LETTER: With so much at stake, vote on November 6

Kathy Kadilak, The Plains

It isn’t an exaggeration to say that this election is the most important one we’ve faced in decades. While it might have been easy in the past to simply cast your vote for your party’s candidate, this is a time for each of us to pause and carefully consider what is at stake.

Before I get to that, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Although born into a family of Democrats, I have happily voted for Republican candidates in the past. There was a time when moderate Republicans worked hand in hand with Democrats to address policy issues and they promoted sensible, thoughtful solutions. No longer. The Republican Party has been hijacked by extremists and the welfare of our country is not as important as pandering to the wealthiest donors and maintaining control of their party. What does that mean for you and me?

Health Care:

Denver Riggleman and Corey Stewart have both vowed to repeal the Affordable Care Act without any good option to replace it. The Republican candidates believe that the “free market” will give you a better deal than the government. This is folly. The health insurance companies, absent any federal or state regulation, are going to squeeze you to make a buck — consider the cost of prescription drugs. They aren’t going to give you a better deal than a government regulated system that drives down costs to enable all of us to afford the medical treatments we need.

For example, without the ACA, pre-existing conditions will either get you rejected or make your premiums sky high. Also, your children will be ineligible for coverage on your family plan after the age of 21. Who knows, maybe they’ll make it 18. So, if you want affordable health care for you and your children vote Democrat — Leslie Cockburn and Tim Kaine.

Medicare and Social Security:

Denver Riggleman and Corey Stewart align themselves with the Freedom Caucus. Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security will be on the chopping block under Republican majority rule. Why? Republican politicians don’t consider them entitlement programs even though we pay into them throughout our work lives and have earned those benefits.

Cutting those programs is a popular Republican strategy to help pay for the huge deficit that now exists thanks to the tax break that Republicans generously granted to our nation’s wealthiest individuals and corporations. If you want to reap the full benefit of your Medicare and Social Security entitlements, vote Democrat — Leslie Cockburn and Tim Kaine.

Pro-Life or Pro-Birth:

Denver Riggleman and Corey Stewart describe themselves as “pro-life” but, their concern for individuals born into this world apparently ends at birth. Isn’t birth only the beginning and not the end game? If you strictly vote for one candidate due to their position on abortion, can you tolerate all the other consequences of supporting these Freedom Caucus candidates?

They will work to slash or end vital domestic programs such as subsidies for health care, food, clothing, housing, and early childhood education that would offer a safety net for those infants born to single and needy parents.

You can vote for someone who cares about supporting our most vulnerable little citizens and still see the abortion issue addressed through the courts. If you believe in protecting lives beyond the womb and want to ensure that babies born to single or needy parents are given a decent start in life vote Democrat — Leslie Cockburn and Tim Kaine.

These are among several vital issues and you might also be concerned about gun safety, immigration reform, and protecting our environment. Get the facts and visit: www. lesliecockburnforcongress.com and www.timkaine.com. Let your voice be heard and your heart inform your choice. Vote Democrat on Nov. 6.

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