2008 Woodie Awards
There's no such thing as a good Democrat
Natasha Sell
Issue date: 9/18/07 Section: Opinions
Now that I have angered approximately 70% of the campus and have all of your attention, let me rephrase my thought. Off the top of my head I can name three Democrats that this voting Republican stands behind and supports. As anybody who is involved in politics knows, it is almost impossible to vote straight ticket. If you are passionate about an issue, or issues, you do not vote purely by party but by who represents your ideals best. Therefore, any Democrat involved in politics will tell you they have voted for a Republican or two, and the same can be said for any Republican who will (almost) never admit they've voted for a Democrat.
This is because on the local level you can actually meet your local representative walking down the street or down the road at the Golden Corral. You get to know these people on a personal basis, and along the way I have personally met or reaped the benefits of great Democratic representatives who have shown me that the other side of the aisle is not (entirely) bad. Who are these Democrats who have won this Republicans heart? Bob Etheridge, Joe Manchin, and Robert Byrd.
Bob Etheridge and Joe Manchin are men who stand out in my mind because of the way they reach out to their constituents, whether at PTA functions or in times of need. I first met Bob Etheridge, my representative from Harnett County, in the fifth grade when he stopped by my elementary school to introduce himself to the students and teachers. Not only did he just stop by my school, he made sure to visit every single classroom. In my mind, I do not know of many politicians who would do that today, and that is a shame. Perhaps our schools would be a lot better if politicians only took the time to stop by and visit the classrooms, if only for a day. Even now, after he has basically secured his seat permanently in the House, he still takes the time to attend PTA meetings and funerals of teenagers who lose their lives too soon.
On a state level, I cannot stand "Tax Hike" Mike. Then again, I have never claimed to be from North Carolina so I don't have to claim him as one of my politicians. I am proud to be from West-by-God Virginia, and I am proud to have Joe Manchin as Governor. This man has gone above and beyond for his constituents. For one, he is trying to bring new job markets into the state, which is good since the only businesses are Wal-Mart and coal. Secondly, I applaud his strength following the Sago Mine explosion. Not only did he call families personally to offer condolences, he made sure to attend a wake or funeral for every miner who lost their life. Even more, he had a trust fund set up so that children who lost their fathers would have money to attend college. He is the most pro-active Governor I know, one who truly cares about the entire state he represents.
This is because on the local level you can actually meet your local representative walking down the street or down the road at the Golden Corral. You get to know these people on a personal basis, and along the way I have personally met or reaped the benefits of great Democratic representatives who have shown me that the other side of the aisle is not (entirely) bad. Who are these Democrats who have won this Republicans heart? Bob Etheridge, Joe Manchin, and Robert Byrd.
Bob Etheridge and Joe Manchin are men who stand out in my mind because of the way they reach out to their constituents, whether at PTA functions or in times of need. I first met Bob Etheridge, my representative from Harnett County, in the fifth grade when he stopped by my elementary school to introduce himself to the students and teachers. Not only did he just stop by my school, he made sure to visit every single classroom. In my mind, I do not know of many politicians who would do that today, and that is a shame. Perhaps our schools would be a lot better if politicians only took the time to stop by and visit the classrooms, if only for a day. Even now, after he has basically secured his seat permanently in the House, he still takes the time to attend PTA meetings and funerals of teenagers who lose their lives too soon.
On a state level, I cannot stand "Tax Hike" Mike. Then again, I have never claimed to be from North Carolina so I don't have to claim him as one of my politicians. I am proud to be from West-by-God Virginia, and I am proud to have Joe Manchin as Governor. This man has gone above and beyond for his constituents. For one, he is trying to bring new job markets into the state, which is good since the only businesses are Wal-Mart and coal. Secondly, I applaud his strength following the Sago Mine explosion. Not only did he call families personally to offer condolences, he made sure to attend a wake or funeral for every miner who lost their life. Even more, he had a trust fund set up so that children who lost their fathers would have money to attend college. He is the most pro-active Governor I know, one who truly cares about the entire state he represents.
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