No Longer Republican
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
As recently as the last presidential election, I generally supported the principles and candidates associated with the Republican Party. Since 2004, however, my views have changed based on the following issues.
1) The Iraq war was marketed and sold to the American public on misguided and wrong information. Clearly, further diplomacy and inspections could have saved us nearly a trillion dollars.
2) Numerous political appointments were based more on loyalty and cronyism than competence (Meyers, Gonzales, Brown, etc.).
3) The Bush administration spent most of its post-Katrina energy explaining why it wasn't responsible for the rescue efforts, even though we experienced two-thirds the casualties of 9/11 and massive destruction spread over several states.
4) Two terms will pass with no comprehensive energy plan, in spite of a looming energy crisis.
5) The promise of "compassionate conservatism" and the White House faith-based program turned out to be hollow campaign gimmicks.
6) While increasing energy prices, the falling dollar, and a major housing collapse threaten so many on the economic fringe, Bush and McCain chose instead to bail out major financial institutions and ignore the common man.
There is too much at risk to hope that McCain, with all of the remaining influence from the ideologically driven neo-cons, will act any differently. I believe that Barack Obama will govern much differently, shore up our foreign policy, and work to turn our economy around. For these reasons and more, I am supporting Barack Obama for president. I encourage everyone in this community to carefully evaluate the ideas and proposals put forward by both candidates. Let's elect the change that will restore us at home and abroad.
Laban Cook
Warsaw, via e-mail[[In-content Ad]]
As recently as the last presidential election, I generally supported the principles and candidates associated with the Republican Party. Since 2004, however, my views have changed based on the following issues.
1) The Iraq war was marketed and sold to the American public on misguided and wrong information. Clearly, further diplomacy and inspections could have saved us nearly a trillion dollars.
2) Numerous political appointments were based more on loyalty and cronyism than competence (Meyers, Gonzales, Brown, etc.).
3) The Bush administration spent most of its post-Katrina energy explaining why it wasn't responsible for the rescue efforts, even though we experienced two-thirds the casualties of 9/11 and massive destruction spread over several states.
4) Two terms will pass with no comprehensive energy plan, in spite of a looming energy crisis.
5) The promise of "compassionate conservatism" and the White House faith-based program turned out to be hollow campaign gimmicks.
6) While increasing energy prices, the falling dollar, and a major housing collapse threaten so many on the economic fringe, Bush and McCain chose instead to bail out major financial institutions and ignore the common man.
There is too much at risk to hope that McCain, with all of the remaining influence from the ideologically driven neo-cons, will act any differently. I believe that Barack Obama will govern much differently, shore up our foreign policy, and work to turn our economy around. For these reasons and more, I am supporting Barack Obama for president. I encourage everyone in this community to carefully evaluate the ideas and proposals put forward by both candidates. Let's elect the change that will restore us at home and abroad.
Laban Cook
Warsaw, via e-mail[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092