The speech the Democratic nominee should give

[Cyrano]

My fellow Americans, I’m speaking to you today to put to rest the countless lies and smears that the other party has used to get you to vote against your own best interests and what have always been true American values.

Patriotism is a long-standing American value. And it’s more than a pin or bumper sticker. True patriotism is caring for our troops who have given more than should be asked of anyone. I’m speaking of men and women who have come home with physical and psychological scars they will bear for a lifetime. They have served far and above the call of duty. And now it’s our duty to give them the care, comfort and financial security for which they have given so much.

Regarding health care, you have been told that government sponsored universal health care is socialism, which is the other party’s code word for communism. Is England a socialist country? Or France, or Denmark, or Germany, or the Netherlands, or Belgium, or Sweden, or Canada, or Greece, or Japan, or so many others? Question the motives of people who tell you that universal health care is not in keeping with American values.

What about education? For eight years you have heard the term “No Child Left Behind.” The truth is that this program was aimed at and succeeded in leaving millions of children behind. Someone will have to explain to me why giving every child a decent education isn’t an American value.

And let’s not forget the economy. For decades we were a “can-do” nation. Jobs were plentiful, wages were decent and we led the rest of the world in innovation and industrial might. What happened? A global economy is part of the answer. But another part of the answer is greed. American corporations would rather pay someone in another country a dollar an hour than pay a United States citizen a living wage. Is that patriotism? Is that an American value? I think not.

And finally there’s the role of government itself. For decades, the other party has operated under a principle set forth by a man named Grover Norquist. His plan for our government is to “…shrink it down to where it can be drowned in a bathtub.” Were we to do this, who would ensure that food, water and medications are safe? Who would establish regulations to protect your children from toys filled with lead? Who would provide for the common good? Who would bring about a just society? Who would “ensure the blessings of liberty” for all Americans? We see where the current administration’s contempt for government has taken us.

Americans that we now call “The Greatest Generation” saved the world from fascism. Now it’s our turn to save ourselves. When you step into that voting booth, ask yourself who wants to improve the lives of “the haves and the have mores,” and who wants to improve the lives of each and every American citizen. Forget the bumper sticker slogans and those trying to sell you fear. Ask yourself who really cares more about America’s shared values and generations yet to come. I know you’ll make the right decision.

[niyad]

1. works for me