As you can imagine, the end of the Democrat primary is the talk of the town.
There is talk of how great it is that history is being made in that we have the first black presidential candidate representing a major party. Also that Hillary Clinton made history in her own way. To me, that isn't a reason to celebrate.
A candidate for president should not be celebrated simply because of skin color or gender. That isn't a reason to pat ourselves on the back.
What is even more disgraceful is that some Americans are judging the presidential candidates on their appearance. I've heard the candidates scrutinized by their looks during my visit to a hair salon on Thursday. One woman characterized Barack Obama as looking good in jeans and that he dresses "sharp."
As I think of her comment, I'm reminded of one of the best presidents America has ever had. Ronald Reagan was a great president who inspired many Americans on both sides of the political spectrum. I cannot imagine looking at him in terms of how "fine" he is, only that he is an excellent leader and has the ability to communicate his true intentions and communicate to others who he is.
While some are dwelling on such nonsense as who may be the more fashionable candidate, the arrogance level... the plotting and maneuvering among the candidates continue to progress.
In Chicago, Obama claimed, "...in 2016, I'll be wrapping up my second term as president." Wishful thinking...as if he has the nomination already secured for two terms. The American public should decide that.
No matter how much the presidential candidates say it, the presidential election isn't about you the voter. It's about them. A bit of humility is in order as one runs for president. But the top three candidates don't know the meaning of the word apparently.
Where are the candidates who inspire? I'm talking of the candidate who knows the caliber of this nation and love it and its people to their very core. Ronald Reagan was such a man. I don't see that distinctive quality in Barack Obama. He is too busy trying to change America and our way of life.
Hillary Clinton is too busy conspiring on how to stay in the spotlight as she reluctantly concedes Saturday to Barack Obama.
"What does Hillary want?"
"What...does...she...want?" Clinton asked, speaking to her supporters.
Sorry Hillary, but it's not all about you.
The best question is what does the country want?
We want a fair election and candidates who will stick through the primaries ALL THE WAY THROUGH to the end...the kind of candidates who are not in it to benefit (and that's why they continue to stay in the race) but agree to run to serve their country. The presidency should not be sought as some type of reward or for the perks.
The sad thing is, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, AND John McCain all feel they are entitled to the office of president. An entitled few the media ultimately has swooned over and picked for the American people to choose from. Hardly the type of fair election I was expecting.
We are making history alright. History is being made in that the American people truly haven't done their homework to see though the smugness and glam thrown around by Barack Obama. Many Americans still don't see that Hillary Clinton wants to be president out of a lust for power. And too many Republicans are voting for McCain simply because they feel he's their only choice.
We have to use that gray matter between our ears. Shun the two party system. They have failed us. We have a choice.
I wonder though, how much of a choice we will have in matters of our own lives once any of the three mentioned above becomes president. The mantra of change will manifest itself in a coercive way upon American citizens. We will find we must abide by the rules of change or suffer the consequences. Is that how Americans want to live their lives in the future? I'm not for change if it will limit my freedoms. But we are indeed headed that way.
When a politician seeks an office for selfish reasons, only the motives of a dictator can arise from it. No one benefits but them. One only needs to listen closely to what comes from the mouths of the media's favorite three candidates to see that there only exists a greed for the presidency.
It's all in the attitude. Will each presidential candidate shown before us govern with wisdom and humility towards the American people and for their benefit, or will these candidates inwardly laugh as they seek to unravel all we have worked for as other nations rise to overtake us?
It's a serious and necessary question to ask of ourselves. We have the power to either bring about our undoing or to save America. But it will take more than looking at how well a candidate for president dresses, how smooth he/she is, or how great a speaker the candidate is.
Felicia Benamon is a conservative columnist who writes from a political perspective, but occasionally deviates to write about other concerns facing her country. She comes from a military background and is currently a freelance reporter residing in Tennessee.
