"FROM RHETORIC TO REALITY": ONE WEEK TO GO Since the start of the 20th century, there have been huge transitions in the way America elects Presidents. In 1941, daily front page headlines and nightly news radio were all we had to announce a 2nd World War!

The post-war 50's through the 70's brought the arrival of the world of on site television coverage, and, of all things, political conventions.

Finally, in the last two decades of the 20th century and eight years into the 21st, the internet and instant wireless communication have us endlessly bombarded with up to the minute election coverage.

Amidst the technology, a new demon has arisen: a quantum increase in campaign length, candidate spending, and petty attack ads devoid of content. In short, rhetoric has begun to surpass reality.

In Maryland's 4th Congressional district, a shining example of the wasteful advertising is producing no content: Andy Harris vs. Frank Kratovil. Knowing Harris as a respected physician and credible advocate for protecting doctors in Maryland from law suit abuse, there has been no reference to this important policy issue. Campaign advertisements for candidate Kratovil have told us virtually nothing.

It is time for Americans to demand an election process that is issue driven and no longer run by handlers and paid media. The cost has become unreasonably high. The separation between election rhetoric and the reality of governing has become too wide to tolerate!

REALITY in the "Final Turn" of Campaign 2008

In Maryland, rhetoric takes priority over reality in the ongoing attacks on slots as a source of income by the spendthrift Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. In a thoughtful analysis, respected political columnist Barry Rascovar notes that "Franchot, the loudest anti-slots voice, has tried to demean slots backers and demonize the one-armed bandits. Yet he has never laid out a comprehensive economic plan for surviving the recession without Maryland's share of income from slots".

Maryland is not a two party state; therefore, the source of rhetoric over reality is entrenched political power of longtime legislators and officeholders. One example is Senate President Mike Miller. Maryland Governors come and go, but the Miller goes on! The Miller rhetoric of "everything's fine; I'm handling it" goes on as a prime example of rhetoric over reality.

What MUST be done? Organizing a Government

Just last week, I had the opportunity for an intellectual "reunion" with Stephen Hess, Fellow Emeritus at the Brookings Institution, and a friend whom I first met through Dr. Milton Eisenhower, Johns Hopkins President and advisor to eight U.S. Presidents. Steve has also served as an advisor to every Presidential transition since his first job as an assistant to U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower. Steve's most recent book, "What Do We Do Now?" is described as a "workbook for the President-Elect". In a short snapshot introduction, "Getting Started", Steve describes reality setting in, over the endless campaign rhetoric of the past two years. In his words, that reality is "The President needs help!"

We Must Reform a Broken Election Process

The American election "system" is no longer working. It has become a tool of the political "handlers" ad agencies and media cash registers. To make the case for reform, look at how the $1.2 + BILLION thrown at advertising rhetoric might otherwise be used. Let's be specific. What if a Presidential candidate were to commit 2/3 of his contribution to nonprofit community projects that help people?

Her are three example projects with which I am familiar or have given volunteer help:

Boots for Baltimore raises $50,000 annually to distribute 2,000 pairs of boots to homeless people through 30 help agencies. All work is done by volunteers, my wife Suzanne among them. She and five others started "Boots" more than 20 years ago.

Jericho is a prisoner rehabilitation program that trains recently released people from jails, to receive counseling, learn to seek and secure employment. Funded and working for the past three years under a Dept. of Labor grant and private contributions totaling over $700,000.

The ARK is a daily care and education program for pre-school children who are either homeless or live in broken family situations.

The American political system can reform itself, conform to 1st Amendment purpose, and end the system of future politicians being tied to rhetoric and money as the way Americans elect their leaders. The time has come and it is NOW!  7:58 PM •