Change just a slogan

The extent to which Barack Obama shows concern over America’s financial crisis isn’t resonating with the American people. For a campaign running on “change,” there has been little done with his campaign in these recent months that even hints at reforming the old regime.

The man who purports his desire to help Americans in their current crisis hired Franklin Raines as his housing financial adviser.

Raines was the former Clinton administration budget adviser. This esteemed figure has most recently appeared in the news as being investigated for accounting scandals at the level of Enron as the chief executive officer of Fannie Mae, resulting in his receiving more than $100 million in compensation over a six-year period.

He also was a pioneer of the idea of sub-prime mortgage blunders that landed him millions in kickbacks. He successfully misled Fannie Mae investors with an estimated $9 billion earning restatement that wiped out 40 percent of their profits.
Although these sound like resume-building qualities, I’m not sure he was the best pick as Obama’s housing adviser. What was that campaign slogan again?

How about the fact that Obama would rather move forward with the politics, media time and debates rather than going home to D.C. to resolve this economic crisis?
When McCain told Obama they must put a pause on a debate to create a bipartisan resolution for America’s best interest Obama didn’t respond. In fact, as an IDS headline reported, “Obama rebuffed McCain.”

Has Sen. Obama forgotten about his current title as senator and his responsibility to his constituents? Maybe his delirium for change is merely a campaign slogan, as his actions clearly speak louder than words. Only time will tell.

Bryce Fathauer
IU freshman