FORWARD, MARCH----

If  by some chance you didn't notice, the election is over and we move----"forward". Is everybody happy?  I have a friend who says she is going to "expunge"  the word  "forward" from her vocabulary. Another friend when asked how he felt two days after the election said simply,"Sad".Others just shook their heads in despair, as if much more than the election had been lost.  Of course, these were all folks from the conservative persuasion.  There must have been joy and jubilation elsewhere, even smug satisfaction.  But it wasn't obvious---even Obama had the good sense not to gloat in his acceptance speech. After all, he had not exactly received a standing ovation, or even close to a mandate. The people seemed to have given him their permission to continue, to keep trying till he gets it right, but certainly not their ringing endorsement. The congress remained filled with those who disagree vehemently,boding future gridlock.

 And as Romney, the man who could have been president, and perhaps should have been, given the evidence at hand, walked off the world stage, one could not help but wonder---what had happened here?  This was a man who seemingly had everything going for him---against an encumbent who had very little. The latter, with few exceptions, had only a worried, stressed country who had drifted even further into a recession after he took office, despite his efforts and policies. Nothing seemed to have worked enough to pull us out at a normal rate of recovery. Though there are faint signs, a slight uptick in employment, a sputtering housing re-start, some new manufacturing, but we still seem to be on life support. Nevertheless, a majority of the American people, voted once again for Obama and not for the man who could have given us a fresh start, new hope, and a different vision. But why didn't we take what he had to offer?

Never presume the American mind, much less his/her vote.. The afore mentioned evidence may have been considered, but in the end, what mattered more was their gut instinct based not necessarily on the evidence, but on well, ---that's still up for conjecture and the subject for endless analysis by the pundits and especially the Republicans. But let's give it a try in a moment. Regardless the reasons, this was a major blow for the grand old party---and very possibly reason enough for deep soul searching and a major over haul to their party platforms. But was it really a vote against Romney that caused Obama to win?  Or were there other factors at play here??  First, there was Obama, himself--- not so much the president, but the candidate,  and one who knows how to win-----nobody does it better.

Obama was never one to sit back and allow the election process to take care of itself---he was a campaigning machine, covering mega miles and raising more money than any other Dem candidate. This was his turf,and he determined to keep it. It was also his forte, what he does best---sell the people not on his failures, but on him---the guy they love to love.  He charmed, he entertained, he showed up everywhere where he thought it counted, even snubbing a United Nations meeting, for a larger venue , a TV talk show,"The View."  He played it nice, he played it dirty, and he played it Chicago smart---tough. His strategy was not one of proud accomplishments, but one of attack---the only card left for him to play. And he did it brilliantly, using the latest data technology, to target the moving polls, and somehow turning Romney, the squeaky clean man with no dirty laundry into an unsavory business tycoon, with no heart, no conscience, and no chance against the relentless negative ads. For those of you who think negative ads don't work---observe that they did work very well. David Axelrod, Obama's main campaign manager, should also be given dubious credit for designing a very crafty campaign to deconstruct what was, indeed, a formidable opponent. in Mr. Romney. They took no prisoners, and no heed against those who preached against negativity.This was war, and they intended to win---mission accomplished.
  
Now, let's look at Mitt Romney---he may have been his own worst enemy. Try as he might, he just didn't seem to have the guts for politics---he refused or didn't know how to fight back hard enough, to rebuke the character smearing, the twisted charges leveled against him. Contrary to spin, he  wasn't so much a "flip flopper" as a man who changed with the times and the people he governed. He certainly was not a greedy business destroyer, but a savvy entrepenuer who knew how to rescue businesses, thereby saving many jobs. The nail in the coffin was his remark, taken out of context, about the 47% who he said were not worth going after---he meant that no matter what he did, he would not win their hearts or their vote. He was exactly right---but he did not mean, as spun by the media and Obama, that he had no compassion for them.  His life and past history are testament of a person who cares for  others. He was and is a good and capable man, but this was not his time. nor his country to lead. Perhaps he never was, as the Republican establishment supposedly never fully supported him---word was he was too moderate, not right enough. Three million registered Republicans chose not to vote for him---how bizarre, as though the answer would have been a more right wing candidate. What world are they living in?  More " right" wasn't what they needed. What they needed was more fight, light, and a distress call against what was happening---the country was failing under Obama's leadership, or lack thereof. And let's be honest, what the Republicans also lacked was a more inclusive tone, one that spoke more directly to the Black and Hispanic communities, and to the minorities in general. The Womens' vote may have also been an issue, but was mostly a hyped up last ditch effort by the Obama campaign---many of us women maintain that we are far more interested in larger issues, than free condums  and abortion laws, which are already pretty much set in stone, and not likely to be challenged; and it was somewhat unsettling to be used as a campaign booster. Perhaps like Sesame Street and Big Bird, we should have protested.

And finally there was us, the American people, perhaps so traumatized by our failing economy and concern over the future, that we found ourselves coming a bit undone and not at all sure of who or what we wanted.  We are no longer united with similar values and sense of pride in our country.  We are polarized to the point of paralysis, and our once great confidence is changing to doubt and fear of the future. The election was a tug of war between economic concerns and social issues----and that was at the core of Obama's tactical win. He had built his own army by inducing and encouraging class warfare; and Romney and his campaign could not fight the battle of social issues and responsibility with only a recipe for a healthier economy. Never mind that a healthier economy could have been the one thing, perhaps the only antidote, that could bolster and even save our social safety nets---the people didn't see it that way, at least not enough of them.

Mr. Romney tried his best to tell us that, but he was drowned out by mis-charaterization and ridicule---except for one exceptional night, during the first presidential debate, when we saw two men, one very strong, knowledgeable, in control, sure footed and presidential. Obama, on the other hand, was strangely off balance, cut loose from his teleprompter comfort zone,  out of his depth, not on his game.  Who was the real leader? But we would not see this glimpse of either man again. Obama came back strong, and Romney seemed to lose his mojo and grow weary of the whole impossible thing of  fighting an opponent who had what he would never have--- cool charisma, and the emotionally charged, but still effective weapon of Robin Hood---the blame the rich bomb. Romney needed to get angry and fight back, to contest that the rich are not the problem--but that wasn't in his DNA---he was a fix- it guy, not a warrior.

There is talk that we may have seen the demise of the Republican party---that it is out dated, and that it no longer appeals to the majority of  the country.  We are changing, and it remains to be seen to what---minorities and their needs are growing, the middle class feels weakened, and the wealthy threatened by a rising tide of resentment.  Unless the Republicans and their conservative approach to government can convince enough people that their way of thinking, that is, that smaller government is better for everybody, than big government., that the road to more prosperity is not through more taxation, but through a robust economy where everyone is employed , and that dependence on the nipple of government is ultimately a surrender to finding our own strengths and a sacrifice of our freedoms---if they fail to do that, they may  have, indeed, lost more than an election.

 And one wonders if the  vast majority realizes that---or do they no longer care? Are they less interested in what they can do, and more in what can be done for them?  Are the social issues so touted during the campaign more important  than anything else? It would appear that many thought so, and Obama banked on it. Romney gambled on the promise of jobs, pay checks, self esteem, liberties,  independence, a stronger military and country. Yes, important also are better health care, education opportunities for  more, higher wages, infrastructure, research investment, a brighter future for our children---all good things, and certainly not limited to the bucket lists of liberals. But that was the way it was presented by Obama and crew, and Romney failed to tell it like it is---that it all costs money, and at the moment we're broke, and need to fix our engine first above all else. It is true that we cannot be truly a great nation without compassion and duty to the less fortunate among us. And perhaps we are only as good as our deeds to correct the imbalance of poor vs. rich. But what isn't true, what obliterates better solutions, is that the rich are the culprits ---and that they must be chastised, demonized, and made to feel guilty. We are a mixed bag, even within our parties, of social vs. economic ideals, and neither party owns nor has all the answers---but we are not the enemy of each other.

 That's the big lie, and one the Republicans have to expose and then re-tailor their message . Because, though it was and is the economy," stupid", it's not completely all about the economy. News flash---most all of us care for others and value our social safety nets  ---the difference is that the conservative philosophy believes that the best way to offer and sustain helpful programs  is to have an economy that can actually afford and support them. It is a pragmatic approach, however, and pragmatism doesn't sell as well as emotionalism. Getting that message across is difficult when the other side insists it is the grandmother being pushed off the cliff by the evil conservative who only cares for himself.  It would be funny, if it weren't so patently absurd---would you call your doctor, the one who advises giving you life saving medicine, evil? Or would you, instead, answer the call of those who choose to ignore the warning signs, and continue on the same path? Like I said, negative ads sell. Get used to it---also get used to the fact that money and large contributions  are part of the election process. Not going to change, unless free speech is removed from the campaigns.

Elections, second chances, and dire circumstances sometimes have a cathartic, wake- up effect. May it be so for the leaders of our land to pull  and  work together. May it also be so that we, all of us, begin to understand that we are all in this together. The alternative is staring us in the face----it's the crack up of a once strong, respected, and united America. The election may be over, but the differences are still there---and they threaten to destroy us---or make us better if we can learn to empathize, balance, and reconcile.

Recovery  starts with a  President, a congress and a people who are willing to find common ground, to blend, to weave a fabric strong enough to hold   all of us, and to do more than that---to encourage all of us to fly high, to succeed without punishment, to show others how, and to provide jobs once again.  Can we?? How can we afford not to? Forward, march---but watch your step, pack a parachute, a compass, and a good book--this could take a while.

Keep the faith---the American mind may be unpredictable, but its spirit is resilient, and its will to survive, its inventiveness, not to mention its history, may in the end may be more powerful than our bleak circumstances, and even the politicians and leaders who seek, but cannot/will not find the answers. We have them, they are written deep in our collective souls, and freedom is the password---we are bigger than our problems, stronger than our weaknesses, wiser than our mistakes,  and we must not fail.  Just don't fence us in-----

CLOSING THE SALE----

A seasoned sales person once said, "A sale is made every time"--- meaning that either the customer buys the presented product from you, or someone else----or perhaps not at all. Either way, a sale, a decision, is made every time. In less than a week, the biggest sale in the country will be made--ka-ching, and presto, with millions of clicks in voting booths all over the country. At least half of us will buy with our votes the next president of the USA.

 So, who's the better salesman, President Obama, or Governor Romney?  Both have spent millions, untold hours, and not just a little sweat on the campaign trail, trying to sell us on their way, their vision, their ability to lead and protect this nation into the next four years. It's a tough sale and we're a tough crowd  this time around, with both men still running neck and neck, and passions on both sides at a boiling point. Don't think so? Try bringing up either Obama or Romney's name anywhere, anytime, then watch the red warning lights flash across the eyes of those present---this social taboo could be called the 11th commandment:  Thou shalt not discuss politics---in fact, we dare not mention thy name. It is the holiest of grails in polite conversation, and this election is pregnant with potential for explosiveness and less than cordial conversation. Speak at your own risk, or stay safely silent---- but forever wonder if you should have spoken your truth, and removed the mask of nuetrality and harmless bystander.

The differences are stark, so the choice should be easy, but it isn't simply and only a question of who, but which---which kind of governance do we want?  Is bigger better? Or is less more? Obama represents the former, and Romney the latter---but there's much more to consider, and within the mix and the decision we must make, lay the seeds of our polarization, the dichotomy of two kinds of America. Will we raise taxes on a few for the many, hoping that that's the fix, or will we cut back on spending, re-structure, and subscribe to the philosophy of jobs creating revenue, rather than vice versa?  Conservatives might say, we must decide to buy either the farm, or the farmer---the farm will feed folks for a while, but the farmer will keep things growing for a long time. The Liberal will claim the farmer can't grow at all without a proper and fair farm. You decide.

 Whatever, the  "cliff" is looming soon if we don't come up with a sustainable budget and how we plan to improve our financial situation---or become another broken country, a la Greece or Spain. It's budget decision time, but none will be made until after the election----we're on hold, and one would be more than naive not to suspect that getting elected is the only real priority. We're watching ourselves burn, as the politicians play politics, then laugh among themselves, like old pals at a recent annual bi-partisan party held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.  How dare they? We're not even smiling---and some of us consider their attempted display of playfulness inappropriate and disingenuous---as though all their words of passionate persuasion and claims to be "fighting" for us, are just a game called politics, and we are the captive audience to their play acting. Will the real leader please stand up and refuse the next party and/or talk show invitation?? And will we learn to bridge our differences before we self destruct?

Aiding and abetting the final attempts to close the sale are unpredictable world and weather events. We didn't even have to wait for the famous "November Surprise". First, in October, we had the hot little mess in Libya, where four of our people, including our ambassador, who had previously pleaded for and was denied  more protection, were killed during "an act of terror", not terrorism, mind you, according to Obama--and an incredible back story  in which help was requested numerous times. Stunningly, each time the reply and order came back from Washington "to stand down"! This strains the imagination, not to mention credibility, not to further mention faith in our leaders. So much so, that an official investigation is underway, but nobody seems to know from whom the order came---not even the president who likes to say the buck stops with him. Really??  Well, excuse me, but where's the buck, and what the Sam Hill is going on? If that doesn't shake your confidence, then you have already been sold. Obama is your guy, and you feel he must have had his reasons. Perhaps so, ---we can't know everything, but his silence on this matter is mind boggling. Likewise, the polls were reflecting badly for Obama after this incident. Romney was quick to criticize Obama's handling of the situation, and perhaps make political hay, but his numbers were surging. A done deal? Introducing President Romney?  Not so fast---.

For, now we have a possible game changer, the predicted November surprise.  It's called "Sandy", the horrifically damaging  hurricane, and she may well become Obama's newest, best friend. We are now watching a very caring, supposedly prepared, and leaderly president step up to the plate, promising help and money to a very deserving and suffering east coast, but wouldn't any president do the same?  Still it was a great photo opp. for Obama, and one he used to his advantage, showing us that he knows well how to do such things, at least here at home. Even Chris Christy, Gov of New Jersey was seen arm in arm with Obama, and praising his help and generosity, proving that Republicans and Democrats really can get along if absolutely necessary---and that presidents can rise to the occasion, on occasion.

At this posting, we have three more days to go, before the election.   It's not a done deal yet, and anything could still happen, but what we have learned so far is that while there may be such a thing as the "perfect storm", there is no perfection to be found in presidents or candidates for the highest office in the land--both are flawed in one way or another. Both have fallen short and deserve our scrutiny, ---and perhaps a little forgiveness.  What we need now is our collective wisdom and radar perceptiveness to see through the political dialogue, sales tricks and gimmicks--- and discern finally who can best serve our needs at this critical time in our history. There are those who feel our very survival as a viable country rides on this election. The unrest and undertow of fear and discontent is unlike any we've seen in modern times.

 It's been a hard fought campaign season for both men and parties---down and dirty, filled with lies, secrets and scandals, enough to have some people opt for choice number 3---no sale, no vote, sitting this one out. That's bailing, wrong, and  a cop out, leaving others to to row the boat we're all in.  Love it or leave it, it is our process, the way we do things, and through it all we learn a lot about our choices and even ourselves.

Vote on November 6th, exercise your right as an engaged citizen, and help close perhaps the biggest deal in our lifetime. May the best man win, and may he, whoever he is, remember that it is we whom he serves, all of us, not his own ambitions or extreme agendas. Soon we will know who and what we have bought----a sale will have been struck. Ka-ching and good luck. Too bad there isn't a warranty that comes with the deal---and the promises.

God bless us all---especially those affected by "Sandy", who instructs that we and our differences, political and otherwise, are tiny in comparison to the power and strength of apocalypic events that render us helpless and in desperate need of each other, no matter our differences---is someone trying to tell us something?? And does it have nothing at all to do with politics, large or small government, farms or farmers---but a much bigger picture, one that begs for a people to search inwardly for things other than those which continue to divide us? The greatest salesman whoever lived once said---"love ye one another"---are we buying?