Thank you, Bob Schieffer, and thanks to the fine people of Hofstra University for inviting us to your excellent campus this evening. My friends, the topic of this evening's debate is the economy, an excellent choice given the grave problems currently confronting our nation and the world. I have a comprehensive plan for dealing with the current economic crisis, and am most anxious to have the opportunity to share the details with you.However, as I have travelled across our country recently, talking to thousands of good, hard-working Americans about their concerns and the trials they face, they have expressed other concerns that trouble them even more than the economy. I could not responsibly present myself as an advocate for the American people were I to turn a deaf ear to these concerns.
Senator Obama, the American people are troubled. They feel that you are not being fully honest and forthcoming about your past, your beliefs or your associations. They fail to understand why you have not released your birth certificate, college publications and transcripts or medical records. They want to understand how you could champion an organization like ACORN that they believe is cheapening their most basic right, the right to vote. They do not have friends like Weathermen terrorist Bill Ayers, or clergymen who express radical anti-American views like Jeremiah Wright. They do not do business with convicted felons like Tony Rezko.
Americans are troubled by your votes against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, and the more than one hundred times that you voted present while in the Illinois Senate. They understand that a President does not have the luxury of voting present; a President must make tough, often unpopular decisions to protect the people he leads. They are uncomfortable with the lack of judgment you have shown in crisis, as when Russia invaded the sovereign territory of its free and democratic neighbor, Georgia, and your lack of understanding of the need to reign in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac before they could lead to today's economic emergency.
They have pleaded with me to ask you these questions, Senator, and I gave them my word that I would. So, while I sincerely hope that we can devote this evening to an in-depth comparison of our ideas on turning the American economy around, it is incumbent upon me to put forward these issues that are of such paramount importance to the voters. With all due respect, Senator, the American people would like to hear your explanation for these things.
Thank you.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
What McCain Needs to Say
When John McCain is given the opportunity to make an opening statement at the third and final Presidential Debate scheduled for this coming Wednesday evening, this is what he should say.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Go Ahead...Call Me a Racist
Productive Americans are angry.
The global economy is in total meltdown. We are watching our savings plans evaporate before our very eyes, while governments around the world throw billion after billion of taxpayer dollars (OUR dollars! As if the losses we're already taking aren't enough!) on economic problems that are threatening to annihilate life as we know it. It's like fighting a forest fire with a squirt gun.
I am not responsible for this crisis. I am not, in any way, a contributor to this crisis. I pay my bills. I have a mortgage on my house that, in twenty years, has never missed a payment. It's not that I'm rich, it's that I'm responsible. If I can't afford new clothes (I can't) or don't have the price of a movie or meal at my favorite restaurant (I don't), I do without. I have a number of credit cards, none of which carry a balance from month to month, and none of which have ever been paid a single day late. In short, I believe in personal responsibility.
This whole financial crisis began as a Democrat social engineering project. In the name of fairness, Democrats in Congress, aided first by Jimmy Carter, then Bill Clinton in the White House, passed laws which, in a nutshell, forced banks to lend to people who had no business borrowing money. It is, of course, a lot more complicated than that...if you want to watch an excellent video that explains the whole mess in detail, click here. My goal is not to explain the technical details, but the spirit of the problem.
Congressional Democrats, in a bid to further cement the votes of minorities, passed laws that facilitated the acquisition of ridiculously large mortgages by people with ridiculously small qualifications. Some of these people were undoubtedly misused by greedy lenders who had nothing to lose on the deal. Some were simply unrealistic and believed they would be able to make the enormous payments when they finally came due. Others were unscrupulous speculators, gambling on the rising values of real estate to secure their own personal fortunes. And many were downright dishonest - they knew at the outset that they wouldn't be able to meet the obligation they were making, and didn't care. We now know that there are, literally, millions of bad mortgages out there that were given to illegal immigrants, with fake or stolen Social Security numbers and no credit history...many with no job. None of them, however, were believers in personal responsibility. None of them gave any serious thought to consequences.
And, of course, the Democrats' ploy was successful - they won the votes, and consequently, the power, they sought. Now, when their house of cards has crumbled, they have the unmitigated gall to point fingers at Republicans and blame deregulation for the crisis.
The only sin of the Republicans in this matter was their relative silence, borne of a lack of understanding of the repercussions and scope of the problem. Few of us are economic experts, and there are fewer still in Congress. The warnings were there, but those sounding them didn't scream loudly enough to get the point across to the blowhards who could have changed the situation. I do hold the Republicans responsible, but to a much smaller degree than their counterparts across the aisle.
The Democrats, however, should be prosecuted for this offense. Their complete disregard for playing by the rules is criminal. Through their actions, they have caused millions (billions?) of people to lose large portions of their retirement accounts, put people out of business, even caused murders and suicides. Their relentless pursuit of power, at any cost, has resulted in a cost far too big for the world to bear. Greed, stupidity and ego are not excuses - these people are the worst kind of criminals.
From the very beginning of this crisis, Barack Obama has been in it up to his neck. He worked training representatives for ACORN in Chicago in the early 90's who went on to protest in banks and force formerly responsible, intelligent bankers to give loans to the downtrodden poor, when any fool could see that the loan was not deserved. Obama actively promoted this practice, used his position on charitable boards to help fund it, and now has the audacity to sell himself as qualified for the highest office in the land, the man who will "change" it all. The man is a socialist, a fraud and a liar unlike any this nation has ever seen competing for the office of president.
And now, in less than four weeks, we have an election. And the very downtrodden, underprivileged people who share no small part of the blame for our current situation will, once again, turn out in hordes to vote for their champions. This in spite of all the stories that we read about the very objects of their adoration disrespecting them, looking down their elite noses at the soiled masses. The throngs of poor, underprivileged people who pay no taxes, and less attention, who go through life with their hands out, seeking gifts they apparently believe they deserve simply because they exist, will turn out to vote for the criminals who have made their careers by legislating these gifts. And, because their numbers have grown dramatically while the numbers of the responsible have dwindled, large numbers of the criminals will be returned to office, to continue their Robin Hood ways, robbing those who produce to give to those who do not. Anyone who dares to try to point out the untenable position they take is labelled a racist. Quite a convenient little arrangement they have here - they use their handouts to create a permanent welfare class, they foment racism by painting every criticism as racist. They use their influence with the teachers' union to insure that a good education is not available to help the victims rise above it all, they regulate, confiscate and control the very life out of the people they are supposed to represent.
I don't care what color a person happens to be. Never in my life have I made a decision about a person on the basis of their skin color. But no one has the right to take my hard earned income without my permission. The knowledge that there are millions of people in this country who have no stake in the future, who pay no taxes, own no property and have no self respect, who can vote for people who will appropriate my income and seek to control my very freedom infuriates me beyond belief. I have no use for the uninformed, and less for the devious. The Democrats in Congress are both.
The global economy is in total meltdown. We are watching our savings plans evaporate before our very eyes, while governments around the world throw billion after billion of taxpayer dollars (OUR dollars! As if the losses we're already taking aren't enough!) on economic problems that are threatening to annihilate life as we know it. It's like fighting a forest fire with a squirt gun.
I am not responsible for this crisis. I am not, in any way, a contributor to this crisis. I pay my bills. I have a mortgage on my house that, in twenty years, has never missed a payment. It's not that I'm rich, it's that I'm responsible. If I can't afford new clothes (I can't) or don't have the price of a movie or meal at my favorite restaurant (I don't), I do without. I have a number of credit cards, none of which carry a balance from month to month, and none of which have ever been paid a single day late. In short, I believe in personal responsibility.
This whole financial crisis began as a Democrat social engineering project. In the name of fairness, Democrats in Congress, aided first by Jimmy Carter, then Bill Clinton in the White House, passed laws which, in a nutshell, forced banks to lend to people who had no business borrowing money. It is, of course, a lot more complicated than that...if you want to watch an excellent video that explains the whole mess in detail, click here. My goal is not to explain the technical details, but the spirit of the problem.
Congressional Democrats, in a bid to further cement the votes of minorities, passed laws that facilitated the acquisition of ridiculously large mortgages by people with ridiculously small qualifications. Some of these people were undoubtedly misused by greedy lenders who had nothing to lose on the deal. Some were simply unrealistic and believed they would be able to make the enormous payments when they finally came due. Others were unscrupulous speculators, gambling on the rising values of real estate to secure their own personal fortunes. And many were downright dishonest - they knew at the outset that they wouldn't be able to meet the obligation they were making, and didn't care. We now know that there are, literally, millions of bad mortgages out there that were given to illegal immigrants, with fake or stolen Social Security numbers and no credit history...many with no job. None of them, however, were believers in personal responsibility. None of them gave any serious thought to consequences.
And, of course, the Democrats' ploy was successful - they won the votes, and consequently, the power, they sought. Now, when their house of cards has crumbled, they have the unmitigated gall to point fingers at Republicans and blame deregulation for the crisis.
The only sin of the Republicans in this matter was their relative silence, borne of a lack of understanding of the repercussions and scope of the problem. Few of us are economic experts, and there are fewer still in Congress. The warnings were there, but those sounding them didn't scream loudly enough to get the point across to the blowhards who could have changed the situation. I do hold the Republicans responsible, but to a much smaller degree than their counterparts across the aisle.
The Democrats, however, should be prosecuted for this offense. Their complete disregard for playing by the rules is criminal. Through their actions, they have caused millions (billions?) of people to lose large portions of their retirement accounts, put people out of business, even caused murders and suicides. Their relentless pursuit of power, at any cost, has resulted in a cost far too big for the world to bear. Greed, stupidity and ego are not excuses - these people are the worst kind of criminals.
From the very beginning of this crisis, Barack Obama has been in it up to his neck. He worked training representatives for ACORN in Chicago in the early 90's who went on to protest in banks and force formerly responsible, intelligent bankers to give loans to the downtrodden poor, when any fool could see that the loan was not deserved. Obama actively promoted this practice, used his position on charitable boards to help fund it, and now has the audacity to sell himself as qualified for the highest office in the land, the man who will "change" it all. The man is a socialist, a fraud and a liar unlike any this nation has ever seen competing for the office of president.
And now, in less than four weeks, we have an election. And the very downtrodden, underprivileged people who share no small part of the blame for our current situation will, once again, turn out in hordes to vote for their champions. This in spite of all the stories that we read about the very objects of their adoration disrespecting them, looking down their elite noses at the soiled masses. The throngs of poor, underprivileged people who pay no taxes, and less attention, who go through life with their hands out, seeking gifts they apparently believe they deserve simply because they exist, will turn out to vote for the criminals who have made their careers by legislating these gifts. And, because their numbers have grown dramatically while the numbers of the responsible have dwindled, large numbers of the criminals will be returned to office, to continue their Robin Hood ways, robbing those who produce to give to those who do not. Anyone who dares to try to point out the untenable position they take is labelled a racist. Quite a convenient little arrangement they have here - they use their handouts to create a permanent welfare class, they foment racism by painting every criticism as racist. They use their influence with the teachers' union to insure that a good education is not available to help the victims rise above it all, they regulate, confiscate and control the very life out of the people they are supposed to represent.
I don't care what color a person happens to be. Never in my life have I made a decision about a person on the basis of their skin color. But no one has the right to take my hard earned income without my permission. The knowledge that there are millions of people in this country who have no stake in the future, who pay no taxes, own no property and have no self respect, who can vote for people who will appropriate my income and seek to control my very freedom infuriates me beyond belief. I have no use for the uninformed, and less for the devious. The Democrats in Congress are both.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
My Letter to the White House
Over the years, I have been a staunch defender and supporter of President Bush.
I adamantly disagreed, before the fact, with the decision to invade Iraq, but have defended the decision loud and strong, and pulled as hard as any American for our wonderful Armed Forces. I believe President Bush has been an admirable Commander In Chief, and I will forever be grateful for his strength in the face of so much adversity from within and without.
However, the spending increases in this Administration are absolutely unforgivable. I have watched in horror as Republicans, Republicans!, have taken this country to the cleaners with the prescription drug plan and a host of other irresponsible fiscal decisions. I have been appalled by the enormous budget increases year upon year. Conservatism has taken a hit in the last eight years not seen in a Republican Administration in my lifetime. As a fiscal conservative, I feel horribly betrayed.
Now, we have an issue that could win back the House, and save us from a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. CRA and the Democratic machinations that have been the primary factor in this financial crisis are more powerful than any issue we have ever had to use against them. And our leaders are silent. God Bless the House Republicans who still remember the principles on which this Great Nation were founded! They are yelling, at the top of their lungs, going against their President, against the party's nominee for President, against all the House leadership, to try to salvage whatever few scraps of true American spirit still remain in this spineless population. But their voices are largely going unheard. This Administration has nothing left to lose. In 112 days, it will be over. This is your last chance to save this country from the ever increasing socialist tendencies of Congress.
We have supported you for eight long years. We have argued the case for Iraq when it appeared certain to all that it was a lost cause. We have stood proudly with the Republican Party, donating our time and money to advance the cause. And now, for all our efforts, we are being kicked in the teeth and told that this unbelievably irresponsible government, fraught with corruption, special interests and lust for power, knows better than we do, better than the economic experts, and will save us all.
I personally lost thousands of dollars from my 401k in the stock market decline yesterday. I watched as the Dow plummeted, with a huge grin on my face, because I so completely supported the refusal of those few brave souls in the House of Representatives to sell out. I would lose every nickel of it, and take my chances on my own future, because I still believe in the America of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and Nathan Hale. Unlike our elected leaders, I still have my principles, and no one can take that from me.
It is time to take a stand, Sir. It is time to speak out against this horrible bailout, to point fingers at Barney Frank, Christopher Dodd and, yes, Barack Obama, the three men most responsible for putting this Great Nation in its current position. It is time to return to the principles on which this country was founded. It is time to remember how we became the greatest country on Earth, and to return to the ideals that brought us this far. It is time for our Government to remember that it is of the people, by the people and for the people. It is time to do the right thing for your country.
Best personal regards,
April Clark
I adamantly disagreed, before the fact, with the decision to invade Iraq, but have defended the decision loud and strong, and pulled as hard as any American for our wonderful Armed Forces. I believe President Bush has been an admirable Commander In Chief, and I will forever be grateful for his strength in the face of so much adversity from within and without.
However, the spending increases in this Administration are absolutely unforgivable. I have watched in horror as Republicans, Republicans!, have taken this country to the cleaners with the prescription drug plan and a host of other irresponsible fiscal decisions. I have been appalled by the enormous budget increases year upon year. Conservatism has taken a hit in the last eight years not seen in a Republican Administration in my lifetime. As a fiscal conservative, I feel horribly betrayed.
Now, we have an issue that could win back the House, and save us from a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. CRA and the Democratic machinations that have been the primary factor in this financial crisis are more powerful than any issue we have ever had to use against them. And our leaders are silent. God Bless the House Republicans who still remember the principles on which this Great Nation were founded! They are yelling, at the top of their lungs, going against their President, against the party's nominee for President, against all the House leadership, to try to salvage whatever few scraps of true American spirit still remain in this spineless population. But their voices are largely going unheard. This Administration has nothing left to lose. In 112 days, it will be over. This is your last chance to save this country from the ever increasing socialist tendencies of Congress.
We have supported you for eight long years. We have argued the case for Iraq when it appeared certain to all that it was a lost cause. We have stood proudly with the Republican Party, donating our time and money to advance the cause. And now, for all our efforts, we are being kicked in the teeth and told that this unbelievably irresponsible government, fraught with corruption, special interests and lust for power, knows better than we do, better than the economic experts, and will save us all.
I personally lost thousands of dollars from my 401k in the stock market decline yesterday. I watched as the Dow plummeted, with a huge grin on my face, because I so completely supported the refusal of those few brave souls in the House of Representatives to sell out. I would lose every nickel of it, and take my chances on my own future, because I still believe in the America of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and Nathan Hale. Unlike our elected leaders, I still have my principles, and no one can take that from me.
It is time to take a stand, Sir. It is time to speak out against this horrible bailout, to point fingers at Barney Frank, Christopher Dodd and, yes, Barack Obama, the three men most responsible for putting this Great Nation in its current position. It is time to return to the principles on which this country was founded. It is time to remember how we became the greatest country on Earth, and to return to the ideals that brought us this far. It is time for our Government to remember that it is of the people, by the people and for the people. It is time to do the right thing for your country.
Best personal regards,
April Clark
Friday, September 26, 2008
Schooling the Young'un
During tonight's Presidential Debate, John McCain repeatedly noted that Senator Obama did not understand various issues. In most of these cases, Senator McCain did an admirable job of explaining the difference in Senator Obama's understanding of the situation and his own. In one, however, it seemed that he was being a bit peevish, perhaps even nitpicky.
In response to McCain's criticism of Obama's failure to support the surge, or even to acknowledge its success, Obama replied, "They have done a brilliant job, and General Petraeus has done a brilliant job. But understand, that was a tactic designed to contain the damage of the previous four years of mismanagement of this war."
Senator McCain jumped on this, beginning his next remarks with, "I'm afraid Senator Obama doesn't understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy."
I must confess, neither did I. Tactic, strategy, they're essentially the same thing, right? Wrong.
According to dictionary.com, when applied to things military, the words have very different meanings indeed:
Is this just a trivial detail? Not when it comes to commanding the respect of the military you are elected to lead. A commander-in-chief who doesn't appreciate the difference between a stratgy and a tactic is little different from the woman who takes her car to the shop and tells them that a doohickey fell off her motor. They get no respect.
A man incapable of gaining the respect of the military has no business presenting himself as a candidate for the position of Commander-In-Chief.
In response to McCain's criticism of Obama's failure to support the surge, or even to acknowledge its success, Obama replied, "They have done a brilliant job, and General Petraeus has done a brilliant job. But understand, that was a tactic designed to contain the damage of the previous four years of mismanagement of this war."
Senator McCain jumped on this, beginning his next remarks with, "I'm afraid Senator Obama doesn't understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy."
I must confess, neither did I. Tactic, strategy, they're essentially the same thing, right? Wrong.
According to dictionary.com, when applied to things military, the words have very different meanings indeed:
In military usage, a distinction is made between strategy
and tactics.
Strategy is the utilization, during both peace and war, of
all of a nation's forces, through large-scale, long-range
planning and development, to ensure security or victory.
Tactics deals with the use and deployment of troops in
actual combat.
Is this just a trivial detail? Not when it comes to commanding the respect of the military you are elected to lead. A commander-in-chief who doesn't appreciate the difference between a stratgy and a tactic is little different from the woman who takes her car to the shop and tells them that a doohickey fell off her motor. They get no respect.
A man incapable of gaining the respect of the military has no business presenting himself as a candidate for the position of Commander-In-Chief.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Why Palin's Experience Is Enough
When John McCain announced his selection of Sarah Palin as a running mate, there was an immediate, palpable reaction from the nation. Journalists and politicos of all stripes were thrown completely off balance by the unprecedented nature of the pick, particularly given that it was made by a Republican, rather than a progressive Democrat. The general populace suddenly took notice of a political process that had faded to background noise due in large part to the sheer unending nature of campaign politics in recent years. In the ensuing days, media and voter alike have struggled to define how the addition of Governor Palin alters the race for the White House. Perhaps the biggest question of all concerns her experience.
It is legitimate to question whether a relative newcomer to national politics is adequate to the office she seeks. Indeed, it would be irresponsible to do otherwise. But assessing her readiness to serve as Vice President, and, potentially, President and Commander-In-Chief requires a baseline, a definition of what we deem to be the requirements for the position. It would be unreasonable to demand a complete understanding of all aspects of the job - no single human being can claim to be expert in all the responsibilities of the office, from military strategy to economics, foreign relations to education. If such a person did exist, it likely would not be in the best interest of the country to hand him the reins of power; such an authority would be unlikely to yield to the judgment and insight of others, relying instead of their own expertise. A dangerous consolidation of authority would likely result. An expert in a single area of responsibility is a great deal more likely - there are countless examples of military or economic experts, top notch diplomats and educators. But which of these skills would best serve the people? The role of Commander-In-Chief is critical, but is a great military mind likely to have the disposition required for diplomacy? Would a policy wonk with an incredible understanding of economics have the sheer guts required to act boldly in the face of international threats?
Knowledge of specific subject matter is less important to a leader than analytical skills, honesty, compassion and courage of conviction. The President can surround himself (or herself) with a wide variety of experts in every area, capable of rendering ideas and suggestions to suit any situation. The true gift is the ability to sort through the varying proposals to find the combination that best serves the interests of the American people and the world. A desire for personal power is detrimental to the process, as is an overarching need for approval or adoration. The balance between confidence and hubris is delicate. We seek someone with the wisdom to separate the wheat from the chaff and the strength to stand up to the naysayers. Someone humble enough to put aside personal gain for the greater good, and with the emotional makeup to endure the inevitable hostility of the media.
So how can we determine, from a distance and with little time, whether this description fits Sarah Palin? How can we tell what kind of leader she would be? Her public life story speaks volumes.
She grew up in America's last frontier, the last place in this country where wood-burning stoves were not decorator accents, but utilitarian devices, essential to survival. A land where hunting was more a requirement than a hobby, where life was hard but good. We can see the strength of our early pioneers in her, of the spirit of survival against hard odds. How many of us would be as well equipped, if suddenly dropped in an Arctic wilderness, to carve out a living from the land? We have grown soft in the midst of all of our luxuries and conveniences and forgotten the rudimentary skills which were the reality of Sarah Palin's childhood. That, alone, speaks volumes about her character. She embraced and loved this life. Hunting trips at 3 a.m. were followed by school and voluntary participation in sports, with a competitive drive that helped take her school to the state championship. Even as a young girl, she was known as Sarah Barracuda. Even in a land where all around her shared her hardships, she stood out as exceptional.
After high school, she entered and won the Miss Wasilla Pageant, with the stated goal of earning a scholarship to pay for college. Finishing second in the Miss Alaska Pageant, she secured not only her scholarship, but also the Miss Congeniality award, a testimonial to her attitude toward others, and something her running mate has repeatedly stated is not among his credits in the U.S. Senate. As she matured, she maintained her drive and determination, whether in commercial fishing or the PTA. She has a record of seeking involvement in causes, first to try to improve her own children's education, then her small town, as first a city councilwoman and then mayor. At each step she earned the respect of her peers through her honesty and dedication, relying on her own performance to take her to the next level. There is no indication that she sought power for power's sake, rather that she sought justice and betterment for those she served. She sought the confidence and support of the people she represented, not the favor of others in political positions, and was rewarded with 74% of the vote in her reelection bid.
After her loss in her bid for lieutenant governor, she chaired the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, ultimately resigning the post in protest of ethics violations by members of her own party. She refused to accept the corrupt politics of her state, when succumbing and playing along would have been the far easier, and likely much more lucrative, path. Her race for governor was undertaken in the same spirit and with the same passion to clean up government in her state, again for the benefit of the people she governed. She has logged a record of accomplishments far too long to detail here in her short term of service and is wildly popular with Alaskans.
She has fought hard for her constituents, against corrupt politicians and big oil, and has brought her state to a much better place than it was just two years ago. She has walked the walk, cutting her own salary and benefits, selling a state jet and eliminating the governor's chef. She has cut both taxes and spending while prioritizing projects to bring the most good to the most people.
Through it all, she has maintained a home and been a loving and dedicated wife and mother. With a son now in Iraq, and a daughter about to marry, she and her husband, Todd, have passed their strength and character on to their children. Their devotion to family values is obvious.
While Governor Palin has not been a highly visible national or international politician, her entire life is testament to her readiness for the White House. She has exhibited intelligence and solid decision making abilities and the inner toughness of a leader throughout her life. Her dedication to open and honest leadership is rare in this era, as is her very real ability to understand the problems of the electorate - problems she understands because she lives them every day. She aspires not to amass great personal power or wealth, but to do everything she can to put our government of, by and for the people back on the side of the people. Her popularity has been won through gutsy campaigns for honesty at the risk of incurring enmity from her political peers. Like the pit bull with which she identifies, she has a strength beyond her small stature.
America could do much worse than put this woman a heartbeat away from the presidency. Throughout her life she has shown that she understands the intent of the founders of this great nation and will take great personal risks to uphold their vision. Sarah Palin is a woman of character, something all too rare in politics today.
It is legitimate to question whether a relative newcomer to national politics is adequate to the office she seeks. Indeed, it would be irresponsible to do otherwise. But assessing her readiness to serve as Vice President, and, potentially, President and Commander-In-Chief requires a baseline, a definition of what we deem to be the requirements for the position. It would be unreasonable to demand a complete understanding of all aspects of the job - no single human being can claim to be expert in all the responsibilities of the office, from military strategy to economics, foreign relations to education. If such a person did exist, it likely would not be in the best interest of the country to hand him the reins of power; such an authority would be unlikely to yield to the judgment and insight of others, relying instead of their own expertise. A dangerous consolidation of authority would likely result. An expert in a single area of responsibility is a great deal more likely - there are countless examples of military or economic experts, top notch diplomats and educators. But which of these skills would best serve the people? The role of Commander-In-Chief is critical, but is a great military mind likely to have the disposition required for diplomacy? Would a policy wonk with an incredible understanding of economics have the sheer guts required to act boldly in the face of international threats?
Knowledge of specific subject matter is less important to a leader than analytical skills, honesty, compassion and courage of conviction. The President can surround himself (or herself) with a wide variety of experts in every area, capable of rendering ideas and suggestions to suit any situation. The true gift is the ability to sort through the varying proposals to find the combination that best serves the interests of the American people and the world. A desire for personal power is detrimental to the process, as is an overarching need for approval or adoration. The balance between confidence and hubris is delicate. We seek someone with the wisdom to separate the wheat from the chaff and the strength to stand up to the naysayers. Someone humble enough to put aside personal gain for the greater good, and with the emotional makeup to endure the inevitable hostility of the media.
So how can we determine, from a distance and with little time, whether this description fits Sarah Palin? How can we tell what kind of leader she would be? Her public life story speaks volumes.
She grew up in America's last frontier, the last place in this country where wood-burning stoves were not decorator accents, but utilitarian devices, essential to survival. A land where hunting was more a requirement than a hobby, where life was hard but good. We can see the strength of our early pioneers in her, of the spirit of survival against hard odds. How many of us would be as well equipped, if suddenly dropped in an Arctic wilderness, to carve out a living from the land? We have grown soft in the midst of all of our luxuries and conveniences and forgotten the rudimentary skills which were the reality of Sarah Palin's childhood. That, alone, speaks volumes about her character. She embraced and loved this life. Hunting trips at 3 a.m. were followed by school and voluntary participation in sports, with a competitive drive that helped take her school to the state championship. Even as a young girl, she was known as Sarah Barracuda. Even in a land where all around her shared her hardships, she stood out as exceptional.
After high school, she entered and won the Miss Wasilla Pageant, with the stated goal of earning a scholarship to pay for college. Finishing second in the Miss Alaska Pageant, she secured not only her scholarship, but also the Miss Congeniality award, a testimonial to her attitude toward others, and something her running mate has repeatedly stated is not among his credits in the U.S. Senate. As she matured, she maintained her drive and determination, whether in commercial fishing or the PTA. She has a record of seeking involvement in causes, first to try to improve her own children's education, then her small town, as first a city councilwoman and then mayor. At each step she earned the respect of her peers through her honesty and dedication, relying on her own performance to take her to the next level. There is no indication that she sought power for power's sake, rather that she sought justice and betterment for those she served. She sought the confidence and support of the people she represented, not the favor of others in political positions, and was rewarded with 74% of the vote in her reelection bid.
After her loss in her bid for lieutenant governor, she chaired the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, ultimately resigning the post in protest of ethics violations by members of her own party. She refused to accept the corrupt politics of her state, when succumbing and playing along would have been the far easier, and likely much more lucrative, path. Her race for governor was undertaken in the same spirit and with the same passion to clean up government in her state, again for the benefit of the people she governed. She has logged a record of accomplishments far too long to detail here in her short term of service and is wildly popular with Alaskans.
She has fought hard for her constituents, against corrupt politicians and big oil, and has brought her state to a much better place than it was just two years ago. She has walked the walk, cutting her own salary and benefits, selling a state jet and eliminating the governor's chef. She has cut both taxes and spending while prioritizing projects to bring the most good to the most people.
Through it all, she has maintained a home and been a loving and dedicated wife and mother. With a son now in Iraq, and a daughter about to marry, she and her husband, Todd, have passed their strength and character on to their children. Their devotion to family values is obvious.While Governor Palin has not been a highly visible national or international politician, her entire life is testament to her readiness for the White House. She has exhibited intelligence and solid decision making abilities and the inner toughness of a leader throughout her life. Her dedication to open and honest leadership is rare in this era, as is her very real ability to understand the problems of the electorate - problems she understands because she lives them every day. She aspires not to amass great personal power or wealth, but to do everything she can to put our government of, by and for the people back on the side of the people. Her popularity has been won through gutsy campaigns for honesty at the risk of incurring enmity from her political peers. Like the pit bull with which she identifies, she has a strength beyond her small stature.
America could do much worse than put this woman a heartbeat away from the presidency. Throughout her life she has shown that she understands the intent of the founders of this great nation and will take great personal risks to uphold their vision. Sarah Palin is a woman of character, something all too rare in politics today.
Monday, September 08, 2008
A Day Well Spent
My daughter and I played hooky today. Actually, I prefer to think of it as investing a day in our future.
Yesterday, I got an email from the Kansas GOP, announcing a "Road to Victory Rally" with John McCain and Sarah Palin in nearby Lee's Summit, Missouri. No tickets, first come, first served, at a fairly small auditorium. The rally was to begin at 10:30, doors opened at 8:30. Having just heard about a rally in Detroit with astronomical turnout, I knew that we'd have to be there considerably earlier than 8:30 to make it in the door.
My daughter was enthusiastic, even after I told her she'd have to get up at 5 a.m. She could cover the rally for her school newspaper, for which she serves as Features Editor. That clinched the deal - not only would I be feeding my daughter's burgeoning love of politics and idealistic desire to keep our country strong, I would be facilitating quite a scoop for the West High School Epic! Camera, notepad and press credentials in hand, we set out, still rubbing the sleep out of our eyes.
We arrived before dawn, and had perhaps one hundred people in front of us in line. Within minutes, there were hundreds more behind us. It was a cold, rainy, blustery morning, and we shivered in spite of our excitement as we chatted with the other brave conservative souls around us in line. It's always a delight to take my daughter anywhere - she is intelligent, well-spoken, friendly and attractive, all characteristics which make her a target for her elders, who take it upon themselves to make sure this excellent young lady is properly educated. Numerous people struck up conversations with her, and she impressed them all with the depth and breadth of her knowledge of the state of politics in our nation today.
We were finally allowed into the building shortly after the promised 8:30 time, filtering in slowly, each of us passing through the required security procedures. We made our way up to the stage, staking our claim to a small bit of floor behind about five rows of people. It was a standing room only crowd that took nearly the full two hours until the rally began to fill the auditorium. The more people that came in, the more cramped and hot the space became. The chatter centered on Sarah Palin, obviously the big draw for the crowd.
A few minutes before the rally was to begin, an elderly man standing a few feet to my left fainted. The hours of standing and lack of breathing room were simply too much for him and he dropped to the floor. All of us around him struggled to make ourselves heard above the general roar of the crowd, calling for help. Paramedics made their way through the crowd in a few moments, and began checking his vital signs. They told him they should take him to the hospital to make sure he was ok, to which he stubbornly responded, "I'm not going anywhere! I haven't seen Sarah yet!" Within minutes, he was on his feet and being escorted to a chair nearer the stage, to the delight of all around him.
Finally the rally began. There were the requisite down ticket speakers, a Hillary supporter for McCain who was warmly welcomed by the crowd, and an emcee who coached us in the finer arts of coordinated shouting. The excitement was palpable when the last speaker finally left the stage and we knew the main attraction was about to begin.
At last, more than five hours after our arrival, there they were! The man and woman that we all believe will be our next President and Vice President! The sore feet and aching knees were forgotten as we gave voice to our endorsement of Senator McCain's selection of running mate. Several minutes of chaos followed, then, at last, the object of our collective adoration stepped up to the podium and began to speak.
The speech was not particularly new or different, but it didn't matter. We were equally as charmed and delighted with the words she spoke as we had been when first we heard them uttered as we sat glued to our televisions during the RNC. Her expressions were more relaxed, her mannerisms more natural, her presence utterly captivated the thousands who had gathered to show their devotion to this amazing woman.
I felt a bit sorry for Senator McCain in the face of the crowd's obvious preference for his chosen second in command. He has to know that his recent uptick in the polls is more because of her than because of his excellent character and obvious patriotism. But he seemed to be as captivated as the rest of us by this exceptional woman.
To our credit, we roared "John McCain! John McCain!" almost as loudly and supportively as we had bellowed "Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!" minutes before. And, to his, he spoke strongly, and came across much better in person than he ever has on television. We all knew that the man standing before us would give his very life to protect the nation he loved, and that knowledge was enough to quiet the doubts we all still feel about his reliability in supporting those issues that are nearest and dearest to our hearts.
All in all, it was a day well spent.
Yesterday, I got an email from the Kansas GOP, announcing a "Road to Victory Rally" with John McCain and Sarah Palin in nearby Lee's Summit, Missouri. No tickets, first come, first served, at a fairly small auditorium. The rally was to begin at 10:30, doors opened at 8:30. Having just heard about a rally in Detroit with astronomical turnout, I knew that we'd have to be there considerably earlier than 8:30 to make it in the door.
My daughter was enthusiastic, even after I told her she'd have to get up at 5 a.m. She could cover the rally for her school newspaper, for which she serves as Features Editor. That clinched the deal - not only would I be feeding my daughter's burgeoning love of politics and idealistic desire to keep our country strong, I would be facilitating quite a scoop for the West High School Epic! Camera, notepad and press credentials in hand, we set out, still rubbing the sleep out of our eyes.
We arrived before dawn, and had perhaps one hundred people in front of us in line. Within minutes, there were hundreds more behind us. It was a cold, rainy, blustery morning, and we shivered in spite of our excitement as we chatted with the other brave conservative souls around us in line. It's always a delight to take my daughter anywhere - she is intelligent, well-spoken, friendly and attractive, all characteristics which make her a target for her elders, who take it upon themselves to make sure this excellent young lady is properly educated. Numerous people struck up conversations with her, and she impressed them all with the depth and breadth of her knowledge of the state of politics in our nation today.
We were finally allowed into the building shortly after the promised 8:30 time, filtering in slowly, each of us passing through the required security procedures. We made our way up to the stage, staking our claim to a small bit of floor behind about five rows of people. It was a standing room only crowd that took nearly the full two hours until the rally began to fill the auditorium. The more people that came in, the more cramped and hot the space became. The chatter centered on Sarah Palin, obviously the big draw for the crowd.A few minutes before the rally was to begin, an elderly man standing a few feet to my left fainted. The hours of standing and lack of breathing room were simply too much for him and he dropped to the floor. All of us around him struggled to make ourselves heard above the general roar of the crowd, calling for help. Paramedics made their way through the crowd in a few moments, and began checking his vital signs. They told him they should take him to the hospital to make sure he was ok, to which he stubbornly responded, "I'm not going anywhere! I haven't seen Sarah yet!" Within minutes, he was on his feet and being escorted to a chair nearer the stage, to the delight of all around him.
Finally the rally began. There were the requisite down ticket speakers, a Hillary supporter for McCain who was warmly welcomed by the crowd, and an emcee who coached us in the finer arts of coordinated shouting. The excitement was palpable when the last speaker finally left the stage and we knew the main attraction was about to begin.
At last, more than five hours after our arrival, there they were! The man and woman that we all believe will be our next President and Vice President! The sore feet and aching knees were forgotten as we gave voice to our endorsement of Senator McCain's selection of running mate. Several minutes of chaos followed, then, at last, the object of our collective adoration stepped up to the podium and began to speak.
The speech was not particularly new or different, but it didn't matter. We were equally as charmed and delighted with the words she spoke as we had been when first we heard them uttered as we sat glued to our televisions during the RNC. Her expressions were more relaxed, her mannerisms more natural, her presence utterly captivated the thousands who had gathered to show their devotion to this amazing woman.
I felt a bit sorry for Senator McCain in the face of the crowd's obvious preference for his chosen second in command. He has to know that his recent uptick in the polls is more because of her than because of his excellent character and obvious patriotism. But he seemed to be as captivated as the rest of us by this exceptional woman.
To our credit, we roared "John McCain! John McCain!" almost as loudly and supportively as we had bellowed "Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!" minutes before. And, to his, he spoke strongly, and came across much better in person than he ever has on television. We all knew that the man standing before us would give his very life to protect the nation he loved, and that knowledge was enough to quiet the doubts we all still feel about his reliability in supporting those issues that are nearest and dearest to our hearts.
All in all, it was a day well spent.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Palin's Pro-Life "Problem"
Sarah Palin emerged from remote Alaska and has, against all odds, completely altered the political atmosphere in America. She is obviously intelligent, extremely capable and very genuine. She's pleasant and likable, with a story of accomplishment that should be an inspiration for young women everywhere. Few among us would be upset to have daughters as well-rounded and confident as Governor Palin. Her story should make her a hero and a role model we, especially women, celebrate.
Instead, many women are rejecting her out of hand, primarily because of her adamant pro-life stance. They see her as threat to their right to choose, and would allow their disagreement on this single issue to render her unacceptable as a national political hero. They need to think this through.
As Vice-President, or even President, Sarah Palin would have no authority to impose her position on that, or any other personal issue, on the populace at large. She could speak out on the topic, and perhaps encourage or promote her views and the reasoning behind them, but she cannot unilaterally change the law of the land. Across this nation, thousands of religious leaders speak out on this issue on a regular basis. The camps on both sides of the argument are enormous, vociferous and passionate - there is little danger of her one voice altering the balance of the battle.
As a national leader, she could have influence over the appointment of justices to the Supreme Court, which could, conceivably, ultimately result in the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Such a reversal, however, would not automatically outlaw abortion in this country. Rather, it would send the question back to the states. It would take the battle back to the people, allowing each state to legislate the issue as it sees fit, according to the will of its citizens. To the best of my knowledge, there is currently no state with a law that says that, in the event of a reversal of Roe, abortion is suddenly and irrevocably illegal in that state. Not unlike the gay marriage issue, abortion would be decided by the majority of each state's population.
There are those who fear a Constitutional amendment banning abortion. This is extraordinarily unlikely - if the Equal Rights Amendment has not been able to garner enough support to become law in the 85 years since it was first introduced in 1923, and is a much less divisive issue, there is no chance that an anti-abortion amendment would fare any better. Simply stated, pro-life politicians and judges do not have the authority to strip women of their so-called right to choose, whatever their personal agenda.
Allowing this single issue to eradicate all of the positives of this woman is narrow-minded and not in the best interest of womanhood or, indeed, the country.
Sarah Palin is an outstanding representative of our gender. If we consider the whole package she embodies, few among us would wish her failure. She represents so much that we have sought to prove to our male counterparts for decades. She is one of us, as few nationally known women have ever been. To quote an old song, she can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, but not forfeit her self respect in the process. The softer, gentler, more nurturing side of her nature is readily evident even as she demonstrates her strength and inner fortitude.
American women will advance our larger cause by fully embracing and promoting this lady. Her accomplishments will reflect positively on her sisters and our role in a male-dominated world will be forever advanced by her success. The future of feminism, in the best possible definition of the word, stands to gain much in the coming months and years. It would be a shame if the short-sightedness of some members of our gender eradicated those gains.
Instead, many women are rejecting her out of hand, primarily because of her adamant pro-life stance. They see her as threat to their right to choose, and would allow their disagreement on this single issue to render her unacceptable as a national political hero. They need to think this through.
As Vice-President, or even President, Sarah Palin would have no authority to impose her position on that, or any other personal issue, on the populace at large. She could speak out on the topic, and perhaps encourage or promote her views and the reasoning behind them, but she cannot unilaterally change the law of the land. Across this nation, thousands of religious leaders speak out on this issue on a regular basis. The camps on both sides of the argument are enormous, vociferous and passionate - there is little danger of her one voice altering the balance of the battle.
As a national leader, she could have influence over the appointment of justices to the Supreme Court, which could, conceivably, ultimately result in the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Such a reversal, however, would not automatically outlaw abortion in this country. Rather, it would send the question back to the states. It would take the battle back to the people, allowing each state to legislate the issue as it sees fit, according to the will of its citizens. To the best of my knowledge, there is currently no state with a law that says that, in the event of a reversal of Roe, abortion is suddenly and irrevocably illegal in that state. Not unlike the gay marriage issue, abortion would be decided by the majority of each state's population.
There are those who fear a Constitutional amendment banning abortion. This is extraordinarily unlikely - if the Equal Rights Amendment has not been able to garner enough support to become law in the 85 years since it was first introduced in 1923, and is a much less divisive issue, there is no chance that an anti-abortion amendment would fare any better. Simply stated, pro-life politicians and judges do not have the authority to strip women of their so-called right to choose, whatever their personal agenda.
Allowing this single issue to eradicate all of the positives of this woman is narrow-minded and not in the best interest of womanhood or, indeed, the country.
Sarah Palin is an outstanding representative of our gender. If we consider the whole package she embodies, few among us would wish her failure. She represents so much that we have sought to prove to our male counterparts for decades. She is one of us, as few nationally known women have ever been. To quote an old song, she can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, but not forfeit her self respect in the process. The softer, gentler, more nurturing side of her nature is readily evident even as she demonstrates her strength and inner fortitude.
American women will advance our larger cause by fully embracing and promoting this lady. Her accomplishments will reflect positively on her sisters and our role in a male-dominated world will be forever advanced by her success. The future of feminism, in the best possible definition of the word, stands to gain much in the coming months and years. It would be a shame if the short-sightedness of some members of our gender eradicated those gains.
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