Democratic Party will be waiting for the first misstep. 

          I’m afraid that in order for an Obama presidency to be viewed as a success, he will have to walk on water and raise the dead…oh wait, they crucified the last man that did that.