Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Cut down on the length of our campaigns

With the next general election not coming until November 2008, I question why the politicians must start campaigning so soon after the 2006 election. These candidates of both parties are more intent on being on the campaign trail than trying to solve the real problems of the Iraq war, Social Security, health costs, illegal immigrants and an unbalanced budget.

I watch the evening news, and all the familiar faces seem to be standing in the same crowd, glaring out so we all know them, but not one with a solution to any of the above problems.

It would be best if campaigning for public office were not allowed until 120 days before the election; the primary could be 60 days later and the general election 60 days after that.

The money saved could go a long way toward balancing our budget rather than campaign contributions buying favors. What the candidates have to say could be done in four hours in national TV talks, and we could then make up our minds on issues and solutions, not negative campaign rhetoric and glad handshakes.

Stanley S. Moles, Largo

Take back the country

In 1860 we elected a poor, ugly lawyer from Illinois to the presidency. There was no television and no big money to sway the vote. The people listened to his words and judged. We honor that choice today as one of the greatest.

In 2000 and 2004 we wasted millions on televised advertisements full of lies and half-truths and a nomination event that resembled Saturday Night Live. The election was won by corporate money and a religious movement seeking political power.

The good candidates are lining up, and if we the people don't demand restraints and regulations on spending, then democracy will get trampled in the dust again.

If Congress gets buried in letters from the people, then some change could happen. But it will take all of us - regardless of political party - to take back our country.

Mary Seddon Herndon, Sun City Center

Obama is too inexperienced

Barack Obama announced his bid for the presidency in Illinois on Saturday and evoked Abraham Lincoln in doing so. This 45-year-old is no Lincoln and this is no fairy tale. With all due respect, Obama has never been elected or served as a chief executive of anything, has never served any president in any Cabinet or White House capacity and has limited experience in government.

Jimmy Carter was once governor of Georgia, Ronald Reagan of California, Bill Clinton of Arkansas and George W. Bush of Texas. Two years in the U.S. Senate and eight years in the Illinois Legislature, with no real foreign affairs, economic or national experience, does not cut it. America requires leadership, not on-the-job training, during this pivotal period.

Obama has quickly become the media darling of 2008 just as Howard Dean was for 2004. We all know what happened to that former governor when the primary results were counted. I predict the same for this announced candidate.

This man should not simply count on being black, handsome, charismatic and from Illinois to win the presidency. He must have new ideas and a sensible domestic and international agenda for healing our country and moving it forward. His lack of experience will overshadow his eagerness to propel himself to the highest office in the land. He will enliven the Democratic base and motivate his racial and generational cohort to register to vote. This might be his greatest legacy and contribution to the cause of democracy.

Kevin B. Kamen, Palm Harbor

Power of language

Like millions of others, I watched Sen. Barack Obama formally announce his bid for the presidency in Springfield, Ill., on Feb. 10. However, unlike others, I listened more to how he said it than what he said. It was a lyrical speech. We have not heard such lyricism since Ronald Reagan and, before him, John F. Kennedy.

What I heard was the musical cadence of the black preacher, so powerfully used before by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., together with the high art of rhetoric. In America, we have forgotten the power of language when used by a great orator.

Obama phrased our nation's problems in a series of five rhetorical and parallel clauses, beginning with the word "our," all moving the emotions of the listener to a crescendo. He paired opposites, like "North and South," "slave and free." He ended his speech with a repetition of phrases beginning with "It's time to," again building up the emotions of the listeners to a final crescendo, much like the black preacher repeats himself over and over to the final "Amen."

This is powerful, rhetorical language. As a retired English teacher, I am so happy to hear it again in our leaders.

Margaret Foth, New Port Richey

A new politics 

Testing Obama brings out his testy side Feb. 14, Maureen Dowd column

Maureen Dowd seemed to be taking shots at Sen. Barack Obama for being a lightweight in a heavyweight arena, suggesting he lacks enough savvy to survive the shark-tank campaigning experience. My take on her column, which concludes with "Take some notes, Senator, that's how it's done," is she endorses "politics as usual."

I suggest Obama take notes from someone who isn't doing things as usual. Instead take notice of our new Florida governor who is breaking the mold of his predecessor. If Gov. Charlie Crist continues to listen to what the people tell him they want/need, and takes the necessary actions, he is on his way to being a hero. If he succeeds in even minimally deflating the entrenched power-broker bullies, he is going to be sitting pretty come re-election time. It has not been "politics as usual" in Tallahassee.

I have no wish that this candidate or any others learn "how it's done." So far, Crist appears to have figured out what few other powerful politicians have not: Empower the people and win votes the old-fashioned way. You earn them. I have had enough of "manufactured" politicians, only to be disgusted after they are in office.

Jacqueline L. Brown, Palm Harbor

Growth industry 

Capture carbon dioxide, collect $25M Feb. 10, story

I read that Richard Branson is offering $25-million to the first person who designs a reliable way to capture and remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. To him I offer these thoughts:

"Trees outstrip most people in the extent and depth of their work for the public good." - Sara Ebenreck, American Forests

"He who plants a tree plants a hope." - Lucy Larcom, Plant a Tree

"But only God can make a tree." - Joyce Kilmer, Trees

Fred Jacobsen, Apollo Beach

[Last modified February 16, 2007, 00:54:46]