Common Good
I wonder how many people know that there are more than three Democratic presidential candidates for the 2008 election? If you go by what you see in the news coverage, there are only Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama, and a distant third, John Edwards. In fact there are at least five other candidates, all considered ”unelectable.” Who decides that? The lobbyist? The news media? The politicians? Would Abraham Lincoln be considered “electable” today? Sadly, the answer to that is no, and that is our nation’s shame and loss. The presidential campaign has become a media circus that focuses upon personalities and hot button topics, rather than real issues. One “unelectable” candidate who deserves to have his ideas heard by the public is Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich. Here is an excerpt from a speech written by Sean Penn that addresses the topic of electability. It appeared on Common Dreams today.
“What if Dennis Kucinich, the most deserving and noble of candidates, the most experienced in issues of policy and the least willing to play into the politics of personal power? (sic) What if we can’t elect a man simply on the basis of the best ideas, the most courage, and the most selfless service? What does it say about our country when we can’t rally the voices of the common good to support a man, (who) like our troops… would die for us, who would die for our constitution?
I have decided not to participate in proactive support on the basis of media distinctions. I have chosen to pledge my support to the singular, strongest and most proven representative of our constitutional mandate. Dennis Kucinich offers us a very singular opportunity as we share this minute of time on earth. We, the people. It is for us to determine what is electable. And here’s how simple it is: If we, those of us who truly believe in the Constitution of the United States of America, all of us, vote for Dennis Kucinich, he will be elected. Could we call him electable then? If so, America will stand taller than ever.”
Continuing on the theme of the common good is John Nirenberg's latest posting from his March in my Name website.
“One thing I have found talking with people along the way, especially with those who come out to walk with me for awhile, is that when the conversation turns to what we are proud of about our respective communities, it is a progressive sensibility. We talk of people and events that have inspired us. We discuss the achievements and ideas about human betterment and progress that we share, as the next in line as it were, to carry the torch forward until the next generation takes over.
I got to thinking about our politics at the national level and it is clear that there hasn’t been any discussion of what it is to be part of this amazing American experiment. There is no talk of goals, of progress, or a vision of what we have yet to become. It’s as if we have lost our way. From attempting to build a “Great Society” we have descended to bullying the world and foisting our armies or economic sanctions against those who do not obey. At home we do not converse as much as spit ideological mantras at each other resulting in mutual alienation. At one time we were admired and copied. We were the beacon of progress, of human rights, of striving to become something better. Now we are feared and derided as “Hollywood Gone Wild” but have little to offer as a model for social betterment. For that the world now turns to Europe.”
John is right. America has lost its ideals. And in these most critical of days, when searching for a leader who will raise our country above the current miasma of greed, corruption, lies, and disdain for human rights, the media focuses upon a candidate’s stance on abortion and gay rights, immigration, or their religious faith. Maybe we could look for a person of courage and moral stature who will speak truth to those unwilling to listen, and who will uphold the Constitution and the ideals that our nation was founded upon. There is too much talk of left, right, blue, red, and nationalism in the guise of patriotism. Perhaps we should just elect someone who will work for the “Common Good.”
... P. L. Morningstar
.
“What if Dennis Kucinich, the most deserving and noble of candidates, the most experienced in issues of policy and the least willing to play into the politics of personal power? (sic) What if we can’t elect a man simply on the basis of the best ideas, the most courage, and the most selfless service? What does it say about our country when we can’t rally the voices of the common good to support a man, (who) like our troops… would die for us, who would die for our constitution?
I have decided not to participate in proactive support on the basis of media distinctions. I have chosen to pledge my support to the singular, strongest and most proven representative of our constitutional mandate. Dennis Kucinich offers us a very singular opportunity as we share this minute of time on earth. We, the people. It is for us to determine what is electable. And here’s how simple it is: If we, those of us who truly believe in the Constitution of the United States of America, all of us, vote for Dennis Kucinich, he will be elected. Could we call him electable then? If so, America will stand taller than ever.”
Continuing on the theme of the common good is John Nirenberg's latest posting from his March in my Name website.
“One thing I have found talking with people along the way, especially with those who come out to walk with me for awhile, is that when the conversation turns to what we are proud of about our respective communities, it is a progressive sensibility. We talk of people and events that have inspired us. We discuss the achievements and ideas about human betterment and progress that we share, as the next in line as it were, to carry the torch forward until the next generation takes over.
I got to thinking about our politics at the national level and it is clear that there hasn’t been any discussion of what it is to be part of this amazing American experiment. There is no talk of goals, of progress, or a vision of what we have yet to become. It’s as if we have lost our way. From attempting to build a “Great Society” we have descended to bullying the world and foisting our armies or economic sanctions against those who do not obey. At home we do not converse as much as spit ideological mantras at each other resulting in mutual alienation. At one time we were admired and copied. We were the beacon of progress, of human rights, of striving to become something better. Now we are feared and derided as “Hollywood Gone Wild” but have little to offer as a model for social betterment. For that the world now turns to Europe.”
John is right. America has lost its ideals. And in these most critical of days, when searching for a leader who will raise our country above the current miasma of greed, corruption, lies, and disdain for human rights, the media focuses upon a candidate’s stance on abortion and gay rights, immigration, or their religious faith. Maybe we could look for a person of courage and moral stature who will speak truth to those unwilling to listen, and who will uphold the Constitution and the ideals that our nation was founded upon. There is too much talk of left, right, blue, red, and nationalism in the guise of patriotism. Perhaps we should just elect someone who will work for the “Common Good.”
... P. L. Morningstar
.
posted by Looking for Hope | 8:53 PM
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