Bill Hartenbach – 10/17/04

This page was last updated on October 17, 2004.

Vote straight Democratic; Bill Hartenbach; Beaver County Times; October 17, 2004.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“The real issue in this year’s election is whether your vote counts.

“Democrats traditionally vote wishy-washy, splitting their vote. Government is all about congressional control. If your party doesn’t control both the Senate and the House, then your president-elect is rendered helpless.

[RWC] I wonder where Mr. Hartenbach gets his data. In his hometown of Baden, of the straight-ticket votes cast in November 2002, 77% were for the Democrat Party. Across Aliquippa’s nine precincts, the figure ranged from a low of 78% to 98%. Countywide, the figure was 64%. It was 74% in 2003 when it was mostly an election for municipal offices.

“Republicans have been pretty much in control for the past couple decades. Bill Clinton did not have a Democratic Congress for the last six years he was in office.”

[RWC] “In control for the past couple decades?” Republicans didn’t become a majority in Congress until 1994 and Bill Clinton was president for the next six years. The last time Republicans held a majority was for a couple of years around 1954.

It’s also important to note that having a majority is not the same as being in control. Republicans have only a slim majority in each house. Democrats in the Senate filibuster anything they don’t like knowing Republicans don’t have a large enough majority to force cloture of filibusters.

“Congress is where programs are created and legislated or watered down. Don’t be confused and don’t be in denial. President Bush is a total loser and will bankrupt everything good that America once was.”

[RWC] Don’t you love when people resort to name-calling?

“Democrats need to take a page out of the Republican playbook and vote straight ticket.”

[RWC] At least in Beaver County, the number of Democrats who vote straight-ticket outnumber Republicans by more than two to one.

“The battle lines are drawn and it has never been clearer. There is major difference between the two main parties.

“The Republican Party is controlled by big business and the very rich, the elite and only a few other people ever qualify for any substantial benefits.

“The Democrats favor all people, the rich and poor, and the neediest. We need elected officials who will work for us.”

[RWC] See Democrats and Republicans for a discussion of these myths.

“This election is not about the man. It is about party politics.”

[RWC] Above Mr. Hartenbach called President Bush a “loser,” but now he says the “election is not about the man.” All elections are about the man and the politics.

“As a Democrat, I am sick and tired of the scare tactics initiated by the Republican Party every presidential election.”

[RWC] What scare tactics? Let’s see a list we can discuss instead of “drive-by” accusation hurling.

Isn’t it the Democrats – including John Kerry himself – who are claiming a vote for President Bush is a vote for the draft? You may remember it was Democrats who sponsored two draft bills in Congress in 2003 then spread the rumor President Bush intended to reinstate the draft when he is re-elected. When House Republicans recently called the Democrats’ bluff and brought the House version of the draft bill up for a vote, even the bill’s author and sponsor, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), voted against it.

Despite this, Democrats continue to claim President Bush wants a draft. That’s a scare tactic.

“This time they have gone too far. It is un-American. It divides and separates our resolve. We desperately need realistic, fiscally competent leadership.”

[RWC] “They have gone too far” about what? “Un-American” about what? Will Mr. Hartenbach emulate Teresa Kerry and respond “shove it?”

If he wants “realistic, fiscally competent leadership” and he won’t vote for President Bush, for whom will Mr. Hartenbach vote? Neither John Kerry nor Ralph Nader fulfills this requirement.

“Please vote. Thank you.”