Why Talking Heads On Both SIdes Are Wrong

Recently, the media has been claiming that Bush won based on ‘moral values’, as though gay marriage amendments on the ballot somehow gave him the election. Pundits from the right have gone after Arlen Specter because he is not pro-life enough. Additionally, Republicans have been fantasizing about what to do with Bush’s new “mandate”. Finally, the left has been attacking Bush for interpreting his win as a “mandate”. They are all wrong.

People have claimed that “close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades”, and that Bush has a free reign to embark on his plans. However, the simple-minded pundits do not realize that politics is a lot like hand grenades. I chastise the right-wing spokesmen who proclaim that Bush can now pursue a conservative agenda, after the US has endured the partisanship of this election and hoped that November 3rd would come sooner. This election only appointed a candidate, not an entire ideology and agenda - and extremists on both sides are wrong to think otherwise. Now, it is a time for America to solve problems with logic, reason, and consideration. Partisanship has fulfilled its task, and now must be disregarded because America has problems to fix. Problems which one side alone cannot - and should not be able to - solve. We all know the ends to which we all, as Americans, aspire: safety, respect from the world, prosperity, health, a peaceful retirement, and opportunities for our youth or the youth of posterity. America has already chosen the leader who shall guide this nation to reach these goals, to the extent that humanity can in four short years. Now, America is tasked with finding the way to these goals, and taking the path until we reach them. This is the duty of every American, and we must not stray from this duty, which we have assigned ourselves.

Our greatest threat is terror. If “the only thing to fear is fear itself”, we must not flinch, because terrorism is made to inspire fear - thus it makes itself our most ardent enemy. We all know terrorism is created by hatred and ideologies, and has no leaders other than those whom we symbolize to represent all of the evilness that faces us. We consider individuals the “leaders” or “masterminds” of terror because we would rather face a human enemy than an ideology – because we think that an ideology can not be killed. To fight terrorism we must realize its nature, and combat the ideology in whatever way we can. We have already started. America must commit to changing the face of the Middle East and all regions that replicate it. We must force freedom, independence, liberty, and everything to which all humans aspire down the throat of the captive world (“unfree world”, if you prefer) to eradicate the beliefs that seek to destroy us all. If we try as we know we must, America can not fail, and the world will be a better place for all humanity.

We also want to be respected in a peaceful world. To do this, we, as a nation, must lead to make the world more peaceful and respectful. We must work with our friends and neighbors when we can, but be willing to go alone when none join us. The world needs resounding leadership to eradicate terror and tyranny where is nests, and a hand up to lift struggling nations out of poverty. Through this, America will earn its respect from contemporaries, and that respect will be prevalent when America is seen through the lenses of history.

Finally, we strive for prosperous and peaceful lives. The president must work to balance the needs of the retired with the needs of the young generation, so as not to help one by crippling the other. He also must work to ensure that healthcare, of one type or another, is available to all Americans. And, most challenging, he must build our economy so it will continue to lead the world and allow for the continued success of America and its citizens. The president can only lead us to these goals; we must fulfill our tasks to reach them.


John Kerry stood on the far left bank of the mainstream, and Bush stands on the right. The Colossus kept one foot on each side to support its giant weight and power, and America must do the same, especially if it is also willing to carry the world on its shoulders. The Statue of Liberty, from toe to head, is the same height as The Colossus - for a very good reason. America, as a whole, must work for our endeavors. There is no place for partisanship, because Colossus needed a foot on each side so he could stand.