In the last week, I have had two people who have passed on to me an email insisting that Barack Obama is a Muslim. I thought that this rumor had been put to rest months ago. These individuals have been sincerely frightened about what might happen if Obama wins the election. They refuse to believe anything in the media that contradicts what the email said, because "you can't trust the media-- they're all liberals." I responded to the email I received today. I don't have a problem with people supporting McCain, but please do it on the basis of policy and experience, not false rumors that only serve to sow fear and further divide the country. Friday McCain assured his supporters that they didn't need to fear an Obama presidency, and was booed.
Going into this election, both candidates swore that they would run clean campaigns and not engage in destructive attacks. Both seem to have forgotten that pledge, and it grieves me. As a country we need to learn that it is possible to disagree with someone without them being an enemy. We need to recognize that we can learn and grow when we engage in an open, respectful debate with those who disagree with us. Those who vote differently than we do are not the enemy.
As voters we have a responsibility to look beyond the sound bites to the issues and the candidates positions on them. Both candidates have websites full of information to help in the pursuit of policy positions. Factcheck.org helps sort out when the truth has been stretched. Support your candidates, campaign for your candidates, but do it on the basis of policy and experience, not rumors and fear. Do it with respect for those who disagree with you. Remember, we all want what is best for our country, and working together we can achieve it.
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