Editor:

The media barrage during the 2008 political primaries once again is overflowing with low-value information. Who is ahead, who committed the daily blunder, who was more colorful, clever or quick-tongued in debate? Are these what we most need in our next president, or any elected official for that matter? Which, if any, of the candidates are talking about the issues of critical importance to our nation’s future?

We are a nation of 300 million people with diverse outlooks, capabilities and priorities, yet, the corporate media treat us as capable only of making the simplest choices from among the fewest alternatives, preferably never more than two, neither of them fully explained or explored. Must we be endlessly corralled into choosing between Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, rich or poor, rural or urban, handout or hand-in? Must we be endlessly distracted from the ever-more serious erosion of our personal liberties, our savings, our economic opportunities and our constitutional republic? Must we continue to be seduced by more gifts from Washington that we cannot afford?

Americans have been living far beyond their means for quite a long lime. We have become the largest debtor nation in history; and for decades, our political leaders have told us not to worry about it. What is the true state of our country’s economic condition? Who among the candidates or the media are telling us all of the important facts? The purchasing power of our dollar is declining rapidly; who is responsible and what must be done to avoid a currency crash? Responsibility for this financial mess surely lies equally with both democrat and republican administrations.

For any elected position, whether here at home or in Washington, we urgently need to vote for candidates who will serve out of dedication to our country’s principles and ideals rather than politicians who pander to special interests in exchange for privilege, power, and re-election. We need someone who stands against our government’s interference overseas, in the economy, and in our personal lives; someone who promotes protecting our privacy and civil liberties.

As Angela Black expressed in her recent column, let us move beyond the right-left civil war that is tearing our country apart so that our nation may be more productive and peaceful. Should we not vote based on fundamentals rather than on political, religious, or economic affiliation? By doing our own research and thinking for ourselves we – not the media or the politicians – decide the future of our country.

Heather Lenahan

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