I’m getting complaints about how much emphasis I’m putting in this column on the presidential election and the candidates and their running mates. I don’t actually enjoy writing about politics and all this deadly serious stuff every single day. I’m a woman who loves to write about cats and birds, the beautiful nature of Sarasota, Guinness beer and sunsets, and occasionally poke fun at my own deadly dull social life.
But what should we be writing and reading about when we’re a nation at war in not just one country, but two, our economy is failing, individual rights are being eroded, and our planet is in peril?
Do our soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan have the luxury of saying, “Gee, I don’t feel like thinking or acting like we’re at war today? I’d rather play skittles while bullets are flying and my brothers-and-sisters-in-arms are taking hits and dying.”
Does that sound melodramatic? Believe me; it’s not to the six soldiers who lost their lives last week in Iraq. It’s not to the family who is turning to a food pantry for the first time today. It’s not for the woman in Sarasota who wrote me this summer about her son who has a terminal illness and no health insurance.
There have never been more serious times for our country. We’re in a fight for stability and integrity, livelihood and lives. Whichever candidate one supports, there have never been more serious – potentially catastrophic – challenges and choices before us as a nation and before them as leaders.
John McCain said one thing in his speech that resonated with me. “Stand up and fight,” he exhorted us. And he’s right.
I’m going to keep writing about the campaign. And I’m sorry if I’m turning some readers off.
But I believe it’s a national imperative to stand up RIGHT NOW and make our voices heard. To take the next two months to discuss and debate the issues. To work hard to communicate respectfully but strongly about what course we think is best for our country.
No matter what side of the fence you’re standing on, stand up. Speak out.
And fight fair.