The Democratic National Convention - DAY 1
The past several weeks we’ve been entertained with Michael Phelps, Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin and other great American athletes ( http://teamusa.org/ ), showing us their mettle. As a country we stand proud of the outstanding achievements of these great American’s and thank them for providing to us a bright light in an otherwise dark tunnel. It would be impossible to find any one person who can, or would, provide negative commentary on what impact the American’s in Beijing had on us this month.
But alas, all good things must come to an end and so it was a great disappointment to have the highs of the 29th Olympiad lead us into the Democratic National Convention and into the rhetoric and clichés of the Democratic Party.
I turned to CNN tonight thinking that we would hear some clear ideas on what the Democrats where going to suggest to the American people on issues like the economy, health care, energy, education and foreign policy.
Instead I was subjected to hearing about how Barack and Michelle Obama ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_obama ) overcame difficulty (that millions of American’s faces in their daily life), to become hugely politicized public figures. With all due respect Senator and Mrs. Obama, what you and your family have accomplished is fantastic however it is no great success story. There are scores of people in the American populous that have battled against more difficult odds and circumstances to become wonderful husbands, wives, moms, dads, engineers, doctors, bus drivers, CEO’s and community leaders.
What we need Senator Obama is not a constant reminder of how your personal plight and journey creates a dramatic contrast to your junket towards the American Presidency. What we need are real answers and solutions to existing challenges in our society. Challenges that are causing the American people to put substantially all of their time, energy and effort into survival on a basic needs level of humanity. Challenges that were cushioned for you as your parents worked to provide you a future filled with promise and hope.
And, dare I say, that the promise and hope that each of you were afforded came at the hands and expense of people like Senator McCain ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain ) who made the highest level of sacrifice to his country and to each of us. Promise and hope that, over the course of the past 26 years paved the way for you to have the opportunity to stand in the pulpit at the DNC and to espouse rhetoric that offers absolutely no answers or ideas on how you and your party plan to make right all that you claim is wrong with our country.
We’ve heard enough talk and conjecture. The American people are screaming for solutions and they not only want them, they deserve them. Senator McCain has openly expressed his vision for a solid, industrious and prosperous America ( http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/issues/ ). He has dug deep into his years of experience and tenure in Washington politics and has unearthed advice, direction and outline for a profitable, efficient and productive America. Where then, may I ask, are your solid, concrete, measurable suggestions for our country?
Today marks Day 1 of the DNC and we’ve heard nothing that stirred the hope, belief and imagination of the people. The opportunity for change is upon us and we can only hope that the American people will hear beyond the poetry of an idea to find the substance of reality.
* FLUTIE ‘08 *
Tags: Barak Obama, John McCain, Micahel Phelps, President of the