Father Bob was right on. I think he meant press both parties on their policies and then join the political party which best reflects your political philosophy. Don't pick your man based on celebrity status and star power. This is even more important since the recent Supreme Court ruling that allows rich corporate interests unlimited funds to advertise their darling candidate. Their favorite candidate can flood the highways with billboards, the airways with catchy slogans and talking head TV appearances made up by Hollywood makeup artists. The cult of the personality can be dangerous. The British make fun of our presidential personality parade. They are worried about their elections and say: “This suggests that the coming election will be even more 'presidential' in style than the last, with even more concentration on the personal lives of the party leaders and their supposed strengths and flaws.” Luckily, Americans have an inborn anti-authoritarianism and individualism born of the Revolution and forged on the western frontier. That is why we have three separate branches of government. However, in difficult economic times, we are tempted to look for a savior to save us from our troubles. Both parties howl loudly about the “cult of personality” when their man is not in the White House. The Democrats did it when Reagan was in office and the Republicans are doing it now. During the 1960 and 1968 political conventions, when they were televised in their entirety, my grandfather watched each day into the wee hours of the morning. We need to watch in-depth coverage of the candidates and what policies they stand for. Watch in depth PBS television coverage and read newspapers and magazines. Don't just watch slick 30-minute slogan commercials or quick mud slinging ads. Hopefully the independents won't be swayed by cult personalities and slick commercials.
Gerry Bley
McPherson
