Viewpoints
Hate, Greed, and Fear
By Robert Freedland
October 26, 2006
Thursday PM
What is wrong with Americans? It used to be that we were all
determined to love our fellow citizen, give back to our nation
even with out financial support, and confidently deal with the
rest of the World. And yet today, our politicians seek to exploit
our support for their programs by depending on the worst of our
psyche, by exploiting the emotions of hate, greed, and fear.
Let me explain.
Many of us, myself included, are in traditional marriage arrangements.
My wife and I enjoy the many benefits (and responsibilities)
of marriage as we seek to do the best for us and our children.
I hope we have succeeded in this endeavor!
But across America there are many non-traditional households.
And many of them struggle to do the best that they can do for
themselves and yes for their children. Some of these households
are led by single moms. Some by single dads. Some are in Civil
Unions. And yes, some are led by same-sex parents.
In Wisconsin this November, as has been and shall be in other
states, are efforts to limit marriage to just "one man and
one woman". In our state, this will also make civil unions
illegal. Just yesterday the highest court in the State of New
Jersey stated that same-sex families deserve equal protection
under the law. Is this really the result of "activist judges"
or is the justice system simply trying to be fair to every American?
Many of our religious institutions have been instructing us to
vote against these non-traditional households. They tell us
they are sinners and are going to hell. But for these families,
as in other families, the glue that holds them together is not
sin but love. It isn't love that many of us understand or even
accept or endorse. But it is a love that brings two people together
that wish to have children and raise a family. And many do.
So why do politicians use hate instead of love? I don't understand
and I don't accept this. Think about this when you have the
opportunity to decide on this issue.
And what about greed? Politicians exploit this when all they
talk about is how they are going to reduce your taxes. They
don't tell you how they are going to balance the budget. They
don't tell you how they are going to get this nation out of debt,
deal with education, poverty, unemployment, or improve the quality
of medical care for those who cannot even manage to pay for a
doctor's appointment or fill a needed prescription. No. They
just tell you how they are going to fill your wallet with greenbacks.
That is a nice thought, but isn't it time we consider what John
Kennedy had to say about "Ask not what your country can
do for you, ask what you can do for your country!" Isn't
greed going to only hurt our nation as each of us scramble to
get our own piece of the pie?
And fear? Politicians are telling us to be afraid! They want
us to justify their suspension of our civil rights because otherwise
we are going to be attacked right here in our home town! I am
ashamed at leaders who exploit the fears of our people to abuse
our Constitution. There is no excuse for the President who failed
to go to the FISA Courts to get a warrant before using a wiretap.
It was simply illegal. but he wants us to be afraid so we won't
ask questions.
America doesn't need to torture our captives. We don't need
to suspend the Geneva Conventions. And we don't need to suspend
the Writ of Habeas Corpus that guarantees everyone the right
to know the charges against you or to have your day in court
and not be detained indefinitely in secret prisons. Shameful.
But fear is effective!
So this year, think about how you are being manipulated by exploitative
demagogues who ask you to be hateful. Who ask you to be greedy.
And ask you to be fearful.
Reject these claims. Vote out of love. Vote out of patriotism
for this nation. And vote to be unafraid.
America needs you now more than ever!
Robert Freedland
La Crosse, WI
Received October 26, 2006 - Published October 26, 2006
About: " I am a physician who is concerned about where America
is heading. I take care of my patients with passion and actively
seek to right the wrongs of our nation."
Note: Comments published
on Viewpoints are the opinions of the writer
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Sitnews.
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