What is This Country Coming To?

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/10/rage-rising-on-the-mccain-campaign-trail/

I have seen and heard of more atrocious behavior this week than I can believe spouting from the McCain/Palin campaign trail.

Palin has been encouraging rally-goers to jeer and sneer at Obama, claiming he's a radical because of ties he has to a man who formerly acted radically and anti-American (by the way, when Obama was a child). A man who Obama knows through a school board working on reform for Chicago area schools. A man who is now a professor and admired. A man who, clearly, turned his life around. Does anyone condone his actions of the 60s? NO. Who he was then and who he is now are two very different people. And Obama only knows who he is now. So, G. Palin, "There you go again, pointing backward..." insteading of focusing on the future and current needs of Americans.

The thought that they are touting across America and allowing fellow citizens to get so angry and bitter, distracting them from the state of our country by feeding the hate....my God, I don't recognize this country anymore. They are playing on people's fears to promote their agenda. Playing on people's discriminatory thoughts that unfortunately still exist. Trying to convince us voters that Obama is a radical, maybe even a terrorist, and those who support him are turning this country into a Socialist nation.

McCain, a year ago, I supported you. I was cheering for you. And I am absolutely disgusted by how you are handling being behind in the polls. Show us the good person you are. Show us why you deserve to be elected, not why you think Obama doesn't deserve to be elected. Stop allowing your VP candidate to spread hate among our nation. This is no way to heal wounds. With everything you've been through (which you have not hesistated to use to play on our sympathies), I thought you'd be better than this.

America,

Please vote. But before you do that, please research these candidates. Be informed. It's not enough to watch the debates or read the papers. You'll only see and hear lies, or "stretched truths". Look up their voting records. Did you know John McCain has a D on his Congressional Report Card for Veterans Rights, and Barack Obama has a B? How would we know that by how McCain plays up his veteran status?

And really think about this- when Bill Clinton entered office, he was 46; George W. Bush was 54. They are both now 62. Look how old they look. Look at what the stress of holding this country's highest office did to them. Do you mean to tell me that you think John McCain, at 72, has the energy, the sharpness, and the stamina to do this for 4 years? I saw him speak a year ago to a group of students at Southern New Hampshire University. He was quick, thoughtful, articulate, and he moved with ease around the room. As I watched him shuffle around the stage at the "town hall" debate Tuesday night, all I could think was "He has gotten old. He looks tired, like a robot, his attempts at humor are falling flat. He should be enjoying retirement." I cannot even fathom, God forbid, what would happen to this country should Palin need to step up into that position. I don't even want to think about it.

I will now step off my soapbox and let you do your research for yourselves. I pray that America doesn't tear itself apart from the inside out. Things are tough enough as it is with the war and the economy without the great people who bound together on 9/11 now turning against each other, ready to snap. I am really scared for our country.

***These thoughts are my own. If you choose to comment, know that I will respect your thoughts and I hope you will respect mine. I am not looking for a fight, just some common sense.