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Phoenixville News:  Huge Issues Hang on 2008 Election

It is time for all Americans to think seriously about the issues and problems facing our country and stop listening to the media uproar around personalities and smear tactics on all sides of the political spectrum.
There are a few short weeks before we all head to the polls on November 4th. During this time we owe it to our country to be involved, engaged and curious when researching the issues and the candidates. Competency and explicit, well reasoned plans should be the basis for our final decision.

To listen, read and watch main stream media outlets these days it seems we have all but forgotten: how 9/11 had NOTHING to do with Iraq; how the current administration cherry picked intelligence to find a basis for invading Iraq; how much of our country's treasury and over 4,100 lives of our brave volunteer military have been lost due to poor planning, not enough or effective body armor, not enough up-armored fighting vehicles, not enough Arab-speaking military linguists (over 26 discharged for "don't ask don't tell"); how many private contractors have received no-bid contracts, overcharged the US government and are accountable to NO ONE; the lack of care and support, both mental and physical for our wounded veterans when they return, [Abu Ghraib] and the abuse and torture endured there; Guantanamo Bay where "enemy combatants" are held without charge indefinitely; almost anything about Afghanistan; how cronyism and loyalty in the current administration directly lead to the horrific disaster in the wake of Katrina; the bail-out of major banking institutions including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac due to decreased regulation, greed and creative accounting; skyrocketing energy costs and a flailing economy related in no small part to the 4 billion dollars a month the government is spending in Iraq and Afghanistan; GLOBAL WARMING and the responsibility we all share in conserving and protecting our planet; research and development of alternative energies and decreased reliance on all fossil fuels; how we still haven't secured our nation's chemical, nuclear and biological plants against attacks SEVEN years after 9/11; how our privacy and civil rights have been systematically eroded in the name of "security," and finally that not one person in a position of power or policy has been held accountable or responsible for the debacle they have created.

This long, albeit severely edited list of real problems and issues makes "lipstick" remarks seem petty and ridiculous to me.

Please realize more than the next four years hangs in the balance. The next President will most certainly be nominating at least one Justice to the Supreme Court and they may once again be revisiting privacy rights, free speech and Roe v. Wade. Separation of church and state and civil rights will also be important topics for both the Congress and the courts.

Our country's reputation around the world has been damaged by the reckless policies and the unapologetic arrogance of the current administration. We no longer can claim moral authority over anyone and have almost all but forgotten about a tried and trusted tool called DIPLOMACY.

Many of our problems will not be solved by a new administration but we must all resolve to be active in the political process. The next President may well ask us to sacrifice or shoulder more personal responsibility but Americans have always risen to the challenges put forth by our leaders.

Our democracy is a living treasure which must be tended by all its citizens. Get out in your community, talk to your neighbors and friends, read and research all you can find and when you step up to your ballot on November 4th you will be prepared to cast your vote for the most qualified, inspired and competent candidates. Our future and the future of our children, grandchildren, and the very earth depend upon YOUR involvement.

Sincerely,

Marta K. Herman

Spring City

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