So, I watched the final debate. I was impressed with Barack Obama's demeanor and the substance of his arguments.
I come away from watching that debate, believing that he is sincerely intent on tackling the real problems of the day (as opposed to getting distracted by sideshows like Roe v. Wade). I believe he has a vision. I believe he goes about exploring options and researching plans in a very deliberate and thorough manner. I believe that he brings more pragmatism than ideology to the table - something that is very welcome in a time with many practical challenges facing us.
I do sincerely believe that Barack Obama is intent on pushing for social justice and a more equitable America that will improve the conditions for the entire country - as a whole, and not just an elite minority. We may not all become financially richer from this. In fact, a small few of us - who are already very well healed - might have to give a little bit back. But we will all become spiritually richer from living in a society that has more contentment and hope.
By contrast, I believe that John McCain still subscribes to the discredited notion that standing back and letting the rich do what the rich do best will somehow - as if by some magic - lead to a better country. Now, we have seen the results of that philosophy. The days of such utter nonsense as George Bush's voluntary pollution reduction program, for example, are over. We can no longer give corporations the benefit of the doubt (some of us never did) on crucial issues such as Global Warming. John McCain isn't George W Bush, but he may as well be.
Doing business and pursuing riches is not a right but a privilege. We must return to a sense of austerity and responsibility in our government's relationship with business (especially the financial sector at the moment), rather than the free for all, anything goes mentality of the subprime world that we have now been forced to divorce ourselves from. I believe that Barack Obama will help to re-establish a healthy and cautious relationship between government and business, rather than letting them party like there's no tomorrow (which there won't be if we continue down George W Bush's path).