Why I'm A Democrat

The Republican presidential candidates sing from the same book, but if you listen to each of them on individual issues, they flip-flop depending on their audience. On the war in Iraq, with one exception, they agree on continuing the war until we have victory. Their timetable is several years to eternity.

The Middle East is in shambles. All agree on making the tax cuts for the wealthy permanent. As for the corporate tax cuts, they also agree we should let them have more money to create jobs (lower wage jobs.)

The number of people in our country who live in poverty has grown during this administration. Corporate America has moved jobs to India and they buy products they sell to us from China that have also caused many problems in recalls.

All the Republican presidential candidates say we have to change the direction of our government, they should say we have to correct the mistakes and mis-management of the Bush administration and the Republican Party.

In the Tampa Tribune dated Jan. 29, there was a full page on "Where they stand," covering issues from Iraq to energy; each Democrat and Republican presidential candidate had a summary of their position. You can draw your own conclusion. However, the Democrats give detailed responses on what they would do. The Republican response is that corporate America will solve the problems that President Bush will leave behind.

I watched the last of President Bush's State of the Union speeches the other evening. He performed his role as cheerleader with this administration, painting a rosy picture. Behind him sat the leader of the pack, Vice President Dick Cheney, who along with the Republican White House staff, turned our country into a mess at home and throughout the world. While he was giving his speech, the Republican Congress and Senate should have never sat down during the speech. They clapped at everything he said, even when he had that famous smirk on his face.

I only hope all voters will evaluate not only the presidential candidates but also the party that supports them. Then vote for the change that will return our country to a world leader and improve our economy and social programs for the benefit of all.

Richard E. Boyce
Sebring