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Vote 2004

2004 Democratic National Convention

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2004 Republican National Convention

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Joshua Rushton, a young delegate-at-large to the Republican National Convention in New York City shares why he's so impassioned about his Grand Old Party.

My fellow Americans, your life and those of your loved ones will be affected by the decisions of the man you elect President this fall.

As young people, we might see politics and politicians unfriendly to our participation in the democratic process. This is NOT true. Yes, there will always be those in both parties who will think us, at the worst, meddlesome jerks and, at the very least, youthful fanatics; but we will always choose to participate and not allow them to hinder us.

I am a Republican because I believe…

the government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.

the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least.

the most effective, responsible responsive government is government closest to the people.

The Republican Party offers to all young Americans a chance to send a message to the world! It is a message we can send by our vote -- a message of patriotism, hope, and optimism for all.

First: We will not falter in our war against terror.

Second: We will not shrink from the duty of protecting our Homeland.

Third: We will not be satisfied with a stable economy, but we want a President who truly believes that free enterprise and individual initiative have brought to this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

Fourth: We will not be satisfied with just a President who talks about education; we want a progressive thinker willing to affect change.

Fifth: We desire a President who cares for the poor, serves the handicapped and disabled, and honors our elderly.

Sixth: We want a President who is for the environment; who will wisely balance the needs of America with that of our ecosystem.

Seventh: As finding alternative energy sources becomes more a pressing concern, we need a President who recognizes this and wants to find new and innovative ways to solve this problem.

Eighth: We need a President who stands behind his word and does not waffle in the face of threats, intimidation or coercion- a President who believes in a Power higher than himself, and one willing to live by a code of honor and morality.

Based on these points, the person best fitted for the job of president is, I believe, George W. Bush. He has shown that he can and will stand for all the above points. With God's help and your vote we can send a message to the world that this is what we desire America to be and stand for in the next four years.

As young Americans in the twenty-first century, we are the new patriots. Our generation has been entrusted with the torch of freedom. Some of us will have to die to protect this freedom and some of us already have. Freedom is never free.

The important issues facing our generation today are: the war against terror, the economy, gay marriage, abortion, and a youthful voice in government.

The Republican Party stands for protecting us against those that would seek to destroy our lives and those of our families. They stand for a strong national defense to protect us against any threats, both on our shores and abroad.

The Republicans have not always been known for spending less than the Democrats when it comes to government, but they have always had, as a core belief, that people should keep more of what they earn. This means that they are in favor of cutting taxes, not raising them.

By defining marriage as something other than one man and one woman, we put at risk the future of our children. That is why I believe that many in the Republican Party are correct in believing that we need The Federal Marriage Amendment or something similar passed into law.

Recent advances in ultrasound technology continue to weaken the argument that life does not begin at the moment of conception. I think this is a very divisive, but also important issue for us to recognize.

I believe that the Democrats have long been thought of as catering more to youth, but that is changing. We are having a new renaissance of conservatism and love for country sweeping across our nation. This has caught many people by surprise.

Regardless of your leaning on the political spectrum or issue, as young Americans we must continue to carry the torch of freedom, remember to preach good tidings to all, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captives. God bless America.

-- Joshua Rushton, from Humboldt, AZ, will be attending Pensacola Christian College this fall to double major in Political Science and Speech Communications.

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