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I wrote this opinion piece for my blog and sent it to almost everyone I know (including lots of conservatives). I got great feedback and I think I have converted at least a handful of them (including both of my very republican parents). I am not saying my brilliant writing was the reason, but some people need the case layed out for them... I tried to hit on the most basic issues that most people can't disagree with. If you send it to some of your repubos, maybe it will change one or two among your group. It's worth a try...
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Well, here I go. I am going to be an annoying political supporter and bug you about who you are voting for. First of all, let me say that I understand that political views are at the core of who you are and if you don't support my message, just delete it and let's move on. But if you are willing to at least hear my out, that would be great. I would not risk being "shunned" if this were not of the utmost importance to me. Second, please get registered to vote if you are not. The deadline in PA is October 4th for the general election.
I have been a registered Democrat since I was 18. Most of you know that. While I didn't vote for Bush, I supported the administration fully after September 11th. I felt like it was good to have an administration that had military experience. However, my support has been eroding since then. Little things started adding up to big things and it made me begin reading and writing at a pace I have never done before. When we decided to invade Iraq preemptively, I became concerned. But, I felt our administration must have known something that we didn't. Turns out that they knew something, but that the information was wrong. Let's remember that the original purpose was tied only to weapons of mass destruction -- not to nation building and conversion to democracy. Then the link became about connections to Al Qaeda and 9/11, but that was wrong too. Despite every assurance, there has been NO proven link to Al Qaeda. Then it became about sharing democracy as God's gift; that doesn't seem to be working either. The daily violence is too hard to read about and 1028 US Soldiers have died so far, as well as anywhere between 10,000 and 50,000 Iraqis.
And while those are tragic numbers, the bigger issue is that it's going to keep growing. There is no plan in place that will prevent us from losing more soldiers. And I for one began to start asking myself, for what? Why are they dying? As a mother, I cannot imagine the pain. But, when a mother asks herself why her child is dead, what answer is there? It wasn't about WMD, it wasn't about a link to 9/11, and the chances of democracy flourishing are somewhere between slim and none. In fact, this war is producing terrorists at an alarming rate. When we kill one, there are ten in line to replace them. A war on terrorism is not about war among nations, like it used to be. These are rogue individuals and groups, not necessarily connected to countries. Fighting this war has got to be different. And no matter what the purpose of the War in Iraq is, there is one clear fact -- we are losing. Large pieces of the country are out of our control and violence is clearly not diminishing. How long is it going to take to win? Who knows? How many people will die? Who knows?
And let's go one step further, if this is such an important war -- one that our very survival is pinned on (why else go to war unprovoked?), then it is certainly not a time for a tax cut. Our other major wars have been times of extreme economic sacrifice. And if it is also so important, then we all must be faced with the fact that our children may be sent off to fight it. Yes, maybe most of us won't have to deal with that, but many other people will. And if this is now our strategy, then what about North Korea and Iran -- two countries with real weapons and real intent to do us harm. Based on the Iraq model, where do we go next? No one argues the fact that Saddam Hussein was a bad man, but there are hundreds of others out there.
But many of us argue this is about our security -- we have to be willing to stay strong. But at a cost of $200 billion, what could we do here at home to secure ourselves? We could equip our major ports with radiation detection for about $300 million -- we spend that in one or two days in Iraq. That at a time when only about 1 or 2% of all the containers that come into this country are verified for contents.
My feeling is that our administration is flawed in its analysis of this threat. The threat is very real and that is why it is so important that we question the tactics. We have been wrong about nearly every part of this war, and yet it goes on. And Osama bin Laden is still out there. We have gone from wanting him "dead or alive" to not really wanting him at all. But let's get real, even capturing him will not decrease the threat. We need a real strategy and we need real security here at home.
That is my major concern with this administration, however there are other things that are alarming to me.
-Our children could never demonstrate how smart or creative they are on a standardized test (neither could we). And while we want teachers to be accountable, No Child Left Behind is not the right approach. When most of the districts (even good ones) are labeled as "failing," something is wrong with the measurement process. We need educational reform, but not like this. I, for one, want my child to be curious and creative, not able to take a multiple choice test. Teachers don't need more paper work to improve the system.
-I am disturbed by the financial irresponsibility of the administration. Yes 9/11 has forced us to spend a lot, but we all must be willing to sacrifice. I would much prefer my tax cut being spent to secure our ports, borders, or nuclear power plants.
-And while we must sacrifice with government programs, I think we have to be smarter about where we cut. Cutting $1000 in Head Start programs leads us to having to spend $10,000 more in prison costs. A lot of programs have fat to cut, but let's be more forward thinking and fund the programs that work. It cuts down on recidivism costs, prison costs, healthcare costs, etc. For example, programs like Big Brothers/Big Sisters cut down on problem behaviors later in life. It's much easier to pay now, rather than pay later when it means prison time or major problem behaviors that we all pay for in spades.
-While I could not get an abortion now, there was a time in my life where I may have had to make that choice. It is not a pleasant one, but there are times when it is necessary. Sanctity of life means respecting my life and my choices too. The president appoints the judges that could overturn Roe v. Wade -- this is a distinct possibility. And let's remember that outlawing abortion just endangers women and turns the women who get them into criminals. What does that accomplish?
-And speaking of the sanctity of life, let's respect those alive now with diseases like Parkinsons, Diabetes, or Alzheimers by looking forward with stem cell research. We cannot afford to close our eyes to what MIGHT be the most monumental research of our lives. Yes, we don't know what it will be capable of, but we cannot afford to look away. These stem cells are otherwise discarded in all cases. Let's not think the world is flat.
-We need a real plan for health care. EVERY civilized nation in this world has some sort of governmental suppport for health care. At least our children or those families in the middle class squeeze should be covered at some level -- a level that ensures they will not go bankrupt if they have a catastrophic health issue. And let's remember that preventative care (well baby care, vaccinations, check ups) saves us all with lower rates for everyone.
-Let's not deny civil rights based on religious institutions. While you or I may not agree with gay marriage, we cannot deny rights based on church-driven institutions. There should be a civil union which provides basic rights to all couples -- like inheritance rights, tax code rights, and the right to not testify against your spouse in court. This is common sense. A church has every right to decide who can get married in that religion, but the government does not have that power -- especially via a consitutional amendment.
-We need to have respect for the environment. Our children are suffering because of it. Got allergies or asthma? It's directly connected to pollution and particulates in the air. Those are the facts. Beyond that, we would not be concerned with the Middle East if we didn't need their oil. Let's demand an alternative fuel source now. It's better for the environment and for our national security. The $200 billion pricetag for Iraq (so far) could most assuredly help us find a new way to power our automobiles and other energy needs. Let's at least try!
-How on earth could we allow the Assault Weapons Ban to expire? In this day and age with terrorism rampant, how can we make these weapons so accessible? Yes, the ban wasn't perfect, but it helped. And every poll shows about two-thirds of the country supports it. How could we let the NRA dictate our choices? Bush pledged to renew the ban and yet he pressured not one person in Congress to act.
-Both sides are wasting time with rhetoric about the Vietnam War -- this is ridiculous. Common sense says that both men served at some level. Bush was privileged and served in the National Guard, Kerry was privileged and volunteered for duty. I wouldn't want to go to Vietnam, so I cannot judge either man. But I do respect Kerry for going, when he probably didn't have to. Discussing these historical issues just takes us away from the real issues in front of us today.
-There is a lot of discussion about flip flopping. Let's use common sense again. Anyone who has served over a long period of time is going to change their mind and refine their choices. Kerry has done it; Bush has done it. But it is not a reason to vote for someone.
These are the main reasons that I am voting for John Kerry. And I may not have any friends left, but I really felt that I had to share them with you. Thanks for making it all the way to the end if you stuck with me, and I accept hate mail and comments on my blog!
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