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(04/20/09 4:00am)
For two years I have had the privilege to write as an editorial columnist for The Eagle. As a blue dog Democrat, I have continuously strived to present my sincere, but also balanced, views on political issues. To some, my columns may have been too nuanced and lacking zeal for the Democratic Party line. But I am proud of my past endeavors to write as an independent-minded Democrat. As a "progressive," I value intellectual openness. Ideologies are ultimately only a product of man's thinking, and can be replaced by new thoughts. I have frequently described myself as a moderate not because I lack confidence in my political beliefs, but because I acknowledge the importance of "reforming" my own ideology through learning both conservatives and liberals alike.
(04/02/09 4:00am)
Some have told me in the past that "Blue Dog Democrat" is not an accurate description of my ideology. In fact, one has even jokingly accused me of "conservative socialism," as I support the role of the big government. I do not disavow such charge, for the fact is, I do believe the U.S. government has a moral mandate to be the faithful steward of the national economy. For this reason, I strongly support President Obama's use of his presidential authority to regenerate the U.S. economy in these times of economic hardship.
(03/19/09 4:00am)
Suppose some politician responds to a question on gay marriage by answering "I passionately support civil rights of individual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, but I also strongly support preservation of traditional marriage." How would the interest groups react? Both conservative and liberal groups would likely accuse him of political inconsistency or worse, outright moral hypocrisy.
(02/23/09 5:00am)
After years of effort, it appears as if those who have long strived for D.C. voting rights might finally have their wish. The U.S. Senate has scheduled a preliminary vote on Feb. 24 on a measure to give D.C. full voting rights in the U.S. House of Representatives. It is very likely that the bill will pass through Congress and be signed into law by President Obama. So, is this the end of the long debate on DC's political representation?
(02/09/09 5:00am)
Two years ago, I asked panelists at a Kennedy Political Union forum, "Why is it that whenever the United States intervenes in an international problem, nations accuse her of imperialism, but when the United States chooses not to intervene, they accuse her of indifference and neglect?" Certainly being a global leader is no easy task for the nation - so often the citizens of the world contradictorily demand both assistance and autonomy from the United States. President Obama's dilemma may be even greater than that of some of his predecessors. He faces a time when many in the United States are too preoccupied with their own economic troubles to be concerned about the nation's standing in the global community.
(01/26/09 5:00am)
President Barack Obama faces immense expectations from those in and out of the country, all of whom are waiting for spectacular solutions to the world's problems. However, Obama is hardly the only political leader in history who was elected with high expectations. Many past presidents have governed in the name of "Change", with some being successful and others not so. How will Obama be judged as a president?
(12/04/08 5:00am)
Way back, during Pennsylvania's Democratic presidential primary election, many publicly admonished now President-elect Barack Obama for his comments that some people "cling to their guns and religion." Perhaps even more than other social issues like abortion, the right to bear arms has been a very sensitive issue for Americans.
(11/20/08 5:00am)
After eight years, George W. Bush's administration is finally coming to an end. As someone who has both respected and criticized President Bush throughout the years, I have been thinking for some time how I will judge his legacy. While Bush's presidency will continue to be controversial, for me these eight years have demonstrated Bush's failure at centrism; a seemingly strategic amalgamation of policies across the political spectrum has led to an unsustainable, circumscribed political philosophy that perhaps manifested the worst of both political ideologies.
(11/06/08 5:00am)
Obama has won. With these three words, the AU campus (and many parts of the country) erupted in cries of jubilation from millions of Obama supporters who were thrilled that after two years of a long campaign, they have finally brought the "change they want." On the other hand, even at AU there were those who couldn't celebrate, those who were distraught that someone they have opposed is now the president-elect. Yet, in a twist of irony, I want to say to Republicans, "Hang on, your change will come too."
(10/23/08 4:00am)
I still remember the election four years ago when my victorious conservative friends chided me that the Republicans had a bright future as the permanent ruling party, while the out-of-mainstream Democrats were doomed to be a minority party isolated in the liberal pockets of the country. The current presidential election will occur in less than two weeks, I am still stunned how rapidly the political paradigm has shifted. More than simply electing a presidential candidate, it is likely that this election will bring about a transformation in the political equilibrium of this nation, in a magnitude rivaling that of the past Reagan and New Deal revolutions.
(10/02/08 4:00am)
If there is one word to summarize the message of Obama's campaign, it is probably "change." Obama has repeatedly proclaimed in this election that Americans have had enough with old style politics and it's time for change. It certainly is a good message; Americans like change and they are quite impressed by the meteoric rise of this charismatic, genuine candidate who seeks to bring innovation and optimism to U.S. politics. However, Americans also like change that is comfortable and comprehensible. Because Obama is so promising a candidate for change, public expectations for him are greater than John McCain. As a result, while this election is Obama's to lose, it also is an election Obama can lose if he fails to convince the public to believe in his change.
(09/18/08 4:00am)
There are many times at church when my fellow churchgoers will ask me: "How could a Christian like you support pro-abortion candidate like Obama?" While such criticism would normally prompt me to defend Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's position as best as I could, the fact remains that there are issues on which we disagree. I have indeed asked several times to myself, "How do I reconcile my support for Obama with the disagreements I have with him on issues that I sincerely care about?"
(09/04/08 4:00am)
The start of convention season also signifies the beginning of the final campaign stretch. Both Barack Obama and John McCain will now aggressively attempt to differentiate one from another. Each will now try to emphasize that he is a more qualified leader for this nation and will attempt to communicate what sort of "change" is right for America. This is a very normal characteristic of a competitive election and it is good for democratic countries to have such vigorous campaigns. Unfortunately, people often become too passionate about their candidates. An election that should be about the difference between the two choices morphs into an election filled with strife, arousing antagonistic sentiments between the parties. Rather than nurturing democracy, belligerent elections often tear it down, as both sides attempt to deny the legitimacy of the other.
(02/04/08 5:00am)
Unlike many of my fellow Democrats, I have lot of sympathy for President Bush. I was encouraged when he first ran for president in 2000 as a "compassionate conservative." Contrary to what many believe, I have found Bush's political philosophy to encompass a lot of "liberal" elements: government-sponsored social programs, commitment to global democracy, tolerant policies toward immigration, etc.
(04/26/07 4:00am)
In America, I am proud to call myself a Democrat and look forward to another Democratic triumph in 2008. Those who know me, however, are surprised by my apparent affinity toward the Republican Party. I have regularly attended College Republicans meetings, been to numerous conservative conferences and often called myself a "Fox News Liberal." Some question why, as a loyal Democrat, I maintain cordial relationship with conservatives.
(04/12/07 4:00am)
I support democracy and I support the treasured American principle for "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." However, I also believe in the role of a benevolent big government to promote this principle in our society. I am aware that most Americans are individualistic and reluctant to trust the power of the government. While acknowledging a need for clear limits to governmental power, I strongly believe that an active government can be a great institution for promoting justice and compassion in our society.
(03/29/07 4:00am)
How can we end poverty? Stereotypical conservatives would say, "He who doesn't work should not eat." Stereotypical liberals would say, "Rob the rich to feed the poor." Like most Americans, I have come to question both extreme measures and believe solving poverty require lot more comprehensive solutions.
(03/08/07 5:00am)
Last weekend, I had an opportunity to attend CPAC, the largest conservative conference in the United States. Featuring high-profile conservative celebrities such as Newt Gingrich, Sean Hannity and Phyllis Schlafly, the conference inspired the attendants to stay true to the authentic conservative values and stand up against the liberal challenges. While by no means endorsing conservatism, during the conference I began to wonder why some of the values preached at CPAC belonged exclusively to the conservatives.
(02/22/07 5:00am)
I am a Democrat. I believe in the ideals of the Democratic Party and hope to see a Democrat in the White House in 2009. However, lately I have become disturbed not by the opposition from the right but rather by the obstruction from the left that threatens my hope. Recent radical rhetoric from our own party rank has aroused my dismay that perhaps my party can lose again in '08 because of our own liberal idealists who refuse to play pragmatic politics. The '06 election was hardly a public mandate for the Democratic Party. Rather, it was a backlash against the Republicans who didn't quite stand up to their own principles. Yes, it was a blue year, but to assume the American public has now embraced liberalism would be a terrible error. The Democratic Party, more than ever, needs to be a big tent party that opens the door for many moderates and even former Republicans who have become disenchanted with the GOP.
(02/08/07 5:00am)
Since its founding, the Christian church was commanded by Christ to be the light and salt of this world. In accordance to his will, Christians have worked for centuries to promote moral values in their societies. In the contemporary United States, many church leaders have engaged in political activism to uphold what they believe to be a biblical justice. Unfortunately, Christian political activism has provoked many who disagree with the church's political agenda. Contrary to popular myth, this criticism has been given to conservative and liberal church leaders.