Closing Arguments

On the eve of the most important federal election in a generation, we now are provided with the closing arguments from both campaigns:

Senator Barack Obama offers an uplifting message of hope for the future. He has the advantage of a huge war chest of donations from small donors and has run a magnificent campaign. Several days ago, his campaign paid for a thirty minute "infomercial" to make its final closing arguments. It featured several middle class families who were dealing with the personal challenges, of jobs, health care, and a modest retirement that are all being eroded by the current economic challenges. He offered solutions not only to these economic challenges, but to rebuilding infrastructure, expanding educational opportunities, ending an endless and mindless war, and real energy independence based on investment in alternatives that would get us off foreign oil. If you were able to watch this, you would likely agree that this was a most positive and inspirational vision for the future. This is the starting point for all great leaders: A compelling vision of the future.

John McCain offers the failed policies of the Republican right wing crowd, even though he opposed many of these same policies during his 25-year tenure as a senator. The McCain campaign does not have the financial resources like Obama because John McCain chose to elect federal funding for his campaign (remember he represents the party of choice and personal responsibility). Nevertheless, he has been strongly supported by the Republican National Committee and some private "527" groups funded by wealthy individuals who benefit from these Republican policies - policies that have been in effect not just over the last eight years, but arguably since Ronald Reagan came to office in 1980. Change comes hard to these folks since they have been the primary beneficiaries. Since these policies have not worked for the benefit of all the American people, they can not make a good case to stay with them. So instead, they are flooding the airwaves today with negative commercials and a drumbeat of false accusations, misleading messages, and divisive rhetoric. This is anything but a positive message for the future and forebodes another difficult four years if McCain and Palin should get elected.

The nation cannot afford another four years of disastrous policies that serve only the few and not the general good. It is not simply suffering through another four years, but the lost time that will be so tragic. The lost opportunity to solve these problems now will compound the issues facing America and the world. The problems grow geometrically larger each passing day. The choice for the country is clear. Make sure you get out to vote for Senator Barack Obama and his running mate Joe Biden. We don't have any time to waste if we want to truly put America First!