BELIEFS

I sent the following e-mail, and I suppose it's asking for trouble. People could edit it so that it says things I DIDN'T. But here, for the record, is what I sent.
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Okay. I've been hearing the news, and seeing e-mails, and something has been bothering me. So I'm going to start something. It's a small thing, and maybe it's pointless. But I want to do it.

Here's what I'm doing. You can work with me on this. Or you can just hit delete. I won't know. It won't matter. Bad things won't happen. But if you're willing, I'd like you to read the following. If you agree with something, put an * behind it. If you have things you want to add, add them with your name in front. And maybe forward it on.

C. Adams

I am an American. And I believe:

In the Constitution (Including the Amendments) and the Bill of Rights. ALL of them. Up to and including Free Speech and the Right to Bear Arms; even when it's not convenient.

That you don't fight evil with evil. If you try, you've already lost.

I believe that the government is supposed to be "By the People and For the People." Since most of the people I know have to work 50 weeks with 2 weeks of vacation (with the weekend and occasional holiday off), I don't see any reason why Congress can't do the same.

I believe that the life of every single one of our servicemen and women is precious. But I also believe that there are values in life important enough to live for, and important enough to die for.

I believe that you cannot change a person's mind by force and domination.

I believe we've got to take a hard look at what policies have and haven't worked in the past fifty years and make changes where needed. Forget the rhetoric. If it isn't working, no matter how good it sounds, it ISN'T WORKING.

I believe we need LEADERS the kind of people who can truly inspire us to be the best we can be, not merely settle for what is easy or convenient. We, as a nation have pulled together in the past to do amazing, breathtaking things behind men and women we truly believed in. We can do it again, but we need people to believe in.

Conversely, I believe that we MUST look past the rhetoric and not just follow blindly. Hitler was a terrific orator and people followed him. Which is just terrifying when you think about it.

I believe it is a sad state of affairs that you can't get elected to high (or even most lower) office without a boatload of money and that appearances seem to be mattering more than substance. (Did I actually read about a candidate's HAIRSTYLE? Tell me I didn't. Please.)

I believe that I'm entitled to my beliefs AND SO ARE YOU, even if they aren't the same.

I believe that education is critical to success, and that inspiration and leadership are key to making people of all ages WANT to learn. Without the desire to learn, there IS no education, there is public babysitting.

I believe in hard work. For everybody. If you aren't willing to work for it, you apparently don't want it badly enough.

I also believe in charity. But you'd damned well better need it if you're drawing it.

I believe in healthcare for everybody. I'm not a genius, I don't know how we can do it, but I believe we should at least try.

I believe in the Statue of Liberty. Yes, our immigration system needs an overhaul, but it still says a lot that people WANT to come here.

I believe that we have a real problem with the tax system. And the deficit. And that they're connected. I mean, if I didn't put money in my checking and I wrote checks, the bank really would get pissed. Jail would be imminent. The economy is not just numbers. It's people's lives and livelihoods. It's irresponsible to think otherwise.

I believe this is still a great country. I believe in our legal system, despite its flaws. I believe that everyone is entitled to that legal system -- and I do not believe any threat of terrorism is great enough for us to forego our basic rights or to waive our responsibility to be the country of liberty AND JUSTICE FOR ALL that we have pledged to be.

I think it is sad and a sorry state of affairs that so many people think so little of the candidates, and have so little faith in the future of our country that they will probably not vote.

I think it is sad and a sorry state of affairs that I ever had to hear the words "dangling chad" and face the implications thereof.

I'm sure this has bored you. Maybe you haven't even gotten this far. But I believe in this country, and in the power of the people. And I hope you do to, and that you will forward it on.