Gloucester Daily Times OPINION
Friday, October 6, 2006
Catherine Bayliss
On November 7, We the People can change history.
We can't vote for President this fall – that election is two years away – but across our great democracy, 33 Senate seats, all 438 House seats, 36 state governorships, and thousands of other offices will be determined by voters.
The people competing for office will each have a unique background, personality, and emphasis on issues. Advertisements will be confusing, with conflicting statements about facts.
In the end, the fate of our country (and perhaps the world) will be determined mainly by which political party dominates in Washington , Boston , and the other capitals of government.
Currently the Republican Party has almost total power – it controls the entire Executive Branch (including the military), Congress, Supreme Court, and more than half the state governorships.
Notable “accomplishments” of this Republican era have been massive tax cuts for the super-rich, an inefficient and unfair “system” for providing prescription drugs, an expanding budget deficit, distortions of science and fact, a disastrous war.
Most of us are dismayed by what Republican government has done – and not done. But we are still fortunate to live in a democracy where We the People get to decide the future, by voting for the kind of society we want.
We tend to take for granted the measures our country has adopted to make life fairer and more secure for its citizens. Almost all were begun and improved by Democratic administrations.
Under Democratic leadership the US won World War II with our allies and gave returning soldiers the opportunity to attend college cheaply and get a low-interest mortgage (GI Bill). Democrats led the world to establish the United Nations, in order to minimize international conflicts.
Democrats enabled jobless workers to put food on their table and keep a roof overhead (Unemployment Insurance). They established a minimum wage, lessened the widespread poverty of old age (Social Security), and improved health care (Medicare).
Among many other examples: Democrats reduced air and water pollution, protected public forests and parks, advanced civil rights, made the workings of our elected government accessible to the public (Freedom of Information Act), and encouraged artists, historians, and scientists.
More recently, under Democratic President Clinton, Democrats wiped out a budget deficit and raised the standard of living through private-sector jobs. The US was admired and respected by almost the whole world as a powerful force for both its prosperity and its social justice.
Here in Massachusetts , for the past 16 years we have had a series of four Republican governors responsible for managing state government.
During this long period of Republican administration, state roads, bridges, and tunnels have been neglected. Local aid has been slashed, leaving many cities and towns no option other than to cut school budgets, close fire stations, raise property taxes and fees, and leave public works in disrepair.
Massachusetts has lost population and good jobs (despite Republican campaign promises to bring in new industry). Our public higher education is now ranked among the lowest in the country. Young people graduate from public colleges with debts that will follow them into middle age.
Some of the deterioration under Republican governors is apparent only to those inside state agencies. For example, the Public Health department, formerly a national leader, has suffered from management changes and budget cuts, as have the environmental offices. It may take more than the Big Dig for all the neglect and incompetence to become apparent.
Consider the record of Democratic and Republican administrations. Think about their priorities and their fundamental values.
On Tuesday, November 7, vote for the kind of society you want to live in. If you're not yet a voter, you can register by Wednesday, October 18. On election day, vote anytime between 7 am and 8 pm.
If you believe our country and state are headed in the right direction, vote for Republican candidates. As Republican Governor Romney says, “Having more Republican governors means more Republican congressmen, senators and better support for the presidency."
That's why Republican Vice President Cheney flew to Boston to raise funds for Republican candidate Healey. Attempting to downplay her party affiliation, she didn't let photographers see them together. She must hope that her contributions to Bush for President have been forgotten.
If you prefer the leadership of Democrats, vote for Democratic candidates. When Democrats regain power, our once-proud Commonwealth and nation can begin to reverse the damage.
The Democratic Party works for the Common Good.
Catherine Bayliss is chair of the Gloucester Democratic City Committee and a member of the Democratic State Committee.
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