Dole's values remain clear, strong
Campus Times
November 1, 1996
by Lori Cruz
Features Editor
With the last president of this millenniumto be elected Tuesday, Bob Dole's
speeches are coming more from his heart and are based on a history of conservative
beliefs.
Although politics have changed since the the party of Lincoln formed, conservative
fundamentals have remained unaltered. The belief in responsibility, less
government intrusion and lower taxes are at the core of Dole's speeches.
Dole is letting his beliefs do the talking and his message is concrete,
consistent and not blowing whatever way the political wind is.
At a rally this week, Dole asked supporters, "Where is the outrage,
America?"
Yes, where is the outrage over the disintegration of morality in the White
House? Where is the outrage over President Clinton's newest scandal involving
the Democratic National Committee and its campaign finance tactics that
include the selling of U.S. foreign policy in exchange for six figure donations?
Where is the outrage when Vietnam veterans sleep in cardboard boxes on Pennsylvania
Avenue while a draft dodger sleeps in the White House?
Because of his undying belief in values, it is no surprise that in 35 years
of public office, Dole's vision has remained consistent and a scandal has
never called his character into question. Ditto for Jack Kemp and his 18
years as a Congressman.
In another rally this week, Dole's message was the same as it ever was,
"the government is too big and it spends too much of your money."
Dole has been a walking definition of conservatism since he first entered
Congress. Dole has fought for lower taxes, less government spending, reduced
regulations, tougher crime laws and a smaller, more efficient welfare system.
Since 1992, Clinton has been chanting that he will put 100,000 police officers
on the streets. How many cities have seen one new cop on their streets?
This will not change the crime rate. It is merely a band-aid for a gunshot
wound. What will make this country safer are tougher laws enforced by tougher
judges that will abolish parole for violent offenders, charge teenagers
who commit violent crimes as adults and support of the death penalty. Dole
has been a consistent voice of all of these laws as Senator and as a candidate
for the presidency.
Dole's belief in the fundamentals of responsibility are evident as he speaks
of changing a welfare system that has become all-encompassing and allows
teen moms or drug users to thrive on a futile system that encourages dependency
and the breakdown of family values.
Trillions of dollars have been spent since the "Great Society"
and poverty, crime and drug use are larger problems.
The war on drugs never should have ended, but it did when the if-I-coulda-inhaled-I-woulda
President took office. The position that Dole supports stops the cycle of
drugs at the start. If a drug pusher brings drugs into this country with
the intent to destroy our children, we will kill them. While both Dole and
Clinton support capital punishment for drug dealers, the difference is that
Dole's record validates his support and Clinton says it now with his inconsistent
election accuracy.
Dole believes in equal justice and opportunity for Americans. In a San Diego
rally Monday, he said, "We must fight discrimination with equal justice
and equal opportunity."
Clinton's message was less sincere and more Johnnie Cochran-esque when he
spoke of affirmative action and said we must "mend it, not end it"
which means, in Clinton-election-speak, anything goes.
With the election nearing, Dole must continue to stand true to his own beliefs
while speaking from the heart about the conservative values that will remain
alive and thrive in the 21st century.
Lori Cruz, a senior political science major, is features editor of the
Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at cruzl@ulvacs.ulaverne.edu.