It is little wonder our country is in the mess it’s in. Why can’t we concentrate on what’s really important and get our priorities straight? We are in the middle of a presidential campaign to select the person who will be hopefully leading us in the right direction over the next four or eight years and who — again, hopefully — accomplish something positive that will make all of our lives better and safer.
But we seem to get so easily sidetracked, that it’s a real tossup as to whether we are going to elect the best person for the job. Just when it seemed most of the rhetoric had gone out of the stumping by both the Democratic candidates and they began to tackle the issues that most Americans are concerned about, it all comes to a halt when some rabble-rousing preacher, who happened to be a mentor of Barack Obama’s, made a few outrageous statements.
This was all the media needed to stir the pot. Racism, like sex, sells. Why should we listen to discussions and debates on boring issues like the Iraq war, the economy, health care, education and poverty when we can get all worked up for a white vs. black confrontation? Name calling, racial slurs, accusations. Hey, the Ku Klux Klan would be proud.
But we as Americans shouldn’t be. Racism in the year 2008 should be a fading memory, a time we read about in the history books, but never fully understand, because we are all brothers and sisters. All looking for a better life for ourselves and our children. Too enlightened to even think about the color of a person’s skin.
How I wish it were so. But no, we listen to these idiots and morons on talk radio, or on cable TV who keep the pot boiling and for one reason only — ratings. It saddens me that people, in what are supposed to be responsible positions, will undermine our efforts to build a better country solely for money. I say saddened, not surprised. Greed in America, it seems, trumps all. There are too many Americans who are willing to sell their souls to build their bank accounts.
And, unfortunately, there are too many of their fellow Americans who are willing to listen and believe the drivel they spout. When are we going to wake up and say, “Enough of your bullshit! These are serious times. A time for hope, not hatred.”
It’s not too late.
