THE QUESTION: If you could dress up as your favorite political figure (past or present) for Halloween, who would it be and why?
Won’t heed mama’s advice: Ronald Reagan. Or not
My mama once told me, “Don’t talk with anyone about politics or religion”.
I am convinced that after certain readers (you will know who they are), read the following verbiage their comment will be: “He should have followed his Mother’s advice.”
So forgive me Mom but here I go anyway.
It seems to me that imbedded in this question is a contradiction. If “your favorite political figure” implies that I admire their political conduct, then, of my more recent times, it is a no-brainer: Ronald Regan.
When President Regan spoke, you could take it to the bank. He meant what he said and said what he meant. He got the job done. When he spoke, he spoke with force and you knew exactly what he meant. Just ask the Russians, they did indeed tear down the Berlin Wall. They knew exactly what he said and they knew that he meant it.
Now, however, back to my premise of a contradictory question. As I understand the ritual of dressing up for Halloween it is intended to scare people into giving you treats as in “Trick or Treats”. This too is a no-brainer.
Who is the scariest politician(s) around today? What scares me the most is uncertainty and the unknown.
In this context what politician today conveys uncertainty and the unknown? Who was it that campaigned on the platform of transparency and clarity and yet why are we so uncertain on where we stand on such issues as: (a) more or less troops in Afghanistan? (b) Health care, especially Medicare? (c) Social Security increases (or decreases) for Seniors? (d) What’s all this talk about Socialism? etc., etc.
Well you get the idea. You will note that I didn’t specify any name. I’ll bet the readers can do that and most likely, it will be a long list.
Larry Magill, Sunrise Beach
Richard Nixon impacted my early life the most
The obvious choice for me would be President Richard M. Nixon.
I would not say he was my favorite political figure, but much of my early life was full of news concerning him. I can remember the 1968 election. I very vividly remember the election in 1972 against George McGovern.
It was not long afterwards that we heard about a burglary at the Watergate Hotel where the Democratic Party had their headquarters.
After two long years of bitter debate, hearings, denials, and cover-ups, President Nixon became the first president to resign from office in August 1974. This whole scandal was set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War.
In fact, one of the articles of impeachment was the illegal bombing of Cambodia. His famous denial “I am not a crook” still is fodder for comedians today.
James R. Hall, Camdenton
Ronald Reagan, ‘nuff said!
Bill Heckart, Horseshoe Bend/Sioux City, Iowa
Give ‘em hell, Harry!
With out a doubt, I would be Harry S. Truman. Why? Because he had the (you know whats) to say what he thought; do what needed to be done and the guts to stand behind his decisions, unlike the so-called leaders we have today who want to be politically correct or change their minds at the drop of a hat.
If we want to end this war and gain back the respect that America has always had until now, then let’s start looking for leaders who have the courage to do what needs to be done and bring our soldiers home and show the people who want to bring this great country down they better have second thoughts.
Mike Donovan, Camdenton
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