It appears that the stage is pretty much set for the Presidential election in the fall. Barring some unforeseen major change in the Democratic candidates, and with the Republican candidates now selected, let the battle begin. I also might have written let the ballet begin. Perhaps this a more apt description, unless the focus on issues and the direction of the nation receives more laser-like attention.
With the emergence of fall, the yard signs begin to sprout; store fronts become party campaign headquarters and bumper stickers with various messages proliferate.
All are good signs that democracy is waking up and the nation is engaging in another peaceful battle to determine our leadership, both presidential and congressional. One of the major ugly pieces of this national mosaic is the horrendous amount of money that has emerged as a vestigial component of these campaigns.
Historically, money has played a significant role in most national campaigns, however not in the substantial amounts raised and the loopholes used to generate this abomination. It is high time to do away with the abundance of money spent on national campaigns. Let’s face it; both Obama and Romney are wealthy men. What is wrong with being wealthy? George Washington was a very wealthy man.
In selecting Congressman Paul Ryan as his vice presidential candidate. Gov. Romney choose well, selecting a tough, reform-minded Republican with strong voter appeal among the thinking electorate. One Republican who was 42, reform- minded, and a great campaigner, was Theodore Roosevelt. We shall see.
On the Democratic side the choice is very clear. The President has lead, or mislead the nation for the past four years. His rhetoric abounds. The Vice President is very articulate, (most of the time), and will carry their ticket’s message strongly to the Democratic Party base.
As is the norm with most national elections, except in war time, the nation’s economy and the household purse/pocketbook will be the major issues upon which voters make their decisions this November. If change happens, it is usually deserved. That decision remains with the voters.
This November, which is not that far away, will be a classic and pivotal election; make sure you have registered to vote. The old saying “every vote counts” may be especially true this year with many voters yet in the undecided category.
Remember, the world is run by those who show up!
Gren Whitman says
Hall misspeaks, to wit: “…except in war time.”
Guess he hasn’t time enough to notice the 2,000th American serviceman has just been killed in Afghanistan, a war not scheduled for termination for two more years.
fletcher r. hall says
I was thinking in a historical frame of reference such as WWII.
Certainly the folly in Afganistan should be of serious interest to all Americans.
This issue will certainly be a factor in the upcoming national election, as will other foreign policy issues which have not yet received much attention. The lack of a foreign policy does not help tremendously. This entire issue needs serious discussion and debate.
Gren Whitman says
World War II lasted four years.
The American war in Afghanistan has lasted over 10 years, much longer than Korea, Vietnam, Iraq…
Sorry, this election will focus on far more than the U.S. economy, starting with Etch-A-Sketch Romney himself (“I stand by what I said, whatever it was”) and his running mate, Ryan, who can’t wait to deep-six Medicare and privatize Social Security.
Gerry Maynes says
TO: Gren EtcA Sketch Romney is abou to erase Obama The Rifleman from office. The man hasn!t and Idea how to Lead and with is lying, coniving, no class, Campaing has showed what he is. just another row politican from Chicago. Why dosen!t he tell the truth aboit Fast and Furious? Why is he hiding behind Executive Priviledge? John Adams earned a chapter in John Kennedy!s Profile In Courage b y n ot extending the Quasi War with France. General Hamilton pointed out that all he had to do is not announce Frances apology to the US, till after the election and the country would back him and reelect him President. Adams reply was I would Rather be Rigth then be President. He lost the election but stoped the bloodshed. I believe Obama would rather be wrong then give up the Presidency an d that is why I will never vote again for him.
Thomas E. Taylor says
EVERY VOTE COUNTS. Does it? I was career military and spent about half of those years outside of the Continental United States. I was never sure that my absentee vote was counted.
EVERY VOTE COUNTS. I heard there was only a small number of fraudulent votes in the last election. I don’t care if there is only one fraudulent vote.
What if that one fraudulent vote changes a legitimate election?
EVERY VOTE COUNTS. I have carried a photo ID every day since June 1955. At no time has this been a hindrance to me. I think anyone connected with politics, regardless of which party you are a member of, or supporter of, should be pushing for a photo identification of any citizen before he/she is permitted to enter the polls. I am not arguing for, nor do I want to see a national ID, but for each state to require some photo ID for each voter.
EVERY VOTE COUNTS. Even the fraudulent ones which are missed.
EVERY VOTE COUNTS. Lets be sure it is a legitimate one.
fletcher r. hall says
Yes, there is dishonest voting in American elections, and there has been since the earlyly days of the Republic. The nature of politics is to get elected. A party cannot govern without first getting elected. The old joke about dead persons voting is unfortunately true.
Our democracy is not, and never has been a perfect one. Yet it is the democracy which provides for a peacful transition of government every four years.
The concept of a national ID card, even though well intentioned for elections, could rapidly become another “security” tool to allow the federal government trample on the rights of ALL americans.
DLaMotte says
How lucky you are to have a government I.D.. Many, I understand, do not have such…..they do not drive ,
and/or lack access to their social security/birth certificates. Even for those with the where-with-all, obtaining
such forms of ID are difficult. If states want to insist on such IDs, make sure 100% of citizens are given one and
keep polls open for extended days prior to an election. Please don’t use such rules to disenfranchise those
whose vote one wants to suppress with smoke and mirrors in the name of curtailing “voter fraud”.
Les Moorhouse says
One can not compare the war on Terrorisim to any of the previous conflicts that have plagued our country. We are not at war with Afganistan, Iraq, or any other country. We are at war with an idealogy that promotes the random killing of anyone. All previous wars were faught for Real Estate, and therefore came to a natural conclusion. If we could only get the sneaky bastards to all wear the same uniform, then it would be a sinch to end this endless battle.
Joel Brandes says
Does any doubt remain that the attack on the consulate in Bengahzi, Libya, was not a spontaneous event? Is there a remaing person who doesn’t understand that this was a planned terrorist attack, which resulted in the murder of our ambassador and four other Americans? Is it not obvious, that there was not adequate security? Assistant Deputy Secretary of State, Ms. Lamb, testified, under oath, that she refused additional security and in fact reduced the security in Libya. She further testified, that money was not involved in her determinations. She also, testified that she monitored the event, in real time.
How credible is it to believe, Ms. Lamb, did not pass this information to higher authority? Yet five days later, the presidents personal representative to the Unite Nations, Ambassador Rice, told the nation, this was a spontaneus event. Other representatives of the administration continued the charade. WHY? It appears, to me, that this is the Watergate cover up, on steroids. At least in the stupid Wategate break in, no one was murdered. Indeed a security man at Watergate sounded the alarm.
Our embassy in Austria has U.S. Marine guards. In the dangerous country of Libya there are no Marine guards. Why is this? When Democrats, rightfully, rose up in outrage at Nixon’s lies, Republicans joined them to force Nixon’s resignation. President Clinton was convicted of perjury, Democrats still hail him as a great president. Once again, it is likely that Democrats will excuse their president for his failure. It is his job to know. Why else does he have hundreds of staffers, if not to keep him informed?