Giovanni Salimena Emerald
The real truth about what is at stake in this election is much more important than a personality contest. It is about our lives, our rights and our future.
I have had the opportunity to meet Vice President Al Gore on three different occasions. I found him to be an accessible, principled person with a good sense of humor. He is committed to creating public policy that will benefit our county and all its people. He has worked diligently and successfully on our behalf as vice president. We can believe with assurance that he will build on this record as our president.
It simply does make a crucial difference who wins this election. If George Bush wins, we will lose environmental regulations that protect us and reproductive rights that enable women to fully participate in our society. Our public schools will be further undercut by the move toward vouchers. Affirmative action will be at great risk, access to high-quality health care will be eroded and Social Security will be jeopardized.
These are just a few of the policies at stake, and yet some of our most concerned citizens are willing to risk all because Gore is not as appealing to them as Ralph Nader. I am under no illusion that Gore is perfect, but I have yet to meet someone who is. Everyone in political office is constrained by the views of those they work with and the power of those they oppose. In spite of these constraints, good public figures keep working to improve policy and to ensure that the rights of others are upheld. I believe Gore to be a good public figure and deserving of your vote.
Here in Oregon, if you disliked the divisive, partisan, anti-public education leadership in the last legislative session, then you will want to be sure that Lynn Snodgrass does not become our next secretary of state. Bill Bradbury is known for his ability to work across party lines. My experience as House minority leader in the last session was that Lynn Snodgrass did her utmost to undermine Gov. John Kitzhaber, to punish moderation in the Republican ranks and to avoid working with those she disagreed with. Bill Bradbury will be a secretary of state who will rise above partisan policies and keep his eye on serving all of us.
Kitty Piercy is finishing her last term as state representative from District 39, which covers North and West Eugene.
All right, you buncha doe-eyed, namby-pamby, fair-weather liberals, listen up. I’m done smoothing your ruffled feathers and calming you, trying to convince you it’s OK to vote for Ralphie. I’m sick of hearing about how you want to vote for Nader but are scared to death of George II.
Yes, there is a lot at stake. Yes, this is probably the most important ballot you will ever cast. And yes, it’s agonizing.
But the stakes are higher than Al Gore’s surrogate attack dogs let on. They show EKGs of the liberal Supreme Court justices and shivers run through the room. They show photos of Dick Cheney and children cry. They try to leverage our own values against us but fail to mention what is really on the line: our democracy and the future of the left.
I freely admit the differences between Gore and Bush. They are different dogs — on the same leash. But the distinction between Neo- and Non-Neo-Democrats cannot be overemphasized. That tiny, Orwellian prefix threatens to change forever the party it modifies.
You cannot influence a party to do right if you support it when it does wrong.
Gloria Steinem suggests we elect Gore, whom she admits is no great shakes on women’s issues, and then pressure him once he is in office. Pressure him with what? A nasty letter? Politicians only understand a loss of votes. I know that by voting for Ralph Nader, I am taking a vote away from Gore. Why swap votes? Denying Gore my vote is half the point.
The other half is that I many never again have a chance to vote for a citizen such as Nader. I want my kids to be interested enough in politics to ask about the 2000 election, and I don’t want them to kick me in the shins when I tell them I voted against Bush.
Nader has dedicated his life to reclaiming the citizen power inherent in a true democracy and he represents my values better than any candidate to ever seek the office. Call me naïve, idealistic or just old-fashioned, but I’m voting for Nader because I believe he’s the best man for the job.
For me to vote for anyone other than Ralph Nader is for me to throw in the towel on democracy, and I am not prepared to do that just yet. Ballots are still bullets, and to vote against your conscience is to shoot yourself in the head.
Tony Chiotti is a journalism major.
