daily blog

It’s a shame that the American people have to endure all the campaign rhetoric and listen to the two presidential candidates and soon to be their vice presidential picks who will only add more to the criticizing and stage craft that focuses more on the weaknesses of the other candidates. It would be pleasing to hear what each candidate has to offer in terms of how he proposes to fix our country. It’s amazing to me that Joe Biden and John McCain have been friends for so many years and now that Senator Biden is a vice presidential candidate he started his first day on television criticizing Senator McCain. By the way, I’m a veteran of the Vietnam war and clearly heard Senator Bidens comment that Senator McCain was only a war hero and what we need is a leader.

I think any war hero is a leader and should be commended. I’m sure I wasn’t the only American veteran listening. The American people need to know what each candidate plans to do about the following which is only a few of the problems we face.

1. How do you propose to pull our country out of the recession we’re in which is hurting everyone?

2. How do you propose to fix the energy crisis which needs immediate attention?

3. How do you plan to correct the health care problems facing the entire nation?

4. How do you propose to handle the foreclosure disaster which is destroying our country?

5. Do you plan to do anything about the poverty within the United States?

6. How do you plan to get job creation going again before everyone in our country faces poverty?

7. The Christian values which you both proclaim to have can be shown much clearer by your actions than by your words.

8. What is your stand on abortion and stem cell research which are two other big concerns in our country?

9. Where do you stand on foreign issues and how do you plan to show strength as well as compassion in dealing with other nations?

These are just a few of the issues facing our nation today but they are very important ones and need to be addressed honestly. Again, the American people deserve honest answers and not political ploy. While Obama is trying to blame John McCain for everything that George Bush has done over the past eight years he needs to remember that Senator McCain has stood against Bush many times but he cannot control him any better than Obama could control his preacher Jerimiah or the other preachers condemning America. This is probably one of the most important elections this country has ever had and whoever wins has his work cut out for him. Please Americans, listen to what the candidates are proposing, not just their ridicule.

About The Author

Garrett Golden is very knowledgeable in the political arena. Having served sixteen years in local county government and having won more elections than anyone in county history, I am constantly observing local, state, and national elections and giving my opinions at every opportunity. Anybody can watch the candidates and listen to what they are saying and determine what is real and what is just political talk to get them elected. Please pay close attention in this presidential election not only to the candidates promises but also look at their past actions. This will help you make the right choice and last but not least, be sure to VOTE.

I haven’t written a book on politics yet but I am gathering a lot of facts and information in preparation for writing a hard cover book in the very near future.

Resources: The best resources to count on now comes from the vast news coverage on CNN, FOX, and all the major news channels. They tend to show what the candidates are actually saying whereas the books, the internet, and the magazines have a better opportunity to tweak what is being said. Also, there seems to be a lot of coverage heading into the conventions and the fall debates. Listen closely!

I’m going to cut right to the race. The idea of a woman or African-American as president is appealing to me. But if Condolezza Rice was running for president, I’d pass on the best of both worlds. Hilary Clinton’s candidacy represents a Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton regime. A hybrid monarchy, rooted in nepotism, that I’d rather not see perpetuate and further tarnish the already scarred history of a nation built on the backs of slaves.

Maybe they should have a law stating that presidents should be picked girl—boy—girl—boy—girl—boy? Or, one year the president should be 11 years old and the next year 65 years old?

Regardless of my day dreaming, Obama stirs a feeling no other candidate has that I remember in my short-time living. I don’t agree with all of Obama’s views and policies; however, I feel a spark of purpose in his life and timeliness. The fact he has exposure living and growing up in parts of the world, other than the United States, makes him a candidate the world can embrace. The potential of Obama to unite people across not only political lines, but religious divide is unmatched by any of our current presidential candidates. His expressed willingness to dialogue, even with some of the most ostracized world leaders, makes him an individual who could bring increased global security that does not rely upon militaries; fostering understanding and mutual respect through dialogue, humbleness and diplomacy.

But Barack Obama is not nearly enough. Inspiring, yes; answer to all of the U.S. and world problems-not so much. A step in the right direction, maybe; but this is about more than just a president.

No president alone will be able to save the drowning waters of the polluted sea. McCain, Clinton, and Obama all represent a two-party system that consistently silences diverse perspectives and limits the capacity of those, who are not democrat or republican, to create change. The two-party system that exists in the U.S. precludes the political voice and will of millions of its citizens. There must be a reason, in addition to apathy, that still over 50% of those eligible to vote in the U.S. never make it to the polls.

None of the candidates are speaking about the demilitarization of the world. About the essential need of our careful disposal of the world nuclear weapons stockpile. None of them have addressed how we shall counteract the institutionalized racism that has allowed the number of people in U.S. prisons to climb and reach over 2.3 million. “A Black boy born in 2001 has a 1 in 3 chance of going to prison in his lifetime; about 580,000 Black males are serving sentences in state or federal prison, while fewer than 40,000 Black males earn a bachelor’s degree each year; and in 2004, 2,825 children and teens died from firearms in the U.S.-that’s more than the number of American combat deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan through the end of 2006.” (America’s Cradle to Prison Pipeline 2007 Report, Children’s Defense Fund). We are in a civil war right here in the U.S.!

None of the candidates have yet spoken about how we can divert huge global catastrophe by radically shifting energy consumption and consumerism. None of them have addressed how the nation’s schools are systematically fueling violence through outdated and irrelevant teaching methods and curriculum. And I am still waiting for the day I hear a presidential candidate, at the end of a speech say, “God Bless the World!”

Nonetheless, I hope, and on quiet nights pray, that for every Osama there must be an Obama; a counter weight; a balancing of the scales; the love that hate produced. But, more important than Obama, or whoever the next president of the U.S. turns out to be is YOU. Where is your heart? What are you doing? The danger in a magnetic personality such as Barack Obama as president is that masses will tend to diffuse responsibility to him for making the changes in our society that are so sorely needed. Obama will be inheriting a Royal Bush-mess. The people of the U.S., the ones electing him into office, will set him (or any other candidate) up for failure if we do not transform our penchant for materialism and placing American interests ahead of the Earth’s.

Out of the current realistic choices available, I believe making Obama president is a step in the right direction, but it is not nearly enough. We have to step with him and ahead of him. This is much more than stepping to the voting booth and casting your ballot. That’s the simple way out. We can’t live our lives behind curtains anymore; casting votes in private. We have to seriously work everyday to change our communities so that they are healthy, nurturing and positive places for all people, regardless of who the president is.

Most importantly, as recently observed, we need to come together as a species, and unite to aid the millions of people who are being displaced and lost through earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, and disease. As long as governments continue to prioritize funding the building of a bomb over digging someone out who has been buried in a landslide, we are in for a dismal future.

Everyone needs to do something. The president of the U.S. would play a more passive role in society if citizens were actually doing their jobs and looking out for one another. This election is about much more than just a president, it’s about our very hearts and souls.

It is not enough to think, ‘Okay, I’ll do my part and vote this year for who will be our elected representatives.’ Instead, we have to become mindful that we vote everyday, perhaps even with greater impact, by where we spend our money. What we buy and which company is producing it. We vote everyday by the seat we choose to give to the stranger on the bus, walking or riding our bicycle instead of taking our car, or, the child that we spend time with and do, or do not love. We vote everyday… simply by opening our mouths. By fearlessly addressing injustice when confronted by it; by laughing, smiling, and spreading joy to others, even those who have caused us pain.

The true change, is taking responsibility. Not a representative democracy but a direct engagement and transformation of the system that is rooted in our conscious evolution. Because this is bigger than any president… this is bigger than any of us.

Traveling the world-in less than 7 years over 23 countries-sparked a commitment in HAWAH to empower those less materially privileged. In 1999, working as an Americorps community organizer and mentor in Washington DC’s most under-resourced neighborhood, he encouraged youth to explore the roots of oppression. After graduating from American Univ. with a degree in Peace and Educational Philosophy, he was awarded a fellowship with the RFK Foundation to work as a special rep. to the U.N. and the World Conference Against Racism. HAWAH is co-founder/ executive director of One Common Unity, a non-profit org. that nurtures sustainable communities through innovative peace education, arts, and media. For 3 years he directed the Peaceable Schools Program in DC’s largest high school-specifically leading Alternatives to Violence, Positive Stretch, Deep Breathing & Yoga classes. A spoken word poet known as EVERLUTIONARY, HAWAH has authored 3 books: Trails: Trust Before Suspicion (2001), Escape Extinction (2003) and zerONEss (2006). His work can be further explored at http://www.everlutionary.net

I think that our country needs political change for the future of America. I think that our country needs to change the way people view our country. I think our elected leaders should do every thing that they can to stabilize all areas in the Middle East? I think our future presidential candidates should answer questions on problems that affect our countries future? Questions I think that media people should asking at the next presidential debates. I think our country needs more people to vote at next years election. I think the media needs educate voters on problems that need change. I think that need our country needs major change politically in America to assure future cooperation by republicans and democrats. What I think our country wants is changes made by our countries next president? I think the media stay on top of the problems that faces our country?

Questions that I really need to ask candidates for the next presidential debates. I want to understand why are candidates being asked about their faith? I think that this is a personal question that has nothing to do with a persons qualification for political office. I think peoples faith should not be part of presidential debates. I think that we should stick to questions that have to do with future change in our country. I think that our country needs elect the proper candidate for president. I think the media puts the right questions to each candidate.

I think our country needs respect the right of privacy when it comes to questioning candidates about their faith or sexual preference for any political office Our country separates religion from state why are these questions being put to presidential candidates? I think candidates campaigning should make all voters aware of their campaign strategy. I think our country needs make lower income people changes that can be made if they register to vote in next years presidential election. I believe that all candidates reaching out to lower income people to bring more voters to the poles.

I believe that media outlets should make sure questions that affect Lower income people are put to all candidates at our countries next presidential debates. I believe proper questions should be asked by our media to all presidential candidates to improve life for all people in our country. There are so many lower income people that do not vote. Presidential candidates should working to get more people out to vote next year. I believe that Lower income people will be most affect by our countries next president does.

While campaigning I hope Candidates reach out to all people our countries medical profession to try to work out some kind of plan for national insurance plan for our country. I think that if each candidate were already meeting with Americas medical profession to form a plan on how to create national health caret his problem would get solved a lot quicker. Doing this I hope will show voters that candidates are really trying to create a national health care plan. I believe that all candidates should already have some type of national insurance plan.

I hope that all presidential candidates work the media to explain each candidates plan on how to get our troops home from Iraq, Afghanistan. I believe that explaining to voters exactly how each candidates plan will work. I am sure that voters will have more confidence to vote if they understand. how each candidate is intent on changing our countries present situation. I want all made voters aware of each candidates plan for the future of our country. I believe that this will make voters more aware of each candidates commitment to to be elected our countries next president.

I hope each candidate will change poverty that affects so many families in our country. I know candidates campaigning for president of the United states should already have some plan on how each candidate will deal with each and every problem that saves our nation. I hope by reaching out to voters each candidate will prove they are qualified to be our countries next president. Working to get more voters will improve each candidates chance to get elected our countries next president.

I hope that Media outlets will explain more about each candidate thoughts on major problems. I am asking to have more political questions put to each candidate at our countries next presidential debate this will inform voters on where each candidate stands on our countries problems. I believe that all presidential candidates should have a plan to change the homeless situation that affects lower income people in our country. I believe that it is time for all media outlets to let each candidate explain their plan on how they will stop gang problems that affect big cities like Chicago where thirty one children have been shot by gangs since the start of the new year.

I know that all tax payers should be allow to ask all their state leaders about how out how many money they ear marked for our countries budget next year. Why are we not informed as taxpayers on what our government leaders are doing with our countries tax dollars? This is just one of many reasons that I believe that our country needs government reform. I think that each candidate should explain how they are going to start government reform in our country. I hope that each candidate has a plan ready to explain how our country is going to deal with cost of energy problem that faces our country today.

I know that our country needs other types of energy that will make us less dependent on other countries for so much oil.

I believe media outlets should make viewers more aware with daily news reports on situations that faces each candidate running for our countries next president. So many media poles show that most our countries people are not satisfied with the governments record today. I believe that we all can change this can change these problems by getting out to vote at our countries next presidential election. I believe that as American`s we have a responsibility to get more involved in our countries next presidential election. I ask each american to Listen all questions and answers by each candidate on problems that faces our country daily. Have them explain in exact detail how each of their plans will work if we elect him or her the next our president. I hope that all government leaders know that they work for our country not themselves. America I believe we need more ways to get more voters to the poles next year. I know that our country wants their politicians to working together to Pass bills.

Does our country have to actually need an in dependent candidate to run for our countries next president? Maybe by electing some in dependent candidate for president would change the future of politics in our country. I believe that as american`s we need to get every voter possible out to the poles to vote next year. Why not question every presidential candidate on how they each will work to get a immigration bill passed? I think that our media outlets should put more questions like this to all candidates for our countries next president.

America I hope that you vote for the most qualified person for president. I hope that every candidate already has some plan on how to solve these problems. I believe that our country should learn as much as can about each candidate.

I hope our countries next president has the answers to all the problems that need to be changed in our country .

I hope that America Votes for our next president on how each candidate plans to change problems that affects our country. I hope that our country will not elect our next president because of religious beliefs or their sexual preference. As always I write this article with respect. I wish to thank all our troops that serving our country in Iraq, Afghanistan And every other country around the world. I pray that you will all be home soon. I hope that no american will have to spend their independence day at war again. Happy forth of July to all of us as american`s. God bless us all. Thank you.

My name is Mike Carvell of the voice i hope that this will be read by all publishers and that they agree with me that we need a voice for change I believe that if we all work together we can change so many problems that face our country today. I believe that if you put your column and respect on the line that we can all make this column a voice for all people I mean all people. Tell me what you want changed and i will keep this column honest direct and to the point with the commitment you need to affect change. Once again I need your respect help and commitment to make this accomplishment possible. I not only believe in all americans but the rights and respect of you all to make this commitment for which I will write with all honesty and respect and power that i can to prove this to you. This is my column and only my column I will do all the writing with respect to all those of you who put your trust and commitment into this column now and in the future. I will be columns as many as i can on as many subjects that I can with respect for all my future work thank you mike carvell as always