Election 2008 and the James Evans of “Good Times” Kind of Faith

The Bible says faith without works is dead. So it is great to believe something good is going to happen, but you have to get off your butt and make things happen. When I was growing up the show Good Times was on prime time television. Florida and James Evans were two hardworking parents raising their children in the projects of Chicago. In some ways James reminded me of my own father who was “old school”. He too loved his family and worked hard as a mailman to support us, but that is where the difference ends. My dad and mom worked hard and got the American Dream. They owned a home and they put their children through college, and as I would watch Good Times I would think that if a man worked as hard as James Evans did he too would eventually get ahead, but that probably would not have made for good tv. I realize James was a fictional character, but his struggle symbolizes the struggle of so many Americans who simply want a chance. They do not want a hand out… they just want a chance. The truth is most Americans just want their shot at the dream. It can happen but we have got to put feet to our faith and go to the polls on November 4th. Change can not happen if we don’t make it happen.

Joe the Plumber an “American Hero”?

In America we tend to sometimes over use some words. We use superlatives that often exaggerate someone’s worth. Case in point yesterday John McCain introduced “Joe the Plumber” as an “American Hero”. What? He asked Barack Obama a question and he got a response that the McCain gang liked so now he is a hero? This makes it official they  have stepped through the looking glass. Heroes are the men and women that are serving in our military, the men and women who serve and protect our community, the men and women that teach our children, but they are not opportunistic narcissts who are struggling to turn their 15 minutes into a career. Hopefully on November 4th we can send Joe the Plumber back to an environment more suitable to his skill set.

McCain Believes in School Busing…At Least Busing Kids to His Rally

It was reported on MSNBC that John McCain had a rally in Ohio today and 6,000 people were in attendance, but what we learned later that:  “A local school district official confirmed after the event that of the 6,000 people estimated by the fire marshal to be in attendance this morning, more than 4,000 were bused in from schools in the area. The entire 2,500-student Defiance School District was in attendance, the official said, in addition to at least three other schools from neighboring districts, one of which sent 14 buses.” The irony is McCain was actually talking to 4,000 people who can not vote. The reality is they were there to fill the seats, and to the kids it was a day out of school, and their only instruction was probably to just make noise. So the listener would just hear noise from the crowd and noise from the platform.

Bill Clinton Finally gives Barack Obama His Full Support

Throughout this campaign Bill Clinton has not seemed fully engaged. After Hillary Clinton’s loss in the primaries the former president seemd content to sit this one out. He gave a tepid endorsement, but when he spoke he often seemed to leave the listener wondering did he really support Obama? On one occasion he spoke so highly regarding John McCain one wondered would he really be happier if McCain won this election, but finally Clinton gave him a real endorsement last night. He left no doubt who he supported and we can only say better late than never: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC-9PgJfJIw

November 4th is Our Opportunity to Choose Hope Over Fear

Last night we got the opportunity to hear Barack Obama state why he wants to be president. It is true it was an infomercial and it is true it was picture perfect, but when it was over I felt good. Over the past few weeks there have been very few things to feel good about. With every passing day there has been another allegation against Barack Obama from the McCain gang. Lately, I  have just been mad as I watched Palin in full attack mode. She has relished her role as pit bull attack dog. So last night as I watched the special I got the opportunity to hear from a cross section of America, and the larger message is we are all trying to make it and we are willing to work for it. No one is looking for someone to give them anything they just want an equal shot at getting it themselves.  They are willing and ready to choose hope over fear. Obama said  “In six days, we can choose hope over fear and unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo. In six days, we can come together as one nation, and one people, and once more choose our better history.” So now we are down to 5 days and I believe America is ready for that change. The challenge now is to withstand the attacks for 5 more days. I think if Obama can take it we can too.

Barack Obama Finally Says What He thinks About Sarah Palin

When Sarah Palin hit the trail she came out with guns blazing and Barack Obama was her target. She has labeled him as un-American, a man that does not see America the way “real” Americans do, as a communist and a socialist. Obama has been asked on a number of occasions what does he think about Palin, and each time he has declined to answer. Well with 6 days left he has finally answered the question: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eUz13-pmTY

President Sarah Palin…Now that is a Scary Thought

If John McCain was elected he would be the oldest guy to become president. With his history of health problems coupled with his age makes his choice of Sarah Palin a very scary thing. She would have the very real possiblility of taking over in the event of his demise. This is such a scary thought that this commeciral summarizes the fear of many: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dqer7WQXCM

When did Joe the Plumber become Joe the Diplomat?

Joe the Plumber pledged his support to John McCain. That’s no big surprise and it really should be a non-issue but this guy’s 15 minutes just will not end. Now he is saying that a vote for Obama will lead to the death of Israel. This is a guy who does not even have a plumber’s license, and now he is giving his opinion on foreign affairs. This borders on being surreal. Joe whose real name is Samuel Wurzelbacher made this statement on Fox News. His comment put the host Shepard Smith in the uncomfortable position of having to defend Barack Obama’s policy toward Israel. Joe said he was expressing his opinion and not the opinion of the McCain campaign. So now we will have another unvetted McCain surrogate going around for the next 6 days making statements designed to create fear in the voters. Joe needs to concentrate on things he understands like pipes, and leave foreign policy for the experts in that field.

So they Couldn’t Make You Believe Obama Was a Muslim? Let’s Try Communist

Throughout this election season the goal of the GOP and their operatives was to convince America that Barack Obama was different. He has been described as radical, un-American, a Muslim, an elitist, an egghead, unpatriotic and even exotic. Now we are 7 days from electing a president more and more Americans have had the opportunity to get to know Barack Obama. Many Americans have embraced him and learned he does love his country and he wants what is best for this country. He is not a socialist or a communist. He has a different point of view than John McCain and that is what Americans should be discussing. With 7 days left it is naive to believe the name-calling will stop because it will probably intensify. Barack Obama is not a Communist or a Socialist, yes he does not look like the other men on our currency, but that is ok he is different and that is what makes America so great–Diversity.  Diversity is nothing to fear it is something we as Americans embrace.

Are There Still Undecided Voters?

It is hard for me to believe there are still people who have not made up there minds regarding this election. As a matter of fact most people I know have made their minds up and in some case they have already voted. But it there are some what are they waiting to hear? Are they still unsure about Barack Obama? He has just been running for almost 2 years. Everything that can be dug up about his past has been. So why not him?  John McCain has been on the national scene for almost 30 years. He had a reputation of being a maverick, but that was the old John McCain. This is a new one that has been “palling around” with Palin. So it looks like he might have less inclusive philosophy. He has voted with George Bush 90% of the him so that gives a voter an idea of what he believes. So what is the hold-up? There really are probably not that many people who are undecided. There are probably a lot of people who refuse to say who they will vote for, but in this election I believe everyone has already decided.