To the editor:

In the November 2008 presidential election, each American voter will have to choose not only between two U.S. senators, two political parties, and two generations of our leaders, but also between two distinct sides of our Janus-faced national personality and historical record.

For almost two and a half centuries these two sibling American bald eagles, these two American angels, one fallen and the other somewhat better, have grappled with each other for control of our national story, identity and fate.

One “U.S. history,” driven by xenophobia, military hubris, obsession with destroying competition, colonial aspirations, lopsided distribution of wealth, and environmental ravagement, will highlight, at least subliminally, one side’s campaign strategy.

The other “U.S. history,” motivated by ecumenical toleration, collective humility and restraint in the use of force, multinational peacemaking and peacekeeping, cooperative world relief, domestic social justice, and environmental stewardship, will explicitly underpin the other side’s appeal.

Dancing to the drumbeat that is so audible and bracing in the local and national party caucuses and primaries, signing on to the long-awaited major correction in our beloved nation’s trajectory, will be not only dyed-in-the-wool liberals, but true conservatives, born-again Christians, Jews, and Muslims, immigrants and their descendants, poor and middle-class citizens of working age, retirees, young people, and enlightened, well-meaning voters of all races, persuasions and orientations.

I can’t wait for the results.

Gerald Mikkelson,
Lawrence