The question that made Dave Ross get sentimental

Dave Ross is a stoic figure, known as a talk show host, trusted newsman, and a voice of reason amid the flurry of current events.

What could make such a voice get sentimental?

America.

That may sound a bit cheesy, but it’s true. Especially given the current circumstances that Americans face.

Photos from the Democratic National Convention

Reporting from Philadelphia — seeped in United States history — during the Democratic National Convention, Dave discussed the current presidential campaigns with KIRO Radio’s Ron and Don. That’s when Ron asked Ross about one of the focal points of Donald Trump’s campaign.

“Do we need to make America great again? Or is America already great? Seriously,” Ron asked.

Dave took a breath. This is what he said.

Well, I get sentimental about that. I’ve done a lot of traveling, and I’ve been to a lot of war-torn areas … it’s not because we’re the successors of the original settlers here — none of us are, except very few.

This is a country that is based on a document that was signed four miles away from here … I don’t think it’s easily replicable. A lot of it depends on who we put in office. A lot of it depends on how seriously we take our votes. We don’t have a line of kings with a succession. We generally don’t have political dynasties — although I guess you could say the Bushs and the Clintons are exceptions. But because we have so much control over our government, if we abuse that control it will run away from us.

I just hope that people watch these things [conventions] and take it seriously.

I must admit I was a little taken aback by Donald Trump — claiming sarcasm — when he said that it’s OK when you are running for president. ‘How will you know if I’m joking, just ask me and I’ll tell you.’ To me, that is somebody who doesn’t take this seriously, who flat out doesn’t care.

And I care a great deal. Having visited the Soviet Union, while it was still the Soviet Union and seeing how life was there. And visiting Baghdad and seeing what happens when the government breaks down and everybody has a gun. It’s a catastrophe.

What we have here, what started in this city is worth taking seriously and worth hanging on to.

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