Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise

There are a lot of historical speeches that have been given over the long history of our nation. Many of these speeches are available in various forms, from audio presentations, films or books. Most of these are collections of speeches by numerous presidents and world leaders, but this book is a collection of speeches from just one man, and all of them have been historic. Why? Because quite simply, we're going through the biggest historic upheaval in our nation since America broke away from England and the signing of the constitution.

I think everybody with a pulse, a heartbeat or a shred of common sense now fully understands this.

Barack Obama has not just been a lightning rod for the country or a catalyst to millions of new voters, but has emotionally motivated all those that have seen him speak at rallies or on television. A political movement like this hasn't been seen since either F.D.R. or John F. Kennedy.

After the last two years, it would be near impossible to not know: 'Who is Barack Obama?' Unless you've either been hiding under a rock or purposefully turning your head from the bulk of the information streaming across the planet then you should know, without doubt, exactly who 'Barack Obama' is. If you honestly don't know, then you have an opportunity to find out with this book. And please understand, that not every person who runs for public office puts what they want to achieve in print and publish it. So, whether you like the man or not, everyone has an equal chance to know what his policies actually are, what his plans are and who he is without hearing it through the static of negative distortion.

Maybe we should expect all of our public servants to provide voters with such publications on what they want to do for us. We would get more out of them if we did. Thus, this book is invaluable now and will be even more valuable in the future two, four and six years into his Presidency.

I can imagine this book will be amended to reflect the speech that was referred to as his 'Closing Argument' and the final 'Yes We Can' speech from the evening of November 4th in Chicago. For the last several months the nation has endured a more toned down version of Barack Obama, probably because some folks didn't too much care for his ability to orate. Unfortunately, when you have a simple message and it has truth to it, it is easy to tell and quickly disseminates. Why? Because people know the truth when they hear it. That may be a bit of a grandiose statement, but it does sum up the political environment that we've all been subjected to in the last two years. The problem though is that the last two years has been short on truth and long on hyperbole.

It does bother me when I hear folks say 'he's really a slick talker', or any foolish derivation thereof. Barack Obama seems to be successfully taking on one of the biggest problems in our nation that hasn't yet been addressed (yes ... gasp ... if you can believe that).

Anti-intellectualism.

People have long been running in fear, and breaking down into fits of furious anger over it, but it looks as though it's day is finally come and the moral compass may just shift back to what once made our country great. Good leadership, smart and sound direction based on principle, intelligence and humanity and of course - compassion.

This book is a must read that sheds the proper light on a coming Administration and the direction of our nation.

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"Change We Can Believe In" is a slim little tome summing up Barack Obama's "plan to renew America's promise." It's an interesting work. As political philosophy, it will one day be studied. Agree or disagree with Obama, it's compelling.

"Change we can believe in" mostly promotes Obama's socialist ideas. If you want to know his "government can solve everything",this book has it in detail. It's socialism with a smile (and easier reading than Karl Marx-it's best read with a hot cup of Starbucks) He talks about renewing the environment, protecting a "woman's right to choose",finding alternative energy sources,and so on.

"Change" can get for some tedious reading,but it's the closing speeches that are the meat of the book. It's got his speeches from Iowa and Michigan,his "Yes we can" speech in New Hampshire,his Father's Day speech,and the race speech in Philadelphia. Obama is one of the great orators of the 21st century. Again,agree or disagree with him, he is a brilliant writer and showman. His speeches reveal an almost classical training- did he read those of Abraham Lincoln and Pericles? The speeches are worthwhile reading for speechwriters.

It's great writing,but is it change we can believe in?

Folks, I've met Obama once, heard him speak in person twice, and am very much and admirer of his, but this book (the first half, at least) just doesn't cut it.

The first half of this book, apparently written by campaign satffers, attempts to spell out what "Barackism" has to offer. In other words, it's his program statement through the words of his staffers. My friends, these ideas are good, but reading this part is as exciting as watching paint dry. Dull, dull, dull. Every other sentence begins, "In an Obama administration, this or that will happen." Bring out the sominex, people.

Part 2 is the good stuff. This contains the best of his actual recent speeches from Iowa (Jan. 4, 2008) up to a speech he made this summer in Michigan about the economy (this apparently went to press before the Denver speech of Aug 28, 2008). Even on paper, this is exciting and inspiring. Highlights include the New Hampshire speech of Jan 8, 2008 (best known as the "Yes We Can" speech), the Father's day speech (the one that inadvertantly killed off Jesse Jackson's career after the Rev. was caught making profane and jealous remarks on camera about this message), and his race speech in Philadelphia which articulates what a lot of us post-movement Blacks feel about the bitter ranting and pessimism that passes for Black nationalism.

So for reading the "Best of Barack" in his own words, it's pretty good. The rest? Let the buyer beware. Readers are better off with the various compilations of the "Best of Barack" in speeches and writings.

If after 20 months on the campaign trail, you still don't know who Barack Obama is, then you need to read this book. What a person values is who they are. This book clearly lays out Obama's plans and highlights the value of work, education, compassion, health, family, security, fiscal responsibility, innovation and leadership in the world. Its an excellent and quick read for anyone still wondering what Obama stands for. If he can do half of what's in this book, he will be counted among the greatest presidents ever.

Read this book and know why you can vote with confidence for the Democratic Party in a few weeks.

Read also his The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Vintage) and know that this is the true pro-life party, that with hope we have no more death and destruction of any human life in any stage of development. With hope we have no more abortion. Rewriting the laws will not stop abortions but send them back into the back alleys and closets. With hope we stop abortion. It takes a spiritual not a legal renewal. Pro-life begins from within, with hope.

Read this book. Dare to hope.

Read as well the Honorable Senator Joseph Biden's Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics, our Catholic Senator who stands for every American, rich or poor, whatever color, language or creed.

Read these books.

Read also Can a Catholic Support Him? Asking the Big Questions about Barack Obama. Discover the answer is a loud yes, as our social concerns are well addressed by this Democratic candidate.

Give peace a chance. Vote pro-life. Vote for Obama.