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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 14 June 2008 20:42 |
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The title of this piece is not a forewarning to make sure you wear your seatbelt. It is instead, what I believe will decisively narrate the 2008 election showdown between Barack Obama and John McCain. Confused? Let me explain.
Aside from contrasting political philosophies, voters will be
exposed to two men who are physically opposite. In one corner we have a
man who appears twice as old as your father’s grandfather. His years are
congruently accompanied with his senatorial experience. Couple that with
his military stature as a tortured Vietnam War veteran, and you have
yourself a formidable blend of experience and virtue: a recipe perfectly
crafted to win over the tastes of the American people.
In the other corner you have Barack Obama. He too is formidable,
but in a less effective way. The Senator from Illinois is young, and his
looks make him appear even younger. With youth comes agility, freshness,
and the implicit reminders of idealistic leaders who changed the course
of our nation years ago (John F. Kennedy). His promises are
transcending, his vision for our future moves the country in ways we
once thought unimaginable. Obama has crafted a recipe that is
undoubtedly appealing, but the F.D.A has not yet determined whether or
not it harbors any insidious contaminants.
In other words, McCain is offering Americans the most American
apple pie. We can trust it’s tasty because we have had it millions of
times before. And, although it may not be the most delicious of
desserts, it certainly is something we are sure we can tolerate. We will
be safe with this decision.
Instead, Barack Obama is offering Americans a nouveau-style Crème
Brulee. It looks amazing, wonderfully crafted and possibly makes us
salivate at the sight of it. But we have never had it before. We don’t
know what eating it will entail. Its creation has not been tested to
taste, and so we are weary of it.
Maslow’s notorious “hierarchy of needs” may describe my theory better
than I can. Society first needs to know they will have food, shelter,
and that their families and friends will be safe from attack. Only
higher up in the pyramid do people eventually seek out higher things –
things that Obama is unwittingly offering before he can prove he is your
classic slice of American Apple Pie.
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