Obama and McCain both penned columns on the Opinion page of The Wall Street Journal today (Monday, 11/3/08). In his own words, Obama pointed to things that I have drawn attention to in this blog:
- "We'll create two million new jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and laying broadband lines that reach every corner of the country. I'll invest $15 billion a year over the next decade in renewable energy, creating five million new, green jobs that pay well, can't be outsourced, and can help end our dependence on Middle East oil."
Whose jobs will these be? I worry: the jobs of the federal government.
- "I'll finally finish the fight against bin Laden and the al Qaeda terrorists who attacked us on 9/11, build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century, and restore our moral standing so that America remains the last, best hope of Earth."
I hear the refrain, "bin Laden and the al Qaeda terrorists." If he can take out the bad guys, will the badness be defeated? But more worryingly, he wishes to "restore our moral standing." We are found wanting in the court of opinion--I presume European (plus Canadian, Australian, New Zealander...?). America is 'immoral'? Bad? Deserving of punishment? What shall be its penance?
- "So tomorrow, I ask you to write our nation's next great chapter. I ask you to believe -- not just in my ability to bring about change, but in yours."
Obama opens his closing paragraph with an appeal to his secular-religious faith. "I ask you to believe." One must believe that by voting for him one has the abilitiy to "change this country."
In contrast, McCain writes
- "...we must place our trust in the hands of those who have never let us down, especially the American family and small businesses."
This is a surer trust in my book than placing one's trust in the hands of the president--any president.
-- H. A. Massig
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