October 7th,2008-What Happened To Excellence

It has taken me a few days to get around to this. But before I evaluate tonight's debate, I wanted to take some time and reflect on the direction of this country. In a perfect world, Americans would vote only on issues; the economy, health care, the environment, education, women's rights/issues, etc. American's wouldn't care about whose Pastor was whom, they would just look at voting records, party platforms, statements and actions. We don't live in a perfect world. Americans don't always read the newspaper, we don't always do our research, and we do believe rumors. For quite some time, people believed Barack Obama was a Muslim (and if he was? what would be so bad about that ?) Most people don't do their own research and more importantly get caught in "personality traits" or the superficial. We have allowed ourselves to be persuaded by passing emotions and trends, and by smiles and folksy humor. I was disgusted by Sarah Palin the moment John McCain nominated her. I disagree with her policy. She is against abortion under any circumstances, she is also against comprehensive sex education. She is a supporter of the NRA. The list goes on...But since Americans care so much about "character" and personality. I have to ask, what happened to excellence?

What happened to Presidential candidates who were smarter than you and I? Who were philosophers, well educated, or just plain different from everyday Americans. I don't know about you all, but I have enough friends. I don't need my President to be my friend. I need a president to be a leader, to be able to negotiate and to be able to make sound, rational decisions. I also don't need a candidate that I can always relate to, because really, what difference does it make? People voted for George W. Bush (the 2nd time...because he didn't win the first time) because he was "the type of guy you could have a beer with." Because he played the Joe Blow role. They didn't care that he voted AGAINST a Hate Crimes Bill, they didn't care that he was so inarticulate that rather than have real policy debates against John Kerry, he called him a "flip flopper" (second grade anyone?)

Sarah Palin. Every time she winked at the camera during last weeks' debate I felt a little sick in my stomach. This is not the Ms. Elk Alaska Beauty Pageant. You can't win votes by smiling and looking pretty...or can you?What it really boils down to it, Republicans and Democrats alike have used character traits to win votes rather than to focus on issues that affect people's lives. But recently, George W. Bush, John McCain and his running mate, have used this tactic the best. I just hope that we are all too smart to fall for it again. I hope that we can go back to the days of excellence. Each person whether they are running for office or not has flaws. Some are horrible people all around. But at least there was once a time when Americans wanted their Presidents to be smarter then them, more well read, better people. Shouldn't an extraordinary job get an extraordinary person?

In Palin's comments during the VP debate, not only did she wink incessantly, she kept talking about the "Joe Six-packs" and the Hockey moms that she could relate to. As a woman who sincerely respects "average" people I have to admit there are lot of idiots out there, and just because someone is average, doesn't mean they deserve to be President. Every Al Bundy or Susy Homemaker I meet doesnt necesarily have the standout qualities it takes to be a leader. Leaders can come from the middle class, they can be every day people. Jimmy Carter is a perfect example. He wasn't the most educated of presidents, but he wasn't average either. According to his biographers, while all the Joe Six Packs were drinking wiskey and gambling on the submarine, Jimmy was always reading a book, putting together a puzzle.

When Katie Couric asked Sarah Palin what newspapers she read on a regular basis, Gov. Palin couldn't list one. But we can't deny that education is important. Isn't education the American dream, isn't it what helps everyday Joe Blow's climb the social ladder? So why all of a sudden have Republicans and (Hillary Clinton) a certain Democrat called Barack Obama an elitist because he has a bachelors from Columbia University and a Law degree from Harvard? When did getting excellence become elitism? Sarah Palin had to transfer to 6 different colleges to get 1 bachelors in broadcast journalism. Not that it should disqualify her all around, but there was a time when we wanted our elected officials to rise above the crowd. To be outstanding, and being outstanding doesn't always mean being well educated but, it does mean your campaign strategy shouldn't be showing Americans that you are "just like them." I don't think its really that important if I can relate to a Presidential candidate. I need him/her to get the job done.

Although he was a slave owner, racist and mysoginist, Thomas Jeffeson was a philosopher, he was well read, he was a horticulturist, archeologist, palentologist, inventor...the man founded a univerisity! What happened to leaders like that...who were great thinkers, who had visions of how to get things done. It scares me that the direction of politics is who can be the most average? Who can appeal to American voters by seeming just like them. Are we that intimidated by excellence that we'd settle for a mediocre poltician just to make us feel better about ourselves? People get mad at Obama for being a great orator, but weren't Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy just that...great orators? Now being able to speak well doesn't always qualify someone for poltical office, but in terms of symbolism, if we are looking at the outside, surface indicators. Why do people prefer the "straight talking Palins" or the moronic George W's to an awe-inspiring Obama?