Well, good thing I wasn’t planning on running for president anyways.  My metaphorical jaw keeps dropping lower and lower as I read the lies, dishonesty, slander, and more lies on the campaign trail recently.  It should be evident to most following closely that the McCain campaign has suddenly jumped to a clear order-of-magnitude lead in deceit.  I want to be clear that I’m not saying this because of my party (don’t have one) or candidate affiliation.  I hate what e.g. Bill Burton does just as viscerally as what e.g. Tucker Bounds spews forth, if at different strengths according to each particular sin.

I am ashamed of journalists who refuse to enlist common sense in their writing, daring only to cover “controversy” surrounding “statements”.  I am ashamed of the media bloodhounds eager to keep the 24-hour circus going lest the people change the channel if something approaching intelligent conciliatory discussion of real issues appeared onscreen.  Most of all, I am ashamed of the American people for not demanding better.  I am ashamed that we have let those running the show(s) believe that this is the way it needs to be – that we won’t listen to anything else, that negative trumps positive, and that lipstick beats foreign and domestic policy.

Integrity is all but lost as an American value.  At least, outside of The West Wing.