THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9411180007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
In review of the recent senatorial race, a select group of overused phrases comes immediately to mind:
``Send a message to Clinton.'' ``The Clinton agenda.'' And my personal favorite, ``The socialist Clinton agenda.''
Too often, the desire to protect the American people has been portrayed as evil by opponents of Clinton.
I have always viewed universal health care, gun control and, above all, tolerance not as ``socialist'' but as ``humane'' policies.
I resent being labeled a pagan, anti-family, anti-American extremist simply because I actually agree with many of the ideals of the Clinton administration.
Many candidates aligned themselves with the phrase ``opposes Clinton.'' What exactly do they oppose? The right of individuals, regardless of income, to have access to adequate health care? The right to live free of the fear of crime?
Do they oppose a strong economy? Deficit reduction? The re-establishment of democracy (i.e., Haiti)?
Do they oppose the right of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality to co-exist in harmony? The right of the middle class to have many of the same opportunities enjoyed by the monetary elite of the Reagan-Bush era?
I want to know how we can continue to bury our heads in the sand while special-interest groups manipulate our loyalties and undermine our faith?
The office of president is, indeed, a most difficult and unappreciated position, not unlike that of the strict, well-intentioned parent.
We, the American public, have often acted as spoiled, demanding children. When I hear the cries of the professed ``right'' calling for a return to the social and financial politics of the 1980s, I long to offer one bit of sage advice: ``Don't wish too hard for something; you may actually get what you want.''
LANA LEE CARY
Chesapeake, Nov. 11, 1994 by CNB