Looking for good public servants

Sarah Palin, in her first appearance on the convention floor, electrified and invigorated the right wing of the Republican Party. She invoked the wedge issues of abortion and homosexual marriage. (Creationism can't be far behind.) These issues appeal to the religious values of the Religious Right. They also appeal to other religious and cultural groups, and individuals that are conservative. In effect, the Religious Right becomes a wing of the Republican Party. It is manipulated by the party into believing that the party will champion its values. Not so! The wedge issues are ignored by the arty once they have won the election. It happened after the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. Wedge issues are all about winning an election, not championing cherished moral values.

Sarah Palin is a talented speaker, intelligent and determined. She has little experience for the office she seeks. She has bought, hook, line, and sinker, the Karl Rove Bible on elections: go negative with half-truths, rumors, even lies against opponents, and repeat it over and over until it sticks. Don't be seduced by her style. It's great. It is her substance that is lacking. She is part of a party that has left our country in shambles: an unjust war that is sucking our resources, treasury, and lifestyles dry; a government that did not govern with efficient and intelligent oversight; a party in power that enriched the well-to-do and corporations with tax breaks.

In the New Testament, Christ experienced 3 symbolic temptations in carrying out his mission: to use his talents to enrich himself, not others; to use his talents to be famous; and to lord it over people rather than be a servant of others. Christ used his gifts for others; he renounced seeking celebrity status, and he became the servant of others. In the difficult work of being a good politician, I look for men and women with such qualities. I look for good public servants.

Tom Power

Wheaton