Obama, Biden represent change (10/27/2008)

To the editor:

My main concern in this election: What if something happens to the president? Who is more prepared and qualified to take over - Joe Biden or Sarah Palin?

McCain states that Obama does not have the experience to run the country. How many people had even heard of Sarah Palin before she became McCain's running mate? What is her political record? How does she handle power? Has she abused that power?

Joe Biden has an excellent record, both in Washington and around the world. Who we elect will have a profound impact on our credibility as a nation. Can we afford to elect people who falsely label an opposing candidate, using racism, terrorism, and other fears because Obama has dark skin and a different name?

I can remember when JFK was elected. Prior to then, the feeling against Catholics being elected was extremely high. Change for the better is what we need, not staying in the same old rut.

We need to listen to what our children are saying about the election. They have decided the final outcome: Obama will be assassinated and McCain will have a fatal heart attack. (He does have major health issues.)

What does that say about the U.S. history? What have children learned about the rights of others, or have they been taught prejudice, racism, and ignorance? Have we as parents taught them the truth - that this is a multiracial world and everyone has rights?

Does a person's skin color have anything to do with their ability to lead? Evidently not! Look at Jesus Christ! Please don't try to tell me he had blond hair and blue eyes. The people from the Middle East are dark skinned.

It's way past time to get over the color of a person's skin. Get to know the person, find out what they are really like. Do they have hopes/dreams? Do they have fears - money, homes, jobs, health care? Are they really any different from you, except for skin color? Do they love and/or hate? You bet they do! I've been in their shoes and still am. Yes, prejudice and racism are alive and sick in Jay County. God help those who promote those mindsets.

Can we afford to elect McCain, who doesn't even know how many homes he owns and is out of step with the majority of the population? McCain doesn't understand anyone who has less than $5 million.

Why has McCain voted against every major agriculture program? Why did he vote against the last G.I. Bill, and then take credit for passing it? What is he willing to do about insurance companies who deny coverage or cancel policies, leaving families bankrupt?

Can we really afford Sarah Palin and her $150,000 dresses? That's more than most of us make in four years. Believe me, you can look great for a lot less!

How can the United States stay the most powerful country in the world when our citizens aren't able to work? Why did we go from a multi-billion surplus to being billions, even trillions in debt to some of our biggest enemies - China, Russia, etc.? Ask McCain, who voted with Bush over 90 percent of the time.

Obama is not on the wrong side of the issues. He is willing to fight for very much needed change. He has kept his focus on the issues which affect the majority of the population. He has not indulged in smear campaigns, nor has Joe Biden.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden are what this country needs, down-to-earth leaders who know what the problems are and are willing to do what needs to be done to solve them, getting the economy turned around, no catering to big business or special interest groups, listening to what people have to say, and putting money into education, making sure people have health care, developing standards for a green society (cleaning up the air), ending the wars overseas, and - finally - getting us out of debt to foreign interests.

Thank you, Phil Lutz and Glen Priest, for setting the record straight. We do have a black physician/surgeon, Dr. Kawimbe. However, it's time to realize the minorities have become the majority in this world.

Time for a reality check: Can we (the U.S.) really afford to stay in the same old rut, or do we want a new, more prosperous future for our children?

Wake up, America! Are we as voters so insular to think that the old ways are the best ways? Isn't that why we have sat back and let the wealthy run the country and run us into the ground? They don't have the same concerns we do - money (except how much they have), homes (how many), vehicles (how many), and jobs. Believe me, most do not "share the wealth." John McCain doesn't.

Patricia VanSkyock

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