One Way Is Not the Right Way
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.