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The Next President: Look Past the Rhetoric
by moonwolf | August 29, 2008 at 09:53 am | 446 views | 29 comments | 95 recommendations
by moonwolf
Super hoopla, big bands playing at big colorful rallies with ever bigger promises being barked by the smiling, baby kissing, hand clasping Presidential nominees draped in Old Glory, illuminated by skies filled with fireworks; glitzy TV spots and Hollywood stars and special effects everywhere; just some of the diversions that will be thrown non-stop at US voters as the showboat "USS Presidential Election" builds up steam, powers up the paddle wheel and pulls out of the dock on another always perfect sunny afternoon. As the PR machines on both sides swing into multi-million dollar action it is important for voters to close their eyes to the theater and think carefully about the leadership capabilities of the two contenders for the highest office in the land. This non-partisan article is a good place to start.
Americans are in the heart of that once-every-four-years phenomenon where the Democrats and Republicans try to shape the image of their respective candidates with never-ending political rhetoric, images, videos, and music. All this hoopla is aimed at getting their candidate elected President. But it doesn't tell us what we really need to know.
Honestly speaking, voters should ignore all this political image-shaping. Instead, they should try to determine the type of leader John McCain or Barack Obama would be in the world's most powerful leadership position.
We've been fooled before by political rhetoric. Remember the "compassionate conservatism" campaign of President George W. Bush in 2000? He proved to be neither compassionate nor truly conservative, as evidenced by his profligate spending and the deficit he has run up. In 1992, Bill Clinton ran on a health-care platform of "managed competition" that turned out a plan that was anything but competitive and almost sank his Presidency. Going farther back in history, Lyndon Johnson envisioned in 1964 a Great Society and instead left us mired in Vietnam. In 1968, Richard Nixon promised to "win the peace in Vietnam," and wound up extending the war until 1974.
Bottom line: Don't judge politicians on their promises. Judge them on their leadership.
August 29, 2008 at 09:53 am by moonwolf, 446 views, 29 comments
Crowd Power
moonwolf
Maple Bay, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (29)
at 10:04 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
'Nuff Said!
at 10:08 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 10:24 on August 29th, 2008
Moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 10:44 on August 29th, 2008
Thanks all. This election is very important to Canadians too. I have my own preference but recognize the will of the American people come November. The gravity of the situation is such that I think it is necessary for my US counterparts to focus on issues and vision and not the old shell game that is cranking up. An exciting and challenging time!
at 13:28 on August 29th, 2008
I only hope that when Obama gets elected he puts forth as much effort and energy in his Presidency as he has shown thus far! :o)
It too bad that only Americans can vote in this election as it’s outcome will most definitely affect the entire Globe.
at 11:14 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
It is easy to get blinded by the lights.
at 11:15 on August 29th, 2008
That's why you've got to wear sunglasses.
at 11:15 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
I guess optimism is one of your strong suits. Good stuff buddy.
at 12:33 on August 29th, 2008
Thanks T,
I am critical of the USA only because I care, and because it is important to shine a light on government excesses and foolishness, regardless of the country, and more so in the case of the most powerful nation in the world. With great power comes great responsibility and thus the importance of greater scrutiny and accountability. When I say I have lots of American friends I'm not kidding, and I love them like my own family.
America can be the worst of us but also can be the very best of us. I think it's time after the last 8 years for America to retake the high road and be the very best of us. We don't need a bully beating on us, we need real, strong and yet compassionate and measured moral leadership that is one of the crowning possibilities of the USA. I will be damned if I am going to be pessimistic at this time, though the pressure to be so is immense, so much negative information real and imagined about both candidates and their parties!
I will maintain a high level of optimism as I believe that the more of us that are keeping that positive energy focused on the proceedings, the more likely that whoever gets elected will rise to the formidable challenges facing all of us.
That doesn't mean that I don't have a preference, but I will remain open, critical and look very hard at the candidates and what they stand for. When the election is over I will support the winner when he acts in a way that is worthy and hold his feet to the fire should he fail to keep his word to his constituents.
at 16:16 on August 29th, 2008
Moon,
I hate it that we're even in the position of hoping for a "better government." Because, on this issue, I'm very pessimistic that the government can really do lasting good. I'm always optimistic about people and that's why I think the government needs to just get the hell out of the way and let people live their lives.
It sickens me that we've come to the point where there is this cult-like following of major party officials. Obama isn't the messiah, McCain isn't a maverick. I don't doubt that they are genuinely good people but the only person who can make my life better is me. The only one who can make your life better is you. For things to get better we need to break our dependency on government. I have faith that we will do this in the future.
at 11:15 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 11:16 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff. Yew bin readin them thar lernin books agin, hasnt yew?
at 11:19 on August 29th, 2008
You know whats strange, I can comment here, but the damn good stuff flag isnt working.
Okay, fine make a liar outta me, like a 5 minute delay posting a GS is acceptable?
at 11:20 on August 29th, 2008
How much you want to bet, Males may swing their vote McCains way, cause of his VP pick,
at 11:21 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 11:45 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
So well said.
I'm an Obama supporter by far - but I too am frustrated by the mud-slinging, crap shooting, and retoric that has nothing to do with the issues at hand.
I will say that the race just got that much more interesting - and impassioned - on both sides of the partisanship. Should be a good run for the next couple months - if we, the voters, can get these candidates to nail down on the issues.
at 12:30 on August 29th, 2008
Right on phoenixrose! I'm with you!
at 12:31 on August 29th, 2008
Thanks everyone!
at 12:55 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 12:56 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. "Next president" well Big T and moonwolf talking, always dazzling dialogue. Up to now I saw 1 Obama Tshirt at the French Riviera, No McCain. Anyway I am a guest here, not voting. But who ever gets president has to solve worst economic problems, do the Americans go with Him ?
at 13:19 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Nice piece... I'm feeling really discouraged myself, though - a bad sense of deja vu/S.S.D.A.* brewing.
*Same Stuff Different Administration
at 13:26 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 13:53 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 14:09 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 15:09 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 15:24 on August 29th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 15:55 on August 29th, 2008
Moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Your article reminded me of statements made by Hillary Clinton during the DNC. She asked voters to think about whether they were involved in this election merely to support her, or if they were committed to resolving the issues before us.
Thank you for posting this article to remind voters that we must concentrate on the important issues before our next president and other elected officials: Diplomacy or spreading war and increasing violence, both at home and abroad? An economy that is "fine like it is," or economic changes to upgrade the lifestyles of average Americans? Women and minorities moving forward toward equity in increasing numbers, or continuing their long wait and struggle? In other words, we are choosing between worse and worse, or the possibility of creating a stronger America that is more true to her ideals and that rejoins other earth citizens to resolve the global issues that face humanity.
It behooves us to give our answer this November very careful consideration. More could be riding on our response than we may know at this time. Hopefully, we will ignore most of the PR, put aside any partisan politics and personal disappointments over the primaries, and place the party and individual leaders in control that America needs at such a time as this.
As a couple of people who commented here pointed out, non-U.S. citizens are not eligible to vote in these important elections. But you can all pray.
Mary
at 01:47 on August 30th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.
For the blessing sake to us all, what I don't like is this party division stuff. Really Obama and MCain should be working together to fix this mess. Stop the party politics and work together. How funny would that be if McCain chose Obama as his V.P. while Obama was the Presidential nominee for the Democratic party. We need to stop this division back-biting, because it does not strengthen America. It is a terrible divide. Sometimes I really wonder why the Lord created the Grand Canyon in Republica territory. Because they are the grand dividers.
With one pro-government and the other so called not......is really a bunch of bunk. Just look at what big government is and all you see is the Military budget. Don't tell me Republicans are for less government. And then we see the Democrats who want to reduce that Giant Ape of an Albatross to give money to real American people in need.....and .all of a sudden the Democrats are for Big Government....What an outlandish lie.. They squander our money away to deficits neither seen before to wage war, by having China finance the debt, making China become more powerful than the Jewish Lobby in control of things in the US.
at 22:30 on September 5th, 2008
moonwolf, I like this story. It's good stuff.