I believe...

[ilanarama]

I went to a political rally yesterday and I picked up a pamphlet from the
literature table. This is what it said:

* I believe it is important to respect each person's ability, dignity,
freedom, and responsibility.

* I believe individual initiative must be encouraged in getting things
done.

* I believe government exists to protect the freedom of each person, not
restrict it.


* I believe people who cannot provide for themselves deserve help and
also deserve to be helped to become self-supporting citizens who can
take pride in their self-reliance and independence.

* I believe equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity are
everybody's rights.

* I believe respect for laws, the courts, and the Constitution are vital
to preservation of the nation and security for the citizen.

* I believe excessive taxation, inflation and govermnent waste can
destroy our country; government must maintain sound money and a
responsible economy.

* I believe while we remain militarily strong, we must continue our
efforts toward world peace and friendship.

So I read these things, and I thought, "Hey! I believe each one of
these statements!" But then I looked at the next paragraph, which read:

"These principles reflect a Republican's basic beliefs. Republicans
have held firm to these principles for nearly a century and a quarter.
The nation needs more Republicans today so our nation can be stronger
tomorrow. That's the best reason to be a Republican."

Oh - I must have forgotten to mention that this political rally was
in support of Pete Coors, the Republican candidate for Senate here in
Colorado. (Yes, the beer guy.) I wanted to hear what the other side
had to say. But interestingly enough, he didn't actually mention
anything having to do with these particular beliefs. Mostly he talked
about how we had to keep fighting the war on terror in Iraq, and appoint
judges who the Republicans approved of. He also mentioned that we
needed to send him to Washington to stop "out of control spending" -
although he didn't mention that the people doing that "out of control
spending" are also Republicans. And he excoriated Democrats, who are
apparently full of hate and vitriol, and want to raise your taxes.

The funny thing is, I bet most Democrats - like me - believe all of the
"beliefs" listed in the pamphlet. And probably most Republicans believe
them too. But there's one belief left out, that I also strongly
believe: I believe that what you believe doesn't matter nearly as much
as whether you act on those beliefs.

And I wonder whether the Republicans who gathered to listen to Mr. Coors
believe that.

Comments

[nothings.livejournal.com]

And I wonder whether the Republicans who gathered to listen to Mr. Coors believe that.

You better believe it!

[alembicresearch.livejournal.com]

To bad Mr. Coors doesn't believe in good beer.