How are we to know the truth? Essay
Dan Johnson
© 2008
I had the pleasure of growing up in Southern California before it became a zoo.
When I was a little kid, you could drive a short distance from Los Angeles, Long Beach, or San Diego and you would be in the middle of the country.
The country consisted of dairy land, orange and grapefruit orchards, and endless strawberry fields; this was truly a place to behold.
This was also a period before the word “smog” had been developed. This was also a time when on a pure blue, cloudless day you could see snow capped mountains without obstruction. This was also a time of pure clarity, now a time long gone.
By the time I had graduated high school, 1962, Southern California was awash in freeways, towns were being born and raised at breakneck speed to the point that the old place where I was raised had become unrecognizable.
The same thing holds true for the politicians. You could tell a Republican from a Democrat; you could, because each political party had their own platforms, which they spread with evangelistic zeal.
Now, however, there is a hazy cloud that exists between the politicians. The blurry haze of ambiguity can be seen on the faces of those that want to be “King” or “Queen” of America.
The politicians put on their best face, say the right things to the right audiences, and pray to god that this thing will be over soon. In addition, to the candidates, so do we. Most of the candidates have never pumped gas in their car. Neither have they paid more for gas than for a gallon of milk. My, my, I seriously doubt that this crop of candidates has ever had to make a decision about buying groceries or medications for children. In short, they [candidates] are out of focus with the real America, especially the ever-shrinking middle class America.
In order for me to have, a better idea of whom I think should be our next leader I have compiled a list of questions, which, I have not seen asked or answered during the debates.
Imagine if you will, we are in a big auditorium and can ask three questions at one time. Here are three questions addressed to any of the candidates.
Sir or Madam please explain to me, how you are going to bring jobs and industry back to America. What is your plan to bring back “Made in the USA?”
What is your plan to rescue the ‘middle class’ of America? Please, no blue sky.
If a man in India can build and sell a car for $2500.00 why can’t it be done in America?
As you can see the theme of my questions has to do with the economy and as history has taught us very well, a healthy economy will provide most of the other things that has made America great in the past and can be again.
I am not so naďve that I believe we can go back to the old times; they are gone and hopefully, someone will understand that there are valuable lessons we can learn from that period of time; during our American history.
I have mentioned in other writings I would like to have a candidate spend the day with me; talk with me over my kitchen table, walk with me as I struggle to make it one day at a time. Live on a fixed income, have no health insurance because it is not affordable and too young for Medicare. If I could see honesty in the eyes of a candidate, then I might know if this guy or gal is telling me the truth.
Dan Johnson
© 2008
Myrna