The 2008 U.S. Election: Simplistic and Shallow Understandings

Conservative Media and Candidates Have Reduced the Issues to Bumper Sticker Slogans

Every year, for the past 45 years or so, we have had a Thanksgiving dinner and family gathering in our home; this year was no exception. For three or four days, The Lovely Joan, purchased the "makings" and then proceeded to cook a fantastic meal: cheese platters, veggies and dips, provided by one daughter, turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes and marshmallows, curried fruit, 12 pounds of mashed potatoes, corn pudding, gravy, five kinds of pies, and on and on. We had originally planned on 18 to 20 people and by the time yesterday arrived, the guest list had grown to nearly 30!

Among the gang were a dozen or so children, ages 2 through 18, including grandsons Joshua and Jake, 18 and 11 respectively. As readers of my various musings and commentaries, I have strongly held opinions and love, absolutely love, being challenged by people who are prepared to offer rational argument. Of all the adults in that gathering who disagreed with me and my opinions, the expressed beliefs of Joshua and Jake were the best presented.

The other evening, while we were recovering from devouring a Thanksgiving meal, complete with massive amounts of calories and gravy, the adults in our home found themselves in groups discussing American politics and the election next November, just under a year away. As host, and resident Liberal, I found myself in several such groups and noted the common misconceptions and shallow reasoning that underpinned much Conservative thought.