Americans rejoicing over choices, so many talented candidates!
It's been a long time since America has had such a wide array of choices for President as we head towards the primary season. by Mark Vogl
(conservative)
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Much of the coverage of the Republican Primary has been intentionally negative and confused by the liberal main stream media. Repeatedly, news anchors, commentators, editors, etc. have talked about how there were too many candidates and that no candidate had a substantial majority. Instead of reporting about each candidate in turn, and doing their job to provide quality information to the electorate so that they can be more informed about the different people running for office, much of the media has attempted to use the wide field to dilute the large and consistent public disappointment with President Obama.
From my perspective, the large field of candidates is a real blessing to Americans, if they are wise enough to realize that it is their duty as citizens to select the national leader. Citizenship is one aspect of American life that has not been lifted by the social engineers, news media, or academicians. A few Americans demonstrate their patriotism through service in the nation's armed forces in a time of war. Others demonstrate their citizenship through their membership in civic groups like Rotary, Kiwanis, the Chamber of Commerce, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, or the many veteran organizations which dot the landscape of America. Other Americans volunteer at their church for the many missions and activities which are conducted by the many faiths of Christianity by the synagogues and I suppose the mosques and other religious meeting places.
But given all that, "citizenship" is not a word or a concept that is valued in modern America. "Citizenship," like "motherhood," has been demeaned by those who currently hold the power to shape American culture.
Over my half century of life, America has been in a state of decline. I attribute much of that to our national turn from Almighty God. While more than 80% of Americans still claim to be Christians, their political, consumer, and social decisions are separated from their religious faith. One example of this is the tendency for elected officials to distance their religious faith from their policy decisions, and public image. President Obama's denial of the Christian character of our nation to the entire world is the single clearest example of how the media and public opinion makers have decided to drive God from the governing table.
A second trend which is severally damaging America's national fabric is the movement away from nationalism, regional pride, and patriotism. Money has taken the place of "Americanism" in the heart of most people. Nationalism was not a bad thing when the ruling elite needed America to fight two wars in Europe, or to sustain the Cold War (1945 - 1991). But as the Wall in Berlin came tumbling down in 1989, the shapers of society had already started to dismantle American nationalism. The neo conservatives and New Worlders saw economic globalism as their mandate, and nationalism as an obstruction to open and free borders which would allow the movement of people, money, ideas, products and services.
Citizenship, as a concept, is being shifted from Americanism, to the world and humanity. President Obama has been an excellent spokesperson for the new wave. I get irritated when Rush Limbaugh or Hannity, or some other conservative talk show hosts say that candidate Obama never told us what he would do. I don't know what candidate they were listening to, but I am not surprised at all by Obama's policies. He was very clear that he would attempt to redistribute wealth, create Obama Care, enlarge government, increase spending and taxes. Obama was liberal and never shied from it. He did say he would withdraw from the Middle East, but has failed in that regard. Didn't even try.
Citizenship is an essential fundamental element of Americanism. As a democratic - republic with a capitalist economy our system offers the most fertile ground for a person to develop his or her potential. This opportunity is spread across the entire spectrum of our population. The American Dream is about self-improvement, setting and striving towards individual goals, and in the process earning sufficient money to live a good life and take care of one's family. The exercise of citizenship is the sole means to protect and defend the values which are responsible for the creation of the most successful nation in the history of the world.
The large number of Republican candidates, and the one presently in the shadows, Sarah Palin, provides a real opportunity for the American people to make a statement about our nation, and our future. There is clearly a wide diversity amongst the candidates. Ron Paul's policies and initiatives are light years from those of Mitt Romney. Newt Gingrich provides a truly brilliant option for President who has the knowledge base to completely reset America's path. Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain are different from each other, and all the rest. Each of them has demonstrated an individual strength which could have real impact if one were selected to lead our people. Rick Perry is a moderate elected in a conservative state who may be best described as the Republican version of Bush - Clinton - Bush axis. Rick Santorum is a quiet but consistent candidate with a strong conservative foundation.
There are real choices to be made. And despite desperate efforts by the media to trim the field, and eliminate choice, the strength of character of this field has been able to stand against the pressure and power of mass media assaults.
Technology, through the internet, provides a real chance for you to do serious homework on the different candidates. You can visit their websites, (just hit the blue highlighted name within this article) through Google searches. You can search the candidate by his name and find articles about his or her past, their policies and achievements. You can find other like-minded people who are also searching in an attempt to make their best judgment in this primary choice. It is possible that the open internet has been the greatest advancement in the concept of democracy since its' origination.
The large number of candidates, the diversity of their views, and the availability of the internet, combined with the crossroads our nation faces, makes you, the individual voter, and the wise exercise of citizenship a reality unparalleled in our nation's history, if we take it. You are be handed the opportunity to be an American. The Tea Party and the Occupy movements are the most obvious examples of modern day citizenship!
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