Open letter to the Republican faithful: OK, we probably disagree with each other on practically every issue, from guns to taxes to gay marriage to abortion. And much as I consider you dead wrong on all these issues, let’s just agree to disagree and start from there. And from that starting point, I think I can still make a potent case that you should vote for Obama and Biden.
There are some issues, after all, that trump all others: honesty and competence. You forgot this last time, didn’t you? You got yourself a president who was “right” on all this issues, but what good did it do? OK, you got a couple of Supreme Court justices who shared your hard-right views, but how exactly does that help any of us cope with the tragedy of Iraq, or the disaster now unfolding in the financial markets? The “values” you hold so dear pale next to the incompetence and dishonesty that led to those calamities.
Which brings us to the choice now: Yes, McCain and Palin share your values, but at this critical point in history, is that really the most important thing? Do those really matter next to their dishonesty and incompetence? OK, I suppose you could say McCain is competent, with his wide experience. I’d be glad to debate that, but for the sake of argument I’ll grant you that one. But Palin? Look me in the eye and tell me with a straight face that this winking little fount of meaningless platitudes, who seems to have roughly a fourth-grade understanding of history and government, is remotely qualified to be the most powerful human being on the planet. Can’t do it, can you?
And on honesty, they both fail miserably. They lie about taxes. They lie about Obama’s ties to that ‘60s terrorist. They lie about McCain’s record of deregulation. They lie about Obama promoting “sex education for kindergartners.” They lie about Palin’s long support of that “bridge to nowhere.” The list just goes on and on.
They are both dishonest, and at least one is incompetent. No matter your ideology, can we afford that now, with the huge, complex challenges we face?
And if you’re disgusted by your party’s candidates, it’s not enough to punt and either not vote or vote for a fringe candidate. Anyone interested in the future of this country must vote against McCain and Palin by voting for Obama and Biden.