Letter to the Editor from Albert D. Cross, M.D.

As we approach possibly the most important election in our lifetime, I wonder why certain people belong to a particular party. I have known many people who believed in the philosophy of one party but were loyal to the other party. I suspect they have followed the same party as their parents or just didn’t go to the trouble to learn the philosophies and objectives of the parties. Some of the philosophies have changed since our parents day and it is important to study the present day beliefs. It is important to vote, to be proud that you voted, and proud of the way you voted.

The Republicans (conservative party) believes in a strong national defense. They believe in the best equipment and technology possible to help our military defend and protect themselves and our nation. They believe in lower taxes. That the individual knows better how to spend his or her money than the government does. They believe in decentralized government. That the states and local government know better what is needed locally than Washington’s “one size fits all” laws. They believe in the sanctity of life and that babies should not be killed. They oppose partial birth abortion. They believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. They believe that public schools should be held accountable for effective teaching and checked by testing. They believe in the second amendment to the Constitution and that you should be allowed to own guns for protection and recreation.

The Democrats (liberals) vote almost consistently against new technology and new weapon systems for our military. They believe in higher and higher taxes with more and more dependency on government for what we should be doing for ourselves. They believe in bigger and bigger central government with less power passed down to state and local governments. They believe in abortion. The believe in partial birth abortion which destroys the baby late in pregnancy. They believe in class warfare. During the last two presidential election cycles they belittle the higher paid executives and try to pit the middle-class against them. Aren’t you tired of hearing “tax breaks for the rich?” They make it sound almost criminal for someone born into a family of modest means to get an education, work 16 or 18 hours a day and start his own small business or head up a large corporation and become successful. They seem to favor the welfare family who learns to work the system generation after generation. Perhaps, it’s because their minds are far easier to control and they meet the objective of government dependency. They believe in same sex marriage. They believe in and have promised you socialized medicine. This is the only topic where they use the word “socialized” and they are careful to use it sparingly.

You should be able to study the above political objectives and decide which party more closely mirrors your values. Which party promises the moral, ethical and secure future you want for your children and grandchildren.

Now, admittedly, any one politician may not support one or two of the above philosophies or objectives or their party but you can believe that if they belong to that party they will support most or all of them.

I hear people say, “I vote for the person, not the party.” Why in the world would you vote to send someone to Jefferson City or Washington who is going to vote the opposite of your beliefs?

Remember on November 2 to vote and be proud of not who you voted for but what you voted for. Sincerely,

Albert D. Cross, M.D.