This country needs a strong leader
The Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries are now history. The same cadre of politically driven pundits and media reporters have scurried off to other state primaries ready to elevate and anoint favorite candidates while savagely excoriating others. Illinoisans, along with citizens in 22 other states, will have to wait until Super Tuesday on Feb. 5 to cast votes for their favorite sons.
Many Americans believes that undo importance was given to Iowa where Democratic voters declared Obama the winner and in New Hampshire it was Hillary. Obama voters responded to platitudes devoid of substance which was marketed under the slogan: "Change We Can Believe In." Hillary's voters in New Hampshire likewise responded to the call for change, but change to what? Both Hillary and Obama advocate policies which would foster a socialistic society, grant amnesty to illegal immigrants with open borders, increase the tax burden on families, and weaken national security.
Republicans fared little better. Huckabee's rise as a viable Republican candidate in Iowa was triggered by his kinship with Christian conservative voters for whom compassion took precedence over sound Republican-based government policies. McCain's win in New Hampshire was surprising, even for New Hampshire voters! Although a respected war hero, McCain is a maverick answering to his own drummer. Time and again he has aligned himself with Democrats and their issues, making him unacceptable to core Republican voters. At this point, the media has gone starry-eyed over both candidates.
When push comes to shove, this nation cannot afford to select presidential candidates in such a haphazard way. Feel good, charismatic candidates lacking administrative experience and the good sense to fight global jihadism would not serve this country well. It is essential that candidates address how they stand on important issues and what they would do to solve them. This country cannot afford inexperienced and naïve leadership at a time when there is no long-term energy plan, global warming is being exploited, the health care system is in desperate need of significant reform, the federal budget is out of control, illegal immigration has left our borders porous and has led to disrespect for the rule of law, Social Security will begin to spend more in benefit that it receives in payroll in 2017, and the U.S. is in danger of losing its fighting edge because of inadequate defense spending. It is an outrage that less than 4 percent of our GDP is spent on national security!
Will Illinoisans chose wisely when they vote on Feb. 5, or will the media and pundits attempt to influence voters? Mitt Romney has already been written off by many despite second-place finishes. America needs a strong leader to tackle the pressing domestic problems, not one who promises people more goodies with money that is the tax payers' money and not theirs to distribute like candy. Bad choices by voters across the nation could be disastrous now and for future generations. The American people seem to have lost the "can do" attitude that existed when I was young and are fast embracing a "nanny state" mentality. Unfortunately "change" for one political party has become synonymous with handing control over to the government for problem solving and in providing a free lunch for its citizens. Is this what most Americans really want!
Nancy J. Thorner
Lake Bluff