How does my LTTE sound? Is it too partisan?

[Deja Q]

My goal is to make an editorial that isn't pandering to either side. At least overtly, I'm sure there's a pro-Kerry message in here somewhere, but I want to write it in an open-ended format that will get people to do their duty, rather than being openly biased.

Thanks for reading!


Voting is one of the more sacred rites we, as citizens of the United States, have. We have the freedom to pick and choose our leaders. However, it is paramount that the choice is made from facts, not emotion, blind favoring of personality, or spin.

As working class citizens, America's citizens, and the world's citizens, our responsibility is the most important. Not just for our workforce of the future, but our workforce of today: Ourselves.
While we currently have good jobs, they may not exist in the future. Here is a story about a friend of mine:

John is a American. At 5:30AM, he wakes up to his alarm clock that was made in China. He proceeds to get out of his bed and fold the bedsheets that were made in Sri Lanka. He proceeds to shower, using soap made in England and shampoo made in France. He blow dries his hair using a hair dryer made in Taiwan. He then goes to eat breakfast, using plates made in Korea, taking the food out of a refrigerator made in China. He then dresses up in his suit and tie, all of which were made in the Philippines. He browses the newspaper where he reads that Medical Corporations have announced huge profits while also reading elsewhere about the latest hikes in health care costs. He then goes into his Japanese-made automobile using imported Saudi Arabian fuel to go job-hunting in the United States. Able to find nothing except numerous retail or fast food jobs that can't even begin to pay the bills, he goes back home to watch a DVD movie on his TV set (both made in Mexico). He then starts his home computer, made in China, starts his word processing program that was made in India, starts up his financial planning program (also made in India), browses the internet with a browser (yet again, made in India) to contact his lawyer to discuss bankruptcy options. He's at the end of his tether.

The above scenario has happened to millions of America's citizens; their jobs being ended and shipped elsewhere. Medical care is astronomical these days while providing only mundane service, and there are too many reasons to count. People can't even afford schooling because of the cost of medical care and all costs revolving oil and gasoline (from food to transportation to the very Chinese-made hairbrush John uses.)

But we still have the freedom to vote. Voting can make a difference, especially if we choose representatives who take into consideration the majority of the people.

I implore you to analyze the records of the major candidates. This should be mandatory for every citizen, as we are blessed with the wonderful concept of choosing who we want to follow. Read where they stand, how they've voted on issues relevant to we, the working class, over the last several years. Or even if they missed out on votes. Also watch and listen to them in public performances. Do they remain consistent between the events, or do they say the opposite of what they had earlier, if not stray from the questions entirely? Do they remain fast thinking on their feet? Can they handle criticism and react with a level head? Leadership requires consistency unless there is a need for change that requires a solid explanation to the people, the ability to think on one's feet, and to work for the majority of the people.

Also find out which corporations pay these politicians mass sums of money to buy their influence. How often do our elected officials truly work for us?

Then decide which candidate is better, or at least which one isn't as bad as the other when working for us.

This year's vote is crucial. We cannot afford to vote on mere emotion. If we don't vote for issues that affect us directly, such as decent paying jobs and properly reforming the health care industry, there will be no Homeland left to require Security. More than 60% of the US economy is dependent on the working class' consumerism. When good jobs are replaced by low-paying ones, we cannot consume. While this will help some people in the short term (namely those who move our jobs off the shores of our great country and pocket the difference for themselves), it will destroy us in the long term.

[calimary]

1. This is the kind of thing that cannot be said frequently enough.

Glad you have added to it.

The only critique I'd offer is that it's a little long.

Letters from readers have a better shot at being published if they're shorter. However, newspapers do take guest editorials and commentaries from some people who look as though they're VIPs - local or otherwise. If you have some sort of authoritative title or degree or professional credential to add to your name, it might enhance your image in their eyes. Cosmetics, I know, but sometimes they count. Especially in THIS superficial media era.

[Tesibria]

2. Suggestions

I would change the "I implore you" paragraph to ..

We are blessed with the right to choose who will lead our country. With this right comes a great responsibility: to make a wise choice. It is imperative that we examine the records and the platforms of the major candidate; that we know where they stand, how they've voted on issues relevant to we, the working class, over the last several years.


Other than that -- think it's perfect.

[Deja Q]

3. Thanks (to you both!)

I will have to work on the length, but I did change the article to say "who will lead" rather than "Who we choose to follow".