 |
|
|
|
Editor's
Note
Make a Difference
Your
vote is crucial in a tight presidential race
Beth Ulrich, Ed.D.,
RN, Texas Editor
September
1, 2000
The
two major political parties have had their conventions and
the candidates are out stumping. Do you care? You should.
Have
you bought into the media buzz that the Democrats are looking
more like Republicans and the Republicans are looking more
like Democrats and that there’s really little difference?
Don’t believe it for a minute.
This
issue provides you with an overview of the major candidates’
positions on health care issues. There are, of course, other
candidates beyond the two major parties. While their chances
of winning the election may be small, they serve an important
function in bringing issues and positions to the surface;
we have included coverage of these candidates as well. We
also have addressed health care legislation in the pipeline.
This is only a small portion of the information you need
to make your decision, but it’s a start.
There
are differences in the candidates and their party platforms.
There also are differences in their knowledge and experience.
If you don’t know those differences, it’s time to learn.
Ask questions. Look for answers in the party platforms,
what the candidate says about the issue, and, more importantly,
what he’s actually done. Remember that actions speak louder
than words. Find out what each candidate supports as well
as what he doesn’t support. Some hot topics this election
year include:
-
Health care insurance for the elderly, children, adults,
the self-employed, etc.
-
Pharmacy benefits for senior citizens
-
HMO responsibilities and liabilities
-
Continued Medicare and Social Security funding
-
Abortion
-
Education, from preschool to college
-
Mental health funding
-
Funding health care research and education
While
you’re learning about the candidates’ positions, find out
how they plan to fund those positions. You can’t fund everything.
There is a finite amount of money available. Choices must
be made.
Professional
associations are good sources for information on the candidates
and their positions. Most have staff who perform detailed
research on candidates, their positions, voting records,
etc. You may want to look at several associations, however,
as each will concentrate on the issues that directly affect
that association and its members.
Perhaps
you’re someone who believes your one vote is insignificant.
It’s not. Every vote counts. This promises to be a close
election, so your one vote along with the votes of everyone
else who thinks their votes won’t make a difference can
decide the election and probably will. Are you a woman?
Some pundits believe that women will decide this election.
Are you a minority? Other analysts believe you have the
deciding vote. Are you a white male? Both parties seem to
think you have the swing vote. Whoever you are, your vote
is valuable.
Now
is the time to register, if you have not already. The coming
two months are the time to ask questions, gather information
and decide who you think can best serve as our president.
You can influence the decision. And you should.
What
do you think?
Email us at
editor@nurseweek.com
|
|
|
|
