Thank you for applying. But I'm afraid we need someone with different experience.

[IDemo]

Voters certainly couldn't be faulted today or in November for feeling that the economy is the most important issue. But the issue that the three candidates have chosen to spar over this week seems to be experience; specifically, foreign policy, and most specifically - who will be most willing and able to use military force when called for, at 3:00am or any other time. National security is an easy tool to use to instill into the voter a range of emotions from fear to patriotic fervor.

Friends, we live in dangerous times, and it would be tough to beat old man McCain on this issue alone. But what seems to be getting lost in the conversation is that the use of military force as a means to foreign policy ends is morally and ethically bankrupt. And our economy is rapidly headed towards bankruptcy in large part due to war.

What is needed now is a fundamental change in the dialog, not a continuation of the mindless drumbeat of warfare. If and when we find ourselves under the threat of direct attack, we can and should respond appropriately. But the US has had a sad history over the past century of launching into "police actions", interventions and occupations, more often than not for questionable reasons. And always with utterly disastrous consequences.

It appears that the "vote for me or die" line so loved by the likes of Bush, Rummy and Cheney, as disgusting and transparently wrong as it is, continues to serve quite well. It is time for our candidates to expose the lie instead of playing on it with the imagery of sleeping children and ringing telephones.

[DJ13]

1. the "vote for me or die" line so loved by the likes of Bush, Rummy and Cheney

.........Its 3 AM, the phone is ringing........

[Bolo Boffin]

2. kick!

Excellent point.