Bryan Griffin's column concerning Barack Obama is a wonderful example of the dishonest and unproductive state of political debate in this country.
Griffin begins by questioning Obama's motives probably because he, like his Republican and conservative comrades around the country, have forgotten what it looks like when someone makes tough decisions on tough issues that involve reflection and sacrifice.
For instance, let's look at claims leveled against health care reform.
Griffin notes, "The health care bill alone will raise billions on the backs of the middle class."
While in power, Republicans ignored the fact that health care costs were growing unsustainably and that this country spends a disproportionate amount of money on health care as compared to the world's other developed nations.
Why? Because it's easier to ignore tough problems.
When Democrats took office, they decided to be real leaders and address this issue.
Why? Because they want the federal government to take over your life? No. It's because it needed to be done.
If, indeed, reform begins with investment by all of us, then that's the sacrifice we all must make.
Add to this the fact that the Congressional Budget Office said health care reform would pay for itself.
The type of leader Griffin envisions is the one who tells people what they want to hear now at the expense of the long term.
It's the type of leader who favors the short-term gains of turning New Yorkers against Muslims at the expense of this country's long-term goals and values.
It's the type of leader who claims the Bush tax cuts affect people who make less than $250,000 a year at the expense of the truth.
We face a choice in November.
It's a choice between those who trudge along in complicated times trying to find responsible fixes to major problems and those who promise to give us all cupcakes on Thursdays and $100 bills on Sundays.
Do your homework. Read about the issues and ask yourself what being a leader really means
This letter is referring this column: http://www.alligator.org/opinion/columns/article_b84a77c8-87f1-5d2c-a7d4-704a0d534a90.html
