AllPolitics - Voter's Voice

Democracy In America

CNN's "Democracy In America" series brought some thoughtful responses in our latest e-mail. We also got mail about Bill Clinton's big Hollywood fund-raiser and coverage of the third-party vice presidential candidates. If you have something to say, send us a note at editor@AllPolitics.com

"Hollywood 'Cash Bash' "

Reading about the latest Hollywood "cash bash" for Bill Clinton hosted at the "lavish estate" of Ron Burkle once again illustrates the total hypocrisy of the absurd Democratic mantra that the Republicans are the party of the rich. If liberals Streisand, Hanks, Dreyfuss, Klein et. al. would simply live like the rest of us and donate their obscene fortunes to their pet causes, perhaps the rest of us wouldn't have to assuage their guilty consciences by paying increasingly higher taxes! I suspect, however, that their commitment to social justice will continue to be limited to a brief Thanksgiving appearance at a homeless shelter to sling a couple of scoops on mashed potatoes on a tin tray while the media is snapping photos.

Sincerely,

Rick Mease, Grants Pass, Ore., Sept. 13

"Get A Life, Bob!"

Two things about Mr. Dole. 1. Anyone who after so long in politics does not simply want to go home and go fishing has a deep-seated personality disorder. Get a life, Bob!

2. Dole's cheap rhetorical note, highlighted in his campaign ads, about workers' income -- "it's yours, you earned it" -- tells a disheartening truth about the GOP take on welfare: nobody owes society squat, and the government has no moral responsibility to ensure social peace and balance by taking care of those who are "losers" in the capitalist dogfight for profits.

What we have is a pathetic old man leading a party hell bent on maximizing personal gain at the expense of the social good. The GOP's only concept of welfare is prison.

-- Mark A. Sharfenaker, Denver, Colo., Sept. 13

"Worry About My Child's Life"

When my son and I were younger, I hardly worried about the future or what was going on around us. Now, it seems as though all I do is worry about my child's life and what it will be like. My son is 13 now and there are so many things that concern me, to include but not limited to:

1. We are black; Clarence Page voiced this concern the best in his book "Showing My Color" when he wrote about his feelings when his son became a teenager. His words: "No longer would my son be seen as a cute little boy, he would now be seen as threat." To add to this the National Rifle Association recently published research which implicated that young black males with guns were the cause of violence; thus, implying that if young black males were not among us, then violence would be virtually non-existent.

2. My son lives in Alabama (Mobile). My ex-wife is concerned about the schools. Apparently, when my son reported to an advanced class, the teacher accused him of lying, and had him present a report card to show her that he did belong in the advanced class. Needless to say, the majority of the kids in the advanced classes are white, while the majority of the kids in the general and special classes are black. I am for some sort of school choice or voucher program, because right now we cannot afford to send him to a private school.

3. Television, movies, music, and other entertainment modes all glorify violence, drugs, guns, and immorality. It is scary to think that your children are bombarded by this stuff. Parents do have some responsibility, but we could use a little help from Hollywood.

4. Drugs and crime: A friend's cousin (17 years old) was recently shot by a kid he beat in a dance contest. Shot in the head over a dance contest. Crime seems to be everywhere, touching every life. The president says it's getting better, but if it is, why I am I afraid to let my child go play video games or basketball without me being close at hand?

5. College costs seem to only be rising. Yes, I do save and invest, however, it's hard to know if you'll ever have enough. College costs rise higher faster than the stock market!!

Your poll does sum it up nicely. My co-workers agree. It's hard out here for parents. Tell Bob Dole $500 in tax credits does nothing for dads paying child support. If they want to lower taxes, close up some of the loopholes on corporate taxes in order to pay down the deficit first; and lower payroll taxes (withholding, SSI and Medicare). Enough said.

-- Robert Austin, Tallahassee, Fla., Sept. 13

"Increase Your Vice Presidential Profiles"

I noticed that you have started adding profiles of vice presidential candidates to the list of candidates. I commend you on presenting a profile of Pat Choate so soon after the Reform Party's announcement of his selection.

What I would like to know is where the profiles of Jo Jorgensen and Mike Tompkins, the Libertarian and Natural Law parties vice presidential candidates, respectively, are? Jo Jorgensen was selected in early June. I believe it was the earliest official party selection; the only one you could have known about earlier was Al Gore, although it wasn't official until after the Democratic convention a few weeks ago. I hope you will increase you vice presidential profiles, soon.

Thanks,

Jeffrey Zweber, Kettering, Ohio, Sept. 12

Voter's Voice Archives

Campaign Coverage (9/11)
Election Season Heats Up (9/4)
"Smoke-Screen Controversy" (8/29)
Write Bill Clinton's Acceptance Speech (8/28)
Robert Dole's Acceptance Speech And Final Impressions (8/20)
Robert Dole's Tax Plan (8/5)
"Even The Slightest Scrutiny" (7/2)
"It Is High Time" (6/17)
"Why Punish The Good Kids?" (6/6)
"Clinton's True Nature" (5/31)
"A Great President" (5/24)
"He's History" (5/16)
GOP Congress Not Omniscient (5/15)
Strategy For Dole (5/3)
New Hampshire Voters (3/20)

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