What Hatred Breeds

I live and attend college in Orange County, Ca., a county known for its conservatism/ republican stance. However, the campus at which I attend school is pretty diverse and the student body relatively well-rounded. I am a democrat, and strong support of the Obama/ Biden ticket. I have a small bumper sticker on my car which says "obama-biden". The other day I came out of class to find that someone had attempted to scratch the sticker off of my car and, having been unsuccessful, they keyed the car, from bumper to bumper. This random act, while minor, epitomizes what the McCain/ Palin campaign is putting forth. The mud-slinging, character attacking, hateful campaigning that these supposed leaders are doing is breeding hatred. If these so-called leaders can so easily slander their opponents names, what's to keep their supporters from following suit? McCain and Palin are resorting to measures that appeal to the ignorance of many voters, they are making false claims, twisting facts, and using loose language to convince uninformed voters that their own views and stances are superior, and even trying to present themselves as superior to their opponents. There are many voters out there who take what they hear at face value, they trust that the people in these esteemed positions will present them with the truth. And yet, as history has shown time and time again, with power comes corruptness- McCain and Palin exemplify this. Their candidacy is nothing short of shameful! In a time when our nation is facing great odds, we turn to our leaders looking for answers, searching for hope. Instead we watch the Republican candidates for office toy with their own people's vulnerability, encouraging aggression, racism, prejudice and hatred. I choose to stand up against this defamation. I choose to support HOPE and CHANGE and a plan for a better tomorrow. I refuse to let hatred decide my fate!