Springsteen: ..the stakes have risen too high to sit this election out

[Nambe]

Star Tribune (This is a good read)

A nation's artists and musicians have a particular place in its social and political life. Over the years I've tried to think long and hard about what it means to be American: about the distinctive identity and position we have in the world, and how that position is best carried. I've tried to write songs that speak to our pride and criticize our failures.

These questions are at the heart of this election: who we are, what we stand for, why we fight. Personally, for the last 25 years I have always stayed one step away from partisan politics. Instead, I have been partisan about a set of ideals: economic justice, civil rights, a humane foreign policy, freedom and a decent life for all of our citizens. This year, however, for many of us the stakes have risen too high to sit this election out.

Through my work, I've always tried to ask hard questions. Why is it that the wealthiest nation in the world finds it so hard to keep its promise and faith with its weakest citizens? Why do we continue to find it so difficult to see beyond the veil of race? How do we conduct ourselves during difficult times without killing the things we hold dear? Why does the fulfillment of our promise as a people always seem to be just within grasp yet forever out of reach?

I don't think John Kerry and John Edwards have all the answers. I do believe they are sincerely interested in asking the right questions and working their way toward honest solutions. They understand that we need an administration that places a priority on fairness, curiosity, openness, humility, concern for all America's citizens, courage and faith. ...

[LauraK]

1. Okay, Okay....He's THE BOSS.

Who said liberals are geeks.

[Catch22Dem]

5. Liberals ARE geeks

I'm a geek and proud of it. I'm a liberal and proud of that too. :evilgrin:

[DBoon]

6. No, geeks are liberals

In addition to the other diverse types of folk who make up the liberal spectrum

[Catch22Dem]

7. Perhaps we need a venn diagram

Some liberals are geeks.
Some geeks are liberals.

[DBoon]

9. Now that's a geek for you!

n/a

[Catch22Dem]

10. I've been called out on that one

The sad thing is, I didn't even think about it ahead of time.

[saigon68]

2. Well thought out and sincere

[carpediem]

3. thanks for posting- that is great.

It sums up how I feel very eloquently.

[PsN2Wind]

4. Maybe he could rewrite "Blinded by the Light"

to "Blinded by the Right". NO slight but I'd rather Manfred Mann sang it.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

11. Yeah instead of "cut loose like a duece"....

what sounds like wrapped up like a douche would be an appropriate line for "Blinded by the Right"

[glitch]

8. He is another hero - brains are sexy baby

our side rocks! What a well written opinion piece.
The regular NYT opinion writers could learn from him.