Soap Box: Vote Democratic!
October 25, 2006
Vote Democratic!
First, I apologize for the rambling nature of this article. I wanted to
post it quickly given how close the elections are. I didn't have time to
give it the structure and flow it really deserves. The catalyst for its creation
was hearing Catherine Harris (former Florida Secretary of State and George
Bush lapdog) on the radio. If you remember during the 2000 election, she
was part of Bush's election campaign in Florida and strived to make sure
any votes that might be for Al Gore would not be counted by allocating the
win to George Bush, when it was obvious that the vote was close enough for
re-counting. Given her campaign status with Bush, she should have removed
herself from the decision making process because of the conflict of interest.
Anyway, she's running for US Senate and she was using the false tagline of
"cut and run" on her opponent. Floridians can count on her to "stay the course"
of Republican corruption.
Vote Democratic!
I'm advising people to do something on November 7, 2006, that goes against the very grain of my political philosophy. I've always been an advocate of voting for the right person for the job. I've never subscribed to partisan politics. In fact, I'm not even a member of the Republicans or the Democrats, but rather I'm listed as independent. But this country is heading in the wrong direction. It's headed in the wrong direction in our foreign policies and our domestic policies. It's time to take action and present a stand against the erosion of our civil liberties, our country's image, and the daily violation of the Constitution and the American way of doing things. For these reasons I'm am suggesting that everyone vote a straight Democratic ticket. The Republicans have shown that they lack the integrity, and the moral and patriotic fiber to rule Congress, the Senate, and the White House.
But first, a general disclaimer and note. There are Republicans that I like, just as there are Democrats that I don't like. That's why it pains me to vote a straight Democratic ticket because I know I'll be voting for people that don't deserve the office (same thing would happen if I made the mistake of voting a straight Republican ticket). But the country has gone so far in the wrong direction that it's time to vote along the lines of party philosophy. And while I don't agree with all the general philosophies of the Democratic party, I think they align most with what the Constitution says, why this country was founded, and what patriotism really means.
Vote Democratic!
The Iraqi War
Almost every day you hear about another American military person(s) being killed or wounded in the Iraqi War that was started by President George Bush. As of this date, Bush and his Republican supporters have sacrificed 2795 Americans in this unjustified war. That's TWO THOUSAND NINETY FIVE American lives snuffed out because one man had the power to authorize it. And that doesn't even begin to address the THOUSANDS of American military members that have been injured, maimed, and mutilated. Horrible injuries such as lost limbs, lost vision, burns, etc. Why are we waging war with Iraq? Because Bush claimed they had weapons of mass destruction, were gathering or trying to gather materials for a nuclear bomb, and were partly responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. All FALSE claims!
So Bush went into Iraqi with guns blazing, but with no plan of action for what to do once the government fell. And fall it did. Now Iraq is a hell hole, a quagmire from which we can see no way to escape. It's on verge of civil war. Thousands are dying. And while there weren't any terrorists there before Bush invaded and occupied the country, they are surely there now. The place is now a terrorist amusement park. It's Terro-Disney! And what's President Bush and his fellow Republicans response and plan? Stay the course! Trust them. Etc. What's happening to the Iraqi civilian population is bad enough, but how many more Americans must be sacrificed before we hold Bush and the Republicans accountable?
Vote Democratic!
Guantanamo Bay
President Bush and the Republicans support holding people in prison forever, without any charges filed or a way for them to appeal. The people are declared enemy combatants and then locked away, without the hope of any trial. This is wrong, this is criminal, and this is most definitely anti-American! The Constitution says you have a right to face your accusers in court. Our Declaration of Independence complained about the practice of King George of Great Britain of depriving people the benefit of trial by jury. Our President George and the Republicans want to do the same thing. The Declaration of Independence complained about King George transporting people beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses. Indeed, President George and the Republicans have transported people to Cuba to deny them the benefits of the American court system. During the Nuremburg trials, when the Nazis were being tried for the slaughter of MILLIONS of Jews, America made sure the entire process was open for the public to see. We wanted to world to know that Americans were just and true, and applied the same rules to all. Yet Bush and the Republicans want secret tribunals and secret evidence, hidden from the public. It is not the American way of doing things!
Vote Democratic!
Freedom of Speech
Since the Republicans have taken over, freedom of speech and other rights assigned to us by the Constitution have come under attack. How many times have you've heard about a person with an anti-Bush/Republican message being silenced? It happens almost every other day. People with t-shirts are being arrested, or thrown out of businesses, or even public events. Websites that speak out against Republicans are shut down. Even protesters are banned from being near a Republican event. They are relegated to some small fenced-in area, out of public view. Did you EVER hear of this happening when people said anti-Clinton/Democratic things? No! The Republicans have ushered in a neo-McCarthyism era in which if you exercise your Constitutional right of free speech, you are harassed and your patriotism is questioned.
Vote Democratic!
Culture of Corruption
The Republicans have brought with them a culture of corruption. Every political party has it's bad apples, but it seems that more and more the Republican party is dominated by it. This is especially enlightening given their stance that they are the ones with integrity. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hardly a day goes by that we don't hear about some other Republican that has been paying bribes, taking bribes, or getting rich from corruption. Lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Congressman Duke Cunningham. The list goes on. The Enron crooks were buddy-buddy with the Bush family. And when a Republican is caught, they try to change the rules. They will lower their ethics bar instead of trying to measure up (i.e. Representative Tom Delay). How many times has Bush flip-flopped on holding Republicans accountable? Remember he said he wouldn't stand for anyone that even appears to be involved in something. Then the whole scandal of the outing of a CIA agent happened. Bush started flipping and a flopping. He changed it to they had to be involved. Then he changed it to they had to be accused. Then he changed it to they had to be charged with a crime. Then he changed it to they had to be convicted of a crime. And the Republicans all went along for the ride. Enough of this hypocrisy.
Vote Democratic!
Family/moral values?
The Republicans bill themselves as having better morals and family values. If so, why do we keep hearing about Republicans that cheat on their wives? They visit sex clubs. They have illegitimate children. The most recent example is a congressman (Mark Foley) hitting up underage (and same-sex) pages. And it seems the Republican leadership (Dennis Hastert and others) has known about it for some time, yet ignored it for fear of any negative publicity it might generate. They put Republican party politics ahead of the welfare of under aged kids! They put down people for being homosexual when member after member of the Republican party keep coming out of the closet. Even the Vice-President's daughter is gay. We've had enough of their so called morality, and of their hypocrisy.
Vote Democratic!
North Korea
President Bush and his Republican supporters labeled North Korea as part of an axis of evil. So much for diplomacy. Remember that Bush listed family vacations as evidence of his foreign policy experience, so you shouldn't expect anything too bright from him. North Korea repeated requested talks and negotiations with the United States but Bush and the Republicans refused and put their heads in the sand. So North Korea went on to develop long range missiles, capable to hitting the United States. Still Bush and the Republicans refused to talk. Now North Korea has become a nuclear power, demonstrated by the test explosion of an atomic weapon. The Republican refusal for common sense international diplomacy no doubt played a part in this rouge nation now possessing the devastating power of a nuclear weapon. In this day and age a country can not be an isolated nation. Ignoring the warnings from a nation until they get the most powerful weapon in existence is not in the best interest of the United States.
Vote Democratic!
Tax cuts for the rich
The Republicans keep striving to give tax cuts for the very rich. Before Bush came in we had a surplus. Now we're in a deficit spending mode and the Republicans continue to push tax cuts for the rich. Meanwhile, they send billions off to Iraq. They reward contractors sympathetic to Republicans (or owned by them). How can they justify sending all that money to Iraq and their favorite contractors, at tax payers expense, when some of that money can be better spent in the United States of America. When my daughter tells me that she's not bringing home a textbook from middle school because there are not enough to go around and they have to share, I know that some of the Republican fiscal policies are not what America needs.
Vote Democratic!
Is the world more safe for Americans?
Do you feel safer today? You might feel safer within your own borders but I doubt you'd feel the same outside the United States. Bush and the Republicans continue to sow the seeds of hate in world against the United States. Their policies of unconditional support for atrocities committed by allied nations (like some of Israel's actions) and waging unjustified wars on sovereign nations is doing nothing but breeding contempt for our country and its citizens. We will always strike at countries that strike us, such as Afghanistan. However, if we don't change our other foreign policies, we will never be safe in the world, and will eventually feel the sting of terrorist on our home soil again. Time for a change.
Vote Democratic!
Republicans = George Bush = Republicans
Remember during the 2004 debate when George Bush said he couldn't think of any mistakes he's ever made? That shows true arrogance, and to some degree a lack of intelligence. And it has shown with his "stay the course" mentality in Iraq, where he has sent our American military to be killed because of false claims. And you can expect the same "stay the course" actions (or non-actions) from the Republicans. Remember that they find no fault with Bush. In their eyes, Bush can do no wrong. He is always right. They follow and implement his policies, good or bad, without question. That is wrong for America. Our political leaders need to be able to analyze a situation for what it is, rather than what a political party has to say about it. America needs to be able to follow a winning strategy, both in foreign and domestic policies, both in peaceful and military campaigns. And America needs to be able to change its strategy when it sees that it's not working. We need to be able to adapt to the situation as it unfolds. We adapt and overcome any obstacle. But that's not the Republican way. Their way is to be conservative, resist any change, "stay the course" no matter what the outcome or cost. And all too often the reason is rooted in personal or partisan gains. The Republican politician or the Republican party comes before the American people, or the nation. Time for the American public to demand their politicians represent them and the United States. It's time for a change.
Vote Democratic!
Republican get out the hate campaign
The Democrats are setting themselves up for a big fall during this next election. Because of the hypocrisy and corruption of the Republican party, the polls show a possibility of Democrats making a comeback for control of the House and Senate. Nothing could be further from the truth. Now is the time for Democrats to go on the attack. Not only should you stress the corruption of the Republican party but also stress the resolve of the Democratic party to wage war against our enemies and terrorists if the need arises. Never underestimate the "get out the hate campaign" from the Republicans. They will lie and twist facts and steal an election in the blink of an eye. John Kerry made the mistake of letting Republican false information dominate the airwaves and it cost him the election. Current Democrats must not make the same mistake. Democrats must not only be willing to secure the American way of life at home, but also guarantee that foreign powers offer no threat to it. Democrats must state that they will hunt down and kill terrorists. Democrats must state that they will attack and destroy any nation that comes against us. If those being held at Guantanamo bay really are responsible for terrorism and the death of Americans, let's put them on trial, convict them, and execute them! But it must be done in accordance to American law and the American justice system.
Republicans will falsely claim that Democrats are weak on defense, weak on terrorism, and want to cut and run in Iraq. And if that's all the people hear on the airwaves, they'll remember that in the voting booth. Democrats must tell the American people that they are strong on defense. They will hunt down and kill terrorists. And they will not cut and run in Iraq. Democrats will continue to fight the terrorists that President Bush and Republicans have allowed into Iraq. But it will not be done by staying the current failing Republican course of allowing the violence to escalate while our American military continue to die. Bush and the Republicans have created a mess that someone has to clean up. The Democrats need to offer up a plan that takes that into account. Every time some Republican utters the "cut and run" line, it MUST be immediately countered with a Democratic show of military strength. Remember that Republicans are just saying it to evoke an emotional response that they hope will carry over in the voting booth. Democrats will NOT sacrifice Americans in a false search for weapons of mass destruction and non-existent links of Saddam Hussein to the Sept. 11 attacks. Instead, Democrats will deploy its military to areas where it can truly hunt down and kill terrorists, or anyone that threatens the United States. Stress the lack of morals and family values of the Republicans. Stress the lack of a valid military plan in Iraq. Stress the culture of corruption the Republicans have created. Stress the Republican assault on the Constitution and the American way of life. Stress the Republican's blind support of President Bush and his "stay the course" mentality when it's obviously not working. And stress that the Democratic response is not only to secure the American value system at home, but it will also ensure that it's not threatened by any foreign group. This guarantee comes in the form of international diplomacy, but also military action were needed.
Vote Democratic!
Jeff Polston