Honest and Straightforward?

I just finished reading Lou Dobb’s column today on cnn.com. The first sentence in the last paragraph, “And let's be honest and straightforward, as I hope our president and the candidates for president will be…” struck a nerve. I can’t remember the last time I believed anything the government said was “honest and straightforward.” For the past week, whenever I’ve seen a headline that talks about some government official saying WHATEVER, I immediately dismiss what they are saying as a lie or twisting the truth. We're not in a recession? Yeah, roight. Winning the war in Iraq? Snort!

Last week, the CIA said that Benzair Bhutto was killed by some tribal leader with ties to al-Qaeda. I thought, right… the government would say that since Musharraf is our puppet. I'm sure that someone in DC looked the other way while Musharraf's people buried evidence that they assassinated her. The same folks who manufactured evidence on WMD probably are working overtime to cook up some to keep Mush's fat out of the fire.

Will I ever be able to listen to our President or even the candidates and believe what they are saying? Have I become so jaded by this President and his administration that I will never again trust someone in power to tell me the unvarnished truth?

I hate that I am feeling this way... last night, my college student daughter pushed me to go onto Youtube and listen to Barack's speech at Ebenezer Church on Sunday. I was too busy last night working, but listened to it this morning. Man, that man can orate! I listened to him and I thought again that this was someone I could believe in, someone -- FINALLY! -- that I can vote for without qualms. I was really feeling hopeful, and then between projects, checked CNN.com. Learned Heath Ledger, who I really admired for his talent and his looks, had died at 28. Bam, down goes the hopeful meter. Then read Lou Dobb's column, BAM, down goes the hopeful meter.

I, and I think America, needs someone to believe in, someone that we can trust to tell us the truth, after two terms of deception and lies. Someone who will give us hope for tomorrow. I'm in need of some hope. Anybody got some to spare?