In approximately three weeks I will be celebrating my first birthday as an American citizen. What a wonderful year it has been. I have had a very successful three quarters at my new company Dell, I have moved into a new home, and as of October 31st, I voted in my first election.

The older I get the more epiphanies I have. My eyes were opened to what a special privilege it is to vote in a Democracy. Iraq is fighting for its fledgling life as it grows into a Democracy. The word’s origin (from the Greek), dēmo- DEMO- + -kratia, translates as “by-the-people”. People have spilled more blood for this privilege than for any other reason. Democracy (to me) means an escape from the tyranny of oppressive rule.

I know, I know, one should never discuss politics or religion. But I will say that over the past ten years, I have solidified my stance as a conservative. I have heard people’s opinions run the gamut. I have heard people profess their love for President Clinton and his policies. They have also said that his antics in the White House were “no big deal” and that he was a wonderful President (even though he perjured himself under oath).

I have witnessed, first hand, people spewing all sorts of hateful rhetoric against President Bush and his policies. But let me say this; unemployment (due to Bush policy and tax cuts) is now at 4.4% (the lowest is has been since Q1FY01 - http://www.forecasts.org/data/data/UNRATE.htm) , the hourly wage is now $17/hour, and the U.S. economy is doing VERY well. Obviously Iraq is a major issue. But I have yet to hear a Liberal politician articulate their plan to get our troops out of Iraq, end the war, or their plan to properly secure our homeland. Liberal’s say that Bush is doing a lousy job, that he is a liar and that it is time for a change in government.

Here are the facts:
1) Secret prisons throughout the world and their AWESOME and effective work (using tactics like water boarding) in prisoner interrogation have thwarted attacks on LAX, the Sears Tower in Chicago, three British airliners traveling to the U.S.A, and stopped the destruction of the NYC Brooklyn Bridge.
2) We have not had another attack on U.S. soil in four years.
3) The NSA continues to track and thwart terrorist activity within the U.S.A. because of its Record Collection program.
4) Five major terrorist heads (from around the world) have been killed in Iraq because they too see Iraq as a battlefield against the U.S.A.

Earlier this week John Kerry, the 2004 Liberal candidate for President (and Senator from Massachusetts) made derogatory comments about U.S. troops. His comments can be seen first hand at the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3noYSLX1zw

John Kerry has now recanted and sloughed off his accountability as a “joke”. That is a lie and he lacks the fortitude and the core to stand behind his idealism.

As an added benefit, I have included within this BLOG update the link to the Oprah interview with Bill O’Reilly. I have included this link because my cousin Josh still thinks that America is NOT a land of opportunity. Josh, I hope you watch this interview so you can hear first hand what Oprah says about the U.S.A.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1xnb1vcleg

As November 7th quickly approaches, I would just ask that people think hard and reflect about what it means to vote. We have been given the honor and privilege to direct our country (Canada too) in this Democracy. Whatever your political persuasion, make sure you vote. Do not take this honor for granted!

This entry was posted on Friday, November 3rd, 2006 at 2:06 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.