"Change We Can Believe In" is the title of an open letter to Barack Obama by The Nation Magazine. Please click here to read this letter and if you agree with it then join me and sign it. The Nation Magazine will deliver it to the Obama campaign before the Democratic National Convention.
My concern is that he will weaken the movement that has made him the presumptive Democratic nominee as he continues to make changes on key positions.
Compromise is a mark of a skillful politician. But not compromising on core values or on issues that appear to be core values. It appears that presidential candidates want to move their positions to an ideological "center". George Lakoff, professor of linguistics, in his book "Thinking Points" argues that this "center" is a myth. He claims that progressive candidates weaken themselves by moving to the "Mythical Center" because people vote, "...on the basis of values, connection, authenticity, trust, and identity with issues used symbolically to reflect values." Click hereto read Lakoff's discussion on biconceptualism and the "Mythical Center".
Feel free to forward this post to our fellow Obama supporters or to those who are open to voting for Obama.
2 comments:
Excellent post, Bob. I've forwarded a link here to others. Accountability is what we need to expect from our candidates and we need to make sure they know this.
I only now was able to read Lakoff's "Thinking Points." I certainly agree with his analysis of all those terms or labels which are loosely tossed around, i.e. liberal, conservative, moderate, etc.
I believe we're all desperate to find leaders who are authentic and want to believe Obama is just such a person. Sad to say, but maintaining authenticity and getting elected seems to be a major challenge, but perhaps it has always been so. Hopefully, an informed electorate can discern the authentic positions from those that may not be.
I think your point is well taken about the care that needs to be taken any time a candidate changes positions on key issues.
Post a Comment