October 2000
For retirees, this is going to be a very important election. I am asking you to please listen and look over any and all positions pertaining to retirees. Not only nationally, but also locally, the candidates you elect could make a big difference. In my estimation, because of the time I have spent reading and actually listening to the candidates, I have to vote for the Democrats. I think they have come out far ahead with their positions on the following:
(1) environmental positions, something we in Michigan are lacking due to the apathy of our governor; and
(2) health care for seniors and the 42 million uninsured, along with their proposal for a patient’s bill of rights, which incidentally is being opposed by the insurance companies. Their opposition to this idea tells me that it must be good for we “rank and file.”
To elaborate a little on the patient’s bill of rights, we note that Mr. Gore’s position is that the doctor makes the decisions involving the patient, not the insurance company or HMO. Doctors will be able to tell the patient all the options, and not just the least expensive ones. People will be able to appeal a decision to deny coverage made by their health plans and then even sue the health plan. So keep these things in the back of your minds when it comes time to vote.
What I am not listening to is the television ads. They can be so distorted that you don’t know what is truth and what is fiction. I do think the debates will be good. I remember the debates of 1992. Mr. Gore made Mr. Perot look like he didn’t have any idea what he was talking about, which he didn’t. That caused the downhill run of Mr. Perot.
Locally it is going to be a pretty much Democratic vote for me. Mr. Abraham has done nothing to impress me in his tour of duty. I certainly want no part of the three people now on the Supreme Court here in Michigan. They have made it abundantly clear where they stand on decisions when it comes to you or me against a business. It is almost a case of don’t waste your money because the business is going to win.
So I guess I have not left much out as to where I stand. Of course I don’t always agree with everything relating to the candidates, but that is not only my right as a citizen of these United states but also my God given right. When it comes to voting we must look over the whole picture, not just one or two of our own positions. We may not like everything a candidate stands for, but we should not look at our small concerns but look at what concerns the whole country.
That’s it for now. See ya’ nest time.
