9/11 Fear Versus 9/12 Primary Hope

Our response after September 11 was fear and anger followed by distrust in government. Our elected officials did not live up to their promise to protect our families. Instead we have four more years of “The Decider” who has been a national disgrace as a divider. Yet, the terrorists could not take away the most prized freedom many have died to defend – our democratic right to vote. Do we now allow the party to choose or can we do better?

The beauty of primaries is WE have the opportunity to select who represents us. This is what party machines fear most. Their power is based upon the knowledge people may complain about their elected, but seldom take action. Machine politicians promise the world, but rarely deliver. I call it the politics of the one night stand.

They say what you want to hear in order to get your vote. They know only one in five eligible to vote will do so in a primary. They’re helped by special interests that want them in power. Yet, they say “if you vote for me, I’ll end corruption.” Have they done so in their political career? Are they accepting contributions from corrupting influences? Come on.

In federal races we can ask what is meant by “rapid and responsible.” What does “hold Bush and oil companies accountable” mean? Bold visions like my Euro-Arab Coalition to stabilize the Middle East, a Coalition of Americas bringing economic and national security to the U.S. and Latin America, billions invested in alternative energy or partnering with China to merge our economic futures all seem so distant. While voters expect the best of what humanity can produce, they look to a promising future to head off more kitchen table issues experienced by our struggling families who are working hard to just get by.

What I love about elections are the local primaries. In Providence, 12 out of the 15 wards have Democratic incumbents with primaries. In Cranston, there’s a four way mayoral primary. In Cumberland, not only is there a mayoral race, but every ward has a primary, too. This is repeated in Johnston, Lincoln, Pawtucket and places throughout our state.

In local races, we can see our property taxes being raised and determine if our schools are performing here and now. We can see if our community services are adequate and if we’re getting value. We definitely feel higher prices for lodging, food, energy and health care are eroding our incomes. We know we’re paying a lot in taxes, so we’re being reasonable to expect relief. I’d go one more. We have the right to demand reform.

We have higher energy prices because our presence in Iraq creates instability and oil companies have been allowed to gouge us. This is permitted by those who accept contributions from the defense and energy industries. These special interests want to control how and from whom your tax dollars are collected and how and on whom they’re spent. They’re hurting us locally and it’s time to fight back in our local primaries. On September 12, your vote decides that our tax dollars are for education, retirement security, health care, our veterans, our seniors and to improve our incomes and communities. It’s time we bring “hope” back to our Hope state. It’s patriotic and common sense.