EDITORIAL — Platforms? What platforms?

Sorry. But the question simply begs to be asked. Does the Roman Catholic Church really have its feet planted squarely on the ground or is it always getting carried away by its heavenly mission and keeps its head buried in the clouds?

The church is pushing for public debates among candidates in the coming elections, so the public may be informed, kuno, of their platforms. As if that is not enough wishful thinking, it goes on to say the debates serve to enlighten the public so they can make intelligent choices.

Granted the church is fired by the noblest of intentions, but for God's sake, what platforms of anything is it expecting from most of the candidates, especially those running for national positions.

At least in the local level, platforms are less of a necessity since local government officials can always fall back on the delivery of basic services. But national officials such as legislators need to have a basic agenda, or platform, to pursue and spring into action from.

But alas and alack, a cursory look at most national candidates will give you the sinking feeling that expecting any platforms from them is like expecting apples to grow from bamboos. To have them debate from the position of emptiness is only to court trouble.

Oh, to be sure, a lot of them will have long shopping lists of motherhood statements, but Jesus Christ, have we not had enough of those? What we need right now are the freshest of new perspectives, of which we are pretty sure are not on anybody's list.

Why, many of the candidates do not have strength of character to begin with. Strength of character is where credible and doable platforms are built upon. Without strength of character, any debate that the church envisions will only degenerate into public character assassination.

Besides, what enlightened choices is the church expecting from a people that is all too often mesmerized not by strength of character but by pleasing personality and star quality. The church must not pray for something it is not prepared to handle. God might answer the prayer.