Science Debate 2008

An open letter to the current candidates for the Presidency of the United States of America:

Dear Senators Clinton, McCain and Obama,

Yesterday two of you were involved in a debate about many of the religious issues that are currently affecting our country. I think that’s great. I applaud this type of open discussion about issues. I have one question of the three of you.

Why have none of you committed to attend the Science Debate 2008?

Correct me if I am wrong, but in the Presidential oath of office I seem to remember a clause that you will pledge to uphold the Constitution of the United States. With this in mind, why did you choose to participate in a debate about faith when the First Amendment forbids you to make any policy regarding religion or for your decisions to be based on religion?

On the contrary there is no such restriction on the government to make policy based on science, yet you all choose to distance yourself from that debate. Here are just a few of the major, science related issues that are affecting our country and the world and in less than a year one of you will be in a position to make or propose policies on those issues. Many of your potential voters would like to see if you understand and/or accept the science behind these issues; global warming, stem-cell research, alternative fuels, medical regulation, health care, social security, emerging weapons technology, the space program, privacy rights, etc etc.

I have no criticism of faith as a motivating force for good. However, I think that ultimately our policy should be based on facts and the founding documents of our great country, not faith. So now that you have shamelessly pandered for the religious vote please accept the challenge of discussing science policy issues at the Science Debate 2008.

A leader isn't the one who does what's most popular. A leader is defined by doing what is right in spite of the fact that it may not be the popular opinion. Which one of you will step up and be the first to provide leadership on these critical science based issues?

Thank you for your time,
Michael Taylor
A concerned undecided voter