Editor’s Corner: Debate brings no surprises

I would love to say I was shocked Thursday evening as I, along with the rest of the nation, watched the Presidential debate. Unfortunately, I was not surprised. I was, however, embarrassed and ashamed for our country as a whole.

I’m not going to debate the platforms of the two parties. We all know they have both strayed away from the intentions of our founding fathers. I’m not even going to debate the fundamental principles of the former Trump Administration and the present Biden Adminstration. But I am going to take a few moments to simply say neither of them performed well in the debate. They both avoided questions and stumbled over answers. I just kept thinking “this country is in so much trouble.” Yet, honestly I already knew that. I’ve been to the grocery store.

As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s independence this upcoming week, take just a second to read the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence signed by John Hancock on July 4, 1776:

“When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

At the time, John Adams said, “I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth all the means. This is our day of deliverance.”

He knew of the sacrifices men and women would face for generations to come. Yet, he did not waver... He knew the journey would be worth the fight.

Thousands and thousands of lives have been lost since that day, yet the flag still waves proudly and America is still free.

Yet, after Thursday night’s debate, I have to ask “for how long?”

How have we been allowed to stray so far from our purpose? Are Donald Trump and Joe Biden really the best choices this country has for a strong leader?

Where is our present day John Adams, a man filled with courage and wisdom?

As the national media spends the next several days, weeks and months analyzing a two-hour debate that showed us nothing new, I suggest we, as a people, spend some time united in prayer.

This great nation is still worth fighting for, but maybe this battle needs to be won in the prayer closet.

Sandra Brand is the editor of the NEA Town Courier and The Osceola Times. She may be reached by phone at 870-763-4461 or 870-563-2615 or by email at brand@osceolatimes.com.