Either David Gergen or Paul Begala (Democratic strategists, I can’t remember which one) made a very interesting comment tonight on CNN that the longer this primary season for the Democrats goes on, the more likely it would be that whoever wins the nomination (Clinton or Obama), would have to pick the other for the Vice President in order to “heal the party.” I don’t know if I agree with that comment, but I know that I am ready for the primaries to be over and for the general election campaign to begin. I want to hear about the ISSUES! Here is a list of 10 issues for the candidates that are important to me that I want answered (not in any particular order, and I’ve probably left some off.)
1) How are we going to get health care for everyone (like we have in the state of Massachusetts) and how is it going to be paid for?
2) What is the plan for obtaining a long lasting peace in the Middle East (from Iraq to Iran to Palestine and Israel and the Holy Lands, etc?)
3) What is the policy going to be for scientific research. Including stem cell research, funding for new medications, funding for research on diseases?
4) What will the policy be on women’s reproductive rights?
5) What will the policy be on the environment, especially renewable energy, and reducing the dependence on oil?
6) What will the policy be on reducing the number of people going hungry through out the world?
7) What will the policy be towards the nations that have massive debts, and have people suffering from hunger, poverty, HIV/AIDS, curable diseases, unclean drinking water, etc?
8 ) What will the policy be to bridge the gap between the classes in America? How can bridges be built between the races, genders, economic statuses, etc?
9) What will the policy towards literacy for all children be?
And finally…..
10) Can we finally get a national anthem that is singable and really has a lot of meaning. (I mean the War of 1812, come on?) I’m suggesting “America the Beautiful.” I know that it refers to God, but it really captures the spirit of America!
For 10), I suggest we ban national songs all together. Civil religion is scary – look what it did for Germany!
But if we have to have one, I personally suggest Eddie Murphy’s “Boogie in Your Butt”, which I think really captures the spirit and grandeur of this nation
So are you suggesting that our nation has gone into the crapper? JK:) I was on the National Anthem kick because of all of the hockey games that the Boston Bruins played against the different teams from Canada, and boy do the Canadians sing their national anthem with pride!!!