Why Vote Democratic

October 19, 2007  --  Got something to say?
Print This Post Print This Post

Head Strike by Rene C. CalandriaBy Rene C. Calandria
I would like to emphasize that my democratic values and preferences did not come out of nowhere but has been my personal crusade since I started teaching in the Philippines sometime in November of 1991. The principles I uphold in my philosophy, theology and social sciences classrooms are now by coincidence identified and defined within the framework of the Democratic Party.
I was at a dinner party to celebrate the wedding anniversary of John and Jean Riel when the U.S. Presidential election came out

as the talking points of the night. As far as my memory serves me right, among the issues that came out that night involve health care, big government vs. small government, environment, tax increase, Iraq war, womens right to abortion and equality of sexes. Also on the table is the issue of Presidential Primary election, which literally saturated almost all the media outlets and television channels as early as the first quarter of the year.
Although there are some Democrats who are uneasy with Sen. Hillary Clinton because of her role in the Lewinsky scandal, she is the only candidate who has the best platform of government that most ordinary Americans care about. Some Democrats contend that if she wins the nomination, the Republican machinery will unleash all her dirt in the closet and courtroom. Hence her campaign will be pre-occupied defending them. I would assume that Hillarys political consultants and volunteers have already anticipated this because the Republicans have proved it in 2001 and 2004 Presidential Election that dirty campaigning and character assassination are the perfect roads to the White House. Sen. Clintons Health Care Plan is the best so far in the campaign. Although it is not perfect, it is the most flexible and worker-oriented compared to those proposed by her Democratic rivals and Republican contenders. Foreign Policy will play a significant spot in the Presidential Debates and I am quite afraid that the inexperience of Senators Obama and Edwards might jeopardize the Democrats bid to take over the Pennsylvania Avenue residence.
Let me outline the basic principles which I consider personal to my crusade and which I think should persuade people to vote Democratic in the 2008 U.S. Presidential election.
On the issue of big government vs. small government, The Republicans believe in small government principle, which gives its citizens liberal control of their money (through tax cuts and exemptions), privatization of health care, free possession of guns and less Federal regulations on private companies. The Democrats on the other hand believe in big government which means Federal oversight and control of health care program for its citizens. The government should have control over the price of medicine which if privatized would bring millions of dollars in profits to pharmaceutical executives. The philosophy behind tax cut is for its citizens to have more spending money but this only gives wall street moguls the opportunity to get richer. The rich guys benefit from this Republican economic theory by the millions while the poor by the pennies. While Democrats adhere to the idea of gun control in order to reduce crimes, the Republicans want a more liberal approach to gun possession. While Republicans support the Alaska oil-drilling project for more dollars into the pockets of oil executives, the Democrats see it as an assault to the environment. While Republicans enact laws to benefit the rich, the Democrats work for the working class. The Democrats are sometimes accused as socialists and that is because Republicans want more money in their wallets through tax exemptions rather than use the tax money for social services of the community. The Republicans would favor to cut services rather that increase tax in their stocks and bonds in order to balance their budget. The Republicans wont care about reduction of social services because they have the money to pay for education and health care among others. (Remember the legacy of Gov. Warner of Virginia, push for a small tax increase in order to fix transportation and deficit problems of Virginia. His reward is another Democratic governor in Richmond).
The issue of immigration is the very heart of my strong affection for the Democratic Party. Whenever I ask an immigrant (from whatever nationality), why is he a Democrat? The answer has always been because I am an immigrant. In my casual conversation with blacks, whites and immigrants in all the 31 states that Ive been to, I tried to be observant but not critical of their political beliefs. I have always assumed the existential posture of Kierkegaardian aesthete in order not to engage myself in an unnecessary debate. Out of this experience there are two logical conclusions I came up with. First, the South is heavily Republican and the North Democratic. For a candidate to win the Presidential election, he or she must capture the heart of Southerners and win the issues dear to them. Second, most immigrants and blacks are Democratic while most white people in the South are Republican. Now I know why I will never be comfortable living in the South. You be the judge.

Share This
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Posted by News Team | Filed Under Head Strike 

Comments

Got something to say?





Authentic Diecast Model Cars
Close
E-mail It