Recently, two people wrote letters to the editor on President Obama, seemingly to show they may have read some clever bumper stickers rather than credible news sources. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course. But when opinion is based on empty rhetoric and lack of substance, no one benefits, because it is a discussion-ender. And that is precisely what most anti-Obama voters seem to want.
The first wrote, to paraphrase, that Romney may have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but Obama was born with a silver tongue. My first reaction was, what is your point? Are you turned off by our President”s ability to speak both intelligently and eloquently while connecting with people of all backgrounds? Are they mocking his education? Or perhaps suggesting he is a smooth operator who plays with the truth, a con artist? Maybe they believe all or none of this and simply wish to shoot blanks because having a fact-based, reasonable discussion about policy without disparaging the other side is not viewed as tough enough?
It then becomes challenging to respond directly to such empty words because it is open to vast interpretation and intent is murky.
However, let”s respond by saying most Americans are far prouder to have Obama as their leader of this nation and a global leader to the world than the last President, a complete failure to the nation and to the world. Obama speaks to many people: To military personnel, Americans of all races, students, youth, families, women, teachers, firefighters, police officers, many middle-class, as well as wealthier folks who honor the American dream and the hard work and sacrifice it takes to achieve it.
He has not lied about reasons to get us into war and has worked diligently to get us out, or used Sept. 11 and “Mission Accomplished” to deceive Americans with bravado rather than truly “smoking bin Laden out of his hole” once and for all. Oh, but we shouldn”t brag.
The second comment, to paraphrase, stated that we should worry less about what Romney does with his money than what Obama does with ours. Really? What does that mean? Are they saying that a Presidential candidate”s means to wealth should not be questioned, especially when he is using that experience as the chief and only credential to be President? Are they saying we could trust Romney more to handle our money than Obama? Really? The Romney who encouraged a Detroit bankruptcy? The Romney who champions the Ryan Budget and takes us back to the exact (Bush) policies that created this economic crisis for millions (not millionaires). Are they saying that we should trust a guy who won”t even release his tax returns, hides money overseas and was Governor over the 47th worst economy in the U.S.? It seems that many like to distort the appropriate scrutiny of Romney”s poor record into an argument about class warfare rather than honestly review it for what it is, giving the wealthy more breaks, further squeezing the middle-class. Most refuse to support giving more to those who clearly do not need it, nor would communities benefit from it.
Been there, cleaning that. But maybe the letter was another blank. Or maybe the writer simply does not care about Romney”s record or beliefs.
Obama has shown calm and grace in the face of despicable attacks and lies designed to bring him down, from his citizenship status to his alleged incompetence over the economy and foreign policy. Let”s be totally clear, we inherited this mess precisely because of the policies and actions of Pres. G. W. Bush, another out-of-touch politician born with a silver spoon, but certainly not a silver tongue. And, now, “silver spoon” Romney thinks we are not cleaning it up fast enough? But what does he offer as a better vision? Many are eager and entitled to know instead of hearing about what Obama hasn”t done and cutting slogans about a vague future under Romney.
I encourage this newspaper as well as others across the country to print comments with substance as a way to build dialogue and promote understanding, to share divergent views in a civil manner, without distracting and disparaging words.
Though I guess printing those comments certainly caused me to reflect and encouraged me to get out my silver pen.
Stephanie LaMonaca
Cobb
