If McCain consistently lies during his campaign for election, can the American public trust that, if elected, his Administration will not lie to them in much the same way about affairs of Government?
If McCain changes definitions, such as that for "surge" and "fundamentals of the economy", once he learns his initial comments on those topics are not supported by the facts, can the American public trust, if elected, that he will not lead this nation's domestic and foreign policy in much the same way?
If McCain has consistently voted against issues of importance for education, women, organized labor, consumers, and increased wages and employment for American workers, can the American public trust that he will lead any differently if elected?
If McCain does not permit questioning of his VP nominee and criticizes the questioner and avoids answering when he is asked embarassing campaign questions, can the American public trust that his Administration, if he is elected, will be any more transparent than the current one has been during the last 8 years.
There is only one of the two major candidates for President who can be trusted to restore honor and integrity to our Government and help restore a positive image for our nation in the world, and to fight for the welfare and benefit of working class Americans. That person is NOT McCain!
Obama/Beiden '08
Following is the opening paragraph of one of my comments titled "Truth & Trust...Two Important Ingredients" that was made during the Primary campaign:
" The importance of truth in our electoral process is unquestioned. If the representatives of the people are to be selected based on falsehoods, what value is there to having the freedom to vote since the will of the people would be deprived by deception which is no better than depriving us of our right to vote in the first place."
The recent McCain/Palin campaign strategy of lies and deception makes this as much a significant issue today than at any other time. This issue goes to the heart of the very characteristics we, as citizens of the greatest free country in the world, should not only want but demand in our leaders. That is integrity and truth. If they do not rely on integrity & truth to gain the trust of the voters to win their elected positions, what reason do the voters have to believe that such deception will not carry forward into their policies and practices as elected officials?
Is not that what we have been suffering through these last 8 years, whether it be deception with regard to Iraq, unaccounted billions of dollars for war contracts to Administration friends, torture, unwarranted domestic wiretapping, as well as infringements of other civil liberties.
As Dennis Kucinich said at the DNC: "Wake Up America!"
Conventional wisdom tells us that the past is the best predictor for the future.
In the past, McCain:
· as a student, was an underachiever who demonstrated a lack of value for education by graduating 894th of 899 students at the Naval Academy
· as Senator, in 1992, he indicated he favored that the Department of Education be eliminated.
· voted on several measures, as recently as 2006, to reject proposals to increase funding for education.
· opposed funding for school desegregation, and funding for No Child Left Behind.
` consistently opposed efforts to hire more teachers, and expand Head Start, and make college more affordable.
· earned the “worst” rating by the Children’s Defense Fund for his votes on kids issues.
Yet, despite his stinginess for educating our youth, he recently proposed tax legislation granting 200 billion dollars in tax cuts to business corporations.
With that as his past track record, can we trust that his future decisions as a President would ensure that the education and welfare of our children and grandchildren will be the priority it deserves to be?
The prospects under a McCain Administration for needed improvement in our education system would be bleak indeed!
Important Questions:
Would McCain have been admitted to the Naval Academy if not for his father and grandfather, both Admirals in the Navy?
Would McCain have graduated from the Naval Academy given his disciplinary record and poor grades, if not for his his father and grandfather, both Admirals in the Navy?
As someone who graduated 894th out of 899 from the Naval Academy, would he have qualified for flight school, if not for his father and grandfather, both Admirals in the Navy?
If not for his wife, an heiress, from a family with wealthy and powerful business friends, such as Charles Keating, would he have been successful in running for Congress in 1982?
Would he have been saved from a major PR gaffe in Iraq if Sen. Lieberman had not whispered in his ear about sunni, shiite, and al qaeda?
If not for Governor Palin as his running mate, would he have experienced increased standing in the polls, and become competitive in the Presidential race?
If his past achievements are the result more of his connection to influential others rather than to his own initiative and competencies, can we trust that he will be any different as President?
If not, then who can we expect to be influencing him, and national policy, as President?
Who now and, in the past, have been closest to him in advising and influencing him?
Does this mean that a McCain Presidency will be one run by past and current lobbyists of big oil and other big businesses?
How will that be any different than the last 8 years under Bush?
If 8 years under Bush has brought us an unfavorable economic situation that takes place once in a century according to Alan Greenspan, what will another 4 years of the same bring?
Can common people survive whatever it will bring, or will it only be Administration friends with big business interests?
Why would we even want to consider taking that chance of doing something that results in something as bad, or likely worse, than our current economic situation?
Will the American people this time vote for their interests and the welfare of their children, or will they once again allow themselves to be influenced by the lies of the same folks that deceived them in 2000 and then again in 2004?
A Clear Choice…moving forward v backward...status quo not option
Sept.15, 2008 Issue of Newsweek this week delves into Palin's record for an understanding of where she stands on issues.
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/09/sarah_palin_media_piranhas_lob.html
Excerpt of David Axelrod Quote:
On the choice voters face on Election Day: "The choice is between a path that leads us to more of the same and a compounding of the problems that we've already seen over the last eight years, and someone who offers the kind of change that we need to rebuild the middle class, rebuild our economy, rebuild our standing in the world and our security and move America forward."
Comment:
This quote by Obama's chief strategist focuses attention on a subtle but most important distinction in what this election really concerns.
Too often, our slogans and buzz words like McSame...McBush...McCain=Bush...we can't afford 4 more years etc. leaves one with the impression that McCain represents maintaining the "status quo" as far as this country's economic problems, the plight of the middle class, our image in foreign affairs, and our national security. IN FACT, as Axelrod correctly point out, a continuation of the Bush policies and practices by McCain over the next 4 years will COMPOUND America's economic problems and national security.
In other words, we all will be WORSE OFF, not the same. Depending on election results, this country will either be going forward (Obama) or will be going backwards (McCain)...it is not an issue of status quo versus change..can you even imagine what the results of "4 more years of Bush" will bring our economy and national security, and the hurt it will bring the middle class?
While the lobbyists running the McCain campaign and the big money interests they represent no doubt will be significantly better off after 4 more years of Bush, will the U.S. be ever able to regain its status as a world leader after that? Will the quality of life for the middle class be able to recover? I personally doubt it.
It is scary, and as a grandparent, I am not willing to risk my grandchildren's future in that way. Hope and Change We can Believe in...there is NO other choice!
They Must Think We’re Stupid!
2000: Fool us once, shame on you!
2004: Fool us twice, shame on us!
2008: Try to fool us three times, they must think we’re stupid!
Blogger Thomas Horton at the DIGG site is right on target with this entry:
We have all read and heard that negative smear ads are not liked by the public, but they unfortunately are effective. To take advantage of the public's dislike of such tactics without engaging in it, I suggest that after the convention an ad be made based on the following premise:
"The past is the best predictor of the future. We have seen that McCain addresses his political opponents with negative smears, while providing very little positive emphasis on policies. He has addressed international conflicts with threats of force rather than diplomacy. We saw the same smear tactics used by the George W. campaign in 2004. Ever since, we have seen political dirty tricks and smears by his administration, as well as continuation of two wars and creation of an atmosphere for more.
Do we want four more years of this type of national leadership? If so, John McCain stands ready to provide us that. Or, do we want a future based on a hope for integrity and honor leading the USA to regain its place as a true leader of the free world. That is hope based on a Change We Can Believe In. If so, Barack Obama is that change, not four more years of the same negative smears of adversaries and bullying other nations."
http://www.crooksandliars.com/
Excerpt:
The most important difference between our two approaches is that Senator Webb offers veterans who served one enlistment, the same benefits as those offered veterans who have reenlisted several times…
Just an emotional rant from a Vietnam vet but…
I am fairly certain DOD does not restrict our military sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, serving during their first enlistment from undertaking any of the same dangerous and life threatening missions as that performed by those serving multiple enlistments. I wonder how many of those serving during their first enlistment ended up KIA and never returned to their families. I fear it was many. I wonder how many of those serving during their first enlistment suffer loss of limbs or other permanent traumatic physical injuries such that their lives are limited and permanently adversely altered. I fear it is many. I wonder how many of those serving during only one enlistment return to their families in civilian life without noticeable physical injury but with serious emotional and mental injury caused by their military experience. I fear very many.
Isn’t it interesting that John McCain has no pangs of conscience over restricting benefits for those risking so much for their country merely because they have not served more than one enlistment. He should be challenging Putin and running for leadership of Russia, and not the USA. Russia is the nation where they place the interests of the government above that of its citizenry, not the USA.
Events of recent days and months has made me realize we live in a society where truth has become devalued and is too often manipulated to serve political and personal purposes. I suggest Barack make another major address, but this time on the importance of truth in a democracy. Something that allows him to trace its importance in our nation’s history, and why it is important in today’s political arena if the principles of our democracy is to survive.
Imagine the concepts relevant to this campaign that could be weaved into that starting with the weapons of mass destruction and a dumb war, the flip flopping of Presidential candidates on important issues when the underlying facts do not change, the misrepresentation of one’s position to pander to a particular audience and gain votes, and (most relevant to the concern of today) the unwarranted association of one’s pastor’s words to the position of a political candidate. Without truth, and our reliance on it, our democracy and the political process that is so important to maintaining it is subject to disintegration from within. When that happens our so called inalienable rights are not worth the paper they are written on.
Much is being reported in the msm about what patriotism and leadership is all about. No one can be a true patriot or genuine national leader unless they embrace truth, and live by it. Barack is the only one of the 3 candidates who even comes close to this.
I know our economy is slipping, our national reputation has never been lower in my 60 plus years, our national leaders' will nor our nation's capacity to inspire peace, human rights, or eradication of worldwide poverty, epidemics, and illiteracy has never been lower.
I look at our prospective future political leaders, and I see no one who seems to really care except for Barack Obama. The others are apparently interested in their own egos and power trips, with the people just being a vehicle by which they can satisfy those drives. They, unlike Obama, are surrounded by big money supporters who are not concerned with extending themselves to help their fellow man as much as they are their own material self-interests. Obama is a direct contrast to all of the negative influences that have contributed to our nation's most serious problems, not the least of which is loss of hope by too many in our society.
