Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 7 September 2000 — Page 2

The Muncie Times, September 7, 2000, page 2

EDITORIAL

Exercise right to vote on Nov. 7; it does make a difference

On Nov. 7, Americans will flock to the polls for the first national, state and local elections of the new millennium. It is a critical election because it means voting for those men and women who will lead this into the challenges and opportunities that await us as we enter the 21 st century. This is a defining century in the history of the United States. We enter the 21st century with the United States as a country where Caucasians are the country’s largest racial group. By the middle of this century, about half of this country’s population will be made up of those people who, today, are referred to as minorities. Even more interesting is the fact that by the time we say “Adios” to this century, this country will have undergone a

The Muncie Times accepts and publishes “Letters to the Editor” under the following conditions: M The letter must indicate the writer’s name, address and phone number where the writer can be reached during the day. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published, M If the writer wishes the letter to be published under a pseudonym, that wish will be

demographic sea change. When we welcome the 22nd century, less than 100 years from today, today’s minorities will be ensconced as the new majority. Some have labeled that phenomenon the minoritymajority, meaning that today’s combined racial and ethnic minorities will become tomorrow’s majorities. So as we ponder whom toTote for in the elections that are 2 months away, we face many challenges. We will have to decide who is best positioned to continue the unprecedented economic prosperity and domestic . tranquillity that have marked President Clinton’s administration. Are Al Gore and George W. Bush ready for prime time? Do they have the leadership skills to

honored. However, the writer’s full particulars must be included in the letter, along with the suggested psedonym. 9 Letters must be brief, preferably no more than 300 words long and should, if possible, be typed and doublespaced. Hand-written letters will also be accepted. 9 The editor reserves the right to edit all letters for brevity,

assume this awesome mantle? Do they have the brains, the smarts, the political prowess and the vision to move this country forward, especially at a time that the United States is now the world’s sole superpower? Who has the vision and the leadership to keep the economy humming? Who will be able to protect our endangered environment? Will Bush and his running mate, Dick Cheney, have the guts to take on the big oil companies on . environment and petroleum price issues? How about pressure from big business? How will Gore and his running mate, Joseph Lieberman, respond to pressure from the labor unions? Who will take the lead on ending police racial

accuracy, taste, grammar and libel. ■ All correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. ■ Unsolicited manuscripts will only be returned if the writer includes a self-addressed, stamped envelope with correct postage.

profiling, improving the standard of living for all Americans, regardless of income, and opening the doors of opportunity for all— regardless of race, gender, religion, creed or national origin? How will Cheney satisfactorily ever be able to explain away his vote when, as a Wyoming congressman, he voted to keep South Africa’s internationally revered freedom fighter and later statesman Nelson Mandela in a racist prison? It certainly is not enough to claim that he did it because that is what his conservative Wyoming constituents would have wanted. There are times when it is necessary to exhibit leadership and humanism by doing the right thing. The Mandela release was such a defining issue. Today, some of our ■ senior citizens are being forced to make choices between paying soaring prescription prices or doing without food. They should not have to do that. Affordable prescription prices should be a human right for every American. So should health

insurance and affordable housing. So should be the right for our children to attend safe public schools where they will be taught by qualified teachers in safe buildings. Every child is entitled to a good education in a conducive learning environment. Public schools deserve our moral and financial support. As the November elections approach, we need to pay attention to what the candidates for president, governor, U. S. senator or U. S. House of Representatives, state legislature and other lower county and local office, are saying. Let’s listen to them and let’s challenge them. Let’s watch out for those who promise things they cannot deliver or who resort to lies, distortions and manipulation in their ads. We have an opportunity to change things. We have a chance to prevent elections from being bought. Let us use this first election of the millennium to demonstrate that voting does make a difference in a democracy.

LETTER POLICY

MUNCIE TIMES STAFF

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Publisher Bea Moten-Foster Editor John T. Lambkun Advertising Bea Moten-Foster and Richard Casey Layout Nikki L. Petty Typesetting Tara Carter

Contributors: Bea Moten-Foster, Bernice Rowell-Jackson, Dr. T.S. Kumbula, John Lambkun, Judy Mays and Hugh Price. The Muncie Times is published twice monthly at 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, Ind. 47303. It covers the communities of Anderson, Marion, New Castle, Richmond, and Muncie. All editorial correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. Telephone (765) 741-0037. Fax (765) 741-0040.

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