I work for the cigar division of a tobacco compay. Many of us are voting for Kerry here in Pa, but we got this email from corporate. We did not get this letter in the last election. I think they are getting scared.
Dear XXX:
As you know, tomorrow is Election Day. I hope that you will take time out from your busy schedule to go to the polls and vote. Without question, there is no better way to exercise your civic responsibility than to vote, and this election presents several clear choices on issues that are important to the future of our nation and our company.
To that end, I am pleased to inform you that Universal is strongly supporting the re-election of President George W. Bush.
I think this is a good sign actually. It is not a very good endorsement and will not change my vote. Actually, I could care less.
President Bush has committed a significant portion of his first term to building a more prosperous and competitive economy that will be an engine for jobs and prosperity for years to come. The president has been a proponent of opening markets for American goods around the world; building a skilled and effective workforce; encouraging a pro-growth, fair, and simpler tax system; reducing regulatory burdens; and pushing the federal government to be smaller and more efficient. In addition, President Bush recently signed into law quota buyout legislation that eliminates the federal tobacco program and provides the opportunity for U.S. leaf to become more competitive in the world market. Increases in U.S. leaf exports and in U.S. tobacco production would mean higher volumes for our processing facilities and important opportunities for jobs and profits in our U.S. operations. Recent past Democratic administrations have been strongly anti-tobacco, and we have no reason to believe that a Kerry administration would be any different.
If you live in North Carolina, I am pleased to inform you that Universal is strongly supporting U.S. Rep. Richard Burr in his bid to win the state's open U.S. Senate seat. Representative Burr has been a strong supporter of the domestic tobacco industry throughout his tenure in Congress, and he was one of the principal architects of the successful effort that culminated in the quota buyout and elimination of the antiquated tobacco program. In addition, Burr's leadership in the House of Representatives on taxes, jobs, economic and regulatory policies, national security, and health care has been positive for working families throughout North Carolina.
One of the most important rights and responsibilities that we have as citizens of the United States is the right to vote. The act of voting also represents our best chance to express how and by whom we want to be governed. I urge you to do your part on Election Day, Tuesday, November 2, 2004.