Monday, November 01, 2010

Turn Out, Vote Blue

There's an election this week. For a few months now I have been feeling like this year's midterms will be very significant in the charting of this nation's course over the next generation. In the last Presidential election we made a big step toward changing this country for the better, walking away from many policies that weren't in our best interests but rather that served special interests. This week we can either validate that mission or deal it a crippling blow.

Because of that I wanted to be sure to take the time to ask you to be sure to come out and vote this round and when you do to please vote Democratic - and while there is time spread the word to as many others as you can to make sure they come out and vote Democratic as well.

The chief reason people have to vote the other way is fiscal policy and for the purposes of this message I am going to set that aside. I believe there is a good argument to be made that the current administration is on the right side of fiscal policy and the Republican opposition is not. But just for the sake of conversation I'll set it aside and leave them on the right side of that issue.

But we cannot ignore that even if they are right about taxes, spending, and debt...

they are on the wrong side of foriegn policy

they are on the wrong side of immigration policy

they are on the wrong side of international trade policy

they are on the wrong side of reproductive rights policy

they are on the wrong side of pay equity policy

they are on the wrong side of gay rights policy

they are on the wrong side of net neutrality policy

they are on the wrong side of education policy

they are on the wrong side of civil rights policy

they are on the wrong side of separation of church and state

they are on the wrong side of separation of powers

they are on the wrong side of environmental policy

they are on the wrong side of market regulation

they are on the wrong side of corporate regulation

they are on the wrong side of drug policy

they are on the wrong side of energy policy

and I'll lay favorable odds they'll be unable to keep their promises on their fiscal stand as well (I remember "read my lips...")

Even if we believe the Republicans have the right answers to taxes and spending, how could we possibly cast our votes for representatives who will be against us on nearly everything else?

The Right believes in military intervention over diplomacy, in closing our borders to people and trade, that abortion should be illegal for the Doctor and patient, that markets are fair to women and minorities, that corporations should determine your access to information and can be depended upon to regulate themselves, that religion should shape your education, and that there's nothing wrong with the continued status quo for fossil fuels.

I can't risk that sort of policy making no matter what they might be right about.

Turn out. Vote Democratic.

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