I have been relieved Obama is trending to a win, but rather troubled by our political climate. Even God slapping the tin foil hats off the right-wing climate deniers is not enough to allow a rational science based debate. It seems an Age of Reason was so 18th Century. Our age is all glitz and inane you-tube videos. This allows a plutocracy (read Chrystia Freeland) to control policy, politics, and even science. Policy motivated by short-sighted greed is never beneficial, even for those who advocate it. Yes, I have been dismayed as obstructionism, gridlock, and irrationality are the probable outcome of Tuesday.
I had two tests in Springfield to take on Friday. It is required to serve in my part time local government job. I finished early. I had parked by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library. I decided to drop in again and to reflect on Abe and American politics.
I like to take people to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum for their first time. The media presentations always capture the attention of the less than history buff types. It was a relatively slow time for the museum, there were a few school groups. The average age was probably 10 even with my maturity tipping the other way. These kids loved the Ghosts of the Library and Eyes of Lincoln exhibit. I went through the hall that displays traveling exhibits, this time weapons and medical treatments during the Civil War. Somber reminders of the cost of separation and extremism in American politics.
Lincoln was treated with great disrespect, his re-election thought impossible until Sherman's capture of Atlanta in September. In the same week or timeframe from the election as the Democratic Convention was this year. Lincoln was called a Black Republican, gorilla, etc. while Obama a Kenyan, halfrican, etc. Once again our nation faces a regional divide. This year's election is November 6th the same as in 1860.
I followed the path of Lincoln's life as the museum is designed. How did this man emerge to be President, what trials did he face, and what would he think today?
Lincoln steered an unpopular course not pleasing the abolitionists, considered a devil by the slave owners, and judged a weak leader by political allies and foes. Would he have advice for Obama today? President Clinton seems to have advice to offer.
Would Lincoln be a part of today's GOP, or would he have left it? Would he be an independent or would his belief in progress put him in the ranks of the Democratic party?
Would the author of this line "It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not, that we be not judged." support the super pac agenda?
What advice from the man who wrote, "to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations." Yes, what would Abraham Lincoln advise Obama today?
I believe President Lincoln would recommend that President Obama after re-election wage war on the GOP/Tea'er party. You thought, I would suggest the "malice towards none; with charity for all" Lincoln, no doubt.
I think it is the next phrase of Lincoln's great speech "with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in;" I believe President Lincoln would think the political power of non science, non math in budgets, and the reign of plutocracy, a very dangerous thing. Lincoln was a politician, I believe he would plan a mid term take over of Congress, to end this penchant for irrationality. After the election GOP wars will be raging. I think he would advise an offensive. The GOP clans will attack: Tea against establishment, Libertarian against evangelical, military industrial against budget hawks, big brother national security against survivalist militia. This will give Democrats an opportunity. An era when Democrats should assail the common wisdom, try to win 435 House seats in the 2014 election.
Deny the GOP/Tea'er party in the lame duck anything. People already blame the GOP/Tea as the obstructionists let them rage. What will a lame duck, Joe Walsh, Allen West, and Michele Bachmann do, tow the party line? Let the Tea boil over in fits of rage. Offer sensible proposals, offer them publicly, accept no GOP our way or highway compromise.
People think money pollutes our politics, negative ads poison our society, so make modest proposals to change this, maybe each ad that mentions a candidate must offer the attacked 15 seconds added to ad, paid for by attacker. It is called rebuttal.
President Obama and Democrats should recruit 435 strong candidates and create social networks in each district. Use the tools of the information age to effect change. I think President Lincoln would say we should preserver to build a great nation, to reach out to all our peoples, to continue to craft a great government as the preamble of the Constitution asserts. President Lincoln would want us to continue as a nation striving forward, expanding liberty to all people, so that nation "shall not perish from the earth."
Those were my reflections on my visit with the memories of Mr. Lincoln, or the ghosts in the library as the museum might present it. What are your thoughts? I have a cold and thought your comments could add perspective to the diary. I think I am in my own fog of snuffles; it is narrowing my insights.
I am an election judge tomorrow, but in a couple of days I will make the comments I like as addendum's to the diary.