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The Word's Eye View is a newspaper column written by Senator Biden, I'm Confused Dear Senator, I watched you deliver your acceptance speech the other night with interest. I was impressed with your son who introduced you; you must be extremely proud of him and his own accomplishments. I was unfamiliar with the story of your personal tragedy when you lost your wife and daughter in an auto accident. It was compelling to learn of your commitment to your boys who were hospitalized for weeks. I was genuinely moved to hear that you have never lived in Washington and found it personally necessary to make daily trips back and forth to the Capitol as you served in the Senate so that you could be with your family in the evenings. When your children and grandchildren joined you on the platform, it was obvious that they are all a source of great joy to you. I commend your appreciation for the sanctity of life and family. I am profoundly happy that none of those precious individuals were viewed as a worthless fetus that should be discarded in the name of choice. Your grandson clinging to his grandpa was a picture that should last a lifetime. However, I have to admit that I am confused! Your party seemed to be conveying one image but at the same time embracing an entirely different philosophy in the name of political expediency. Please help me understand how the two are compatible. I know if we had the opportunity to discuss this critical issue you would undoubtedly resort to the worn out cliché of a woman’s right to choose. Please forgive my impudence, but I just can’t escape the thought of the baby’s choice. You made several references to your blue collar background which is one that most of us share. Your parents were adamant when they reminded you frequently that “when you get knocked down, get up again.” That’s wonderful advice with a Biblical basis. (Proverbs 24:16) Your willingness to work hard to gain advantage in life speaks well of your upbringing. Those of us who have already lived the majority of our lives have learned that obstacles, hurdles and speed bumps are the molders of true character. My continued consternation lies in the knowledge of third and fourth generation welfare recipients. Is America breeding this mentality, or are some being encouraged covertly to continue on the handout express so they will vote for the proponents of “big daddy” government? Those who have had the courage to engage in entrepreneurialism consistently resist higher taxes and excessive government interference and will, with seldom exception, vote for the party that presents them with the greatest opportunity to rise above previous circumstances. It appears to me that your background would urge you to encourage all Americans to follow the admonition of your parents. The American dream was mentioned several times during the convention. To my knowledge, it was never thoroughly defined, but the suggestion seemed to hint at the accumulation of material wealth being dispersed in an equal manner and universal health care. I’m out of step with current political thinking, but please tolerate for a moment my American dream which was voiced in the words of our founders with more passion and vocabulary than I possess: “We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that ‘except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.” Benjamin Franklin – Constitutional Convention – June 28, 1787 “We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of the government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” James Madison, father of the United States Constitution Senator, I firmly believe you are a decent human being with a strong sense of patriotism, but your personal testimony and the positions of your party do not seem to be on parallel tracks. I remain a befuddled citizen.
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