The two presidential contenders on Sunday night had a chance in separate “60 Minutes” interviews to offer up details on what either of them might do over the next four years as president.
Instead, all we got was a fuzzy picture. And nothing was wrong with the TV.
The American voter is concerned about the economy and, in more recent weeks, foreign policy. Americans want to see improvement in the economy as well as America’s influence in the world.
The trick now is deciding how each candidate and the political party supporting that candidate will make decisions that directly influence both subjects. At this juncture in the campaign, we shouldn’t be left guessing.
Almost all Americans want health care to be provided to all Americans in some form and in an affordable manner. So, which candidate or party has a clear path forward to produce full access to health care that is affordable?
How should America deal with countries that hate us in the international arena?
Does either candidate or party demonstrate an understandable plan to get America out of debt?
How should America best control immigration into this country and still provide the opportunity to pursue the American dream for those seeking a better life in our country?
Maybe the real question before Americans today — at least those Americans who will vote in November — is whether the country is making progress or heading in the wrong direction.
The presidential debates starting next week must provide the voters with some hard facts.
After all, Nov. 6 is exactly six weeks from today.
Opinion
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Discussion
Our View: Campaigns need clarity
- Opinion
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Our View: Finding the way forward
Communication failures and the lack of a clear mission have given rise to turmoil and discord at Missouri Southern State University. The antidote to this is openness, frankness and the articulation of a well-defined purpose as the school moves forward.
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Your View: Finding audience for Bard
It was interesting to see Globe columnist Mike Pound’s recollection of college studies of the Bard of Avon in association with the upcoming production of “Macbeth.”
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Your View: Shifting opinions
I have a suggestion for a Joplin Globe feature. Reprint all the letters and columns from years past that were in favor of the Patriot Act and how people who showed any concern over it “wanted the terrorists to win.”
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James Whitford, guest columnist: New definition needed
I remember meeting a man on the main road through Fond Parisien, a small community on the eastern side of Haiti.
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Our View: Connecting the town
Well before the 2011 tornado, Joplin had a problem with “connectivity.” That’s right. The flow of traffic — whether it be cars, pedestrians or bicyclists — has been a sore spot with us for years.
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Your View: Bold leadership needed
Dear City Council Members, Let me first thank you for your service to our community.
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Other Views: Debt of honor
In Afghanistan, the Taliban have promised to kill Afghans who worked for the Americans and their families. In Iraq, similar threats were made by radical Islamic insurgents.
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Herb Van Fleet, guest columnist: Big Brother is always watching and listening
Sen. Church made that statement 38 years ago. He chaired a committee that was formed to develop legislation to rein in the CIA, FBI, NSA and other intelligence agencies, which had been operating outside the bounds of the law, including the Constitution.
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Geoff Caldwell, guest columnist: Jury still out on whistle-blower’s actions
Whether you see Edward Snowden as a hero, a traitor or something in between, there is no denying that the admitted “leaker” has opened up an industrial-size can of National Security Agency worms.
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Trish Patton, guest columnist: Downtown group needs stakeholders' support
On Tuesday the Downtown Joplin Alliance (DJA) tabled the Community Improvement District (CID) initiative.
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