The first debate among the Democratic candidates for President is now in the history books and I've had an opportunity to reflect on the similarities and differences of the Big D vs. Big R performances.
Midway through the second Republican debate it struck me. This event was becoming a replay of that classic American film, Animal House. With deliberate and consistent methodology, the CNN moderators pitted one candidate against another. The debate deteriorated into the food fight scene from the movie. The Donald, only too happy to oblige, played the role of the film's clown, John Belushi. It may have encouraged better viewer ratings for CNN but it didn't serve in the best interest of the American voting public, desperately trying to identify the most qualified candidate to represent them in the world's most difficult job.
In contrast, CNN did a better job of moderating the first Democratic debate but still left much to be desired. On the positive side, the questions were directed toward each candidate's political philosophy or track record. This gave the respondent an opportunity to defend or expand on the issue at hand.
Newsflash! We could confiscate all the direct wages and indirect perks for the top echelon of corporate America and it would not make a significant dent in our growing National Debt Bomb. The only way to dig ourselves out of this pending disaster before the entire system implodes is to restore economic growth and reduce or eliminate ineffective, overlapping government programs. Suggestion! Examine the historic track record for Capitalism vs. Socialism before selecting an economic panacea of income redistribution.
Although foreign policy is as important as domestic issues, the subject was glossed over during the Big D debate. With the exception of Jim Webb, who was treated like an orphan child on the fringe of the pack, foreign policy was relegated to the minor leagues. When each candidate was asked what was our biggest threat to national security, several answered: “Man made global warming”. Somewhere out there in a very dangerous world, Vladimir Putin and a growing army of Radical Muslims are dancing with joy.
The Benghazi debacle was dismissed by Secretary Clinton as just another 21st century, “Right Wing Conspiracy of the GOP”. Seems to me I've heard that song before. More incredulous was how her e-mail scandal was dismissed by alleged rival, Bernie Sanders. With a lingering Big Apple accent he shouted: “Enough already about e-mails.” I guess you can take political philosophy out of New York but you can't phonetically take New York out of a lovable Vermont transplant. Before you Republican readers snicker at that comment, take a look at the clown leading in your field of candidates.
In conclusion, I'd like to indulge in a fantasy as unlikely as winning the Irish Sweepstakes two years in a row or Congress balancing the national budget and returning to fiscal sanity.
My fantasy is a bipartisan dream ticket of two honorable people from different sides of the aisle. Unfortunately, campaign war chests have become the mothers milk in running for the presidency with both members of my dream team coming to the financial plate with an 0-2 count. One has already dropped out of the race and the other is also about to run out of funds. They had a proven track record of public service and as a team are experts in both foreign and domestic policy. They are outcasts in the eyes of the back room bosses of their respective parties because they have the courage of their convictions. That personal quality is considered dangerous in the eyes of the puppeteers.
I leave you with my fantasy of a Webb/Walker( or reversed) ticket, working with Congress in a bipartisan effort to replace mythology with reality.
Stratton Schaeffer is a retired consulting engineer and farmer who lives on Joe Hill.