Long red, white and blue balloons. Cowboy hats glorifying George Bush’s Texan heritage. Elephant-shaped pi¤atas. OK, so maybe there aren’t any elephant-shaped pi¤atas. And this is not a Fourth of July barbecue in Houston. It is the 2004 Republican National Convention-the Grand Ole Party Political Convention!
I do not consider myself a Democrat or a Republican. This being the first presidential election since I have been of voting age, I have been taking in both parties’ sides and coming to a decision based on their platforms, while at the same time trying my best to ignore the insults hurled by each side. At times, the candidates remind me of little children in that aspect-two little boys shooting spitballs at each other across the classroom.
From the Republican National Convention, I hear things I like, but also a few things I have some qualms about.
They say the themes of this year’s convention are New York, Sept. 11 and terrorist attacks. The convention is appropriately being held at Madison Square Garden, just miles away from where the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers occurred almost three years ago. These are strange themes, though, considering some of Bush’s recent quotes.
On Sept. 13, 2001, Bush said: “The most important thing is for us to find Osama Bin Laden. It is our number one priority and we will not rest until we find him.”
Then, on March 13, 2002, he said: “I don’t know where he is. I have no idea and I really don’t care. It is not that important. It’s not our priority.”
Just days ago, when Matt Lauer asked him if we can win the War on Terror, Bush answered, “I don’t think you can win it.”
This is not the time to admit defeat. The Democrats view the war as “absolutely winnable,” a bold statement, but at least they haven’t backed down.
Part of the Republican platform is the movement to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and the refusal to recognize gay unions. In turn, this will deny gay couples legal perks that only married couples share, such as shared employee health benefits.
Current vice president and Bush’s running mate Dick Cheney’s daughter is openly gay. Cheney says gays “ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to” and that states should make their own decisions on marriage laws.
An anti-gay president with a pro-gay running mate? With homosexuality as prominent of an issue as it is today, it seems that the president and vice president of each party should be unified on their stances.
Bush labels himself a “compassionate conservative.” Isn’t that such a cozy, peaceful, smiles and hugs term? Compassionate, though, implies understanding and accepting. I suppose Bush is selectively compassionate.
Part of Bush’s campaign is the drive to win over Catholics to the Republican vote. Catholics make up about one-quarter of the electorate, and the Republican National Committee has enlisted nearly 50,000 people to make political appeals to Catholics in churches nationwide. Many Catholic Bush-supporters said they are voting for Bush because he “better represents church values.”
Church values should not be a major basis for choosing a candidate. Proof that church and government have become dangerously intertwined is that four U.S. bishops have said that pro-choice lawmakers should be denied Communion. It is sickening that some churches have become so controlling and discriminatory.
Kerry’s phrasing of his religious standpoint adequately describes the relationship politics and religion should have: “I’m not running to be a Catholic president. I’m running to be a president who happens to be Catholic.”
Rudy Giuliani is able to sum up my thoughts on the upcoming election. “In choosing a president, we really don’t choose a Republican or Democrat, a conservative or liberal. We choose a leader.”
My advice to you is to do your research. Know what you believe and know what to look for. Keep an open mind and listen to both sides of the story, although with politics both stories probably will not line up anyway. When Nov. 2 rolls around, make an educated decision. Cast your vote while waving your little American flag with pride, and be confident in knowing that you chose the president who speaks for you.
Erin Clyburn is a sophomore English major. She can be reached at [email protected].