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Yes it's about the Economy, It's about the War, It's about Education, It's
about Health Care, It's about the Environment, and It's about Energy.
That's what this election is really about. Or at least that is what it
should be about. These are the issues that affect each of us and
affect us every day. These are the issues that mold and secure our
individual futures and the future of this nation.

Yet the biggest play last week, the real news getter, the basis of the
rants of the talking radio heads was: How Theresa Heinz Kerry's
statement - taken totally out of context - has somehow dissed the first
lady. Even though apologies have been made by Ms. Heinz Kerry and
accepted by Laura Bush; the discussion continues. The spin machine
has whirled and twisted this story to the point where Ms. Heinz Kerry
has now been accused of dismissing the work of all American
stay-at-home moms.... Theresa didn't say that being "mom" isn't a real
job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On Bill O'Reilly's radio show one day last week he opined
that Theresa's "mis-speak" would more than likely change some
votes. I was amazed, but then, unfortunately he is right.

Diversions, Diversions, Diversions, Constantly throughout this
campaign there have been diversions; diversions, away from what is
really important. These diversions have been designed to divide and
conquer. They have been very effective in dividing.

Hot button issues have been put to the fore-front of much of the
political rhetoric. Most of these issues are not something that touch
our lives on a day to day basis. Some of them may never personally
affect our lives. Many of these issues are religious issues. Abortion,
gay marriage, birth control, and stem cell research; do we support or
oppose. Our initial responses to these questions are usually based
upon our religious beliefs. They are stock responses we have been
taught. That initial response, though, is not necessarily sufficient
when you have to face the stark reality that your own 13 year old
daughter is pregnant, or you find out that your son is gay. When these
tragedies strike you personally, religion usually takes a back seat to
your concerns for your child and your wish to protect them. That is
just how it is, and how it should be.

People who have not experienced these traumas personally, are the
first people out in the streets today ready to fight for their beliefs.
That anger quickly subsides when these problems come to their
house. That anger gives way to anxiety for the child and "What do we
do now". Zealous people are ready to pass laws to force a single
mother of 5 to bring an unwanted child into this world. But then the
zealots aren't faced with how to raise and feed that child. Nor do they
consider the plight of that unwanted child growing up, oft times, in
poverty. I felt somewhat vindicated in my beliefs about this subject
when President Bush in one of the debates made this statement about
stem cell research: "I don't believe in sacrificing one life to save
another"... So what is war? How can you be pro life and pro war? I
guess when it's to save my life it's ok to sacrifice another's. Principles
fail in the face of reality.

I am somewhat astonished when I ask someone who they are going to
vote for? "Bush": why I ask? "Abortion" they reply! or "he supports
Marriage" or "He's a Christian".... Simple one word or one issue
answers! And answers to questions that shouldn't even be a topic for
consideration. Nobody supports abortion, until their daughter comes
home pregnant. Everybody supports marriage till theirs falls apart.
And most Americans are Christian. These are personal matters each of
us will deal with in our own way when they come knocking at our door.
There is nothing the President nor the legislature can do that will
keep your daughter a virgin, save your marriage or change your
religious beliefs. Yet these are the things that divide us today in this
political fight. It's time to crawl out from behind this smoke screen
politicians have created and look at the real issues.

We have a war. What do we do about it? I think Red people and Blue
people agree that we have to bring some closure to the Iraq War, for
the sake of the Iraqi people and the stability of the Middle East. We all
understand that we can't just walk away. Where do we go from there?
Do we continue to maintain the attitude that to live safely we must
dominate the Middle East and Islamic nations with our military power?
Or do we use some restraint, and proceed like we did after WWII by
attempting to help the weaker nations thereby gaining friends? Do we
tell them to "Bring it on" or do we try to seek world peace with the
world in mind? Do we battle the terrorists with our "intelligence" or
do we just continue to pummel the Mid East with our bunker-busting
bombs, leaving depleted uranium dust to plague the lives of the
innocents for the next 1000 years?

Our Economy is in sorry shape. Do we continue to throw money at big
business in the hopes that they won't take it all as profit and they
might create some jobs along the way? Do we support passage of
bills like the President's energy bill, the one John McCain titled "The
No Lobbyist Left Behind Bill"? Do we continue to demand tax cuts
while we want better schools and services, or do we recognize that at
some point taxes must be paid; by us, our children and
grandchildren? Or do we accept the reality that somebody has got to
pay for all that we have spent in the last 3 1/2 years? Who knows
maybe we all need a tax increase!

Do we continue to allow the administration to revise and tear down
our environmental regulations to benefit the oil, gas and timber
industries? Do we continue to allow these industries to write our
environmental policy and regulations? Are we content to accept the
polluted air, the contaminated waters and poisoning of our children
that result from these practices? Do we continue to ignore Global
Warming? Or do we approach the earth and our energy needs with
concern and some restraints so that we don't destroy our ability to
live on this planet?

Do we applaud the President's Medicare Drug bill? Or do we
recognize it for what it really is and then lobby Congress to get rid of
that portion of the bill that makes it "illegal" for Medicare to negotiate
prices with the drug companies? You know a 10% or 20% discount
doesn't mean much, if the drug companies can raise the prices
whenever they wish. And who pays for those discounts? Maybe the
taxpayer?! No"maybe", it's us!

These are the kinds of questions all of us should be asking ourselves
as we go into the voting booth. These are the kind of issues the
government can address and fix. Let's not get hung up on religious
issues and personal issues that have been presented to us during
this campaign as a way to divert our attention away from the real
issues. Let's concentrate on those problems the government can
solve.

Please consider the outcomes of the REAL issues that we can assign
to this Administration's leadership: destroying our image abroad,
damaging our environment, pursuing a needless war in Iraq, while
failing to complete the war that needed to be fought in Afghanistan,
the deficit, rising health care costs, etc. After you think about where
we are, and how we got here; then decide who to vote for. President
Bush's built in Compass - His basic beliefs, his core values, his
attitudes, his vision of the world have gotten us here. I don't think
that's the compass we want to follow for the next 4 years.

Take Care
Paul