Your vote is more valuable than the paper it's written on

We are in a really critical political time right now and this election
will be really close, again. However, I've heard people say that they
have to choose between the lesser of two evils. I disagree with that
line of thinking because the facts bear out the ideologies and actions
of both candidates running for office; Bush vs Kerry. If you read
their plans for America it's clear to see who will be best for the
"entire" population of the United States.

I've also heard people saying they don't like the political system that
we have and are going to vote for Nader out of protest. I commend
these individuals for their idealism, but they will actually be
throwing their vote away and that's what the Bush administration is
counting on. Why not vote for Kerry in protest against the actions of
the Republican Party?

The following link will refer you to an article of actions that various
Republican parties are actively committing to disenfranchise voters all
over the country. I was appalled to learn that these things are
happening in our country! If the city names were from Afghanistan,
Iraq or South America I would not be surprised, but it's happening in
Nevada, Michigan, and Florida just to name a few. These actions are
reprehensible and it it's up to us to take a stand to protect our
fellow American's right to vote. Are we so callous and jaded that we
are willing to ignore the situations in other states that we will
continue to endorse the leader of the Republican party who is
responsible for the actions of his entire party?
http://www.politrix.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1372

Or are we so content with our situation that we'd rather stick with the
status quo and let other Americans be bullied? My friends, the status
quo is changing and all the safety nets that prop up our economy are
being compromised. Are we waiting until our rights are violate or our
company pension is cut? When will we get mad and take some action? Do
we really think that company pensions are going to last? Ask the
former employees of American Airlines, United Airlines and others. In
a market driven economy nothing is certain. If you are familiar with
Adam Smith's theory of the dialectical, an economy will do anything to
protect itself, but eventually there will be times of struggle or
revolution and the economy will make a drastic change before it gets
better. We are in one of these economical revolutions and corporate
welfare is failing. So, what's next?

http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/aug04/252749.asp
cut employee pension plans
http://www.careerjournalasia.com/myc/retirement/20030407-francis.html
CEOs pension plans are protected


Veterans have been suffering from this for years. I'm affected by this
myself. If I put in another eight years of service which will
inevitably send me to Afghanistan in January 2007 (I've been told) and
probably Iraq in 2005 or 2006 with the possibility of receiving
injuries or serious illnesses to protect our country, I will only
receive 45% of my actual retirement pay. Then there is the problem of
medical care. As a veteran I'm entitled to military medical care, but
active duty personnel are always treated first, then family members and
then veterans at the big hospitals. However, in the rural areas the
veteran's hospitals are closing at an alarming rate and the veterans
aren't near any medical facility. This 45% figure is safe for the
moment, but there is nothing to stop congress from cutting it even
more. So why should I continue to serve when those who do not can go
out get a better paying job and save for his retirement while I am
subjected to separation from family, financial hardship and possibly
"make the ultimate sacrifice for my nation." Military members are
already making the ultimate sacrifice of their youth to protect their
country. They and their families endure long periods of separation,
low wages and disrespect, but how will the public treat them when they
are old and imfirmed?

Even though I have held my service to country in the highest regard,
I'm resigning my commission as a Major in the United States Army. If
you knew how hard I worked to get to this level, you'd know that it is
not easy for me to give it up. But, I have to for my husband, my
unborn child and for my future with them. And I do see a future. I'm
going to vote with my conscience this year and I hope that you do too.
I am going to vote for the people who will do what is best for all of
us and not just big business or special interest groups. I'm not
going to throw my vote away in protest, because that action will only
help the side that seeks political power for personal political gain.

As I look at the political horizon, I see a future that is in peril and
I just hope that the dawn brings a future that is filled with hope and
aspirations and not based on fear.