(PRWEB) April 24, 2004
I am deeply troubled by what I sense to be almost like a Civil War in this country in our political arena. There is such a polarization between the left and the right, between Republican and Democrat. But listen, we are all Americans. When it comes right down to it, we are not Democrats, Republicans or Independents, we are Americans. I mean if the bomb were to drop today, we would all stand up together as Americans. Some how I think we have forgotten that.
And for the American Eagle to soar economically and politically it is going to take both wings, left and right working together. In order for anything positive to happen in the United States Congress it takes bipartisan leadership.
“And the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, in order that she might fly into the wilderness to her place”
Revelation 12:14; NASB
This biblical passages speaks clearly of God using the United States of America in His’ Divine Providence. It speaks of the “two wings” which I believe are the left wing and right wing in American politics. But who is the woman?
Allow me to quote part of the poem that’s on the Statue of Liberty:
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!”
cries she with silent lips.
Give me your tired, your poor,
your huddled masses yearning to breathe free;
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
-by Emma Lazarus, New York City, 1883
The Statue of Liberty holds a torch in her right hand and carries in her left a book of law inscribed “July 4, 1776.” The broken chains, symbolizing the overthrow of tyranny, lie at her feet.
Immigrants the world over would see “Lady Liberty” welcoming them to America’s shores. For more than one hundred years the Statue of Liberty has become the global symbol of freedom.
Referring back to our text in Revelation, it is significant that the Holy Spirit does not actually refer simply to “the wings of the great eagle,” but very specifically “the two wings.”
In America today the Christian vote is divided politically. Christians who vote Republican do so for their anti-abortion platform. Christians who vote for the Democrats are conscious of the needs of working people, care for the poor and hurting in our nation. Independents tend to be a mixture of the two who do not feel represented by either.
I believe that God needs Christians in both political parties to be salt and light, in order to provide a positive influence in our government. I personally believe that God has given “the two wings of the great eagle” to the woman, “Liberty.”
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to be free;”
But the message for us today is that it takes two wings for this American eagle to fly. It takes both the left wing and the rignt wing. Isn’t it time we agreed to disagree and when we disagree, do it with dignity and respect for each other?
The two missing ingredients in the United States today are dignity and respect for each other. Respect between Republicans and Democrats. Respect between workers and employers. Respect and dignity in our political campaigns?
Today if you are a politician looking for PAC money or endorsements, you find out that if you are just a little moderate, it is very difficult. PAC money only goes to people on the hard left or the hard right, moderates don’t seem to fit into the political scheme. One group wants to abolish Public Broadcasting and the other wants to abolish the Department of Education. Another group demands your’ support for abortion, the other group demands your’ support for vouchers. If you are a Republican, and prefer tax credits over vouchers, support Public Broadcasting and believe that the Department of Education provides a vital service, then, “lots of luck.”
Today we have so demonized the opposition, polarized those with whom we disagree that issues become secondary and honest debate seems impossible. It was Ronald Reagan, one of our nation’s greatest Presidents, who presented what he called, the 11th Commandment:
“Never speak ill of a fellow Republican.”
What he was saying, is treat each other the way you would like to be treated. Treat each other with dignity and respect. I think in America that it would be good if we adopted something very similiar in our thinking: “Never speak ill of a fellow American.”
In other words, quit demonizing the other party and start treating each other with dignity and respect. It is what another great American President, John F. Kennedy said:
“Every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated.”
Education
I am of the opinion that there have been too many budget cuts and that the Senate has failed to properly fund our educational programs. My position is that we need to fully support the Department of Education and send more federal funds from Washington to help states and local school districts have the full funding they need for such programs as are needed for “Children with Learning Disabilities” and other programs.
I feel like the black sheep in the party for my stand on education. Bob Schaffer wants to abolish the Deparment of Education and I want to increase the Department of Education’s funding. Most of the Republicans in Colorado are for vouchers. I prefer tax credits. I would like to see tax credits established for all tuition payments from Preschool all the way to the Ph.D. This would be a sound investment in the future of our nation.
I find it interesting that we can find the funds to build prisons and not schools. Experts tell me that the future prison population can be determined by Fourth Grade test scores. It sounds like we have our priorities very confused. The education of kids should be the top prioirty in the future. If we work together, instead of against each other, we can repair, remodel and build better schools instead of being forced to build more prisons.
School Construction
School Construction should become a priority in America again. I have been to Las Animas and other school districts where the buildings are much older and in need of repair. Students who attend class in dilapidated, hazardous and sometimes dangerous buildings have a difficult time learning. Many of our schools are not equipped with the computers and high-tech education that today’s students must have.
Smaller, rural and lower income school districts cannot accomplish this without some federal funding to help. In my opinion we need to work together to see that we have funding to help these districts repair their most dilapidated public school buildings and when needed build new schools.
There is an elementary school in use today in Las Animas, Colorado which was built in the 1880’s. It is a well cared for and historic facility, but underscores the fact that it has been many years since many school districts have been able to build new school buildings.
PLAN FOR FUNDING HIGHER EDUCATION
My roots are in agriculture and I strongly support anything that will genuinely help the farmers and ranchers of Colorado. However, the Farm Security Act; a $ 73 billion hike in agricultural subsidies enacted for the good purpose of aiding impoverished farmers now has such restrictions that link these subsidies to select crops and total acreage to ensure now that wealthy farm owners, corporate executives and even other legislators benefit the most. For example, basketball star Scottie Pippen and billionaires Charles Schwaab, David Rockefeller and Ted Turner each received six-digit farm subsidies over the past five years.
So what if we take about half of those subsidies to the billionaires and propose a $ 35 billion financial aid package that would go to the states to help bring college tuition down.
And, while we are at it, take another $ 35 billion from the billionaire farmers and fund health care for the many Veterans who gave of themselves in order that we might be free today.
Experts on government waste estimate that another $ 20 billion a year is literally thrown away each year on political pork. Let’s kill the pork and bring another $ 20 billion to the table and start offering some additional tax credits for some of our college students to help pay for their tuition. Helping kids through college is not pork, it is an investment in the future of our country.
Veterans
We must never turn our back on the brave men and women of our Armed Forces. Colorado is home to thousands of these brave men and women who have chosen to risk their lives to make us safe and fight for freedom around the globe.
We need to make certain that when our servicemen and women are called to duty that their families do not face an undue financial burden.
FOWLER FAQ’S
Why are you running for this office?
In order to represent the interests and the values of the hard working people of Colorado and not forget the people and their values once I get to Washington. I pledge to hold regular town hall style meetings across the state and form bipartisan policy committees to help find solutions and solve any problems we may face in the future.
What are your views on President Bush’s new immigration plan?
It is a moral immigration policy that takes into account the concept of the “right to migrate” and the priority of the famiy over the state. It does not threaten our security and over the long haul will benefit our economy.
Should Roe vs. Wade be overturned?
Yes, Row vs Wade was an attempt by the court to write legislation. Their decision was based on the “penumbra” of the Constitution, a mysterious shadow or spirit of the Constitution, which was being created by the decision itself. Supreme Court Justices are not elected and according to Artice 1, Section 1 of the Constitution, should not write laws
Do you favor the Allard/Musgrave amendment banning same-sex marriage?
Yes, but I also believe that the laws are already in place that support traditional marriage. If this amendment passes, it would still be tested in the court system. Either way the legislatures go with this issue, it is still going to wind up in the hands of the Supreme Court. While I do support traditional marriage, it is eventually going to be a decision for the Judicial Branch and not Congress. It is simply a Judicial decision in my view, if you lay all the political hype to the side, the courts are actually going to decide this. And that underscores the importance of strong Constitutional Justices being appointed to the judiciary, especially to the United States Supreme Court.
What are the three biggest issues facing your constituents and what do you see as solutions?
For me, I think it is education, workers rights and military pay. I also think it is vital that we elect someone to the United States Senate with an open heart and a listening ear, that will work hard to represent the main stream values of all of Colorado.
So public education is my top priority, especially in the area of school modernization. Education is not pork, it is our kids future. I prefer tax credits over vouchers and would like to see tax credits established for all tuition payments from preschool to Ph.D. There should be federal funds to assist in school modernization and the Department of Education plays a vital role.
Military pay is a major issue for me, we send our brave soldiers into combat and their families should not struggle financially.
Workers rights: we need a worker friendly Senator who understands the struggles of working families and does not fight against them. I am very concerned with Pete Coors and his history in this area. While I am not seeking the endorsement of the AFL-CIO, I do agree with them on many of the issues they are fighting for.
At this stage in this campaign I need your support in order to ensure that my name is on the ballot in August and that I can conduct a competitive campaign. Please visit my website for details.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Brian Raile, Campaign Manager
Charles Fowler for United States Senate
Post Office Box 5532
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80931-5532
719-471-1040
http://www.charlesfowler.com
