NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION
WOW! Who knew my political opinion could catch some of the attention I got. But now that I have it I want to keep it. I received some very passionate responses. As I read through them I am more sure now than ever before of one thing. Our values that we hold near and dear are basically the same.
What differentiates us is how we prioritize them. And those differences are what determines which side of the isle we sit on. And unfortunately the passion that erupts from our deep rooted beliefs and values creates a rift called "Partisanship" One response I got accused me of Bush bashing because of my party affiliation.
First I was expressing my American view of a Presidency gone wild. Secondly I have voted across party lines because that's my right as an American who happens to be a registered democrat. And to address the response I got that I think all republicans are evil, well you're wrong. I have much admiration for Colin Powell and William Cohen.
I have much respect for Newt Gingrich for the redeeming comments he made last year about the Clintons. While I don't agree with the former speaker on all issues it takes a true man to speak as kindly and highly of former President and Mrs. Clinton. In a podcast after the Iowa Caucus the The leader of the 1994 Republican revolution — who as House speaker in the mid 1990s clashed fiercely with then-first lady Clinton and her husband, Bill Clinton — attributed her surprise victory in New Hampshire to the Democratic presidential candidate’s courage, integrity and openness. Gingrich went on to say it would have been easy for the Senator to admit defeat. “Instead, starting on Saturday night, she fought back with greater and greater intensity, and she opened herself up," He went on. “She talked as a person, without all the protection, without all the discipline, and she became more and more appealing.Gingrich said that shift demonstrated “the courage to learn” and enabled the New York senator to grow “in the space of three or four days to a much more attractive, much more aggressive and much more appealing candidate.” Well Mr. Gringinch your words demonstrate your ability to talk as a person, without all the protection, and without all the discipline. And I admire you for them. If you decide to run for office again one day let's talk.
And in my mind one of the greatest politicians who ever occupied the Oval Office did so with such selflessness and disregard to political and national backlash. And he was a republican. President Gerald Ford. My first memories of politics began with the resignation of President Nixon. This country owes so much to President Ford. And it is ashamed that his ability to look beyond what the country wanted and to see what it needed caused him the presidency. Looking back we all realize that he earned the title the "THE GREAT HEALER" Although at 7 years old I did not understand what the nation was going through I know now what a sacrifice President Ford made in 1974. And we are a grateful and better nation for it.
So you see I don't think all republicans are evil. And I don't think all democrats are good or saintly. My priorities are more democratic than republican.
In conclusion I am glad that I got your attention and I welcome your comments, but don't waste them all on me. Don't loose that passion. Put it to good use. Get behind a candidate and support them. Like I told Greg after reading some of the responses, "I feel like I am in a fight for Hillary Clinton's political life". While that statement holds some truth the stakes are much higher. It's a fight for our American way of life. And to me that is well worth the fight.
Tony
