To the editor:

The Republican nominee, John McCain, recently promoted and proclaimed he and his vice-presidential running partner, Ms. Palin, to be “mavericks” to a national television audience. The Minneapolis convention of Republicans loved “McCain the Maverick” as they joyously chanted, roared approval and frantically waved their little signs, jumping up and down, fully endorsing and supporting McCain’s claim of “maverick.”

A maverick is “someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action; independent in behavior.” More sober, rational people find this “maverick” proclamation, especially from a presidential candidate, somewhat disturbing and very disconcerting.

In democracies, voters elect candidates to represent voter’s interests and political ideology, expecting elected candidates to adhere to promised philosophies and creeds, and faithfully fulfill their commitments. That is why candidates are elected and how democracy supposedly works.

By defining himself as a “maverick,” John McCain blatantly and unashamedly is telling the American people who he is and, if elected, he is going to do pretty much his own selfish little thing and as he damn well pleases without any regard for anyone. This title grants McCain license to commit unpardonable acts of impunity like initiating another war of choice or pushing the nuclear button and then conveniently hiding behind his self-proclaimed “maverick” title as justification. This is not democracy in action, this is not what we elect presidents to do, this is not America.

There is an old Kansas saying, “When someone tells you who they are : believe them.”

Curtis D. Bennett,
Lawrence