Anyone who has kept abreast of the heavy media coverage surrounding the democratic primary knows that there is a tremendous chance that history will be made as it relates to selecting the next President of the United States of America. Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have both shared the lime light for about the last year or so leading up to this point in the election. Senator Clinton, if elected would become the first female president, while Senator Obama would become the first black president.
Interestingly, it would seem as if the Democratic Party possesses the only candidates vying for the presidency, given the one-sided media coverage. It would also seem that citizens are primarily interested in the Democrats with the heavy voter turnouts, while ballots cast for Republicans have been minimal, to say the least. Republicans are even crossing party lines to cast votes.
Are we making sound decisions when we cast our votes or are we simply trying to make history? Which is more important? I have engaged in discussions on both sides of the coin. Quite honestly, I find myself a bit taken aback by many of the reasons behind why some have decided to vote for Clinton, Obama, McCain, Huckabee, or one of the other not-so-well-known candidates. Few of these discussions have included the platforms for which these candidates stand. Rather, support is being given on the basis of sex, race, party affiliation, or merely voting for the lesser of those who may be considered evil.
For lack of a better phrase, we are in serious trouble if we assume that because she’s a woman, because he’s black, because he’s Democrat or Republican, we are selecting the best candidate as our nation’s highest post. That person becomes our representative for the next 4 years. The person who sits behind the desk in the Oval Office of the White House should be keenly understood in terms of what his or her plans are for this country, particularly as it relates to both the “haves” and the “have nots”.
This commentary is not in support of any candidate. It should serve as a reminder of what a democracy truly is—a government by the people. Voting for a person or people to whom our thoughts and beliefs do not mesh cannot constitute a democracy because the decisions they would make once elected would not and could not be of the people. Truth be told, history will be made regardless—none of the candidates have ever been president before.
So, let us focus on making sound decisions for the presidential race of 2008. Be it Democrat or Republican, Clinton or Obama, McCain or Huckabee, our decisions should be based on the best candidate for the job—not for making history. If that happens, then let it be because he or she has met and exceeded the criterion we have set for them in a presidential capacity. © 2008 Keydron Guinn
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment