Persistent Election

J. Kevin Tumlinson

By now, you should know who you’ll vote for in the presidential election. Or, for that matter, IF you’ll vote in the presidential election. If not, you’re either seriously discerning about choices such as this or you’re just clueless. As for me, I made up my mind some time back, but I have to admit that I’ve allowed for the possibility that my mind could be changed.

I gave both G.W. Bush and John Kerry a fair shake. Which is to say, I’ve listened to the highly structured, heavily laced and pre-prepared speeches. I’ve listened to the “debates.” I’ve read articles, interviews, and features. And through it all, my mind has pretty much stayed “made up.”

I don’t want to vote for either of these guys. But I will.

In the past, I’ve had a sort of odd relationship with the Primaries. I went through a period where I refused to vote at all, based entirely on principle. Don’t go all public service announcement on me and start spouting that “if you don’t vote you don’t have the right to complain” nonsense. Of course I have the right to complain. As an American citizen I have the right to refuse a privilege or a right and still voice concerns about the government. My feeling on the subject at the time, and sometimes even now, was that not voting was the same as saying, “I either don’t want to have any responsibility for putting one of these men in office or I am fine with whatever the voting minority decides.” And believe me, those who vote are in a minority all their own, regardless or race or creed.

At other times, I decided that I just couldn’t allow the elections to go by without some input from me. During those times, if I decided that I wanted nothing to do with an administration dominated by either political party, I would use my right to a write-in vote. And the name on the ballot was “J. Kevin Tumlinson.” My philosophy on this was centered on the idea that the only person I trust to represent me and make decision about my life was me. I was always outvoted, of course, but MY president was always J. Kevin Tumlinson.

This election, however, is different. I’m alarmed at a few of the things I’ve seen and heard. And frankly, I’ve come to realize that since one or the other of these men is going to be president at the end of this, I have to do my level best to help make sure that the bigger liar, idiot, moron, and ethical sink-hole doesn’t win it.

To that end, I’m voting for George W. Bush.

Here’s why:

PERSONAL PRINCIPLE:

JOHN KERRY – During the second debate, the “Town Hall” debate, there was a question directed to John Kerry concerning the issue of abortion. It’s a touchy subject, but it’s also something that has to be addressed. The question, as I remember it, was, “I am opposed to abortion. If I wanted assurance from you that none of my tax dollars would be used to support legislation that would favor abortion, how would you respond?” Kerry’s answer was a rambling, unfocused diatribe that came back and devoured itself.

“I’m Catholic,” he assured everyone, and he continued on to say that he was against ending life in the womb. And yet, in his next breath he maintained that he couldn’t let his personal beliefs dictate government policy. He made his viewpoint clear with some diatribe about fathers raping their daughters. And he made his position on personal principles clear as well – he has none.

GEORGE W. BUSH – When Bush stood up for his rebuttal, on the other hand, he took an adamant stand. No government money would be used in support of abortion. He made it very clear that he felt abortion was wrong, and that he would do everything in his power to prevent any policy on the part of the government that would support abortion.

J. KEVIN TUMLINSON – I am opposed to abortion. I realize it’s an unpopular stance to take. And by that statement, I mean it’s unpopular to actually take a stand on EITHER side of the argument. Our current cultural climate is geared entirely towards this diseased notion of political correctness, which dictates that we have to be sensitive to both sides of an issue and not make any sort of principled stand. If anyone dares to stand up and say, “I am for this, and I am against that,” then they are publicly crucified by the media and by politically motivated organizations. Our nation, once proud of the freedom to take any stand and speak of it loudly, is now cowed and beaten and afraid to utter even a syllable that might be incorrect, for fear that GLAD or NOW or some other acronym laden group of crybabies will file suit.

DECISIVE ACTION:

JOHN KERRY – Maybe my listening skills are getting dulled a bit, but I haven’t heard anything “decisive” come out of Kerry’s mouth since this race started. Oh, well, let me correct that… he DID look directly into the camera at the aforementioned town hall debate and state that he would not raise taxes for people making less than $200K. Very kind of him. NOT doing something that is already NOT being done… that’s very decisive.

GEORGE W. BUSH – Whether you agree with the Iraq war or not, you have to admit that the man did exactly what he said he was going to do. Frankly, I could care less if we found WMD in Iraq. Clearly Saddam Hussein was a dictator and a tyrant. Our reasons for going over there might be a little on the shady side, but the result was the end of a dictatorship that was costing humanity, no two ways about it. And the conflict is just one example of G.W.’s tendency to take decisive action. If he says he’ll do something, you’d better put on a pot of coffee and get ready for the griddle cakes (apologies for the sudden South Texas moment).

J. KEVIN TUMLINSON – I thought the pretense of searching for WMD was unnecessary, but going in and wiping out a dictatorship is pretty much at the top of my personal “To Do’s” for my president. People often ask, who appointed the U.S. as the world police? Frankly, the world did. We’re the first nation that anyone turns to when they’re in need. Why? Lots of reasons, but not the least of which is that we control the money, we set all the trends in the economy, entertainment and even philosophy, and we as a nation have a big heart. We understand the nature of freedom, for the most part. And though many loud-mouths have forgotten exactly WHY they get to spew their opinions at the public, they still have a fundamental understanding as to the nature of their freedom. And given a choice, I believe that anyone in the U.S., regardless of political alignment, would cast a vote to end oppression for another nation.

Just don’t ask them to pay for it.

Just a couple of reasons, but they’re persuasive enough for me. G.W.’s philosophy of government aligns more closely with my own, so he gets the vote. If I wasn’t completely in fear of a John Kerry government, I’d likely use my vote like I normally do. But In times of crisis, we sometimes have to suck it up and do the right thing, even if it goes against our own personal preference. George W. Bush hasn’t been a perfect president, but he’s a sight better than the alternative.

At least, in the humble opinion of this ol’ curmudgeon.

J. Kevin Tumlinson is the Publisher and Editor for ViewOnline Magazine at www.viewonline.com. He is a Houston Baptist University graduate with degrees in English and Communications. You can reach him by e-mail at kevin@viewonline.com. He is also voting for Ross Perot for Country Mascot. Go Perot!