When casting our vote for the next president of the
United States of America, we have an opportunity to make changes for the
animals as well as to send a message about what we feel is important.
But of the present candidates, who will make those changes, and who
shall I choose?
I've watched the debates, I've listened to other
people's reasoning, and read lots of political hoopla, but since I'm an
animal advocate, doesn't it come down to who will have the best chance
of winning?
I'm told that Governor Bush blew apart frogs when he was
young -- not much compassion and empathy there. I'm told that Vice
President Gore says he's for environmentalism, but does little about it
and doesn't have a clear understanding what it really means. I'm also
told that they are both hunters.
Then there is Ralph Nader. I'm told that he is really
the best chance for the animals, but not only did his running mate feel
that tradition is more important than animal life (the Makah whale
situation), but does Mr. Nader really even have a chance at winning?
My fear is that if I cast my vote with a candidate that
has little chance of winning, then I will be enabling the candidate to
win that would be the worst choice. Is it enough to just send a message
that I'm dissatisfied with the status quo? Next year or the year after,
will it really matter to the animals that I sent a message by voting for
a candidate that has little chance? Will enough of the country also want
to send a message that there might be a real chance of an upset - a
chance for a third party candidate to actually make it to the White
House? Should I stake the animal's rights and welfare on that slim
chance?
I do believe that for the sake of the animals, we have
to make our voices heard. I know that our letter writing efforts through
ARO's Alert for Action have made positive changes for the animals.
Whatever the final decisions made, I hope it benefits those that we try
so hard to give a voice.
When one of ARO's volunteers told me of the following
website, it helped a lot to further define the issues, especially the
local ones. Please take a peek.
Animals Elect America
http://animalpolitics.com/
Go on to Taipei
Abandoned Animal Rescue Foundation
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