Published: September 15, 2008 04:55 pm            

Flashpoint: Candidates should follow through on their promises

Satayana is often quoted as saying: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” That quote came to my mind after having recently watched the two main political parties parade their chosen candidates before the nation. These conventions came complete with pep rallies, campaign rhetoric, and the usual empty promises, all designed to titillate, inspire and dazzle the American public.

In 1974, I was serving in the Army, having “won” the birthday lottery a couple of years before. Vietnam was just concluding, and several thousands of troops were being assigned stateside duties. In the Middle East, Egypt and Syria had just invaded Israel, causing our unit to be placed on a full-alert status, ready for deployment. Like now, war dominated the issues of the day.

In retaliation for our backing of Israel, the OPEC nations imposed the second of two oil embargoes. Gasoline prices went through the roof. And purchases were limited to a maximum of 10 gallons per visit. At Ft. Ord, fuel could only be purchased every other day. Even then, lines stretched around corners from the available pumps. Many service stations were closed, hanging signs stating that their tanks were empty.

Unemployment was also at its highest level since WW II, and the nation was teetering on the brink of a recession. (Sound familiar?) The nation was also gripped in a crisis involving our elected leaders. Both Agnew and later Nixon were to eventually resign their offices in disgrace. Times were best described as “tense”.

Regardless of the controversy surrounding the administration, we, as a military unit, all gathered together to hear our commander in chief deliver the annual State of the Union address. Here are some interesting excerpts from that 1974 speech:

“We will break the back of the energy crisis; we will lay the foundation for our future capacity to meet America’s energy needs from America’s own resources.”

“We will take another giant stride toward lasting peace in the world — not only by continuing our policy of negotiation rather than confrontation where the great powers are concerned but also by helping toward the achievement of a just and lasting settlement in the Middle East.”

“We will establish a new system that makes high-quality health care available to every American in a dignified manner and at a price he can afford.”

“We will make an historic beginning on the task of defining and protecting the right of personal privacy for every American.”

“Just as 1970 was the year in which we began a full-scale effort to protect the environment, 1974 must be the year in which we organize a full-scale effort to provide for our energy needs, not only in this decade but through the 21st century.”

Are not the two leading presidential candidates still touting those same policies to win votes? Here we are, 36 years later, still listening to the echoes of the past.

Satayana was correct, we are condemned to keep repeating our history until we force our elected officials to do what they promise to do. When you cast your vote in November, choose the best person, not just the party affiliate. Choose the person most likely to act on these measures, and follow through to their completion.

America deserves the best from a president moving forward, not repeating the past. Let’s hope and pray that the winner of this next election will follow through on their promises. It’s obvious that their predecessors failed to make good on theirs.

— Mike Papinchock

West Terre Haute

        

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