This year's election is probably the most important one this country has faced during my voting tenure (1980). The battle for our children's minds in education, the mission of our military and its readiness, the question of American sovereignty or the beginning of global governance, healthcare, Social Security, Medicare, the issue of private property rights, your right to own a gun, and the direction of the Supreme Court are at stake. Not since Ronald Reagan ran for President have the candidates represented such a clear philosophical contrast.
On education, George Bush has a record in Texas that demonstrates an effort to shake up the current system. Creating reading programs that strongly emphasize phonics, creating accountability in the system that is producing some results that are measurable. He understands the fads and reforms that are not benefitting children need to be discontinued. W is not beholden to the teachers union. One in fourteen delegates at the Democratic Convention are teacher union members. Somehow that is not seen as undue influence. Of course if you accept money from the NRA that is undue influence!
He supports vouchers that will enable low-income children to get out of public schools that are not producing a quality product. Vouchers are a double edge sword. Having two children in private school they are tempting. The problem is when the money comes from the federal government the strings are attached. A straightforward tax credit is more palatable.
Any parent who chooses an alternative educational direction for their child could benefit and the government stays out of the curriculum.
Al Gore is for the status quo. He is beholden to the teachers unions as mentioned above. He believes in the federal government controlling education and a national curriculum. I believe his book on the environment would be required reading! He believes in throwing more money at a system that is failing due to the fads his allies have been incorporating over the past 30 years. Unfortunately the system he boasts about so much is not good enough for his own children. Sadly, he is against any voucher program that might enable parents to send their kids to the school of their choice.
Gun control is another battleground. Gore wants full gun registration and eventually the elimination of all guns. Bush, on the other hand, understands the Constitution. He understands criminals will not be registering their guns. He also understands existing laws are not being enforced. The answer to gun violence is simple: Strong enforcement of existing laws, and educating the young on gun safety.
The direction of the military is also at stake. Will it become a global peacekeeping force, or will be restored to the honor it once stood for? Bush knows what a true military presence in the world means to the safety of Americans. Unfortunately, Gore views the military as an avenue for humanitarian missions. The disrespect the current administration has for the military is deplorable. The top priority of the next administration should be to revamp and redirect the military.
Social Security and Medicare are two issues being shamefully used to scare the elderly. First and foremost Medicare funding has never been cut. Since Newt Gingrich there has been a 7% increase in spending each year. What was "cut" in the budget plan was the amount of the increase each year. The Democrats wanted to increase spending somewhere around 10% a year. The media and the Dems don't want you to understand that. I repeat, the program was not cut. Social Security will not be harmed under George Bush's plan. The simplified scenario is this. If someone my age (38) was able to invest a portion of the tax taken from my check the rate of return for me at 65 would be much greater. If you are struggling now and are on Social Security would you not want your children and grandchildren to have a better opportunity? Under Bush's plan anyone on the plan now would be protected. The government would still administer and oversee the plan. The difference is, giving citizens the option of creating a better opportunity now, will create a higher quality of life later. The alternative is to enlist Gore's plan, which always has the same theme. Invest (tax) more money into a plan that is expending its usefulness and burden your grandchildren with more debt. I cannot see how enhancing the quality of life for future generations, without hurting present users of the system, is a losing proposition.
Lastly, I want touch on tax cuts. Al Gore cast the deciding vote on one of the biggest tax increases in history. We all paid for it. George Bush wants to lower the tax rates on the lower brackets, which will help middle class America. Target tax cuts such as Al Gore supports only help you, the Taxpayer, if choose to comply with the activity the government wants you to. The fairest form of tax cuts is one, which puts your money back in your pocket so you can do what you want with it. Do not let this class warfare being waged by the Democrats influence you. Ten percent of the people in this country pay about fifty percent of the taxes. Unlike people complaining about the "rich" we should be trying to become part of the ten percent. At the time of this writing it was still not a crime to make money.
It Is Time For My "Predictable" Endorsements!
By Donald Castellucci, Jr.