These are the issues that matter
In recent weeks I have noticed an increase in political “junk mail” soliciting, for the most part, money. To each inquiry I submit the same written reply: Only after you have mailed me a firm and formal plan outlining your specific programs to deal with the major issues facing the USA – our national debt, deficit spending, job exportation, term limits, elimination of 32,000 registered lobbyists, and our unsustainable trade deficit. Then and only then, will I consider sending you some of my hard-earned money. These issues truly matter and will make a real difference to the longevity of this country. I do not care that you are committed to represent me because you have a lifetime desire to make a positive impact on the world around me. I also do not care that you claim to have more insight, hope, courage, integrity, fortitude, and faith to fight the fight to take our government back, and your claim that all of your opponents lack these attributes.
What I do care about are your specific plans and programs to fix this broken system of ours. I have been a committed voter for 51 years, and am sick and tired of the same old tired slogans. Sending out letters, fliers, and TV commercials without specifics and including general political rhetoric and negative advertising does not get it. This is what got us where we are today. We need action and results, not bovine body waste.
The major items alluded to and in need of correction are: The national debt, at $8.53 trillion; job exportation, including the 410,000 manufacturing jobs lost to China between 2002 and 2004, according to the Economic Policy Institute; the trade deficit, which in 2005 was $782 billion, an 18 percent increase over 2004; imposing term limits of two terms for congressmen and women; and a law making lobbying a federal offense, to let us gain control of our government.
Until such time our elected officials address these items, there is really no reason to support any candidate of any party, either financially or in the voting booth. They are all cut from the same basic cloth and will continue to push this country down the road to ruin.
Robert E. Workman
Connellsville