The real issues in this campaign

[jumptheshadow]

The Republicans have launched many smoke bombs to divert us from the years of their party's failure to tackle the real issues facing most of the citizens in the United States.

They are counting on swaying voters with emotion. Just remember this, however: The problems facing our nation are so significant that they are having a deep impact on the day-to-day emotional life of most American families.

If we elect John McCain we will see more of the same failed policies and inaction that has drawn this country to the breaking point in many areas. Let's refocus and reframe the issues, folks:

How do we generate jobs that pay a decent wage?

How do we provide good health care to everybody in the country?

How do we ensure that Social Security, one of our most successful government programs, will be there in its current form for future generations?

How do we strengthen our outdated, and in some cases, failing infrastructure?

How do we help students and families with rising educational costs?

How do we protect our food and water supply?

How do we deal with environmental problems that are now manifesting themselves in such destructive ways?

How do we achieve energy independence, recalibrate our energy economy and redesign our cities to accommodate the energy technology of the future?

I have listed domestic issues -- although a minority of Americans, like myself, are deeply concerned about our role as international citizens, most Americans, I believe, are focused on "bread and butter" domestic issues.

Folks, these are the issues the Republicans don't want to discuss. Don't let them change the subject to nonsense.

[OneBlueSky]

1. I think Bruce Springsteen best articulated the REAL issues in his endorsement . . .

of Obama some months back . . .

"At the moment, critics have tried to diminish Senator Obama through the exaggeration of certain of his comments and relationships. While these matters are worthy of some discussion, they have been ripped out of the context and fabric of the man's life and vision, so well described in his excellent book, Dreams From My Father, often in order to distract us from discussing the real issues: war and peace, the fight for economic and racial justice, reaffirming our Constitution, and the protection and enhancement of our environment.

"After the terrible damage done over the past eight years, a great American reclamation project needs to be undertaken. I believe that Senator Obama is the best candidate to lead that project and to lead us into the 21st Century with a renewed sense of moral purpose and of ourselves as Americans."

there they are . . . everything else is encapsulated in these four very simple yet very profound principles . . . they're what every American wants our leaders to address, and what the planet needs to be addressed . . .

1. war and peace

2. the fight for economic and racial justice

3. reaffirming our Constitution

4. the protection and enhancement of our environment.

if the Obama/Biden ticket used these four principles as the organizing framework for their campaign, I think people would respond favorably . . .

- first, there's only four of them, so they're easy to grasp . . .

- second, they collectively encompass every other issue of importance . . .

- and third, they adhere to one of the most fundamental precepts of a good campaign, i.e. the KISS principle . . .

KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid! . . .

[jumptheshadow]

2. Personally, I agree with Springsteen

Unfortunately, I believe that many Americans vote with their pocketbooks.

While Springsteen's issues form the core of my value system, the struggling American family will be swayed by economic issues.