Appeal to Nephews' Lives

I recently spoke with my sister and brother-in-law who I suspect trend more conservative than I. He is a log truck driver in the western U.S.and his perceptions are shaped by what he hears.

I don't discuss politics with them because I believe the family peace is best preserved that way.

A few weeks ago I approached both of them with a simple plea, "think about your two sons before you vote this year". Their sons are 20 and 16. I told them to reflect on what they have seen in this administration and what we believe the alternative is. I asked them whether they believed the lives of their sons were worth making the wealthier wealthy. Whether any war for oil was justified. Interstingly enough they both grew quiet. Who knows where their votes will go.

When I spoke with my brother-in-law I ventured a little further. He was an adamant anti-Clintonite over the whole spotted-owl issue. I asked him if, during Clinton's terms, anyone for his company or others were known to have lost their jobs. He replied no. But he said that they heard some of their bids were lost due to the price U.S. firms had to bid due to environmental regulations. I asked him if he had any firm evidence of this and he said no, it was just the talk in the shop.

Then I asked him:
(1) have your OVERALL taxes gone down under Bush?
Answer - Well no, actually I think we're paying 4-5% more

(2) do you believe your child has been "left behind"?
Answer - Well no, the school district is struggling more and more now and the focus is all on the standardized tests rather than teaching our kids

(3) now that Bush has freed the loggers, are there "help wanted" signs in every window? Has there been a boom in logging? Are there alot more people employed in your industry because Bush is president?
Answer - no, in fact we think we might lose a couple of people.

I left that part of the conversation by saying that he might want to consider that the alignment of his and the Republican's interests might be more apparent than real and that he might want to really think about where is he is today against where he was in 2000.

And, of course, I hope he gives some thought to his sons who will be prime targets of a 2nd Bush "DRAFT" for oil.