Whether it was Barry Goldwater and Lyndon Johnson in 1964 or Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter in 1980, this 2012 election cycle between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney could determine where America goes from here.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- In no national election since Goldwater vs. Johnson in 1964 or Reagan vs. Carter in 1980, has there been a clearer choice about America’s path to the future than that taking place in November.
While the McCain vs. Obama race should have been perceived as a tide-turner, many Americans did not understand what was at stake. Some were tired of the Bush administration; the focus on the war and terrorism; and the constant partisan sniping and wrangling.
Many were hypnotized by the utopian, but vague promise of “Hope and Change.” We now find ourselves in different and more desperate times. For many, hope has evolved into despair and the realization of what “change” meant in the last presidential election not at all to their liking.
Many were hypnotized by the utopian, but vague promise of “Hope and Change.” We now find ourselves in different and more desperate times. For many, hope has evolved into despair and the realization of what “change” meant in the last presidential election not at all to their liking.
Given the current state of our union: lack of jobs, inflation of food and energy prices, loss of opportunity for young people, personal and municipal bankruptcies, and a growing national debt, it is amazing that public opinion – as reflected in polling – shows the electorate divided evenly between those who believe we evolving as a nation in a very frightening direction and those see us evolving in an appropriate direction.
As a people, we appear to hold two very contrasting views of the meaning of the United States of America and its relationship to its citizens.
Do we stand with the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, or do we continue to fundamentally transform ourselves into a society of soft-socialism reflective of many Europe nations, viewing our founding documents as out of fashion and out of touch?
Is our federal government a representative democracy of, by and for the people or an all-powerful state that directs and influences all areas of our lives?
Do we as a people value individual liberty and opportunity or prefer policies that “spread the wealth” and offer cradle to grave government care?
In November, do we elect leaders pledged to reverse our current march to mediocrity and socialism, working to restore our nation to one of optimism, opportunity and confidence based on individual liberty, free markets, limited government, smart handling of our financial and natural resources, private property rights and a belief in American exceptionalism?
Or, do we choose leaders who would keep or accelerate us on the trajectory of government expansion, regulatory growth, diminishing personal and employment freedoms and opportunity, growing dependence on government assistance, fiscal irresponsibility, and relinquishment of America’s position as world power?
Given the current state of our union: lack of jobs, inflation of food and energy prices, loss of opportunity for young people, personal and municipal bankruptcies, and a growing national debt, it is amazing that public opinion - as reflected in polling - shows the electorate divided evenly between those who believe we are evolving as a nation in a very frightening direction and those who see us evolving in an appropriate direction.
The focus is largely on the presidential contest. Lest anyone forgets that we have three branches of federal government, our choices of Congressional representatives – both in the Senate and the House – are extremely important. The president appoints federal judges, including Supreme Court vacancies, but the Senate approves the appointments. Budgets are generated up from the House.
We are definitely at a fork in the road. The choice has never been clearer. November’s elections will have a powerful impact not only on the future of those now living but on generations to come. This writer has strong beliefs about which fork in the road we should pursue.
We are definitely at a fork in the road. The choice has never been clearer. November’s elections will have a powerful impact not only on the future of those now living but on generations to come. This writer has strong beliefs about which fork in the road we should pursue.
With half the electorate appearing to lean in the opposite direction and no reliable way to predict voter turnout, sleep will be lost between now and Nov. 6.
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