Palin lacks attributes cherished by residents

Sarah Palin may have been born here but she seems to lack the attributes of the people I know in Bonner County. Where is her concern for education, infrastructure, health care, the environment, the economy as it impacts the poor, and Idaho families, who don't earn the $100,000 plus "middle class" incomes? Her speeches appear to be written by the same Republicans who have tried to put happy faces on President Bush's failed and destructive policies. She and John McCain sound ready to follow Bush's path of ill-conceived military adventurism, wasting both our treasury and human life.

Criticism of Palin's candidacy is being labeled as unfair. If she can't withstand scrutiny, she should not be running for office. She is no pioneer. Victoria Woodhull ran for president in 1872 against Grant and Greeley. Geraldine Ferraro was the Democratic vice presidential candidate in 1984. It may be time for the Republicans to notice women, but this is not the candidate. The concerns of women (and men) are better addressed by Barack Obama. Any politician, Obama included, has to withstand the scrutiny of the people and be held accountable.

GLORIA RAY

Sandpoint