COMMENTARY | I'll admit it, even though it's a little embarrassing nowadays. I used to be a Republican. And then I grew up. Here in the final year leading to election 2012, when the GOP could be bringing up real issues -- or at least getting out of Ron Paul's way -- Republicans are doing little more than pandering to emotions, as shown in a report from the Associated Press.
Rather than discussing real-world issues, most Republican candidates seem more upset because the president made the occasional honest critique of the U.S. I'm saddened by seeing so many of our government leaders more offended by honest commentary, than by the issues which would bring out such comments in the first place. I'm saddened even further when I consider that so many of my fellow countrymen are also quick to jump on the bandwagon of irrational hatred, rather than do their own critical analysis of what the media reports. Just follow the herd, right, folks? Moo.
Personally, I do feel America is the greatest nation on Earth. And the concept of personal freedom and individual liberty does make us somewhat unique in world history. If we wish to remain so, we need to be willing to learn from honest criticism, unless our goal is to simply be deluded. A nation reputed to be established on the basis of freedom and liberty should be willing to accept the harshest of honest criticism. We're not perfect. Am I a traitor for having said so?
Another topic which seems to stoking the emotional fires of patriotic Americans is the allegations of the president's knowledge of "Operation Fast and Furious," as covered on The Daily Caller. Were the evidence to show Obama had knowledge of such an operation, then sure, push with prosecution. But it doesn't.
A much more plausible scenario would be investigators need to focus on Stephen Holder. He is, after all the attorney general and therefore the country's top law enforcement officer. It seems specious to go after President Obama for a department he does not manage.
If the Republicans do want to win the White House in the 2012 election, they might want to go after real issues rather than relying on emotional buzzwords and pandering to religious superstition. If all the GOP is willing to offer is emotional and religious extremism then I'd just as well keep President Obama in office.
