I am always 'amazed' by how things change so very fast, yet we, who experience these changes, most often don't notice them until they have long since happened.

As I watched the Democratic Debate last evening, it occurred to me that I was watching and living the American Dream of which Dr. King had referred more than 40 years ago!  There, on the stage  at the Kodak Theatre in L.A., was a woman (U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton) and a Black man (U.S. Senator Barack Obama) debating each other to determine which one would represent the Democratic Party as its Candidate for the highest and most respected and most powerful office in the U.S. and until recently, the entire world! (In the interest of fairness, I most admit that I happen to be a supporter of Senator Clinton, but I do like and admire both candidates.)  There is a clear and distinct difference between to views and values of the two major parties and this historic debate spoke volumes about how those views show up.

The Republicans, in spite all the evidence to the contrary, continue to forcefully advocate a Pro-War position.  They want to continue down a path that has resulted in this 'apparent' recession that we are now experiencing and they want to continue tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, at the expense of the rest of the nation.  More importantly, they present us with the same 'old' faces that they presented in 1964!  (With the same 'old' views)!  If you think about it, the last seven(7) years are reflective of this 'Colonial' approach to governance.  The Republicans have treated the world and even U.S. Citizens, as if we all are second class Citizens to the them. They have restricted our Constitutional Rights, in the best interest of our safety!

To the contrary, the Democrats present the nation with the most diverse set of options possible.  You actually have an opportunity to to select a 'Woman' or an 'African American man' for President of the United States of America! I can not tell you how proud I am of this country and of the Democratic Party, in particular. 

I happen to be the Grand-Son of a man, James L. Stanford, who was born in, worked in and died in, a State (Mississippi) where he paid taxes, but was never allowed to cast a Vote!  (He was treated as a 2nd Class Citizen all of his life.)

If we 'buy' what the Republicans as 'selling', we remain stuck in a State of Denial that suggests that they know what is best for us and that their way is the one and only way of expressing your American patriotism.  If we buy what they are selling, we ignore all the evidence which suggests that the current (Bush) administration lied to us about the need for the war( WMD's) and the economic benefits of the (Bush) tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.  If we buy what they are selling, we ignore the fact that their policies have limited and restricted our Constitutional Rights and our Freedoms. (They contend that they have to have the right to Spy on American Citizens!) In the interest of fairness, I must admit rather like George W. Bush.  For me, he was a rather likeable fellow.  I don't like him as the President, but I like him nonetheless. ( I must also' admit that I am of the view that he is singularly, the worst U.S. President since Andrew Jackson, the President of the 'Trail Of Tears'!)

I think that in November 2008, we Americans have a clear and definite choice.  We can continue the policies of this 'Bumbling' Administration or we can chart a new course.  One that will lead us back to the true creed of the Constitution of the United States of America and the Democratic Values that we, as a nation, stand for!