Staff commentary: Defending the Democratic debate

Max Flessner

Campus editor Max Flessner shares his stance about Democrats running the nation

In the last issue of the award-winning Carroll News, a column ran listing the reasons why it would be “disastrous” for this country to elect a Democrat to the Oval Office this November. It seems important not to print something like that without the other side of the argument.

This election is the epitome of what America is. It represents the notion that the Oval Office is not simply handed from father to son, or husband to wife, but rather is earned in the most extraordinary way. To turn your back on that, to write off an entire party because people tell you that they are not good enough, is an abuse of the great privilege and responsibility that the United States citizens face this November.

It has been suggested that a Democrat does not possess the patriotic capacity to handle the grave situation that this country faces in Iraq. It was also said that only Republicans understand the world well enough to handle the massive entanglement which we have ensued. It has been suggested that not supporting our engagement in the Middle East is unpatriotic. It has also been said that a vote for a Democrat is a “vote for our enemy.” That is one of the most ridiculous statements I have ever heard. It is hallow rhetoric designed to shape opinions in one narrow-minded way and I think Americans are smarter than that. I think that they see through that, and I don’t think that they buy it.

Asking the important questions is patriotic. Demanding to know why we are there, how long we will be there and what it will mean to get out is what’s patriotic. I do not accept the assertion that the only way patriotism can be displayed is to support the war, especially not from someone dressed as a civilian. It’s all right though. I’m sure anyone who would suggest something like that is simply waiting for their enlistment papers to process.
The other issue that seems salient is (universal) healthcare. So far, in the CN, the debate on healthcare has simply been boiled down to “it would be too expensive.”

It is important to have proponents against the universal healthcare argument. But, if all they can say about it is it would be too expensive, then to not have universal healthcare would be ridiculous.

Saying it’s too expensive is like saying “it’s too hard,” and that’s not the American way. If Americans did not do things that they thought would be hard we never would have fought off the British. Brave men and women would not have sat at lunch counters in Montgomery, nor would they have marched on Washington. We would have fallen to communism rather than stand up to a world super power. Americans, welcome the challenges and we tackle whatever task lies in front of us, no matter how daunting it may seem. It also should be noted that universal healthcare would cost a fraction of what we are paying to fight an unpopular war and would be beneficial to the country as a whole. It is good for the economy to have healthy, productive workers.

It is also important to realize that I’m not saying “only vote for a Democrat” because that would mean you should not vote for a Republican. I think they have some candidates who are worthy of sitting in the White House.

I’m saying vote for what you believe in. Don’t let mere rhetoric stand in your way. If you believe that we should be in Iraq, then vote for a candidate who will keep us there. If you don’t, then vote that way. Don’t be intimidated or thrown off of your beliefs simply because you think you will be mocked. You have a voice in what happens with this country–use it.