Voting Democratic

This year I am going to do something that I've never done before - I am going to vote a straight Democratic ticket. This is not easy for me. I have always prided myself on my independence, my non-conformity. In my first presidential election, at the age of 18, I voted for Independent candidate Eugene McCarthy. I have even been known to pull the lever for the socialist workers party.

I've always believed that one should vote for the candidate, not the party. That we should carefully evaluate each potential office-holder, and choose the one best for the job.

I've voted for Democrats and Republicans in the past.

But no more.

Why? Because in voting for any Republican, I am enabling the Republican party. I am enabling Bush. And I don't want to enable them any more.

Today's Republicans are not the Republicans of old. They have turned their backs on Goldwater, on their old beliefs in fiscal responsibility and personal liberty. Republicans used to believe in the constitution; now they seem to find it an impediment in their Christian fundamentalist vision for America.

Why am I voting Democratic?

Shall I count the ways?

Abu Ghraib.
Guantanamo.
Terrorism (increased world-wide).
National security (diminished).
Unprecedented presidential powers
Unmatched incompetence.
Unparalleled corruption.
Unwarranted eavesdropping.
Katrina.
New Orleans (still in ruins).
Unemployment (still high).
Poverty (increasing).
Enron.
Halliburton.
Global warming (denial of).
Cheney's secret energy task force.
Record oil company profits
$3 gasoline (don't worry, it will go back up right after the election).
FEMA (destruction of).
The Supreme Court (politicization of).
Diebold.
Florida in 2000.
Ohio in 2004.
Terri Schiavo.
Stem cell research (banning of).
Golden parachutes.
Shrunken pensions.
Unavailable and expensive health care (40 million uninsured).
Habeas corpus (repeal of).
No weapons of mass destruction.
Sacrificed soldiers (3000).
Sacrificed Iraqi civilians (600,000).
Wasted billions.
Record spending.
Record deficits.
Cuts in veterans' programs.
Taliban resurgence.
Osama bin Laden (still free).
Expiration of the assault weapons ban.
North Korea
Iran.
Intelligent design.
Swift boat hit squads.
The Constitution (attacks upon).
Tom DeLay, Roy Blunt, Katherine Harris, John Doolittle, Jerry Lewis, Richard Pombo, Mark Foley, Dennis Hastert, David Safavian, Jack Abramoff, Ralph Reed, Karl Rove
An illegal and immoral war in Iraq.

So think, before you pull the lever - what do you want for America? More of the same? Or will you help me throw the bums out?

(Thanks to Molly Iivns, from whom I adapted the list.)