Register to Vote?

As Americans we have a privilege that many other countries may only dream. Men have gone to battle for this privilege. This often taken for granted advantage is the opportunity to vote. Yet, while millions in other countries cry for this opportunity, millions in our own country have chosen not to vote, or not even to register to vote.

Every two years, during the fall of the year, people from city and country gather at churches, libraries, community centers and fire stations to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice. We also have elections at other times of year for municipal, school board and other elections. Voting is NOT a right, it is a privilege.

You may decide to register as a Democrat, a Republican, or as No Party. If you don’t register with a party, you must understand that you lose the opportunity of voting in primaries. Half of the elections happen without your voice. To assist you in determining what party might best suit your ideology, here are some excerpts taken directly from the 2002 Democrat and Republican Platforms as they pertain to Biblical Issues. No editorializing – just read for yourself and register with the party you feel best reflects your views. If you would like to read the entire platforms from each party, you may do so by logging on to their websites. The Iowa Democrat Party may be found at: www.iowademocrats.org The Iowa Republican Party may be found at: www.iowagop.org

Democrat – Long Term Plank 25 Reproductive Rights

We support: personal choice free from governmental interference in reproductive rights including the right to a safe and legal abortion; and development and funding of reproductive health services including comprehensive sexuality education, family planning, and recognition of a woman’s right of termination; and elimination of mandatory wait periods for reproductive choices or procedures.

Republican - Statement of Principal:

We believe in the sanctity of human life from conception to death.

Democrat – Long Term Plank 22

We support: amending governmental statutes and regulation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identification; domestic partnership legislation; expansion of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act; equal opportunity for military service regardless of gender or sexual orientation including combat positions when qualified; repeal of Iowa’s workplace drug-testing law; leaving end of life decisions to individuals and/or families; Affirmative Action; and The Equal Rights Amendment. We oppose the government narrowly defining family; and government supported religious activities in public facilities and schools including sponsored prayer and postings of religious doctrine.

As Republicans, we ardently support the concept of equal rights, equal justice, and equal opportunity under the law for all people in Iowa regardless of race, creed, age, sex, or national origin. We believe all citizens have equal protection under the law and that granting special status or privileges to defined groups is unnecessary and unwise.

We believe government-mandate affirmative action programs are by nature discriminatory and should be abolished.

We believe traditional, two parent, marriage-based, families are foundational to a stable, enduring, and healthy civilization. Therefore, public policy must always be pro-family in nature, encouraging marital and family commitment, and supportive or parental rights and responsibilities.

Democrat – Long Term Plank 18

We support increasing state funding of public libraries and the arts; and substantial funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities in support of individual artists.

Republican – Government – Article 15

We believe the National Endowment of the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and the Legal Services Corporations should be privately funded.

Democrat – Long Term Plank 20

We oppose voucher systems, PK-12 tuition tax credits, and state funded PK-12 charter schools; lowering teacher-licensing requirements PK-12; across-the-board cuts; and high stakes testing, for student promotion or teacher evaluation.

Democrat – Long Term Plank 16

We support full state and federal funding of public preschool and school programs for early identification and treatment of special needs and hostile/violent behavior.

Republican – Education – Article 16

We support the idea of choice and competition through educational vouchers and/or tuition tax credits to assist parents as they exercise their rights of choosing public, private, home, or alternative education programs for their children.

Republican – Education – Article 5

We oppose mandatory preschool.