Introduction

Did you know that Barack Obama served two terms as Senator before he became the President of the USA? Do you know his stance on controversial topics, such as abortion and border control?Is he a religious man? Is he more conservative or liberal? You will learn the answers to these questions and more from this book.Barack Obama wrote the ‘Audacity of Hope’ when he was still a Senator from Illinois. In this book, he writes about his family, the diverse groups he advocates for, and his dream for a better America.In this book, you will get to know former President Obama as much more than just the first  African-American  president of the United States.

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Republicans and Democrats

It may not be the most beautiful part of the Capitol, but the Senate Chamber is breathtaking, nonetheless. It has wide walls and tall columns made of marble and a creamy white oval ceiling with the symbolic American Eagle at the center. 100 mahogany desks are lined in a semicircle. Some have been there since 1819. If you open the drawers, you will see the names of the honourable men who once sat there. Visitors can observe the official signatures of famous Americans such as Kennedy, Long, Taft and others.Sometimes, I imagine the great senators who shaped our country giving their inspiring speeches in this very room. However, my colleagues and I usually spend very little time in the Senate Chamber; this space is only briefly used for senators to cast their votes.

Before we reach the Senate Chamber, we each will have studied the details of a bill to decide whether or not to pass a specific bill.  We will have discussed the amendments with the majority leader, the committee chairman and the other personnel.  By the time we enter to cast our vote, each senator has  already determined a solid position made with the help of staff, lobbyists and interest groups.Most of the time, senators work from their own offices where we study the laws, make phone calls, and meet with our constituents. Occasionally, we go to television studios to do live interviews. Our normal working day spans 12 -13 hours.I remember very clearly the day that I was sworn into the 109th Congress. It was a warm sunny day, my friends and family were there to support me. My two daughters, Malia and Sasha, were twirling in their beautiful dresses down the hall. I walked hand-in-hand with my wife, Michelle.

In the Library of Congress, we spent quality moments with supporters and we shared laughter, hugs, handshakes and photographs as they offered me encouragement and well-wishes.After the ceremony and festivities, my colleagues and I got to work.We have to face the reality that the Senate is divided:Republicans and Democrats have disagreed on every issue for decades, be it about Iraq, gay marriage, taxes, immigration, trade, abortion or education. We disagree with the reason for our disagreement. We disagree with the nature of our disagreement.And we disagree about the scope of the disagreement.

For those who are not familiar with politics, Republicans are the conservative and traditional political party in America.  Democrats are considered more liberal and modern; they are more likely to support gay rights than Republicans.I am a member of the Democratic party.Take climate change, for example: the Republicans have their own view about the facts, causes and perpetrators of climate change, while the Democrats also have their own version, as well. The two parties cannot agree on this issue.

While the two political parties continue to grapple over this ‘gap’, the people of this nation have real needs which should be addressed: millions of Americans are just barely getting by every day. They go to work, pay their bills, take care of their children and make do with their health insurance. They have learned to rely on themselves and to do away with the endless arguments of Republicans and Democrats.I believe that the Senate needs to reflect on how to better serve the American people. It needs to set aside differences in ideology and accept more compromises. Most of all, the Republicans and Democrats must learn to admit that sometimes the other side has a good point.  Americans are waiting for a Senate that has more maturity, common sense and responsibility.

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Our Constitution

No one knows the Senate more than Senator Robert C. Byrd. I met him when he was 87 years old. He served in the Senate for 47 years and has handled every position there is. He was majority leader for six years and also a minority leader for another six years.Senator Byrd hails from West Virginia. He was raised by his uncle and aunt in a coal mining town. At an early age, he learned to recite long poems from memory, and he is also talented in playing the fiddle.Since Byrd had no money to go to college, he worked as a salesman, a meat cutter and a welder to save for his education. He entered politics after the Second World War. In 1952, he became a congressman and he entered the Senate in 1958.

Senator Byrd prioritized the welfare of the working class: he passed laws for union protection and health benefits of miners; he fought for infrastructure and electricity for very poor communities in his area.After 10 years of night courses, Byrd earned his law degree.  If there was something that Senator Byrd loved more than his wife, that would be the Constitution and the history of the Senate. He wrote 4 volumes on Senate history and always carries a pocket-sized copy of the US Constitution wherever he goes.When I first started as a Senator, my senior colleagues advised I meet with Senator Byrd for advice. We met in Senator Byrd’s private office.

After some initial polite conversation and perfunctory photographs, I asked for his advice for me as a new senator.“Learn all the laws.” he told me. “Not just the laws, but the precedents as well.” He showed me his collection of thick binders: each one of them was marked and labeled by him. “Not many people bother to learn them these days. Everything is so rushed, so many demands on a senator’s time.”We talked about the Senate’s history, the presidents he had worked with, and the bills he had passed. Senator Byrd encouraged me, but emphasized that I should not rush in my new role. Many senators are eyeing for the presidency without realizing that the Senate is the heart and soul of the government.

“Very few people read the Constitution today.” Senator Byrd said as he took out his own copy from his breast pocket. “I’ve always said, the Constitution and the Holy Bible are all the guidance I need.”Before we parted, he gave me copies of his 4 volumes of Senate history. I commented that it is good that he finds time to write. “Oh, I have been very fortunate.” Senator Byrd said. “Much to be thankful for. There’s not much I wouldn’t do over. I only have one regret in my youth…”“We all have regrets, Senator,” I told him. “We just ask that in the end, God’s grace shines upon us.” He looked me in the eyes and gave the faintest smile. “God’s grace. Yes. Let me sign the books for you.”

Opportunity

To educate myself on the status of the American economy, I visited Galesburg in Western Illinois. The town was known for its steel, rubber and industrial-parts manufacturing. But now, almost all of the plants have shut down.I went to the Maytag plant, specifically, because the company had plans to move its operations to Mexico and lay off 1,600 of its employees. Maytag has manufactured washing machines since 1893. I met with the union leader Dave Bevard. He told me that they have tried every strategy to change the owner’s mind. The union has talked to the press, contacted the investors and solicited support from local politicians. But still, the owner of Maytag was unmoved.

“It ain’t like these guys aren’t making a profit,” Dave said. “We’ve taken cuts in pay, cuts in benefits and layoffs. Still, the CEO wants to send the work to Mexico and pay the workers there six times lower.”I offered Dave solutions that we can work for in the future, like improved retraining programs for employees and removal of tax breaks for companies who outsource their operations.As I was about to go, a big man with a baseball cap stood up and introduced himself: Tim Wheeler, the union leader of the nearby steel plant. He has received unemployment insurance since the plant closed, but was worried about his healthcare benefits.

“My son Mark needs a liver transplant,” Tim said. “We’re on the waiting list for a donor but my healthcare benefits are used up.We’re asking if Medicaid will cover the costs. Nobody can give me a clear answer. I sold everything I got for Mark; got into debt, but it’s still not enough.”Tears welled up in Tim’s eyes. I told him that I would check with Medicaid for an answer. As I drove back to Chicago, I thought about Tim Wheeler; a man who had no job and no savings to help his sick son.Globalization has brought about advantages for many Americans; flat screen TV’s at a low price and the availability of peaches in winter, among other benefits. Purchasing power of the dollar has increased, while inflation has lessened.

However, globalization has its disadvantages as well. To keep up with competition and attract investors globally, American companies have offshored or automated their operations. They became strict with wage increases, health benefits and retirement plans.The result is that the economy adapted a “winner-take-all” approach:  those on top of the hierarchy make big gains, while those on the lower levels suffer. Corporate leaders speak about growth, productivity and profits, while the ordinary workers receive none of it.Take for example big tech companies like Google: they hire top marketers, consultants, lawyers and engineers. These experts enjoy the benefits of modern technology. But the skilled workers of Maytag can easily be replaced by machines or workers in other countries.

The question is what the government can do about this. I see three solutions to how Americans can be more competitive in the global market. First is investment in education. Children, especially in African-American and Latino communities, should be given a better shot in life.Second is investment in science and technology. There should be more federal support for research, as well as training for scientists and engineers.The third is investment in energy. Those in power must realize that the country’s dependence on current energy sources is taking a toll. There is, instead, a big opportunity with alternative fuels and hybrid cars, as proved by other countries.

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