To the editor,
As we approach the end zone in this election, the politics become more angry, and for those of us who diligently (and somewhat desperately) seek answers to vital questions regarding the future of America, it may be helpful to discern our own values and compare them with those of the candidates.
Does the candidate have enough sparkle? Does his or her family fit your idea of a model American? Do they really care about you..and perhaps most importantly, are they equipped intellectually, emotionally and intentionally to move this country forward during very troubling times.
If you believe that the challenges facing America are simple and uncomplicated, your thoughts about the candidates probably don’t cause you to seek answers to troubling questions relating to the survival of America amid a growing unrest internationally and domestic challenges at home.
The realities of an increasingly global economy and other looming domestic vulnerabilities: healthcare costs, unemployment, burgeoning debt, serious operational challenges in educating a competing workforce and the growing demographic disparities in our population are vital concerns for the thinking voter.
What are your fundamental beliefs regarding these conditions?
If you believe that Americans who grew up in prosperous families with financial ,social and cultural connections are entitled to a better chance of attaining the “American Dream” and important government office, you will likely vote for these “entitled” folks. If, however, you disagree with the assertion that 47% of Americans includes a 97 year old widow living alone with no government assistance collecting $800 per month social security earned in a low wage school lunchroom job and who pays no additional taxes at tax time, you may seriously question the ideology of the candidate and ponder the question of who is the producer and who the parasite.
If you agree that the U.S.’s massive debt obligation is solely the result of unreasonable social obligations, you may be ignoring well documented facts regarding the foolhardy and downright reckless speculation and trickery on Wall Street that resulted in a worldwide financial crisis and the hasty and costly war of choice in Iraq that also delegitimized our stature abroad. Will you vote for a candidate and congress who favor bipartisan plans for regulating how Wall Street handles other people’s money and who seek peaceful solutions in place of war.
If you believe that current unrest in the middle east should be approached with militaristic solutions rather than diplomacy, you may be ignoring the realities of war and its nihilistic possibilities in a nuclear world. Will you vote for the current president whose thoughtful and expertly guided approach favors diplomatic channels rather than militaristic fantasies?
Will you vote for a person who has taken on the country’s serious operational challenges during his four year term while maintaining dignity, courage and humility amid ridiculous claims regarding his citizenship, religion, heritage and humanity…or will you choose a candidate whose values may be legitimate and admirable but who may not completely understand the realities and vulnerabilities of all Americans?
Carol Bryant-Bushinger
Kabetogama Lake, MN
