Obama: Big business, lobbyists blocking change in America

[TeamJordan23]

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2007/07/obama_big_busin.html

Obama: Big business, lobbyists blocking change
Friday, July 20, 2007

HAMPTON, NH -- Health insurers block progress toward universal health care. Big Oil corrupts our energy policy. Banks and lenders make money on the backs of college students forced to repay huge loans. Agribusiness benefits from government subsidies at the expense of small farms.

This was Barack Obama's populist message this morning at the Adeline C. Marston Elementary School here, one of three public campaign stops in the last two days in New Hampshire. To Republicans, casting business as an enemy of change may sound like a tired trope of the left. But Obama laid the blame for inertia on health care, energy independence, and other issues squarely at the feet of select industries and their lobbyists.

On health insurance, for example, Obama repeated his pledge to sign a universal health care bill by the end of his first term, saying, "I shouldn't have better health insurance than you since you're paying the bill for my health insurance."

"Every four years somebody promises to fix this and it doesn't get fixed," he continued. "And the reason is because HMOs, drug companies, and insurance companies are doing very well under the status quo, and they will fight to block change. And we've got to overcome that resistance."

At this morning's event, which Obama's campaign said drew around 600 people, the Illinois senator also criticized Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, vowing to appoint an attorney general who Obama said would represent the people, not him. And he again called for diverting the billions being spent every month in Iraq to domestic programs, such as broadband network expansions and other infrastructure improvements in rural areas.

"I still can't get a cell phone signal when I'm driving through New Hampshire," he said. "How can you do business when you can't get a cell phone signal?"

[lurky]

1. Biting the hands that feed...

If he keeps this up without caving, he might get my support.

[Ethelk2044]

2. He is correct

[illinoisprogressive]

3. very powerful message

[Bullet1987]

4. Will it show in his policies though? That's all that matters after all the rhetoric

[LongTomH]

5. Real Message: They ARE listening to Mike Moore

Expect more populist messages to come out during the campaign.

2nd Real Message: It's up to us to keep them to their word!

[eweaver155]

6. He is correct. I am tired ot the Corporations running over government

We need to take back the goverment.

[jackbourassa]

7. I'm so glad that Obama is standing up to these people...

Courage.

[1776Forever]

8. Oh yeah!!!!!!! Say it like it is! Can I dare to trust Obama???? I must trust someone!

I pray he is telling us the truth that he will fight these giants! Can we trust that they will not take him down? Will he have enough protection to get him through? I will pray for him and his family! God bless you Obama!

[illinoisprogressive]

9. Obama is so right.

[populistdriven]

10. Democratic Underground Has Only Raised $137.62 For Obama???

Only 7 donors so far...

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/16332

Donate on this page http://www.actblue.com/page/du-presidential

[calteacherguy]

11. Such a common sense pragmatist, "how can you do business if you can't get a cell phone signal?"

I like that kind of sense.

[bvar22]

12. Its NOT Big Business and Lobbists that are the problem!!!

The REAL PROBLEM is the politicians of BOTH parties that take MONEY from them and return special favors.
Without corrupt politicians, the lobbists have NOTHING!

I think Obama needs to look a little closer to home when identifying the REAL problem.

[TeamJordan23]

13. Obama and I believe Edwards have rejected federal lobbyists' money. nm

[cutlassmama]

14. After reading this, I'm switching my vote from Hillary to Obama n/t

[draft_mario_cuomo]

16. Yes, Edwards, like Obama, does not take money from federal lobbyists

Kudos to both of these Democrats. :)

[WCGreen]

15. Well Duh....

Stating the obvious, I guess, is a safe way for candidates to make a point...