Forget that Tim Kaine is slightly up in the polls. Forget that 30 papers endorsed him, and only 4 papers endorsed Jerry Kilgore. Forget that President Bush's approval ratings are at all-time lows. Forget Scooter Libby, forget Tom DeLay, and forget Hurricane Katrina. Moderates and conservatives in this country right now still haven't connected the dots that the current incarnation of the Republican Party (of which Jerry Kilgore is a part) does not speak for them. They don't speak for young professionals, they don't speak for Christians, they don't speak for families, and they don't speak for small businesses.
Today's Republican Party leaders don't care about your taxes and they don't care that you're sitting in traffic. They won't let your needs interfere with the profits of THEIR campaign contributors.
While we live in our own microcosmic universes, concerned with individual issues like our tax bill and our commutes to work, we often fail to see the bigger picture. Specifically, I'm referring to inequities, injustices and inefficiencies brought about by the Bush Administration, its policies, and its proteges (like Kilgore wants to be). All of these cause problems that directly affect our daily lives. That's why it is dangerous to think this election won't directly affect you, because it most certainly will!
Still not convinced? Well, here is one last thing that may be able to push you over the top.
Speaking from much personal experience, I can confidently say that our Democratic leaders here in Virginia -- from the top on down -- are by far the most accessible public officials you will ever meet. They are attentive to people's problems, they listen to our concerns, and unlike many Republicans, they are willing to accept criticism. They are only "liberal" in the sense that they are OPEN-MINDED. They don't have an agenda beyond a commitment to public service and a desire to see positive results in their communities.
If I have a problem with my tax bill or I am stuck in traffic, I know who I can turn to. If I have trouble with dwindling education levels or increasing crime rates in my community, I feel most comfortable voicing these concerns to my Democratic representatives. Because I know that they will listen and get things done.
In other words, voting Democratic is NOT a vote for a "liberal" agenda. It is a vote to keep your voice heard and a vote to keep citizen participation as a central influence in public debate.
The Republican Party leadership today is secretive and doesn't listen to the people. It also won't tell you what it really believes. Jerry Kilgore preaches low taxes, but won't sign the taxpayer's bill of rights. Jerry Kilgore preaches gun rights, but won't fill out surveys to say what he will do to protect the 2nd Amendment. Jerry Kilgore says he's "pro-life," but then says that the question of abortion is "hypothetical."
At the end of the day, the people you can trust are the people who will listen to you. Tim Kaine has not yet won this election, and will not win if people do not make the connection that this election truly affects their lives. The bottom line is that if you want a voice in decisions that affect you where you live, then you need to vote for Tim Kaine on Tuesday November 8th. Please do so, and let all our voices -- yours and mine -- be heard!