LETTER: The 'status quo has to go'

One only needs a moment’s casual reading of Bob McClellan’s frequent Inter Lake offerings to sense his love for society and desire for global harmony. His is a voice that emanates from the heart, and he speaks at a time when silence from the masses has no place. Anger must be heard. Peacefully expressed anger. It IS time for “change,” just as it was sloganed eight years ago with the advent of Barack Obama, the consummate sprint runner.

The gnawing question is who among us can best facilitate meaningful “change” in a nation now divided like the blue and gray of the Civil War?

Through a bizarre series of steps in an ironic political process so many have fought and died to create and protect, we have filtered down the residue to two nominees, neither of whom exudes a whit of confidence to a wary, beaten voting public. And the choice lies like a metaphor on Bob’s beloved Polson track. A lovely setting to walk and think, albeit a dangerous place where one becomes mesmerized gawking out on Polson Bay at sails dotting the horizon as javelins whistle by one’s ears.

Having coached local teens in track for many years, I know these things and share a love for Mr. McClellan’s special path. Yet what goes around truly DOES come around, and tracks have a habit of returning the distance runner to his or her starting point.

As with old coaches, Hillary has run her race. And she lacks the character to run the relay. Speedy, meaningful change cannot happen in a garish blue gunny sack pantsuit.

She’s in it for herself — a cardinal sin in track, a lovely, unique, human enterprise where the success of the team lies in the sacrifice of the individual. Hillary’s track “record” is one of distrust, distortion and deception. These truths trump even the Republicans’ version of propaganda, no pun intended.

Unfortunately, at this point, “change” means taking chances. Status quo has to go. Hillary’s eyes lie so focused on the prize of the presidency that she is destined to miss the hand-off. Then, we, the team, lose in a race muddied by greed and wishful power. —Gary Vinson, Kalispell