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Do Your Homework, Vote - And Pray

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By RICHARD P. PHELAN

Special to the Tribune

Published: February 22, 2008

Throughout my formative years, my father passed on to me many valuable lessons and words of wisdom that he learned as a child and accumulated through adulthood.

Two of the most pertinent lessons were his emphatic advice about being fully aware of my quick temper and volatility - to count slowly to 10 before reacting to an inflammatory statement or action - and the wisdom of never discussing religion or politics with friends or family, leaving those matters to priests, ministers, rabbis and politicians.

Saying that, for the most part I have tried very hard to follow his advice. However, since noticing and clipping a recent "Family Circus" cartoon from the Tribune, I cannot seem to stem the emerging political thoughts from my mind and the urge to share them.

The caption of the cartoon, "Who would give us less homework - the Republicans or the Democrats?" which I am sure was meant to be humorous, really struck a chord with me.

Immediately, I began to wonder about the term "homework" and what political party would give us not only less homework but less grief in general and would aptly provide the change and new direction desperately needed in this country.

Although a committed conservative, I can hardly wait for the current administration to be history. Other than his relentless pursuit of the very real threat of terrorism, and keeping the fight out of our beloved country, I believe the president has tried his very best but has fallen short in other matters of great import.

Of course, to be fair, our elected representatives have not provided much help either, such as contributing tenable solutions to our problems, domestic or otherwise.

I have been paying close attention to the political debates, listening to the candidates dissing each other. If they are to be believed, it causes one to ponder if any of them have the qualifications to be an effective chief executive.

Since my personal favorite Mitt Romney, who has an impressive history of being able to govern and solve problems, has bowed out, leaving John McCain as the Republican front-runner, I am in a quandary. I am not quite sure if he truly represents the conservative issues I favor.

Not always, but for the most part, I concur with the viewpoints of Sean Hannity, noted political pundit and syndicated conservative talk show host. He recently stated that if either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton were elected, we would be led down the path to Socialism, from which this country might never recover.

Faced with that scenario, where do I go from here? Even though Romney has voiced full support for McCain, I still have reservations about McCain's intentions regarding a truly conservative governance of America.

Thoroughly disenchanted with the Republican Party, I am hearing comments from many of our conservative friends that give me the impression they are thinking seriously about voting the Democratic ticket next year, if for no other reason but to see what the Democrats can do to straighten out the mess in Washington.

Other than the fact that I believe what Hannity has to say about the two Democratic candidates, quite honestly I don't have any other substantial argument to dissuade their current intentions. I can readily agree that we sorely need change. However, I don't believe that Socialism, bigger government intervention with more controls, federally managed health care and higher taxes are the changes we truly want or need.

Perhaps my only solution is to embrace our country's motto "In God We Trust," and hope and pray that wisdom will prevail and the very best candidate will be elected.

The writer, a retired General Motors benefits administrator, is a seasonal resident of Zephyrhills.

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