I invite you to head off to http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/ and read the essay titled The Danger of Abstract Words by Wilfred M. McClay, dated today, Wednesday, October 22, 2008.

Mr. McClay unpacks 'the Obama promise' in such manner that helps explain the impolitic tension one feels (at least, I feel) when the One unleashes that word on us.

Of course, someone once noted that 'when a politician makes some promise, hide your silver'. They seem inevitably to make promises that are assaults one way or another or several on middle-class wherewithal of every stripe.

Over time, these promises and assaults have increased in portent and kind. By now, the big O feels no real impulsion to even define what he is promising, so tarnished is the idea of 'promise'. And, inklings of what he does sorta-'promise' vary from audience to audience. And - taa-daa - we have just one more hack of a politician.

I'll say again what is often inferred: a vote for Barack Obama is at best a vote from ignorance. One or another may think I slur fellow voters, but it is more a powerful caution about where this nation, culture, people (as if that concept is holding), communities, parishes, marriages, families, etc., are heading.

The abyss so awaits it is being 'promised' to us.