Let’s move beyond the rhetoric

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: August 10, 2008

To the editor:

What do we hope to accomplish with sound bites, misquotes and polarizing partisan rhetoric? Do any of us truly believe that Barack Obama’s energy plan is simply for Americans to properly inflate their automobile tires? Similarly, does anyone honestly believe that John McCain wishes to see American servicemen and servicewomen in Iraq 100 years from now? Do we really care who wears an American flag lapel pin?

Our country faces critical issues today, and ridiculous verbal barbs aimed at the lowest common denominator of our collective psyche are useless. We have economic, energy, security, health care, diplomatic, education and environmental concerns that must be addressed systematically and strategically. Deciding on a candidate to lead our country for the next four years is a huge responsibility that demands a measure of understanding, research, open-mindedness, conviction and forward thought. This is not a decision based on sound bites, political minutia or acrobatically-twisted, out-of-context quotes. Absurdly simplistic, transparently partisan or otherwise specious arguments do absolutely nothing but separate us and waste valuable time better spent investigating and seeking to understand the many issues our next president will be expected to address.

When we cast our votes in November, it is our responsibility to have developed an informed and intelligent decision based on our personal values regardless of political affiliation. To that end, I have much reading, synthesizing of information, comparing of opposing viewpoints and quiet pondering to do; too much, in fact, for sleep. So to those who demand Danville Register & Bee readers to “wake up,” I can assure you, I am wide awake.

DAN CUMBO
Danville