COUNTERTOPS
Political Animals
Roadside never took any overtly political positions. In fact, I’ve taken great pride that after more than fourteen years of publishing even my most astute readers haven’t accurately pegged my political affiliation. I consider that as quite an accomplishment given the vitriol I’ve spewed, so I venture into this piece with some reluctance.
I watched the Democratic Convention with particular interest this year, more than I have in several elections. I watched because I believe that we indeed are faced with one of the most important elections of our lifetimes. The 2000 election, in my estimation, marked the further progression of an ominous trend. I looked at the electoral map and saw a dangerous divide opening up in our society. The fact that most pundits expect this election to end even more divisively than the last only underscores this trend. I truly fear the implications of another election where the electoral and popular votes don’t agree.
In my mind, we have even more important issues on the table than global terrorism. Our battle with terrorist thugs originates from years of poorly drafted, misguided, and myopic foreign policies. The destruction of the World Trade Towers just represents a lot of our own ignorance that finally came home to roost. Thanks to our dependence on oil, we’ve directed too much of that ignorance at the Middle East.
Deride trains
Last I read, we now depend on foreign sources for nearly two-thirds of our consumption -- or we will pretty soon. Much of that oil -- too much -- comes from countries run by despotic tyrants. I accept the fact that the supply of oil remains absolutely critical for the health of our economy, but even the dimmest policy maker has to see the dead end ahead. We will eventually run out of oil. Then what?
How do we structure our policies in preparation for this future? How do we rid our backs of the oil monkey? And how can we do it while making our country and the world an even better place to live?
We have no greater challenge before us than the restructuring of an oil-based economy to one reliant upon a broader array of energy sources, and to do it without lowering our standard of living. To do this, we must reprioritize our national policy agendas. We can achieve this through fine-tuning our transportation, foreign, and fiscal policies.
Our current choice of candidates probably won’t bring any radical changes to these arenas. Not one speech at the Democratic convention addressed this issue, and I don’t have high hopes for the Republican. Right off the bat, I think we’ll all agree that neither guy is anyone’s ideal choice -- at least not anyone with half a brain.
Between hero and zero
So, in the face of such a weak slate, how should I vote? I do look for some a few base line qualities in my president. First, I believe that anyone who sits in the Oval Office should be at least as intelligent as I am. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. I’m no towering intellect, but I believe I’ve got a firm grasp on what makes things work and more than my fair share of common sense.
Second, I want my president to lead, not manage. I’d like to see a president with a vision for the future, and who can describe it clearly and without apology or qualification. Perhaps I won’t agree with the direction he wants to go, but I expect an intelligent and honest explanation for where he wants to take us.
Third, I expect my president to take responsibility for his actions and of those of his administration. I expect a president to surround himself with quality people and hold them accountable for their actions. Conversely, admitting mistakes doesn’t make a president weak. It shows someone with a firm grasp on reality.
Finally, I expect some indication of bravery. Sad to say, the value of military service as a prerequisite for national leadership has hardly become a quaint anacronism. We still live in a dangerous world that compels us to maintain a strong defense with a leader who appreciates the human cost of this effort. Personally, I would never consider myself qualified for a job that might call me to order people to do something I wouldn’t or haven’t done myself. Thus, I cannot imagine sending young men and women into the line of fire without knowing first hand into what I send them. So, if I have to watch my son or daughter go off to war, I would feel at least partially comforted knowing that our Commander-in-Chief fully appreciates first hand the danger into which he sends my child.
Smart, visionary, accountable, and brave. Do I ask for too much? Am I going to get this from either of the two major candidates? When I also consider how each might regard or embrace our Recipe for an American Renaissance, for me the decision becomes marginally easier but hardly hopeful. But such is life in our democracy.
What do you think? Send us your opinions to roadsideonline.com or post them on our Forum.
