Submitted by Edmundo Balderrama, Mar 10, 2008 09:48

The issue of voting for a candidate because one: they could be the first woman president, or two: because they could be the first black person president or the first Hispanic or any other ethnicity, should not be anywhere near the top of anyone's list of reasons to vote them into office. It would be a landmark occasion, to be sure, but would it be the right choice in the long run? Yes, the world is a different place in the 21^st century and America is not looked up to, whether out of respect or fear, as it once was. But what has caused this erosion of our credibility even among our own allies? It is so easy to blame George W. Bush for all of our ills. The war in Iraq is certainly in prime focus regarding that judgment. However, the current administration is not solely responsible for the animosity that America experiences around the world today.

During the Clinton administration, did we not get attacked by terrorists on our very own shores, in the very same World Trade Center, which was later destroyed by Osama Bin Laden and his murdering mercenaries? During the Reagan administration, did we not suffer the devastating loss of our service personnel and the subsequent humiliation of the Beirut Barracks bombing? Who can forget the debacle presided over by the ineffective presidency of Jimmy Carter. The taking of our embassy in Iran could be looked upon as the beginning of the road we find ourselves in today. Iran and its maniacal leadership are bent on destroying us and anyone we happen to be allied with, particularly Israel. Had we invaded Iran then, and with every right to do so, would we be in the plight we are in now with that extremist regime barking at our heals with our every step? Who can look to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and not say, someday we will look back and be thankful we are there now, preventing just the thing that has transpired over the last thirty years in Iran? What if Iran finally achieves their goal of obtaining nuclear weapons capability, which is going to happen, regardless of any sanctions? Will we be able to look away then and say, oh well, that is not our problem as long as they don't directly threaten us with them? What of our close and long alliance with Israel? Would we stand by and let Iran or any other extremist regime destroy them and essentially control the region unabated? These are very frightening and troubling scenarios.

The person elected to be our next president should be someone who can enter the White House and on day one be prepared to meet challenges we face in an increasingly hostile world. Waiting for a phone call in the middle of the night to take action instead of being prepared beforehand is the wrong approach. Extending a friendly hand to our sworn enemies without asking for anything in return other than more hateful rhetoric is the wrong approach. The threats to our peace and well being are real. The job to meet those threats head-on is daunting. The person who will be our next president should be able to lead our country without having to answer to someone who voted for them because they are a female, black, Hispanic or White Anglo Saxon Protestant. They should answer to the will of the people in keeping us safe from external threats, both physical and economic. They should answer to the will of the people in helping to usher-in prosperity and welfare for everyone. Recycled platitudes about health care and changing how things are done in Washington will still be just that, stale ideas that have no substance. Empty rhetoric leaves us empty handed. Immigration and border security will have to be addressed reasonably and fairly. Saying we will throw all illegal immigrants out of the country is rubbish. It can't be done without creating another crisis with our neighbors. Being fair, compassionate and diligent will go farther in solving the issue than radical hate-mongering out of hand. The new president should be someone who can and will work across party lines to help bring about these things so that we can emerge from politics as usual and into the 21^st century with pride at home and credible strength abroad.

Edmundo Balderrama

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