Editor, Times-Union: I have been wrestling with what I am about to say for some time and I believe it must now be said. This is not an endorsement of a particular candidate. Rather it is an expression of outrage against the Bush administration and the current Congress. Mr. President and Mr. Souder, we are furious that you have abandoned and betrayed the conservative and libertarian principles that you led us to believe you would govern by.
First, you have recklessly led us into an unnecessary and horribly costly conflict in Iraq, in lives and money, based upon false premises and naive thinking. Democracy can never be taught by war but only by example and the example you have demonstrated has repulsed much of the world.
Secondly, you have ushered in an era of big government unprecedented in the world's history and shamelessly driven us into debt at the expense of generations to come. You will leave our children with a bankrupt future while you have hosted an enormous transfer of wealth to the richest few, those you call "your base," and in doing so you have deprived many to come of the chance to achieve the American dream.
Third, you have used religion, and especially the Christian faith, as a tool in your political agenda not to heal this nation but to drive a wedge. Some Christians have allowed this tragedy to happen. At least part of the church, by becoming a consort of your political movement, has lost its credibility and necessary objectivity. Sadly, many Christians, blinded by the access to worldly power, have ignored the depravity rampant in the government, tolerating rape of the environment, war, torture of suspects, abusive capitalism, and more, in the interest of single issue allegiances.
Fourth, you have worked to dismantle something sacred to our culture, the Bill of Rights. This country was founded on the remarkable concept that government be limited and personal liberties preserved. There was to be no state religion so that all could, as the apostle Paul once said, " ... work out (their) faith with fear and trembling." We were to be entitled to speak freely without fear of government reprisal. And those accused of wrongdoing were to afforded rights and protections from government abuses. By authorizing the endless detention and torture of suspects, you have not only endangered American prisoners but you have raised the question this question: If we torture prisoners, how are we any different than terrorists? The Writ of Habeas corpus, the right of one in custody to be promptly and publically produced to a neutral magistrate, was won from the King of England 800 years ago. Do you so cavalierly dismantle it?
This election is very important because it gives us the opportunity to express a very clear opinion poll. My opinion is that we have lost our way and it is urgent that we change our course before it is too late. I hope you will express your opinion, too, on Nov. 7.
David C. Kolbe, via e-mail
Warsaw
Vote On Nov. 7
Editor, Times-Union: I would like to remind everyone to exercise your right to vote on Nov. 7. We all say we want a change, so we have to change who we elect.
William Alberding, via e-mail
Countyt Democratic Party Chairman
Pierceton Editor's Note: This letter was edited to conform to our political letters deadline, which was Oct. 25.
