A brazen attempt by me to shape the vote of the future 51st State of the Union: Clutch.... nothing on Snopes, sorry! Wednesday, October 20th 2004 The Washington Post You’re a Republican??? In today’s America, ask a growing number of high school and college students; their teachers and professors; the self-anointed media elite and/or hard working men and women of all ethnicities, the question, “What is a Republican?”, and you’ll be told “… a rich, greedy, egotistical individual, motivated only by money and the desire to accumulate more and more of it, at the expense of the environment … the working poor ….and all whom they exploit…” I am a Republican … I am none of those things… and I don’t know any Republicans who are. WHAT I AM … first and foremost, is a loving husband of some 52 plus years, the father of four and an American who’s proud of his country… and his country’s heritage. WHAT I AM … is the grandson of immigrants who risked everything, including their lives and those of their children, to escape tyranny in search of freedom. WHAT I AM … is a man who grew up during the Depression and witnessed, first hand, the effects of the Stock Market crash and the soup lines that followed. I watched as both my parents and grand parents, who had very little themselves, share what food they had with a half dozen other families, who had even less. WHAT I AM … is someone who worked his way through college by holding down three and four jobs at a time and then used that education to build a better life. WHAT I AM … is a husband who, at age 24, started his own business for the “privilege” of working 60, 70 and 80 hours a week, risking everything I had, including my health, in search of a better life for myself and my loved ones. WHAT I AM … is a businessman whose blood, sweat and tears…. and plenty of them…, made it possible for me to provide a secure living, not only for my family and myself, but also for literally hundreds of my employees throughout the years. Employees, who in turn, were able to buy their own homes, raise their own families and give back to their communities and their country. WHAT I AM … is a man who believes in God; a God who has blessed this country… and all for which it stands. WHAT I AM … is someone who knows, if you doubt miracles exist in today’s world, you need only to look into the face of those who received them … and the eyes of those who give them. WHAT I AM … is an American who’s proud that his President embraces a belief in God; proud of a President who understands, as “politically incorrect” as it may be, there is evil in this world and for the security and safety of all freedom loving people everywhere, it must be confronted… and it must be defeated. WHAT I AM … is an American who takes comfort in the knowledge that our President refuses to allow decisions concerning the very safety and security of this nation, to be governed by the political whims of foreign governments. WHAT I AM … is tired of hearing from leading Democrats who see only negativity in America; racism in her people; class warfare in her society and “political incorrectness” in her character. WHAT I AM … is a former democrat who now understands that it is the soldier and not the reporter that guarantees us our freedoms of press, speech and dissent. WHAT I AM … is a man who believes in the sanctity of life. A man who is repulsed by the pandering of the political left for votes, at the expense of the unborn. WHAT I AM … is a husband and father who believes in the sanctity of marriage and the preservation of the family unit. WHAT I AM … is a movie go-er who is repulsed by those insecure, socially inept, elementary thinking, ego-inflated “entertainers” who have appointed themselves “experts” in the fields of national security and geo-politics and then use their forum to attack this nation, its leaders and its actions…. much to the delight and encouragement of our enemies. WHAT I AM … is an American who understands the difference between “censorship” and “choice”. Evidently, these individuals do not, because when these same “celebrities” receive public ridicule for their offensive actions, the first thing they yell is “Censorship!”. What they seem incapable of understanding is… the right of free speech and dissent is shared equally by those offended… as well as those who offend. I support and will continue to support those films and performers whom I choose to … and refuse to support those I don’t. It is my right as an American … a right I will continue to enthusiastically exercise. WHAT I AM … is a voter, tired of politicians, who, every time their voting records are subjected to public scrutiny, try to divert attention from their political and legislative failures by accusing their opponents of “attack ads” and “negative campaigning”…. and the news media who allow them to get away with it. WHAT I AM … is a Catholic who loves his God and his Faith… and who’s been taught to respect all religions whose teachings are based in love, peace and charity. As such, I am embarrassed and ashamed of those individuals, in both private and public life, whose decisions and actions are devoid of any sense of character or morals; individuals who are only driven by what’s best for them … rather than what’s right … often times at the expense of many …. including our national security. WHAT I AM … is a realist who understands that the terrorist attack that murdered hundreds of innocent Russian children could have occurred here, in our heartland. That’s why I sincerely believe America needs now, more than ever, a President who sees with a clear and focused vision and who speaks with a voice when heard by both friend and foe alike, is understood, respected and believed. WHAT I AM … is eternally grateful to Ronald Reagan for having the bravery to speak out against Communism and the courage of his convictions in leading the fight to defeat it; and George W. Bush for the vision, courage, conviction and leadership he has shown in America’s war on terrorism amidst both the constant and vicious, personal and political attacks both he and his family are made to endure. WHAT I AM … is a human being, full of numerous faults and failures, but a man nonetheless, who, though not always successful, has continually strived to do “what’s right” instead of “what’s easy”. A man who is challenging the religious leaders of all faiths, to not only preach to their congregations the fundamentals of “what’s right” and “what’s wrong”, but to also then hold them accountable for their actions in both the public and private sectors. WHAT I AM … is disgusted with the Courts who, on one hand, call the murder of a pregnant woman a “double homicide” but then refer to the abortion of her baby as, “pro-choice”. WHAT I AM … is someone deeply troubled by a political party which embraces a candidate whose primary “leadership” qualities center around his protesting of the Vietnam war and his labeling the honorable men and women who fought in it, (50,000 of whom gave their lives in that action), as rapists, and war criminals. That same political party then stepped forward this year to block the appearance of a true Vietnam war hero, retired Admiral and former United States Senator, Jeremiah Denton, (a man who spent seven years and seven torturous months in a North Vietnam prison), from speaking before an open session of the California legislature as part of that state’s 4th of July celebration. The reason Democrats gave for refusing to allow this American hero to speak before their state legislature was because of the “conservative” nature of his views. As an American, that troubles me deeply ….as well it should you. WHAT I AM … is a man who feels the need to spend, $104, 655.60,(tax paid) of his own money, to purchase this advertisement, in order to set the story straight. Some may say this money would have been better spent feeding the world’s poor. At the risk of sounding self-serving, as an American and as a Republican, for the last six decades of my life, I have done exactly that… and more. Following the examples of my parents and grand parents, I have used my earnings to feed the poor, shelter the homeless, provide housing for the elderly and medical care for the sick….. and continue to do so… and I’m not alone in that work. WHAT I AM … is someone who is paying for this announcement, at my sole expense, in hopes of opening the eyes of those led blindly by ill-informed elements of our great nation, who, through either ignorance, or malicious intent, repeatedly attack and belittle those of us who belong to a political party that holds true to the belief, “… the rights of the governed, exceed the power of the government”. For those interested, I am speaking only as a tax-paying individual who is in no way associated with The Republican National Committee, nor with any of its directors, or delegates. WHAT I AM … is a man who understands, “the American way of life” is a message of self-empowerment for all. WHAT I AM … is an American who is grateful that our nation gives each of us the opportunity of self-determination and the right to benefit from the fruits of self achievement. WHAT I AM … is an American who wants to preserve that way of life for all who seek it. WHAT I AM … is blessed to be an American…. and proud to be Republican. George J. Esseff, Sr. george@esseff-foundation.org For a free reprint of this “Open Letter,” go to <b>www.whatiam.net</b>
Off the puke-richter scale....seriously...Giddy...you don't get teared up at this drivel do you?? I would gladly crap in the mouth of any Liberal who felt compared to share something along the lines of the aforementioned tripe I just sloshed through...
That's a pretty broad dismissal...but I'm not surprised. It threatens your worldview. This shows the breadth and depth of Republicans of all stripes across the nation-- unlike the typical Archie Bunkeresque pigeonholing that we usually see.
You should have a barium enema and have that GI tract checked out... No, I didn't get teared-up, however I thought it was a provocative description which flies in the face of the crap I read here about Republicans and is more in line with the actual Republicans that I know-- including me.
It's a broad dismissal because the prose is pure tripe. The self-perception of the Republican party is at direct odds with the perception of the Republican party among non-Republicans in the US and among free-thinking people worldwide. This prose is merely further evidence of the fact.
Yeah...I had some AWESOME Sauerkraut and home-made sausage last night...WHEW! I don't see really what is that provocative about it...it reflects every stereotypical view of Republican's besides the "silver-spoon" argument. Reagan, GWB, and Jesus should be on the same ticket with Reagan having the slight edge over Jesus for saving us from communisim--Jesus wasn't much for missile defense systems, thats why he come in at a cloase second. I am morally better than you and my family values are OOOO so much stronger than yours. And Kerry is nothing but a big, lying poo-poo head who didn't REALLY fight in Vietnam--he LIED about it. I noticed the author's own military experience was not mentioned, but has the un-abashed COJONES to call Kerry out on his record as a Vetran and civil servant. That is has been the shameful trademark of Republican attacks this year... "WHAT I AM … is a man who believes in the sanctity of life. A man who is repulsed by the pandering of the political left for votes, at the expense of the unborn." But I think the death-penalty is just SWELL...cuz those are NAUGHTY people and they are ALWAYS guilty
As of today, Republicans control all 3 branches of our government, yet they act like they are a shunned minority that needs to be loud and proud all of the sudden. This tripe is tired, Republicans act like they are the only ones who are treated like they should be ashamed of their beliefs. Hmm, try having somebody call you un-American for not supporting Bush, see how that feels. Try having somebody call you a socialist/communist because you wanted the surplus to be saved for an important use (like I don't know, paying for this war) instead of a tax cut. Try being told you are going to hell if you support gay marriage. I could go on an on, the point is that that guy isn' the only one who gets treated that way. Democrats do it to Republicans and Republicans do it to Democrats. That geezer needs to stop being a whininy b**** and open his eyes.
This is self-descriptive (most of which is objective) versus the perception of those diametrically opposed politically... and you go with the latter. What in this self-report is only subjective? If the problem is in perception, then that is a problem that is at the very least shared.
What a freaking liar. Show me where Kerry ACCUSED anybody of these things. All he did was repeat what men at the winter soldier meetings claimed they had done or seen in Vietnam. What he is is a moron. If he wants to hate John Kerry for protesting a war, he should at least have the initiative to watch Kerry's testimony himself instead of just repeating what was sent to him in an email or what attack ads claim. There are plenty of reasons for Republicans to dislike Kerry, yet it always comes back to this bold faced lie.
Because the latter is more accurate. All you have to do is look at the policies and actions of the Bush Administration during the last four years, and have an open mind.
whoever wrote this can't do basic math if he is 52, then he was born in or about 1952, LONG after the Great Depression and the Stock Market crash of 1929
well i just re-read it and I guess he was saying he has been a husband for 52 years, getting married 23 years after the stock market crash
All kinds of people are Republican. And that's great. The only problem I have is with those currently in power.
I often notice that democrats are overly pessimistic but right sometimes. I also notice (especially in this article) Republicans are overly optomistic and ignore things that could potentially show that something is wrong. I feel like its best to be in the middle and know which battles are worth fighting and which ones are to be left alone.
