I received an email from my dear Republican sister yesterday titled "True American". The gist of it was a Republican rant along the lines of "What I Am"
read it if you want, although you're not missing much. At first I was annoyed, but then thought, well, what am I?
So I took the email, modified it, and bounced it back. Here's what I came up with. See what you think, although I think the beginning was weak.
Thursday, October 21st 2004
You're a Democrat???
In today's America, ask a growing number of high school and college students; their teachers and professors; the self-anointed media elite and/or hard working men and women of all ethnicities, the question, "What is a Democrat?", and you'll be told "... a weak, elitist individual, who wants to bankrupt you by raising your taxes, take your guns and enslave you to the state, and corrupt your children by denigrating Christianity.
I am a Democrat ... I am none of those things... and I don't know any Democrats who are.
WHAT I AM ... first and foremost, is a loving husband of some 11 plus years, the father of two and an American who's proud of his country... and his country's heritage.
WHAT I AM ... is the great grandson of immigrants who bet the farm and lost it in search of a better life. I also can trace my heritage in this country back four generations, but I respect and admire the courage of recent immigrants to this country.
WHAT I AM ... is a man who grew up during the Space Age and witnessed, first hand, the effects of Watergate, the Vietnam War, oil shocks, Reaganomics and the economic disparities that followed, and finally the Stock Market Boom that followed after the demise of Reaganomics. I watched as both my parents struggled with the day to day difficulties of life to put three children through college. I watched my father suck up his pride to ask a well off friend to float a check in order to bridge the hard times. I watched this same man give up his dream of owning his own business when the risk was just too great to his family.
WHAT I AM ... is someone who worked his way through college with the help of guaranteed student loans, scholarships, grants, and other aid. I paid those loans back in full, early!
WHAT I AM ... is a professional whose blood, sweat and tears made it possible for me to provide a secure living, for my family and myself. I am an employee and an investor. I believe in an honest wage for honest work and I believe that a thief who steals billions from the government, investors, and/or pensioners deserves at least as harsh a sentence as someone who steals ten dollars from the local bank.
WHAT I AM ... is a man who believes in God; a God who has blessed this country... and all for which it stands, but also a God who loves and blesses all humanity in spite of our faults. I don't believe God takes sides or wants us to kill each other even when it is necessary. I think God was quite explicit with THOU SHALT NOT KILL. I don't believe God has an opinion on what we should have for lunch and I don't believe he talks to people who invoke his name in the pursuit of money or political gain. I believe God forgives us in spite of ourselves.
WHAT I AM ... is someone who knows, if you doubt miracles exist in today's world, you need only to look into the face of those who received them ... and the eyes of those who give them.
WHAT I AM ... is an American who said a little prayer for the lives snuffed out on September 11th and those about to die prior to the Iraq war.
WHAT I AM ... is an American who believes that religion is a private affair and wonders about the sincerity of his President who embraces a belief in Jesus and cites his faith for most of his decisions, but conversely mocks the execution of another human being and allows a war to continue with the slaughter of innocent, and not so innocent, human beings once the imperatives for said war were proven false. I also wonder at a man who preaches humility but when asked cannot come up with a single mistake he's made in the last four years, a period that included much death and destruction here and abroad.
WHAT I AM ... is an American who takes comfort in the knowledge that while our society has flirted with authoritarianism in the past, it has always shied away eventually. I am also one who believes that a person's deeds illustrate that person's character much better than words. I believe that reforming one's life at forty is admirable, but I wouldn't necessarily trust that person with my fortune or my life.
WHAT I AM ... is tired of hearing from leading Republicans who talk the talk of freedom, but when it comes to fair elections, civil rights, and tolerance won't walk the walk.
WHAT I AM ... is a former Reagan Democrat who now understands that I there is no guarantee of freedom of the press, speech and dissent without vigilance.
WHAT I AM ... is a man who believes in the sanctity of life and believes that abortion should be legal and rare. I'm one who doesn't believe I can make a decision for a woman who needs to end a pregnancy that is a consequence of rape. I hope I never have to face a decision where my wife and I have to choose whether to continue a pregnancy that may put her life in jeopardy or abort the child she is carrying, but I know what I would counsel her to do. I also hope we never have to face an AGONIZING decision to allow a pregnancy to continue when the child is suspected of having genetic abnormalities or birth defects.
WHAT I AM ... is the father of a child with a life threatening disease, one which could potentially be helped by embryonic stem cell research. I am one who is dismayed at a man who would arbitrarily halt a promising field of research in this country and attempt to halt it worldwide for political gain. I am disgusted that our media do not point out the fallacy of this decision in that the so called "unborn" that he has saved are routinely destroyed uselessly everyday in this country. I am one who thinks that a human being is more than a collection of cells no larger than the nail of my pinkie.
WHAT I AM ... is a husband and father who believes in the sanctity of marriage and the preservation of the family unit.
WHAT I AM ... is a news junkie who is repulsed by those insecure, socially inept, elementary thinking, ego-inflated "entertainers" who have appointed themselves "experts" in the fields of national security and geo-politics and then use their forum to attack this nation, its leaders and its actions.... much to the delight and encouragement of our enemies. I am deeply skeptical of billionaires who desert their home country to come and spread their bile in this country (paging Messrs. Moon, Murdoch, etc.).
WHAT I AM ... is an American who understands the difference between "censorship" and "choice". Censorship is when you use the law or regulatory agencies to silence your enemies. I support and will continue to support those films and performers whom I choose to ... and refuse to support those I don't. It is my right as an American ... a right I will continue to enthusiastically exercise.
WHAT I AM ... is a voter, tired of politicians, who, every time their voting records are subjected to public scrutiny, try to divert attention from their political and legislative failures by accusing their opponents of "attack ads" and "negative campaigning".... and the news media who allow them to get away with it.
WHAT I AM ... is a Christian who sometimes doubts his God and his Faith, but continually is influenced by and reflects upon both. One who's been taught to respect all religions whose teachings are based in love, peace and charity. As such, I am proud of those individuals, in both private and public life, whose decisions and actions best represent those teachings. As such, I too am embarrassed and ashamed of those individuals, in both private and public life, whose decisions and actions are devoid of any sense of character or morals; individuals who are only driven by what's best for them ... rather than what's right ... often times at the expense of many ... I believe that national security is not a matter for religion.
WHAT I AM ... is a realist who understands that the terrorist attack that murdered hundreds of innocent Russian children could have occurred here, in our heartland, but also realizes that it is unlikely. That's why I sincerely believe America needs now, more than ever, a President who sees with a clear and focused vision and who speaks with a voice that is understood, respected and believed, by friend and foe alike. I also believe that there will always be individuals who wish to do harm to others and that having a president who pays attention to the duties and responsibilities of his job is paramount.
WHAT I AM ... is eternally grateful to Ronald Reagan for doing his best and sacrificing for his country in trying times. I also think that he showed that you can be a great leader, but sometimes lead in the wrong direction. I am, however, very angry with George W. Bush for not paying attention to the terrorist threat when he had the chance, for not exercising the opportunities he's been given for making this a greater nation, and for dividing the US and the world.
WHAT I AM ... is a human being, full of numerous faults and failures, but a man nonetheless, who, though not always successful, has continually strived to do "what's right" instead of "what's easy".
WHAT I AM ... is disgusted with the Courts who, against the established law of the land, continue to try and restrict what is essentially a medical decision between a woman and her doctor.
WHAT I AM ... is someone deeply troubled by a political party which embraces a candidate whose primary "leadership" qualities center around his "style" instead of his results. A party which embraces a candidate who cannot elucidate a coherent or consistent reason for invading and destroying another country other than we are "fighting evildoers". That same political party that stands by while individuals in the White House purposely expose a covert CIA operative and every CIA front company she had ever worked with in order to punish her husband for speaking the truth. She was an operative that was working to prevent nuclear proliferation and keep our country safe from terrorists and countries like Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan. As an American, that troubles me deeply ....as well it should you.
WHAT I AM ... is a man who feels the need to spend his valuable time to respond to his sister, vainly most likely, in order to set the story straight. Some may say this time would have been better spent with his family, but then again they say a butterfly can cause a hurricane on the opposite side of the world so I had to try.
WHAT I AM ... is someone who is not naïve enough to believe the individual who came up with the original forwarded email I'm responding to is a tax-paying individual who is in no way associated with The Republican National Committee, nor with any of its directors, or delegates. "Associated" is a very vague word and allows quite a bit of legal wiggle room.
WHAT I AM ... is a man who understands, "the American way of life" is a message of self-empowerment for all.
WHAT I AM ... is an American who is grateful that our nation gives each of us the opportunity of self-determination and the right to benefit from the fruits of self achievement.
WHAT I AM ... is an American who wants to preserve that way of life for all who seek it.
WHAT I AM ... is blessed to be an American.... and proud to be Democrat.
Your Brother
BTW, I heard back from her last night. She said I really needed to start listening to Rush.
<Heavy sigh> I still love her though...