It is important for everybody, for every registered voter, to show up at the polls for the election. I truly believe that this is one of the most important elections in the history of this country. We have a Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee that is rushing into an impeachment procedure by making up the rules of impeachment as it goes along. It is more important than ever for the public to remind legislators that the Constitution establishes the will of the people as the sovereign voice that must be heard and respected. I truly feel the American people recently have shown greater objectivity and common sense than either the politicians or the pundits, and we can rely on their wisdom ... your wisdom ... as long as each of us makes an effort to express it at the ballot box. Why Should We Vote For Al Gore? People often ask me, “What difference could my one vote make?” Especially in an election as close as this year’s Presidential election promises to be, one vote could make all the difference. This Presidential election will most likely be decided by 8% of the country. If Thomas Dewey had gotten one more vote per person in each precinct in Ohio and California, he would have beaten his opponent, President Harry Truman. In 1960, an additional vote per precinct in Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey and Texas might have altered the course of history by placing Richard Nixon in the White House instead of John F. Kennedy. We are truly blessed to live in a democracy where we all have the ability to vote our conscience without fear of discrimination or persecution. Voting is a privilege and a right that every American should take advantage of. I am also asked, “Why should I vote for Al Gore?” That answer is simple. Al Gore is an experienced, confident leader. George W. Bush is not. The next President will potentially appoint three or four Supreme Court Justices, as well as many federal and appellate court judges. Al Gore will appoint justices who support civil rights, democratic values and a woman’s right to choose. George W. Bush will not. Al Gore will safeguard our environment and make sure that the environmental protections we have put into place over the past twenty-five years are not broken down. George W. Bush has presided over a state which ranks first in the nation in toxic air and water pollution, and whose largest city (Houston) has now surpassed Los Angeles as the smoggiest in the country. Al Gore will set aside some of the nation’s surplus for services and investment in disadvantaged communities where it is needed most. George W. Bush squandered the Texas surplus by giving big tax breaks to the rich at the expense of poor children on lunch assistance programs. The choice is clear in this election. Al Gore deserves our support. Since their election in 1992, the Clinton/Gore Administration has presided over the longest period of economic expansion in American history. Bill Clinton and Al Gore have created more than 22 million new jobs, 91% of which are in the private sector. Inflation is at its lowest level since 1965. Since 1992, general unemployment has dropped 48% to its current level of 4.0 percent, and Latino and African-American unemployment are at the lowest rates on record. Gore cast the tie-breaking vote on the 1993 economic plan, and fought for a balanced budget in 1997. These decisions are often credited for creating the record surpluses we are seeing today. Since Clinton/Gore came into office, the crime rate is down, with thousands of new police officers on the street. The federal minimum wage has been increased by 21% from $4.25/hour to $5.15/hour. Bill Clinton and Al Gore have saved Social Security and Medicare from attack and have stopped the Republican assault on our environment. They have recruited thousands of new teachers for classrooms around the country and have nearly doubled federal funding for Head Start programs. They have fought for the creation of the Family and Medical Leave Act and have worked for expansions in the Child Care and Development Block Grant program to help low-income families access quality child care. In contrast, Republicans have shown that they are against a woman’s right to choose and reproductive rights in general – in 1998 the Republican Congress killed a bill that would have required federal health plans which cover prescription drugs to cover contraception. Republicans want to eliminate the Department of Education, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Endowment for the Arts. Rather than shore up Social Security, the Republican plan calls for its privatization. They want to pass irresponsible tax cut plans which benefit the very rich at the expense of the middle class and the working poor. As Harry Truman said in 1948, warning voters about the Republicans, “How many times do you have to get hit over the head before you realize who’s hitting you?” Copyright: Barbra Streisand/1998,2000 The content of this website is the property of Barbra Streisand and the opinions expressed here are those of Ms. Streisand. www.barbrastreisand.com List of Barbra's Recommended Candidates By State: