Central Machine Works
Convention Displayed Republicans' Cynicism
RECEIVED Wed., Sept. 8, 2004
Dear Editor,
Bush and the Republicans put on quite a show the past week, and that's exactly what it was: a "show." It belied the reality of the last four years and the stated intentions of the Republican Party.
While moderates spoke of inclusion, away from the cameras the Republican Party adopted a divisive and extremist platform that seeks to write discrimination into the Constitution and make permanent the tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans. While they talked about safety, and a prosperous strong America, independent experts agree that Bush's pre-emptive doctrine and go-it-alone approach to foreign policy has made us less safe. And while Arnold Schwarzenegger talks about "economic girlie-men," the truth is that an increasing number of Americans are living below the poverty line, with over 40 million uninsured.
The negativity displayed by the Republicans was astonishing. Because they can't speak to their strengths, they sought to further smear Kerry, deploying Dick Cheney and Zell Miller. It was a cynical move, especially given their earlier rhetoric about wanting to run a positive campaign and their urging of the Kerry campaign to do the same.
This is the reality of America under Bush and the Republican Party's leadership.
Bush and the Republicans put on quite a show the past week, and that's exactly what it was: a "show." It belied the reality of the last four years and the stated intentions of the Republican Party.
While moderates spoke of inclusion, away from the cameras the Republican Party adopted a divisive and extremist platform that seeks to write discrimination into the Constitution and make permanent the tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans. While they talked about safety, and a prosperous strong America, independent experts agree that Bush's pre-emptive doctrine and go-it-alone approach to foreign policy has made us less safe. And while Arnold Schwarzenegger talks about "economic girlie-men," the truth is that an increasing number of Americans are living below the poverty line, with over 40 million uninsured.
The negativity displayed by the Republicans was astonishing. Because they can't speak to their strengths, they sought to further smear Kerry, deploying Dick Cheney and Zell Miller. It was a cynical move, especially given their earlier rhetoric about wanting to run a positive campaign and their urging of the Kerry campaign to do the same.
This is the reality of America under Bush and the Republican Party's leadership.
Don McCalister