I have been a life-long Democrat since I voted for Eugene McCarthy in my first primary in Oregon. Even though my father was a Navy MD, I was a peace activist and volunteered on the campaign of a long-forgotten peace candidate for governor. I later worked in social services, married, raised a family and eventually matured and became more politically discerning.
In 2000, I broke ranks with my party and voted for George W. Bush. It was not a hard decision because I felt I could no longer toe a party line that had become rigid and obsolete. Even though the world had dramatically changed, the Democrats continued to spout the same old leftist dogma of the ’60s and ’70s.
The events of 9-11 further prove the Democratic Party is in a time warp. Its leaders, including Terry McAuliffe and Ted Kennedy, continue to blame everything from the bursting of the dot com bubble, to the slamming of the Twin Towers on the Republicans. Yet, the Democratic solution always includes raising taxes and pandering to the world community. Most objectionable is their reliance on labeling as extremists those with opposing opinions, like Christians and conservative talk radio.
The Democratic Party has trumped its loose grip on reality by promoting John Kerry for president. Instead of a leader they have offered us an anti-war politician with a 20-year voting record that reflects a lack of conviction, an inability to make a tough decision and a disdain for the military and national defense.
I still consider myself a Democrat, but one who is supporting the Bush/Cheney team. It is an easy position to take because it is so right at this moment in our fractured and confused world. I hope other Democrats will recognize we have the right leader at just the right time in our nation’s history.
Lee McDonald
Snohomish
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