The Obama and Odinga Plan: From the inseparable to the insufferable

EXCLUSIVE!

By Rev. Lainie Dowell

There is a plan under foot for the future of Kenya, Africa, and for America, as articulated by U.S. Sen. Barack Hussein Obama (D-IL) and his Kenyan cousin, Raila Odinga (both pictured above).

Funny thing, though, how those two men seem to think just alike. And, If I didn't know any better myself, I could almost swear it was one and the same plan. In fact, I would almost swear to it. In fact, I believe I will swear to it.

If not for the fact that one plan is intended for America and the other is intended for Kenya and, possibly, all of Africa, we could almost forget that it was a plan forged to inculcate the Socialist agenda into the next administration unless our country wises up and stops being politically correct.

Let us delve into the two plans to see. Come along

Pay close attention and I'd even recommend that you would each get a copy of each plan for yourself and place them side by side for your own review. This is just an overview.

What follows is a comparison of Odinga's "A Bridge to the Kenyan Dream" (2007) to Obama's "Blueprint for Change: Obama's Plan for America." (2008)

They both start out with opening statements.

Odinga -- speaks about the "(Kenyan) Dream" and states, "We are at a crossroads." He says, "I am that bridge that links the historic moments of our past to the golden tomorrows of our future. I am the link to our forefathers' visionary path towards the Kenyan Dream. . . Make the right decision and let us, together, finally realize that dream for our (Kenyan) nation.

Obama -- speaks about the "Dream slowly slipping away." He states further, "This is a defining moment in our history. . . . I run for the Presidency because that's the party America needs us to be right now. I run to offer this country change that we can believe in. I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over. So thank you for taking the time to read this booklet, which lays out very clearly how I will achieve these goals for the American people."

Odinga -- "We are on the side of the future, and the ODM-K (i.e., his Orange Party), is the only agent of change and hope. But we cannot be agents for change if we believe in 'business as usual' and if we are afraid of making tough decisions and choices that will drive Kenya forward, so that it emerges as a modern, democratic and developed country. If we know it has been done elsewhere, why can't we do it here? We cannot wait for the beautiful ones to be born after we die. We are the beautiful ones."

Obama-- His stated platform is one of "change and hope." In a speech he gave during the Presidential Primary, he said, "We are the ones that we've been waiting for."

Odinga on Poverty -- "The wealth of a nation lies in the skills of its people and their ability to work together. . . I give you a cast-iron guarantee that I will be a champion of social justice and social emancipation -- a champion for the poor, the dispossessed and the disadvantaged in the land."

Obama on Poverty -- "Obama will help low-income Americans enter the workplace and move up the career ladder. . . . Create a Green Jobs Corps - Obama will create a program to directly engage disadvantaged youth in energy efficient opportunities to strengthen their communities, while also providing them with practical skills in this important high-growth career field . . . Fully Fund the Community Development Block Grant programs and engage urban leaders across the country to increase resources to the highest-need Americans." (Obama Plan, pp. 40-43).

Odinga on Leadership -- "President Kibaki (Kenya), in the guise of serving all Kenyans, not just those who helped to get him elected, began to discharge his duties in an imperial manner. He consulted selectively and cynically dispensed with consensus. . . . restore trust in politics by discharging my duties through consultation and inclusiveness." (Odinga Plan, p. 8).

Obama on Leadership -- "Secrecy Dominates Government Actions -- The Bush administration (American) has ignored public disclosure and has invoked a legal tool known as the 'State Secrets' privilege more than any other previous administration to get cases thrown out of civil court. . . . Wasteful Spending Out of Control -- the current administration (American) has abused its power by handing out contracts without competition to its politically connected friends and supporters. These abuses cost taxpayers billions of dollars each year."

Odinga's Plan -- Here he sets out a Parliamentary System, "which would dilute presidential powers - a system that would include the post of Prime Minister." Odinga further contends that "A new constitution means national harmony from effective power sharing and accountability."

[Would Obama have the temerity to propose such a plan to the American people while he is seeking the Office of President? Every American needs to read that portion of Odinga's plan because, if Obama considered implementing this, then it is what would make the U.S. Constitution to be of no effect and make the President a figurehead of national government with the Prime Minister in charge of crucial decision-making powers granted by the intact U.S. Constitution. At which point, we could be fairly certain that Obama would appoint himself as the new Prime Minister. Good-bye U.S. Constitution? Obama remains silent on this prospect. )

Odinga on Community Power -- "Accept diversity as a valid and desirable fact of life. . . reform the system of local government to empower communities. . . . I want to engage our people in active citizenship involving them directly in the management of their neighborhoods and the services they use. . . . enable the transfer of power to communities with strong democratic and accountable local government. . . . restructure and entrench the Community Development Fund (Kenyan) by raising budgetary allocation and ensuring transparency and accountability in its administration."

Odinga on the Private Sector -- "I will ensure the establishment of a Citizen's Charter, which will state the guaranteed standards of the services that public officials must offer all Kenyans. Such services will include those involving of business licences (sic), national ID cards, voting cards and passports. The Charter will detail the procedures for individuals who need to allege complaints against public officials who fail to meet these standards." (Odinga Plan, p. 22).

[Would Obama dare to propose such a bold plan for Americans during his attempt to become U.S. President? ]

Obama on the Private Sector -- "Ask All Americans to Work Together to Meet our Common Challenges -- Obama will expand AmeriCorps to 250,000 slots and double the Peace Corps and dedicate these positions to addressing America's common challenges. he also will provide new service opportunities for working Americans and retirees." (Obama Plan, pp. 44-49).

[Obama's plan goes on to outline Mandatory service of Americans from the ages of youth to senior citizens and college students. Obama further sets a goal towards Socialism and Globalism, which would give the U.N. a wider reach into the affairs of the United States of America under an Obama or Democrat administration.]

Odinga on Women -- "Women remain disadvantaged socially, culturally and economically. . . . revise all oppressive practices, statutes and customary laws that perpetuate gender discrimination . . . . ensure the availability of police and other legal officers as well as health and social service providers, who are specially trained to handle women who are victims of domestic or sexual violence." (Odinga Plan, p. 20).

Obama on Women -- "We need to change a system that is stacked against women. . . . Ending Violence Against Women - Obama will appoint a special advisor who will report to him regularly on issues related to violence against women. Obama will also pass legislation that provides job security to victims of domestic violence and sexual assaults." (Obama Plan, pp. 35-37).

Odinga on Education -- "I will provide training for more teachers for primary and secondary schools: improve teachers condition of service. . . . Quality and affordable education remains a must for all our children." (Odinga Plan p. 17)

Obama on Education -- "I will improve our schools by recruiting well-qualified teachers in every classroom in America. Obama will improve teacher compensation by rewarding expert, accomplished teachers for taking on challenging assignments and helping teachers succeed. . . . Affordable, High-Quality Child Care - Obama will also provide affordable and high-quality child care to ease the burden of working families." (Obama Plan, pp. 20-23).

Odinga on Health -- "Health provision is grossly underfunded and delivering universal health care is an urgent priority. . . . abolish cost-sharing, as it denies the poor and disadvantaged access to healthcare; introduce a national social health insurance scheme. . . . Increase government spending in the health sector." (Odinga Plan, p. 18).

Obama on Health -- Universal Coverage -- Obama will sign a universal health care plan into law by the end of his first term in office. His plan will provide affordable, quality health care coverage for every American." (quoted: Barack Obama, Speech in Iowa City, IA, May 29, 2007). . . . Obama's Plan to Cover Uninsured -- Obama will make available a new national health plan so all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, can buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress." (Obama Plan, pp. 6-9).

What is Obama's "National Health Exchange" noted in his plan on p. 9? Universal Healthcare.

Odinga on Environment -- "We face huge environmental challenges. Deforestation, water resources, depletion, threats to biodiversity and fisheries resources, human habitat degradation, pollution and climate changes are all priority issues that must be addressed." (Odinga Plan, p. 19).

Obama on Environment -- "Confront Deforestation and Promote Carbon Sequestration: Obama will develop domestic incentives that reward forest owners, farmers, and ranchers when they plant trees, restore grasslands, or undertake farming practices that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere." (Obama Plan, pp. 24-27).

That's why I'm running, Democrats - to keep the American Dream alive for those who still hunger for opportunity, who still thirst for equality.

-Barack Obama, Speech in Des Moines, IA, November 10, 2007 (quoted Obama Plan, p. 40).

The conclusion to the formidable account of the comparison

The American people have yet to realize the completely overwhelming hold over this nation that the Democratic Party has achieved over the past 20 years. And, in the interim, even though the Republican Party had the majority more times than they -- there can be none but those who stepped back and watched it happen who are to blame for the downhill climb of this nation's vastly revered standing in the world.

Those voices that have sounded the alarm went unheeded and now here we are confronted with the foundation of our society being overtaken by all that is - and would continue to be - enough to utterly tear down the infrastructure from within our very walls.

The time is past to wake from the dream from Dr. Martin Luther King. It is time to awake to dream no more but to understand how much the dream has become a reality.

If, in the awakening, we are at the twilight stage, then we will sleepwalk on.

If, however, Americans begin to awaken and have eyes wide opened and seeing what is ahead of us, then we would surely avoid the pitfalls as a nation and begin to take action to put the repairs in place which will keep us from all falling through the cracks. And, as of this moment, we are hardpressed to find Obama as the cement which would seal us as "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Election 2008! Register to vote now before it is too late.