The right wing position on torture and implying that because the adversary is so terrible that our normal ethical standards can't be followed anymore shows the danger of the “ends justify the means” philosophy. The primary reason I have not been able to support the Republican Party since I was a teenager in the ‘50s, is discovering that philosophy was so prevalent in this party. No matter how well intentioned, this philosophy will invariably draw you down the path of endless rationalization and escalation because when you start with the proposition that you must reach the end, you are very unwilling to change the goal or the means to attain that goal regardless of what you have learned enroute or what may have changed that was beyond your control in the interim.

This pigheaded philosophy creates a built-in internal conflict that makes it very difficult to establish an ethical dividing line because you are so focused on reaching your goal. That invariably creates a closed mind that will rationalize itself into very despicable actions and beliefs. This often makes right wing mantras and stated reasoning deceitful and incredulous. The most dangerous rationalization that becomes all powerful is that the end is so important that using any means will be all right in the end because what we are doing is so important. For example, If Iraq becomes a free, wonderful democratic country serving as a beacon for the rest of the Middle East, so what if we had to stoop to primitive, tribal level to get there.

We “liberals” would have more success if we directed our passion more often at this philosophy rather than the misguided individuals that are perpetuating it. Name calling and demagoguery seldom achieves much. When you say to them that they are hurting the principles that our great country stands for, you are switching the debate from acrimony to substance.

The number one thing that voters in the 2008 presidential race will be looking for is someone who will truly unite our country to work together, learn from each other and unite us in common causes. Let’s focus our debate on that goal not winning or losing. We need a win-win outcome with the challenges we and the world will face.

JennyCox

It’s very easy for a politician to lay out a wish list of all the things he wants to do as President, particularly if he is way behind in the poles. Dennis Kucinich is a sincere legislature who believes in what he preaches unlike our present White House resident who will say and promise anything to get elected or wage war. But, I’m looking for a candidate who focuses on the reality that we have a very divided congress and country where divisiveness has reigned for far too long.

Jenny, I want and believe in a universal, single payer health system just like you and Dennis. So did Hillary and you saw her acknowledge again last night that she learned you have to go after what is possible if you want to achieve something and not give more power to the money side of the equation. No matter our dreams, we can no longer ignore that uncompromising positions, legislators and parties have achieved very little.

I’m tired of the acrimony and stalemates that cause too many people to suffer needlessly in the richest country in the world. I want a president who will set a realistic and achievable agenda through unity and reason. All three front-runners recognize this when you look at their health care plans. Their plans are not all that different. All would have a realistic chance of passing.

What will cause me to decide which of those three will get my support is my judgment of who can best set us on a new, unity course. Right now it is Barack Obama because although he stirred our hearts through a magnificent, rousing convention speech, he is now going for voters minds not their hearts. If you could convince me that your candidate’s fervent desire for change would bring about that needed change and not create more division, I would consider supporting him in a heart beat.