Vote for Change....

[BrewAz]

I know it is an issue that feels like "preaching to the choir"...But, I thought I would add my $.02....

I just could not help but remind all of you...please pass along the message...to go and vote tomorrow. It may be the most important vote of our lifetime.

I have been voting in general elections ever since I first became old enough to register. On a couple of occasions I was deployed with the Navy…so I missed the opportunity to do the mail in thing. Over the years I have voted for Democrats…and Republicans...and Libertarians. Usually a split kind of ballot like most I would guess. This fact is probably causing my Dad (a tried and true Democratic union member his whole life) to probably look down on me and shake his head….

I have actually been a registered “Independent” for nigh on almost 25 years now. Last week I started to wonder…How on earth could anyone vote Republican in this coming election?

I have been around awhile and have always tried to be an educated voter. I mean we are talking about remembering “We like Ike”…and hearing in church that “It might be best if a Catholic were not elected to be president.” Of course I did not understand why it wouldn’t be a good thing…but JFK won…and I ended up thinking it was in fact a good thing.

I am one of the baby boomers who remembers EXACTLY where I was when the news of JFK being shot came across……still too young to vote, I remember wondering how on earth someone could be motivated to murder because of politics. Hey, come on I was young and naïve.

My first votes came soon after…then I was sworn into the US Navy under the signature of Richard M Nixon. I tried to use this fact, a scant, 2 years later as a way to “break my commitment” to get out early when the Watergate scandal hit and “Tricky Dickie” resigned… didn’t work as you may have guessed. I served for 9+ years on active duty and then the rest in the Navy Reserve and retired in 1994. Staying in was one of the best decisions I have ever made.


Now though I ask myself...Who would even consider voting Republican in this mid-term election of 2006?

Christians? As a Christian I am ashamed of the scandals the cover-up and the hypocrisy.

Members of the Military? Regardless of the words they say, it is NOT the Republicans who support the troops. Just check the voting records on issues. There is a difference between support in armor and weapons and cute little bumper stickers.

Veterans? Check your benefits and see how they are eroding. Medical costs continue to go up...and benefits for returning Vets are getting cut by this congress.

Hispanics? Does a wall really make sense? Besides all the talk over the last 5 months was nothing but election year rhetoric..the bill Bush signed doesn't fund anything...it is just bluster.

Blacks? Exactly how have you benefited over the last 6 years? Home ownership soon ends when interest rates climb and foreclosure starts when you lose your job and can't keep up.

Parents and Grandparents? Mortgage my grandkids future for political gain? Not! Besides, why would we want our kids and grandkids to be cannon fodder for a Bush war of choice?

Seniors? Can you say ‘privatized’? This congress still wants to cut benefits...but, by the way...not their own since they do not come under social security.

Middle class? Most might actually stay home because as their buying power goes down and with the high cost of energy and health care, they need two jobs. Besides, they are consumed trying to put bread on the table. As one rich Republican said: The definition of middle class is those who pay taxes.

American Muslims? Do I need to ask?

Most of us fit into a number of these groups..and it just doesn't add up that we might vote Republican.

If I do think about it however, I guess there is one group. Those lucky few, who make more than $500,000 a year and have benefited from the Bush tax cuts. Their tax cut this last year was actually more than the median wage for all Americans. They are above the fray and most often don’t pay attention to the rest. If you are in this category...first off congratulations...you are in the top 1% of American families, part of the "Bush chosen"....and ...I can fully understand why you might consider voting for someone with an "R" by there name.

Then there is the group I call, “The Wannabes”. These folks who like to think they are above the fray and have their friends think they are rich. They are not of course...because they are not actually a large corporate CEO....or they don't really make over $500,000.00 a year, but have believed for so long they are part of the chosen few that their reality fits their belief...and they have insulated themselves from the rest.

Sometimes I seem to put myself in this group...except over the last few years...I have been "re-awakened". This last group might vote Republican because they always have…maybe they too will start to pay attention.

The only way to change what is going on is to vote to change who is in charge.

Don't forget to go and vote!

BrewAz