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Who Shows True Character, Leadership?

Letters to the Editor | 7 weeks 5 days ago | Comments 5

By Paul J. Goodnick

To The Editor: How does Obama care for his family? His half brother is homeless on and off again in Kenya: "If anyone says something about my surname, I say we are not related. I am ashamed. No one knows who I am. I live here on less than $1 a month. I live like a recluse, no one knows I exist." (The Mail, London). His wife pursued a career in business. Why is she proud of being an American? Only due to her husband's success. How about McCain and his wife? They show true care by adopting a young girl from Mother Theresa born in Bangladesh. His wife is trained in special education. She spends her time helping victims of landmines, those suffering from famine, and most recently those affected by the devastation in Georgia caused by Russian invasion. Does Obama care about himself or his country? His ego-driven career was focused from day one in Congress to run for president. He requires an audience of thousands to speak and applaud his remarks. He even revised his campaign insignia to resemble that of the President of the U.S. In contrast, McCain waited until serving his country for 20 years in the military and another 20 years in Congress before considering running for higher office. He prefers smaller groups, and his country comes first before politics. He rejected the offer of an early release as a POW. His honor code demanded he say no. Is Obama a candidate of change? No, he believes in the old tradition of party first, before country. Perhaps because it was helpful politically in his district, after 9/11, he pushed the envelope as a state politician to blame the U.S. and its attitude toward the 'suffering' of potential terrorists as the cause, minimizing the true intent to attack the U.S. He accepted the support of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, an anti-U.S. preacher for years on end because it helped him politically, and later denied ever hearing him speak. He has never worked with Republicans nor bucked his own party's liberal line. A member of his own party said: "His record does not reflect working in a bipartisan fashion." The Washington Post: "There is scant evidence the Illinois senator takes positions that challenge his base or otherwise threaten him politically". Who is the true agent for real change? John McCain is known to work consistently with Democrats for the betterment of the country, and has challenged his own party's leaders repeatedly. Obama's VP nominee, Joe Biden, has praised him as has many others. Many conservatives now resent him for not being a 'true' conservative because of the many instances he has worked with Democrats in the Senate. Obama does not care about principle. His choice for VP, Joe Biden, has confessed to lying about his law school record and plagiarized his speeches from, e.g., Robert F Kennedy. McCain's choice, Sarah Palin, believes putting state and country first before party. She challenged her own party's establishment in Alaska -- putting them in jail. And most recently? McCain suspended his campaign at a significant cost to himself when Obama was ahead in raising funds, due to principle — to work with the Democrats to solve the financial issues. He stayed in D.C. until it was worked out. Obama, however, stayed mostly away, stated “call me if you need me,” and continued debate preparations which he saw as more important. Who shows true character and leadership? Only one person, John McCain. PAUL J. GOODNICK Highland Park

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Comments (5)

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Fri, 10/10/2008 - 10:25am

I am curious....why has no mention been made in the media of Obama's membership in the Chicago "New Party"....a socialist political group.

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Thu, 10/09/2008 - 5:22pm

Barak Obama's half brother was interviewed last week and is very happy living his life in Kenya. He supports Obama and is very proud of his accomplishments. While on the subject of families every time Cindy McCain talks about her family she mentions she was an only child. She has 2 half sisters who she does not talk to and has not given them one cent of her on hundred million dollars. While we are on the subject of family values John McCain was cheating on his wife and dating Cindy who did not know he was even married, morals are not quite in his vocabulary. Also why is it OK to bash and condemn Britney Spears mother for bad parenting because her teen daughter got pregnant and embrace Palin. Her parenting skills leave much to be desired. Her youngest daughter is shown giving the finger to an Obama supporter. With the state our country is in now I somehow wonder if God is a little pissed. Eight years of dumb and now the possibility of dumber.

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Thu, 10/09/2008 - 4:59am

When I read letters from people who believe every piece of political trash thrown out to obfuscate the issues, whether it be from the right or left, I feel sad because it means how dumb the American public has become - easily influenced by lies instead of looking at the facts and discussing the real issues. It is no different from saying being a Democrat is unpatriotic and equals socialism/communism - if is, then that means, based on policy - that being a Republican equals being a NAZI! This is not the America I believe in!

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Thu, 10/09/2008 - 3:31am

"Who Shows True Leadership, Character?" is clearly a rambling diatribe by an angry, opinionated individual. Take note of how readily a woman's success in business is marginalized, or how Mr. Biden is dismissed in one sentence, after affirming a Biden observation in the previous sentence. Then again, the writer believes whatever apparently the politicion he backs says (e.g. "McCain suspended his campaign..." Really?)

I thought we had reached a point in time in which we knew we should be skeptical of all politicians. Apparently not.

A truer, less divisive measure of each candidate's character might be found here: The veterans group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America recently released a "scorecard" which gives letter grades to members of congress based on their voting record for veterans issues. Senator John McCain received a D, while Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Joe Biden both received a B. According to the group's Website, the grades were based off of how many times a member of Congress voted along the same line as the IAVA's own position on 22 key votes affecting veterans (nine in the Senate and 13 in the House). Senator McCain recieved the lowest score? Read their reviews.

As for Mrs. Sarah Palin, who could become a heartbeat away from the presidency, has she been "allowed" to actually converse freely with the public yet? We know less about her than any of the other four. Knowing all that we know about Biden at least allows an informed decision, should the choice of VP matter, or sway opinion.

As for Mr. Obama, it is true that it is difficult to take a full measure of the man. That said, many Americans feel that they have, and they aren't allowing themselves to be mislead. Perhaps his backers are satisfied with what they read by the critiqiues of true independent watchdog groups, such as the Vets cited above.

Anyway, what I hope we can agree upon is this: Eight years have been squandered. Lives have been lost. Reitrement savings lost. The problems with Medicare and Social Security have been ignored... all because people believed whatever Mr. Bush, the candidate, told them. (By the way, does anyone still agree that Social Security should be privitzied, as Mr. McCain supports, after recent events?)

We all should be angry. And we should not trust what any politician tells us. Make up your own mind after pursuing the facts, from as many news sources as you can.

May the best candidate win.

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Wed, 10/08/2008 - 7:49am

People voting for Obama need to consider that they are also giving Pelosi and Reid free rein when they do.

How bad can that be? Consider what Franks and Dodd have done in the banking/finance committee?

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