One Way Is Not the Right Way
by: Arleen M. Kaptur
With the upcoming elections, it seems that labels
and categories are popping up like weeds in the
lawn. They are pesky and they are annoying.
There are the women voters who will most likely
vote for Hillary Clinton. The black or African American
segment will vote for Obama and the list goes on.
None of this is true yet all of this is made to look
like the truth.
Publicity towards women is intended to sway the
female population of all ages to cast their ballot
for Hillary. The black party-liners are pushing
brother and sister love to get the vote out for Mr.
Obama. The former mayor of New York, who lost
popularity after 9/11 calmed down is using that
infamous date to join hands with those "who care."
Breast cancer concerns and health issues are being
voiced so that votes are cast for John Edwards. Even
good 'ol Tommy Thompson is using his Wisconsin
roots in the hopes of garnering in some votes.
Why do politicians choose one prominient issue to
backslap continuously on the minds of American voters?
I always thought that a true shoe-in candidate had to have
the right decisions in ALL areas, or at least in the ones
that were front-line issues. It's like the fight between the
For Life and those For Choice. It is only one time in the
life of a human being that is the main concern, yet we
are a component of all aspects of life - teens, older people,
sick and disabled individuals. The unborn are only one
part of a total human being's life cycle yet there are few
"fighters" for kids that are killed by drive-by shootings, or
the elderly placed in homes where their care is truly wanting
and their quality of life is degradation. The fight should be
for all life in all stages as should be a candidate's beliefs.
Narrowing down choices because of one issue means that
the winning side will have scored one point and all the other
issues are less important. By far, this is the farthest from the truth.
Those against the war in Iraq need to know the feelings of the man/
woman they choose, but they should also care about education,
taxes, and stem-cell research. Whichever side they are on,
while important to them, carries benefits or losses for the side
that is not for a particular issue. No one person can be everything
to everyone but the one individual who can reach across all
sides and help them live by a decision is a man/woman worthy
of a vote.
The point here is that party votes are lost votes - being a Democrat
or Republican does not make a person great or give him the
aptitude to right all wrongs. Being a Baptist or Mormon does
not do the trick either. The person, yes, the entire person, is to
be judged on issues, beliefs, past record, and more importantly,
integrity, honesty, and believing that America can be great. They
have to be strong enough to stand up to the wrong in life yet
be tender hearted when it comes to death and devastation in the
lives of fellow Americans. The right choice can mingle with the
wealthy, but has no problem sitting down to dinner with the
homeless. He/she can bridge gaps, and cross bridges. They can
give to one side but not take away from the other. If you follow one
issue or only one party, then you are a part of what is wrong in
today's elections. If you weigh your choices, believe in your soul
that this candidate will do the best job FOR EVERYONE, then
your vote will be one to be proud of. There is not one right answer
to some of the world's most perplexing problems, so there cannot
be only one right issue in which to base a choice of making your vote.
Casting your vote is a proud moment but it can be made less
important and downright volatile to the mess we call the world
today if you are narrow minded and if you can honestly say that
one issue makes or breaks a man/woman. We are multi-faceted
creatures and today's existence is a complicated one. You have
to use all your choices, all your instincts, and all your knowledge
and wisdom to make the right choice. If enough "right" choices
are made, then maybe today's America can once again stand
tall and proud with all its citizens enjoying life in a way it was
intended to be enjoyed - no matter your age, color, gender, or
religion. We are all in this together whether we like it or not
so making the choice you make will affect everyone. Let's hope
for each of us that it will be the right one. Also, if you don't vote,
then you really did. You see, by not voting you placed your
ballot for the winner, chosen by others, not necessarily for the
right person.
There really is no short cut - but then life is not
made up of short cuts - only lifelong issues.
Something to think about.
©Arleen M. Kaptur
July, 2007
About the Author
Arleen M. Kaptur has written numerous articles for magazines and newspapers. Her latest book will be out in 2008.
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