Saturday, September 27, 2008

A Real Leader

While George Bush is using his usual scare tactics to stampede the nation into a bailout for his rich friends, we should look at what a real leader had to say at a time when the economic conditions paralleled today's crisis. Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a different approach. He showed true leadership during a crisis. He said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." But that was not all he said. The text below is the rest of his speech:


This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure, as it has endured, will revive and will prosper ...

"In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties. They concern, thank God, only material things. Values have shrunk to fantastic levels; taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen; government of all kinds is faced by serious curtailment of income ... More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment ...

"The money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths. The measure of that restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit ... If I read the temper of our people correctly, we now realize, as we have never realized before, our interdependence on each other; that we can not merely take, but we must give as well."

(The entire article can be found by clicking on the link.)

http://www.truthout.org/092708Y

If ever this country needed a savior, the time is now. It is inconceivable to me that anyone who buys groceries, fills his gas tank, or watches his savings dwindle would vote for John McCain. Is half the country brain dead?

It was obvious that Obama showed better judgment in his debate answers, but I fear common sense does not sway voters. Critical thinking is sadly lacking in today's culture.

I wanted to have a stop-watch last night because I thought Jim Lehrer allowed McCain to ramble on way beyond the time limit. His constant repetitions grew tiresome, but I suppose he needed to drill, drill, drill them into the skulls of the non-thinkers
as a necessary way to get his point across. I hope that some of the people understood that McShame (not a typo) was lying when Obama corrected his statements. I fear most of it was over the heads of the McCain believers.

Roosevelt was correct then and he is correct now. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. And I have great fear that McCain's sleazy tactics might work.

6 comments:

joared said...

I think the debate last night was the closest to actually being a debate we've seen in Presidential campaigns for a few years. I attribute this to how the moderator attempted to conduct it. They sure had a tough time with the 1:1 interaction, with both seeming uncomfortable at first, but think Obama did a better job getting into the flow of that exchange.

Glad you're back, but I've sorta been away, too, and didn't know you were gone 'cause I'm having so many instances of computer problems. Finally, I've got a new post up I basically filled with everything.

I've been wanting to add a post and some new blogs, including yours to my sidebar. Eventually, will be able to do so.

Anonymous said...

Darlene--To me, both participants lived up to their advance billings as not being very good debaters. I'm not sure what we expect from these political debates--we're surely not getting anything very useful (or, at least, I'm not) from them. Each participant goes into the debate primed to show up his/her opponent rather than to give cogent answers to the questions. Window dressing.
Cop Car

Darlene said...

Joared; I agree with you that this was close to a real debate. I'm glad your computer problems are solved (at least I hope so; darned things can really frustrate.)

Cop Car: I did think that McCain threw some really cheap shots (He;s naive, unprepared, etc.) and Obama did more to point out facts. (McCaine voted for the Iraq war and said they would welcome us as liberators).

There were no memorable lines from either candidate and both seemed nervous in the beginning.

Linda said...

I'm glad to see you back, missed you while you were gone.

The thing I enjoyed most about the debate was seeing someone be gracious once more. I'd about decided we'd never see that again. Obama was clearly respectful of McCain, but he did not return the favor. McCain was condecending, angry, and bitter. He never looked Obama in the eye. After the debate Obama shook hands with both McCain and Jim Lehr then together with Michelle walked across the room to shake hands again with McCain and his wife.

McCain is a bitter man still trapped in the Vietnam war. He looked much older than his years. It's sad but can America afford to remain in a time warp with McCain. I say no, it's 2008 and time to move on.

Anonymous said...

Darlene,

The thing that made me maddest about the debate was the way McCain kept saying about Obama, "The senator doesn't seem to understand." Or "Senator Obama should understand",etc.

I thought that was very insulting and McCain should be ashamed of himself for saying that his opponent didn't "Get" the issues.

I thought McCain looked and acted tired and frustrated and was having a hard time keeping his temper in check. When he spoke he always looked down and never once glanced over at Barack Obama. On the other side, Senator Obama constantly called his opponent John or Senator and always looked at him when he spoke, as any educated and well mannered person would do.

Ugich Konitari said...

Darlene, I chanced upon your blog and found FDR's advice so relevant, regardless of which country.(I write from Mumbai, India). We had people like that in my country too. But in today's world, who listens ?

We dont get to see your debates here in real time, but I think, regardless of their opinions on weighty topics (which are no doubt important), it tells you a lot about a person's behaviour and demeanour towards another.....

I enjoy your blog, and am adding you to my blogroll. I hope it is OK with you?