I understand that concessions are often necessary if democracy is to work. And you are right, it probably won’t take long before Obama is villified by extremists who will, no doubt, be outraged when he gives and inch in order to gain a yard. But we have to be vigilant in holding his feet to the fire and showing him we back him when he does the right thing.

But I wonder how long it will take before Barack is being vilified and called a sell-out by those who hold extreme views on the left, when he attempts to walk a more centrist path, and achieve some kind of national consensus on vital issues? I would like to remind folks now that when our guy comes into his own we must be prepared to do all we can to bring in the center in order to form a workable majority.

When you are on the outside you have the luxury of damning everyone around you. In order to use power you have to make nice, and be realistic, and work toward your goals incrementally.

I think history has demonstrated that it takes a lot to kill the human spirit. So although I’m disheartened by what I see on the political horizon and especially when I look at the uneducated disinterested masses, I believe there will be a “change of heart” but unfortunately it is most likely to happen when we are all in real crisis. Although I say there is no “us and they” during crisis, there are those who will suffer more than others. Historically, in this country, the ones that suffer the most are the marginalized groups. I am a member of that class of people.

You and I are usually on the same page. And this is certainly an area where we have a meeting of the minds. The biggest difference is in the way we deliver a message.

I have to be honest and admit that I am truly and deeply saddened to have to acknowledge openly that I have no confidence in Colin Powell. We all want heroes. I just have to come to terms with the death of a myth.

How do I know this? ? Try to share an opinion on a particular candidate that doesn’t quite line up with someone else’s opinion, and see where you end up. It’s a shame because it lines up with three thing that has happened in the past few decades:

1. Freedom of speech is slowly losing ground in this country and the electorate does not realize that when they “go on a rant” against someone’s political bias, that they are actually suppressing the right that the U. S. Constitution gave to us. What we don’t see today is intellectual and thoroughly researched political debate. People are not allowed to share their thought process on an election or on a candidate. Someone who doesn’t agree immediately “shouts them down” like a wild person.

2. The American population has bought into the “concept of celebrity” forced upon us by the American media. We now see commentators who are angry, loud, rude, obnoxious and just plain egotistical. Most of them will not allow a guest on their show to fully explain their viewpoints or give them time to make a point. The arrogant host or commentator has to “butt in” and make sure his point is well-taken.

3. The desire for money, power and material things has overruled the good judgement of the American people. Every day, there is a new self-help book about how we can become richer, more powerful and get more stuff. Each new millionaire guru tries to convince us why we don’t have enough and then attempts to place guilt on those who are actually satisfied with their nice, normal family life.

To reiterate, money, power, greed and celebrity has taken first place over common sense, family values and the willingness to be content with what you have. This one statement explains why Wall Street is in an economic quagmire with the many multi-billion companies teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. People retained mortgages they couldn’t afford, purchased designer cars they didn’t need and bought into the concept that “more is better”. More is not better if you can’t afford it. Today’s population doesn’t believe in buying what you can afford or waiting until you can afford it. It’s a “I’ve gotta have it now” mentality that has permeated the very fabric of the American populace. …….Can’t Wait…….Gotta Be the First One in Line………..The “Me” Generation has systematically destroyed this great country; consequently, many of today’s politicans are a vibrant part of the “Me” Generation. Who cares who it hurts or what it costs? It’s all about “Me”. Who cares that this country will be in debt until the next millenium……….Who cares?

So, until the population wakes up and smells the coffee, votes these repeat offenders out of office and makes an attempt to adjust their lifestyle to one of common sense and prudent spending, we’ll just continue to see more of the same, over and over again.

People who are money, power and celebrity-driven do not operate with the same agenda that a person who is prudent in their spending, well-read on political issues and willing to stay out of the spotlight. People who operate on a “common sense” approach to life are just different people and these are the ones who built this great country. They got up every morning, went to do an honest day’s work, came home, had dinner with their family, went to bed and got back up to do it all again.

They didn’t buy houses they couldn’t afford and people in the family shared a car until they could afford another one. They went to church on Sunday, actually saw the importance of celebrating family events and respected God, the American Flag and the U. S. Constitution. They knew and understood the importance of freedom and helping your neighbor. The Bible wasn’t considered offensive and politicians didn’t try to destroy everything this country was built upon.

People didn’t go to work with the mentality to “mow down your co-worker” to get to the top of the ladder. They felt successful if they did an honest days work and had money to buy groceries, pay the mortgage and have a little left over to put in the bank.

Today’s success is defined in a whole new way. “Disrespect your co-workers”, “sleep with your boss”, “spy on your neighbor”, “pad the books” and do whatever it takes to get to that six-figure income and mansion on the hill. Again, who cares who you hurt or knock down along the way. You got what you want and you oughta be proud of yourself.

Until people have a “change of heart” and define their lives in terms of faith in God, family, hard work, and helping people as opposed to money, power and material possessions, nothing will change and corrupt politicians will stay in office. American life as we long knew it – is gone and I’m afraid this time, it’s gone for good.

I tevo’d the program with these 6 Secretaries of State last night and watched them when I got home. I, too, was disappointed in Powell – as I ALWAYS am. For me, Colin Powell is an overrated man – the perfect black “leader” concocted by the white ruling class to do its bidding. He tows the line that’s set for him. He never crosses it, stretches it, or attempts to break it. For me, this son of the Bronx is more a coward than a hero.

I’ve written harshly of Powell. I’ve written that his mantra of “I serve at the pleasure of the President,” which he used during his tenure as Secretary of State for Bush 43, was more akin to, “I serve at the pleasure of the Massa.” I know that’s a harsh assessment, but Colin Powell for me, was never an independent man. He was purposely overrated by those who created him so they could use him. He’s done an enormous disservice to black leadership by his blind allegiance to those who are ignoble.

The fact that Powell is too much a coward to publicly endorse Barack Obama, fearing being tagged for black loyalty, is further evidence of his lack of leadership and independence. He states he “loves” John McCain and calls himself “an American first.” If Powell were truly “an American first” he’d be appalled by McCain’s choice of Palin, and by McCain’s lies, distortions and lack of ethics throughout this campaign. Colin Powell continues to be a bitter disappointment and a constant enabler for the white ruling class. My hope is someday his backbone will fuse – but after his egregious performance at the United Nations which laid the path for the Iraq War, Powell can never fully rehabilitate for me.

Thanks, too, for the revelation about Susan Taylor. Contrasting Taylor with Powell made for a truly brilliant essay.