Lies, deceit no way to run for office
Today I stopped at Congressman Froehlich's office. I can't say I was surprised to learn of the malice directed at Paul and his staff due to his switch to the Democratic party. Although I don't agree with him on every issue, I greatly admire him for making such a controversial move.
Many of us have heard the "Come to Jamaica" jingle. The words have been modified from the Bob Marley's message, "One love, one heart, let's get together and feel all right." In this election year it is especially relevant.
Americans need to start focusing on the issues and positions of the candidates. We seem to believe winning justifies breaking rules, distorting previous records and positions and allowing smear tactics that have been tagged with the name "swift boating." Elections should not be the "Jerry Springer Show."
Is there a place in American democracy for the hopeless sinner who would rather pander to party platform than stand by his real record? Who would rather distort the actual facts because those running his campaign think their success is more important than the electorate being given clear, understandable facts on which course to choose for America?
The Christian God I follow would sooner have himself scourged and nailed to a cross than see the hopes and the future of mankind fail simply because He denied who He was or what He came here to achieve.
Sorry to have to dip into the religious well, but I don't think there's any other way to say it. This is exactly what Marley was talking about, it's what a strong middle class used to believe. What we have to believe and depend on for democracy to succeed. Not lies and deceit, but openness and candidness in the benefit of "all mankind."
The Internet has none of the integrity of America's "free press." You can't tear apart FDR's banking reforms and then call for regulation of the banking system just because a disinformation campaign is easily waged with today's technology. Or should we believe it better to win the campaign and destroy the American democratic system?
Frank Kowynia
Schaumburg