Conservative, Liberal, Non-Partisan - Just Give Up Some Answers

Conservative, Liberal, Non-Partisan
- Just Give Up Some Answers
by Carl S. Ey

George W. Bush swore on Sunday. Al Gore is afraid to debate. Dick Cheney doesn't want to give back his stock options and Al Lieberman can't make up his mind about Hollywood. Who cares?

It must be an election year because both parties are nauseating the American public with stone throwing and political spin that skirts the issues that concern hard-working Americans. Why does this happen so regularly in a free and democratic society - particularly in a year when we will elect a new person to run the greatest country in the world?

This weekend, the Democrats jumped all over George W. Bush because he cussed about a reporter on an open microphone. They questioned Bush's morals, his judgment and apology that only acknowledged the fact that he didn't realize the microphone was "hot." The Republicans countered in much the same fashion as they chastised Vice President Gore for not accepting a live debate with Larry King, and insinuating that he is "yellow." Regularly, both parties dedicate significant portions of their respective web pages to hitting their opponent while he is down.

Has either candidate addressed the fact that millions of Americans can't get their kids vaccinated for influenza? Did I miss the grandiose plan on continuing the robust economy for the next four years or are we leaving that to Bill Gates and Alan Greenspan? Can someone please account for the dwindling numbers of service members combined with increased post cold-war deployments? How about developing a tough initiative to fight the battles against crime and recreational drug use in this country?

"Things" aren't as good as the country might believe as the unemployment rate continues to hover around all-time lows. However, neither candidate wants to do anything but shake hands, kiss babies and throw stones at each other.

During the Clinton/Bush debates in 1992, a young man stood up during an open forum and asked both candidates to stop questioning each other's moral fiber and discuss what is important to him, which happened to be education. President Bush and then, Governor Clinton promised to concentrate on the issues, yet they stubbornly continued to question each other's ethics and decision-making ability.

To date, it is a proven fact that we can run the country with a President that has trouble understanding the definition of the word "is." Let's get on with the issues that consistently frustrate the middle and lower class in this nation. Anybody, even if it is Ralph Nader, explain how life in the USA will get better from 2001 through 2004. At this point, the campaign trail reminds me of a group of kids fighting over who gets to hit first in a game of sandlot baseball.

Somebody, please remind the candidates that the homeless are still wandering our streets. Our military has soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines exiting quicker than the subway at rush hour. The economy is an enigma of cyberspace. Education costs are soaring faster than the cost of gasoline and the monthly payment for health care could buy many third world countries "meals on wheels" for a lifetime.

Governor Bush and Vice President Gore, please, have a debate with any moderator even if it is Budweiser's Louie the Lizard. Go ahead and cuss each other out or anyone else for that matter. Brag about having the courage to choose the first Jewish running mate (who happens to be a great American) or consecutively winning the gubernatorial race in Texas at your fund-raising dinners but quit showcasing it to the American public. But give us a solid plan for our future before Election Day.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me," may be true but name-calling is definitely hurting the voting public.