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Bob Riley Profiles In Courage

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“Profiles In courage” is a book written by the then senator, John F. Kennedy where he highlights American politicians who went against the flow and against their own party to do what they thought was right. Their actions were actions of political courage. While it is common for politicians to go with the wind in a bid to get reelected, some have shown the spirit of true service, at the expense of political expediency. One such individual would be Alabama’s governor Bob Riley who was elected on a Republican ticket in 2002. During his campaigns, he aimed at appealing to the upper and middle-class of society. However, after election, he appeared to be ‘kicking back’ at the same people who supports him. While governor, he realized that Alabama …show more content…

Riley faced opposition from many quarters, with the leading opponents being industries and farms who thought they would have more taxes levied on them. His own party’s steering committee opposed his decision. As indicated before, the people of Alabama did not want government interference and were anti-tax. Hence, the opposition that Riley received was massive. However, he did have some support, especially from schools which would benefit from his plan. Business advocates also supported him, with some launching grassroots organizations to support Riley’s decision. The parties that supported Riley include progressive non-profit groups that saw the need to have changes made in the Alabama taxing system and saw it as an opportunity for Alabama to invest in better education and government …show more content…

These opponents based their campaign on the complexity of the plan, to convince people that taxes would go up. However, the major risk he stood was losing ratings and support from the people he hoped to govern. His predecessor, Suegelman who had come into office promising to bring change in schools through operating a state lottery. His proposition required a referendum, with supporter and opponents taking it to a bitter campaign that led to the failure of the measure. Siegelman had given up after failing to provide another alternative, and had hence been defeated by Riley. Hence, from Siegelman’s experience, Riley’s decision could also be suicidal to

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The careful steps of Charles O’Riley sank deep into the thick, muffling pillow of snow without the slightest evidence of sound. The flakes settled softly in his wake, whirling flurries of a tender blindness, slowly, gently tucking away all traces of noise into the deep caress of forsaken dreams. The late hours of evening had yet to pass over the day, and O’Riley’s worn leather soles, peeling and brown-black from years of trudging through the winter snow, halted their steady march, paused, and settled their weight firmly to both feet, as their owner craned his head. Right hand absentmindedly clutching a tattered old tweedy hat to his head, as squinted through the snow at the bold, red “Condemned” letters spelled out across the cracked and dusty

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