What Sorts of Leaders?

I have to confess spending a lot of time in the last two weeks watching large segments of the U.S. Democratic and Republican conventions.  I was a amazed how much I heard about people’s personal stories, and more amazed at how little I heard about actual platforms and commitments. Both parties produced made-for-television narratives to convince us that their candidates are the kind of people we like and can trust, unlike their unlikable and untrustworthy opponents.

Biden, McCain, Obama, Palin

As an American living in Canada for most of my adult life, I am interested in the current Presidential race, and I have to admit to having my own opinions and preferences, although I will try not to voice them here. I DO, however want to voice two kinds of opinion here: (1) a general opinion about personal stories and platforms, and (2) a more specific opinion about implications for people with disabilities and particularly for violence and abuse of people with disabilities.