To the Editor:
The upcoming U.S. federal election on Nov. 6 may very well be one of the most historic since 1980, when Ronald Reagan was elected president. It’s difficult to believe it was 32 years ago because for me it seemed like only yesterday. In my opinion, the Reagan era (1981-1989) was a much kinder, gentler and less complicated time, and there is a part of me that will always miss that unique decade of the 1980s.
However, it is important to move forward, especially in this post-9/11 world with new challenges and problems to solve. Anyway, it will be interested to see who will be elected this year, whether it be Mitt Romney or the incumbent Barack Obama, whose election in 2008 was also historic. I believe that someday the United States just may elect a woman president, whether she is Republican or Democrat. The same can be said for us here in Canada, that we may have a woman as prime minister — preferably Conservative, that is (no offense to anyone who holds different political views).
In order to be an exceptional and effective leader, he or she must be honest, sincere, compassionate, able to speak from the heart, have a warm personality and a sense of humour, but also strong-willed, who can make difficult decisions when it is necessary to do so, for the greater good of all. Also, he or she must be someone that is not afraid, nor ashamed to express emotion and shed tears (just like me). Having faith is not a bad thing, either.
In regard to my own philosophy, I am conservative, but also progressive, believing in equality between men and women, protecting health care, education, the environment, working with unions in a positive way (non-union employees are also important), helping those who are less fortunate and building a better world for future generations.
In conclusion, I would like to wish former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, known as the Iron Lady, who will be turning 87 years young on Oct. 13, a happy birthday.
See you at the Terry Fox Run on Sept. 16, and keep thinking positively, everyone!
Creston