I write this article in response to an editorial opinion printed in last week’s edition of the Pacer that suggested that the Democratic party would fix everything that is wrong with the country today. I do agree with some of the points made by the author of that piece. Democrats have done some things that have “actually worked.”

I have immense respect for great Democratic leaders of the past such as FDR, Lyndon Johnson and John F. Kennedy. I also agree that political zealots, such as the Republican chairwoman mentioned, often go overboard with partisan humor and blind support of their chosen party.

My problem came from the insinuation by the author that a Democrat in office would mean more jobs, affordable health care and balanced budgets, and that the Republican party is short-changing the education system.

It is a well-known fact that the country is losing many jobs to cheaper labor in Mexico. American companies would not be able to take up roots and move to Mexico if not for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). And who was the biggest proponent of this initiative? Yes, it was Democrat Bill Clinton. And, yes, major Democratic candidates for president such as Howard Dean and John Kerry were supporters of the agreement. Now, as you would expect a politician to, they are backing from their support of the agreement in order to satisfy the masses of unemployed (and definitely voting) workers.

To save you too much more reading, but just to get my point across, I’ll shorten my other arguments.

Health care for all was also a promise of the Clinton (Democratic) administration. Clearly, this has not been accomplished as millions of Americans still go without health care.

A balanced budget? Also promised. But any simple search of the U.S. Treasury Department’s budget deficit counter will show you that the deficit has grown EVERY year during the last 10, no matter who controlled the White House or Congress.

Finally, for the idea that Bush and a Republican-controlled Congress is shorting the education system, simply check the United States Department of Education Web page.

In 2000, Clinton’s last full year as president, the Department was appropriated $38,447,336,000.

For 2003, under Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress, the Department was appropriated $63,206,382,000. Now I am no math major, but that 2003 number looks much larger to me.

So, if you want to name me great leaders of the United States, I’ll accept Democrats and Republicans.

If you want to talk about the merits of each party’s stances on issues, I’ll listen to both sides.

If you want to tell me that the Democratic party is unequivocally better than the Republican party and can fix all that is wrong with the nation, you might want to look at your complaints about partisan humor, because I just find your idea funny.

Dustin Stovall is a senior Communications major from Lexington.