AR-News: (Philly) Losing the Vegan Vote

[Michelle Sass]

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/opinion/8807461.htm?1c_
Posted on Tue, Jun. 01, 2004
*Letters | Losing the vegan vote*
* *
IAM A conservative Republican on most issues.
But I can't donate to the GOP or vote for President Bush based on his -
and the party's - stance on animal rights.
I am a vegan and a proud member of People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals. I'm disappointed that the Bush administration has done nothing
to improve animals' lives.

I saw a video of President Bush at a campaign stop during the 2000
election. In it, a reporter asks "What do you think about PETA?"

Then-Gov. Bush responded sarcastically, "I'm glad I ate my bacon for
breakfast today."
President Bush couldn't show PETA even the least bit of respect. That
disappointed me as both an animal-rights activist and a Republican. I
want the Republican National Committee to know that I am a Republican -
and an animal- rights supporter.

I ask the RNC and GOP politicians to support animal rights via tougher
laws against animal abusers and stricter regulations on factory farms,
zoos, circuses, labs and the many other places where animals are exploited.

The Republican Party is supposed to be the party of Lincoln, who freed
African- Americans from slavery. The Republican Party is supposed to the
party that protects life - especially innocent life. Let's live up to
those ideals when it comes to animals.

I will not be voting for John Kerry because I disagree with too many of
his views, and I could never vote for a pro-choice candidate. But I will
not vote for President Bush either because I can't vote for someone so
anti-animal.

This is why President Bush has lost my vote in this key swing state.
Unfortunately, the only vote I can cast in good conscience is to write
in Chris P. Carrot, PETA's candidate, as a protest vote.

I hope someday people will see society's treatment of animals in the
same light they do slavery and the Holocaust - as a mistake made by
humanity at its worst.

/Dave Scopinich/
/Prospect Park, Pa./