Fear and loathing

I never really intended to write about politics on this blog.  Wanted to keep them out of the way.  But what has been going on over the last week or so in the election here, putting aside my political persuasion, has made me want to write.

I came to work in the US 5 years ago.  I'd always loved the idea of the country and have truly loved my time here.  It's a land that lives up to its idea of being a place of opportunity, meritocracy and that whole notion, enshrined in the Constitution of Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness.  

But the last few weeks have really troubled me. I can't understand how someone running to be leader of this country is running a campaign based on false, personal slurs.  Making inflammatory accusations about the religion, associations and plans of the other candidate.  Making people fearful of what will happen if the other candidate wins.  And all this going on while (perhaps because) the economy crumbles.

McCain and Palin have been making speeches like this:

Leading to supporters acting like this:

And, while scary, that hasn't been the worst of it.  Even more shocking is that while even conservative commentators have attacked this approach, the McCain camp responded to this comment by Obama in a way that suggested they were the ones being attacked.

I'm tired of the politics of hate when more than ever we need the politics of hope.  For once, there are real differences in terms of policy between the candidates, and America, for once, in a month time will be able to choose two distinct paths for the next 4 years.  So please can we have an honest debate about the issues and how they can be solved, how this country can be brought together rather than falsely fanning the flames of extremism.  Let's talk about what can be done together rather than continuing the politics of hate and personal attack.

Comments

[Dion Hughes]

couldn't agree more gareth. i've been here 20 years, and i feel the same way... about the country... and about the week we've just seen.
thanks for veering off your chosen topics in this case.

[Paul]

I agree. I've been here 6 years now and am just appalled at the lack of substance in these campaigns. But just how effective can the 'vote for me because the other guy is too scary' tactic be in this day and age when you can pretty much research any claim and make your own mind up about its validity. I just don't see this working amongst informed independent voters. Who seem to hate these kind of attacks anyway.

[lee maicon]

plenty of weeks to go in this race, but this
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/15/us/politics/15poll.html?hp
seems to suggest that the negative campaigning has backfired. it'll be interesting to see how the campaigns respond to this.