I believe that this is a great county because of the diversity of all its citizens. I believe in the pride that makes us all Americans and in the strength that unity can create. I know that each and every American today has freedom to decide in his or her best interest, not because of a mandate, but because of free will.

Let us not forget those that have died for us to have that freedom. I believe in commitment to family, community and to our responsibility to care for the children and the senior citizens of the United States. I believe in the rights of the workers who have struggled to make America great. I believe in the equality of of taxation, according to each person's ability to bear these burdens. I believe in education; both my mother and mother-in law were teachers.

I believe that we truly are our brothers' keepers and that we have an obligation to help others. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I know I believe in religious freedom, in the right of all Americans to worship and pray as they choose. I sincerely hope we are not doomed to be a nation divided, arguing over religion and whose ideas are more correct, as do today's examples, Iraq and Iran.

Religion is a very important part of my life, and I do not want it defined by a political party. I believe in tolerance, extending freedom to all people even if I disagree with their beliefs and/or practices. I do not 'believe' in abortion, but I do believe that individuals have a right to make their own choices over all medical issues, including in-vetro fertilization and abortion, based on their life, their situation, and their God.

I do not believe in political parties judging others; only God through his Son's grace judges our actions. I believe that American will endure, regardless of political differences, if we all choose to serve our greatest asset, the people of the United States.

I know that losing sight of what is most important is easy when rhetoric keeps us distracted. I will argue one point of distraction. If the Democrats are to be held responsible for Mr. Clinton, then the Republicans have to be responsible for Mr. Nixon. Must we analyze and judge all the presidents to see which is the winning party?

Yet we cannot dismiss the fact that we are bombarded with 7/24 media coverage on every issue. We hear and read so much, so how do we make choices today? We are no longer a country of blindly following a party just because our parents and grandparents did. Our lives are so fast-paced, nothing seems clear-cut and no decision is easy. But being an individual means deciding for yourself, so do not let other people define you.

I am a Democrat because I choose to be one. I know that the Democrat Party best serves the issues that are important to me and defends the equality of the individual, the equality of liberty and the equality of opportunity to make the American government truly of the people, by the people and for the people.

In the Democrat Party, we know what we stand for.