It is not imagery but specifics and inherent values and norms that should decide who will be the next President of the United States of America, not political expediency.
(PASO ROBLES, Calif.) - We’re talking values and norms here, not false accusations or rumors that get tossed about during political campaigns, such as John McCain and his committee are throwing at Barack Obama’s wall to see what will stick.
Hillary acted as warm-up for McCain’s .performance when she referred to Barack Obama as an “elitist” [which of course he is not]. According to a web-headline [8/4/08] Obama leads McCain in a poll of white working class voters by a significant margin.
A Republican tactic intended to show Obama’s Foreign Policy in a bad light backfired when, as McCain suggested, Obama went to Iraq. It is politically dangerous to respond to the advice of the opposition, but in this case Obama wisely expanded his tour to include Afghanistan, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and England where in Germany he was warmly received, by 200,000.
So great was his reception that, looking for anything to diminish his appeal, McCain’s committee branded Barack a superstar sans credentials. Paris Hilton was used, but very nice as she criticized John McCain‘s tactic.
Next. Obama was accused of having a Messiah complex because of his audacity for believing himself capable of being president. Compared to Geo. W. Bush, however, Obama is a piker as a Godhead, At least he shows a willingness to compromise rather than dictate.
“Flip-flopper” is a term McCain and Obama can use selectively against the other, but usually it is applied only when positions are completely reversed. Anything less is an attempt to give the impression of what is not.
Barack Obama’s apparent changes of heart indicate his willingness to compromise to satisfy the interests of all Americans that both Parties represent.
It is an admirable intent consistent with Obama’s desire to change the system to better serve everybody, unlike extreme partisanship that has existed too long and for all the wrong reasons.
The United States must be free from foreign and Big Oil if it is to retain its position as the leader of the Free World. Passive energy seems on the verge of taking off, and should become the most viable source in the long run.
There is no quick fix, it will years happen, but it will create jobs where they are needed. In the meantime coal, natural gas, oil and existing nuclear energy will be essential residual-supplements to a successful transition, but as passive energy sources increase, energy dangerous to the environment and to life can be reduced incrementally for the good of all.
Obama is not only the most reasonable, but also the best qualified. candidate to be President. His mind is sharper than McCain’s, his knowledge greater, and his heart bigger, which will lead to peace and prosperity, none of which has anything to do with McCain s’ comic criticisms. If Hillary was President, she would look as unlike all Presidents depicted on our national currency as will Barack Obama, but for a different reason.
It is not imagery but specifics and inherent values and norms that should decide who will be the next President of the United States of America, not political expediency.
------------------------------------------------
Kenneth G. Ramey was a 79-year old "writer without a Website" who is generating excellent, provocative articles on the subject of religion and world affairs. We are pleased that Ken's "lone wolf" presence as a writer in the world has been replaced by a spot on our team of writers at Salem-News.com. Raised in Minnesota and California during the dark years of the Great American Depression, Ken is well suited to talk about the powerful forces in the world that give all of us hope and tragedy and everything in between. You can write to Ken at: kennethramey@yahoo.com
Values and NormsSalem-News.com