Political Optimism Still Lives

10/15/2007

Paul Munnis


It’s no secret that I am a fan of Bill Clinton. Maybe it’s because our politics are similar, maybe because I see him as a positive force for world progress. Maybe it’s because we are both graying dads. Maybe it’s because we both would rather build-up America than to tear it down. No matter, I am a big fan of Bill Clinton.

Recently I wrote an editorial called: “That Amazing Clinton Guy,” and so as I was searching for useful video to put onto the front pages of “The Rochester Democrat” and it seemed only natural that I would put his name into the search list to see what came up.

A few things popped onto the list such as his talk during 2002 on the Tonight Show wherein he spoke of a trillion dollar industry just waiting to be born in America on alternative energy and that didn’t even count electric and hybrid cars and other forms of energy savings.

Next was a speech that someone recorded on a hand-held video camera wherein he described his Bill Clinton Foundation and what it is accomplishing.

Then there was a neat video with Bill Clinton singing John Lennon’s wonderful and inspiring song: “Imagine.”

It left me remembering his trip to the University of Iran and his dialog with students there and the standing ovation given to him by those students – the same ones that Chaney wants to bomb and kill.

As I watched the videos I tried to imagine G.W. Bush on stage with 80 mid-eastern kids, 40 whom are Jewish and 40 whom are Arabs, and somehow I just could not picture such a thing ever happening even in my wildest imagination. G.W. is identified as a guy who kills Arabs and spreads misery rather than one who spreads hope, love, and optimism for a better tomorrow.

For me the one thing that I cannot forgive G.W. Bush for is his destruction of an optimistic future for our youth. He is the gloom and doom Prez.; a salesman for Armageddon, the mad political bomber of Iraq, the instigator of Iraqi Civil War, the guy who seeks to destroy our Constitution and our Bill of Rights. How anyone can support such a politician is way beyond me. I am reminded of the 80/20 rule. “At any one point in time 80% are on the right track and 20% are on the wrong track and the 20% drive the other 80% of us crazy.”

I think G.W. is to the point where he can’t even appear in public anymore and confines most of his appearances to military installations where he is safe and secure. I feel sorry for him. In a sense he is a walking corpse unable to live life any more.

As you enjoy these various pieces and the links to them I hope that you will listen to the optimism and the love that lies behind these Clinton efforts. He is no hype manipulator nor is he a propagandist. He’s the real McCoy and his enemies hate him for his genuineness and his spontaneity and for the genuine quality of his leadership. What’s more he gets results.

For me, Bill Clinton is a Democratic Party treasure and the fact that he is human, and acts it is not a surprise to me. In fact a large part of what I treasure is his humanity.

When Hillary talks about hitting the 2000 reset button and starting this Millennium over again I know exactly what she means. And then I think about all of the talent that share the candidate spotlight with Hillary and I am thrilled that we are so blessed with such a great talent pool that we can put immediately to work on behalf of America. My optimism returns.

Is a Hillary Clinton and a Barrack Obama ticket possible? Would such a presidency thrust America once more into prominence and generate real respect around the world? Would people like Bill Richardson, John Edwards, Joe Biden, and many others with incredible political know-how be able to promote America once again? You bet that they would and that is why I look forward to the 2008 election and the ousting of the Grinch who ruined America.

Enjoy the new video material. I will work to update it from time to time with other great videos that lift us up.

Oh, there is a great link there that permits each candidate from each Party to weigh-in on the 2008 campaign issues. Take some time to check them out.