Palin a step in the right direction
By Orest Ochrymowycz | Minnesota City, Minn.

As the November elections loom, one topic seems to dominate the political debates — Sarah Palin’s lack of experience.

I feel that this issue is receiving far more attention than it merits. While certainly significant, experience alone is far from being the most important factor in choosing one candidate for public office over another.
The list of experienced but inept public officials is depressingly long. To name but a few, consider the case of James Buchanan. Prior to being the 15th president, he served as ambassador to both Russia and England and held the office of secretary of state, among others. Still, he was one of our weakest presidents. In more recent times, names that come to mind are those of Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and of course, George W. Bush. And the list goes on.

So what trumps experience? I submit that the following qualities do — morally grounded rectitude and basic honesty; a genuine concern for the people and a willingness to serve them to the best of one’s ability; a readiness to listen and accept competent advice; and, sound judgment and common sense, which, by the way, is anything but common.

This land of ours has been for sale to special interests long enough. It’s time that we, the people, got rid of Washington insiders and took back the power that’s rightfully ours. We need leaders who inspire, not merely control.

Palin is a step in that direction.

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