The Right Thing

Counting today, the 2008 presidential campaign will be over in five days. Because of its many historical highlights, it is a race that will be written about for years to come. And rightfully so. The interesting thing is: with all the books, think pieces, magazine articles, etc. to follow, the actual results of the race will not necessarily be the primary focus of all that will be written and spoken. America has made history in 2007 and 2008 no matter who ultimately captures the brass ring. This has been an exciting time for our nation. As I write this I am hoping that Americans, by the end of the day on Tuesday, November 4, will have done the right thing.

What, you might wonder, do I mean by "the right thing?" First, let me preface my explanation by observing that over the past nearly two years of this campaign, there have been times when Americans, including the candidates and their many representatives, have not done the right thing. Purposely spreading misleading information is not the right thing. The claim from the McCain camp that Obama supports sex education for preschool kids is an example. The claim from the Obama camp that McCain does not appreciate the economic hardships being faced today by many Americans is an example. Cries from some McCain supporters that Obama should be killed is an example. Cries from some Obama supp0rters that McCain actually betrayed the nation during his years as a POW in Vietnam is an example. They as candidates and we as people are better than that.

Whenever I reflect on the vision of America's Founding Fathers, the famous motto of Dumas' "The Three Musketeers" almost always come to mind: "all for one and one for all." It is this principle on which our nation was founded and our constitution was drawn. The best moments in our nation's history have always been when we as a people have worked together for the common good. Think of Lincoln's famous "house divided" speech. He captured that sentiment better than anyone. Unity comes from honesty, not misleading statements and actions. The past years have demonstrated that. Let election day this year be a giant step for all of us to reclaim our nation's heritage.

One theme in the postings I have thus far made is that communication is at its most effective when it is done honestly. On election day this year, I hope Americans do the right thing by voting honestly; by voting for a person and what he represents for our nation as opposed to supporting lies and unfounded fears and bigotry and ignorance. The two candidates are good men. We are a good nation. On election day I call for that innate goodness to step forward and be heard.