Fact to consider before voting
Sue Ella Deadwyler's WMVV Radio Commentary, 1/18/08

On February 5, we'll have the opportunity to vote in Georgia's Presidential Primary. So, it's time to consider the powerful influences behind your candidate's friendly handshake, smiling face and wonderful promises. Since the front-running candidates are either Democrats or Republicans, we need to read and compare two very important documents - their party platforms. Since reading the platforms from start to finish takes a very long time, I'll briefly compare their positions on a couple of issues.

If you're interested in abortion, you need to know that the Democratic platforms says, "Because we believe in the privacy and equality of women, we stand proudly for a woman's right to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade and regardless of her ability to pay. ...Abortion should be safe, legal, and rare." If you agree, vote for a Democrat. If not, look for another candidate.

The Republican platform says, "We support a human life amendment to the Constitution, and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children. Our purpose is to have legislative and judicial protection of that right against those who perform abortions. We oppose using public revenues for abortion and will not fund organizations that advocate it. We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life."

If you want to normalize homosexuality, you'll like the Democrat platform. It says, "We support full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and seek equal responsibilities, benefits,and protections for these families. ...We repudiate President Bush's divisive effort to politicize the Constitution by pursuing a Federal Marriage Amendment. Our goal is to bring Americans together, not drive them apart."

But, consider the Republican platform that says, "We support the traditional definition of marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman, and we believe that federal judges and bureaucrats should not force states to recognize other living arrangements as marriages. We rely on the home, as did the founders of the American Republic, to instill the virtues that sustain democracy itself. That belief led Congress to enact the Defense of Marriage Act, which a Republican Department of Justice will energetically defend in the courts. For the same reason, we do not believe sexual preference should be given special legal protection or standing in law."

I used to think it was wise to proudly vote for candidates that reflectmy philosophy, regardless of their party. But my years of dealing with the General Assembly taught me a valuable lesson. Few elected officials accomplish much; if they don't toe the party line. They might not agree with the party position, but under pressure they either abstain from voting or "hold their nose" and vote as though they do agree. If they defy the party, they won't be promoted and their bills won't pass. So, voters that ignore party affiliation shouldn't be surprised when their candidate votes the wrong way. I'll explain platform positions on other issues on Monday.