by Megan Steele

Created on: July 01, 2008

This election year is fascinating. Nobody can deny that. First, a heated Democratic primary between a black man and a woman. Now a choice between politics as usual and perhaps a chance for the general public to have some real input into how things are done in Washington DC. The question is, are Americans really ready to buckle down and make an informed choice?

The mudslinging has only just begun, but what a bloodbath it has been so far. Lying, name calling, accusations of terrorism and scheming to get ahead. What have we really learned about anyone? We know that Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein. So what? He went to a church that was led by a very controversial pastor. Again, so what? Who among us doesn't have contact with people who would be considered controversial in a 30 second soundbite? Hillary Clinton forgot she wasn't really under sniper fire in Bosnia. OK. John McCain is a Republican, endorsed by George Bush. Whoa.

Does Barack Obama's middle name make him unfit to be President of this great country? Does Reverend Jeremiah Wright make decisions for him? Does the lack of a little pin on his lapel make him unAmerican? Let's see... He taught Constitutional Law. Hmm. Seems he would know a lot about the Constitution then. He has long term goals for fixing the economy instead of a short term non-fix like getting rid of the gas tax. Do you wear a flag pin? Are you unAmerican because you don't? Do you hate America because your middle name is Muhammed?

Hillary Clinton ended her campaign $22 million in debt. She didn't care about managing her finances, only about winning. Ambition is good, but so are self-control and fiscal responsibility. Our country is already trillions of dollars in debt. Bill may have balanced the budget, but do we really believe that someone who ended her bid for the presidential nomination in the red could balance an entire country's budget? That says a lot more about her qualifications than a commment about dodging sniper fire to me.

John McCain is a Republican endorsed by George Bush. Some democrats find that to be his biggest flaw. He's old, too. Millions of people are living well into their 90's these days, and he seems to be pretty darn spry. As for his being endorsed by Bush, that may be a flaw, but in a time when Americans are tired of spending money on a needless war and are struggling to pay their own bills, his stance on Iraq may well be his undoing.

As Americans, it is our job to find out facts, not take the media at their word. Talk show hosts and entertainment shows don't go out of their way to give a full picture of a candidate's stand on the issues, they want ratings. Issues apparently don't garner a large enough share, they need to stir things up with trivialities. We need to think and realize that we are electing a team to run our country based on their stance on the economy, foreign and domestic policy, energy policies and their ability to be diplomatic. A flag pin, age and gender are not real issues. Wake up and think, America, that is the only way to save our country.

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