sandra carrington-smith: blog 
sandracarringtonsmith's blog
political ambidexterity: appreciating the gray in between
Published Sep. 5, 2008
The fight is on.
Whether it’s through vitriol-laced convention speeches or through innuendos and blatant accusations in campaign ads, both sides of the political race focus more on the shortcomings of the opponent than on personal merits.
These past few days –especially since Palin was introduced as the GOP VP choice – well-articulated poisoned arrows have been grazing the skies above.
Both candidates have been highly acclaimed and endorsed by their own, and have been heavily criticized by the opponents.
Stating ahead that I am not particularly led by politics, I have to put in my ten cents: where is the candidate who can stand on his or her own merits, without having to dig trash and rely on harvesting votes by mudding the image of their opponent?
As with everything else, we base politics and religion on black and white. If one candidate is good in our eyes, then the other one has to be bad. We must remember that there is such a thing as gray.
Personally, I find the good and bad in both parties, and in both candidates. And it is okay. I respect the traditional values of the GOP, as for some things I am old-school myself. I believe in family unity and in good moral standards. On the other side of the coin, I admire the more embracing views or the Democratic Party, as I feel that if we all have to dance in the same ballroom we might as well learn how to dance together, rather than stepping on each other’s toes.
Ultimately, the main goal is to create an agenda which will benefit the nation, but we seem to have forgotten that, and have turned yet another upcoming election into a paramount soap opera.
Political ambidexterity is truly what we need. We need someone who can lead by the example of his or her own actions, who can embrace pressing issues from all sides and see the gray between black and white. Most of all, we need to stop the childish competition and come together as one nation focused on bringing on changes that can benefit ALL.
One hand cannot do all the work, that’s why we were born with two. And if politically the two hands can shake each other rather than wasting energy in slapping and punching, maybe, just maybe, we can hope to get somewhere.
Of course, just my ten cents.
close26 Comments
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Supreme court appointments are the ONLY things that ever concern me, as they are lifetime appointments.
The rest is just 'well, if we wind up with someone who is ineffective, we'll just try to fix that 4 years from now'.
I'd like it best if the politicians could go out, tell us what they REALLY think, and not what they think the partisans want to hear.
GOLO member since December 4, 2007
September 6, 2008 11:50 a.m.
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
September 6, 2008 10:53 a.m.
The truth rarely lies in only one place or the other, it almost always lies somewhere in between!
GOLO member since June 10, 2008
September 6, 2008 10:03 a.m.
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
September 5, 2008 2:20 p.m.
Along with some not-so-well-articulated ones! ;-)
September 5, 2008 12:10 p.m.
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
September 5, 2008 9:35 a.m.
I appreciated the positive words McCain had for his opponent last nite, and the point that he made about there being more we have in common than set us apart. I wish we could find a way to tap into that idea and build something on it. The political landscape is littered with talking points and one-liners and sound bites, and we will hear them, ad nauseum, because there is SO MUCH MONEY AVAILABLE TO BUY TV TIME. The sheer enormity of the campaign war chests is, frankly, disgusting.
Our system needs serious reform--term limits, campaign funding and spending, and serious, intense oversight within the three branches of government. We all have to wake up and see that for what it is, and decide on a way to work our way out of this hole we're in.
GOLO member since July 10, 2007
September 5, 2008 9:29 a.m.
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
September 5, 2008 9:27 a.m.
If Obama/Biden wins the election, I'll still do my part as an American citizen. I'll still be a proud American.
In a sense, it really doesn't matter which one wins the election, they can't do no more than what Congress will let them do. I do like that McCain/Palin said they will VETO every bill that comes up that isn't in the best interest of the American people.
I agree 100% that the "nasty and hateful" comments from both sides should stop. It doesn't accomplish anything, as most people have already made their minds up who they are going to vote for, so why do it? It certainly isn't to "bring people together". Thanks again for a great blog!!
September 5, 2008 9:24 a.m.
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
September 5, 2008 9:13 a.m.
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