In the last few weeks, we’ve read Gene Robinson’s lambasting of John McCain over racial issues. Specifically, Sen. McCain’s audacity to criticize Sen. Barack Obama’s use of the “race card-card.” It almost stymies comprehension, but let me explain the term Sen. Obama has brought to our language: The “race card” is unfairly highlighting a minority candidate’s race to gain advantage.

The “race card-card” is an attack on a non-minority candidate for playing the race card, even when the non-minority candidate hasn’t said a word about race. Sen. Obama played this card by publicly deriding John McCain over what he “would” say as the campaign progressed: “Oh, and did I tell you he’s black.” Obama made similar comments when speaking about his picture being “funny” on the one-dollar bill. These comments were meant to signal John McCain as a latent racist waiting to use the “race card.”

Of course, we all know John McCain made strenuous attempts to keep race out of the campaign. McCain praised Obama’s accomplishments and the great benefit of having an African-American candidate for president. Therefore, when Obama chose to make race an issue in the campaign, McCain was within his full rights to defend against this attack. The tiniest perception of racism from a white candidate, real or not, is death to the campaign. Both candidates understand this reality, and Sen. Obama’s comments appeared calculated to use race as a weapon. I will say this, Obama is quite calculating.

Just as John McCain has a duty to keep race “out of bounds,” that duty flows likewise to Obama. For the sake of all Americans, race should remain off the table for both candidates. We need to learn much more about the important issues and candidates’ positions on those issues.

The mainstream press continues to give Obama a pass in critical questioning and treat him as a heroic celebrity. He seems to be above criticism. However, I want Americans to think about something: Democrats are likely to keep control of the House and Senate, and could possibly gain strong majorities in both. Once in office, Obama could quickly move far-left legislation from bill to law. In 4-8 years in office, he could transform America to something unrecognizable. We need to begin asking the hard questions or we may get “change” we would never want.

As much as the 20-year Rev. Wright relationship tells us about Obama’s associations and beliefs, I’m going to refrain from that subject. Additionally, as the readers can probably guess, I don’t like Sen. Obama’s weak position on Iraq. I could also spend much time writing about why his background: “community organizer,” law school professor and state senator are not sufficient for commander-in-chief in time of war. However, I will just stick to where Obama stands on issues beyond: “I have a plan to leave Iraq in 16 months (no matter what).” For the sake of brevity, I’ll only hit on a few:

1. Sen. Obama has stated over and over again he will almost double capital gains taxes from the current 15 percent to 28 percent. Raising capital gains taxes hurts the economy with panic selling by investors before legislation passes, yet actually decreases revenues: In 1986 after a raise in capital gains taxes, revenues fell 44 percent. Contrarily, after the 1997 CG tax cut, revenues rose by 49 percent. (source Americans for Prosperity). At this time in history, we need to encourage investment and savings and yet Obama has chosen to punish savings and investment through unfair taxes.

2. Sen. Obama plans to double the taxes on dividends. Read #1 if you wonder about the effects on the economy, as they are almost identical.

3. Sen. Obama has stated he plans to extend many benefits to illegal immigrants (from “Fleeced” by Dick Morris): “Obama supported legislation to grant legal status to children under 21 who entered the country illegally if they have lived here for five years. He would support granting these children access to lower in-state tuition rates at state community and four-year colleges … Obama endorsed giving illegal immigrants (driver’s) licences…” This was among other ideas that would foster illegal immigration. He has also alluded to illegal immigrants receiving free health care in statements about the subject.

4. Sen. Obama’s words on reducing the powers of the PATRIOT ACT are telling: “(I want) to see stronger judicial review of National Security Letters and shorter time limits on sneak and peak searches, among other things.” Obama on amending the PATRIOT ACT: “We established limits on roving wiretaps.” Keep in mind, America has not been hit by seeming inevitable WMD terror attacks after 9-11 and the PATRIOT ACT was critical to thwarting these attacks.

5. Sen. Obama’s socialist leanings for income redistribution through massive government programs (also from “Fleeced”): “So Obama’s strategy for expanding government … Promoting an American equivalent of European socialism, he wants to anchor the growth of government in largesse to people who vote — that no one will ever be able to repeal it.”

6. Sen. Obama’s enormous support of the homosexual agenda. From Sen. Obama’s recent letter to Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council outlining his support of gay adoption and marriage: “We also have to do more to support and strengthen LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) families,” Obama wrote. “Because equality in relationship, family and adoption rights is not some abstract principle; it’s about whether millions of LGBT Americans can finally live lives marked by dignity and freedom.” He continued, “That’s why we have to repeal laws like the Defense of Marriage Act. That’s why we have to eliminate discrimination against LGBT families. And that’s why we have to extend equal treatment in our family and adoption laws.”

Obama is still a mystery to most Americans and yet the press continues to leave him in a “honeymoon” period. For most candidates, this usually only lasts for a few days after the party nomination. With Obama, it goes on and on. “Change We Can Believe In,” and yet what is the change? Most are frustrated with the war radical Islam brought against the United States. Just as nothing was ever the same for America after Pearl Harbor, nothing will ever be the same after 9-

11. However, things could get much worse in this time of world war. Look hard at what Obama plans to bring and how easy a Democratic House, Senate and executive will have it in passing legislation that will irrevocably change this nation.

Attorney Bill Connor of Orangeburg is a regular contributor to The Times and Democrat editorial page.

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