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Democratic values wrongly portrayed by letter-writer

Democratic values wrongly portrayed by letter-writer

Date published: 10/3/2002

After reading the Sept. 4 letter to the editor by Martha Dudley ["Jones' values don't match those of 7th District"], I really feel I must respond to the false statements contained therein.

I am not responding in defense of Ben Jones so much as I am in defense of Democrats across the Virginia commonwealth and across this country. (However, I will say that based on what I have read and heard of Ben Jones, he is well-qualified and I believe will represent the people of the 7th District very well in Congress.)

Ms. Dudley is the first person I have ever heard say, and I quote her, "Pro-abortion, anti-family, pro-pornography--these are some of the core Democrat values."

However, these are not core values of any reasonable American, be they Republican, Democrat, Independent or any other political persuasion. In fact, Democrats are very pro-family and vote to support legislation that strengthens the American family.

I, as a Democrat, a retired military officer and dedicated family man, know the truth is that Democrats are certainly not pro-abortion. Many Democrats believe that abortion is an issue that should be dealt with by the woman, her family and her doctor in contrast to being legislated and controlled by the government regardless of the outcome to mother or child. So, please do not say that Democrats are pro-abortion because it's just not true.

Also, Dudley's claim that Democratic values are pro-pornography is just ridiculous. There is simply no proof that Democrats are pro-pornography any more than Republicans are pro-pornography. The truth is that neither political party is pro-pornography.

Inflammatory letters such as Ms. Dudley's do little to help the political process. They are simply more negative propaganda designed to cloud the issues.

Why not focus on the candidates and their views and elect the most qualified person to public office? In this case, I, along with many others, believe Ben Jones is most qualified to serve and does have solid American values that guide him and will serve the people of the 7th District very well.

Jerry Kirven

Stafford

Jerry Kirven is Stafford Democratic Committee Chairman.

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Date published: 10/3/2002