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issues, as well as "Open-Transparent Government".

John McCain limits himself to pork barrels as earmarks, lobbyist activity in respect to the "revolving door" and campaign donations of big money that "buy" candidates. He falls short of offering proposals that effectively address any of the concerns he mentions.

Important here is to recognize the difference between "pork barrels" and "earmarks", as Mr. McCain does not.

A "pork barrel" adds monies to a bill and "earmarks" the money to be spent on a project unrelated to the bill itself. Such as adding a million dollars to a military bill and "earmarking" it to build a school gymnasium somewhere.

An "earmark" does not increase the amount of the bill in question; it specifies how the receiving government agency is to spend the monies. A multi-million dollar military bill can have a certain amount of those millions "earmarked" to be spent updating gear for the soldiers. "Earmarks" are not the "bad boys" of government spending. They are an important way for Congress to designate where/how a given agency is to spend the money.

John McCain gives no explanation as to how he will stop the "revolving door" (legislatures who leave office to become lobbyists). John also denounces the "buying" of candidates with big money campaign donations, but is not adverse to accepting and using such donations himself. As is said, "The proof is in the pudding".

Hillary Clinton has a "ten point" program addressing the need for Open Government.

The problem I see with Hillary is that she says one thing, such as the same big money' that buys candidates but is not above grabbing for these campaign monies herself. She also has a history of doing that which she now professes to repair in government. The question becomes, "Will she stick to her promises?"

Barack Obama is an anomaly in modern politics. On the official website of his campaign are issues, his position on these issues and a more in-depth explanation of how he would address these issues, than is normally seen in politics.

"Open (Transparent) Government" laces throughout the site and the "issues"<"ethics" path alone can be found 15 points on Open Government.

While the media, polls and the pundits hash over why is he so popular and is it a political campaign or a movement; we have the answer in front of us. Over 70% of "We the People" have lost trust in our government. Over 90% of "We the People" feel that "Open Government" is a very important issue in this 2008 campaign. Obama is a political campaign and a movement too.

Barack Obama stepped forward and immediately demanded "Change" in government. That change being a re-Opening of Government doors to "We the People" who own those very doors.

He spoke to the heart of a people who have come to mistrust the very government they elect. Barack Obama's campaign base is on the changes in government that are very important to 90% of "We the People of the United States".

The proof is in the pudding and Mr. Obama has a history of opening government doors. He has put his voting record and sponsorships where his mouth is, he walks the ideals that he talks. He not only speaks out about big money', he refuses to accept its donations in his campaign.

"Open Government" and Barack Obama walk hand in hand, and that is the reason for his popularity with "We the People of the United States".

Learn more about this author, Duane Kuehn.
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