Susan Martinez

Well its finally here, Susana la Tejana, is a possible vice presidential candidate for the republican party.  What can I say to dissuade women from voting for her, especially the latinos.  She is from El Paso, her family is still here, she has been in New Mexico for 20 plus years.  She was the prosecutor in Las Cruces and a great human being.  A hard working person and New Mexico is lucky to have her.  I would vote for Susana except for one thing ... she is a republican!  Oh she may be a good republican, and she may be as qualified as Hillary.... I feel her judgement is lacking a very much needed understanding of politics.  This is why she is a republican .... she does not believe in socialize medicine and therefore would deny the Veterans Administration and the millions of veterans now in harms way their much needed healthcare after 10 years of fighting in Iraq, 10 years of fighting in Viet Nam, 10 years of fighting in Afghanistan, 40 years of fighting the Cold War,  60 years in Europe, 60 years in Korea, 60 years in Okinawa.  Then there was Granada, Somilia, Black Hawk Down. 

Hamburger Hill was given this name because so many of our sons where killed there that it looked much like a butcher shop.  Their limbs, their broken bodies were everywhere.  I recall the old computer print-outs the green and white sheets, the thousands of sheets with their names.  I read them to see how many of my friends were on there.  I have seen the Viet Nam memorial, ones heart never recovers from this trauma, ones dreams are always subject to nightmares, ones partner is always in danger of harm .... because anything can trigger a memory so vivid that one will lash out. 

I am the class of 67 and was invited to attend the festivities in July of 68, I was there for the Tet Offensive of 68, 69, 70.  A quarter of the men in my class died in Viet Nam.  How soon we forget, now it is proper for Jennifer Lopez to make a movie with Jane Fonda. 

But we shouldnt cry about spilled milk.  I was an exchange soldier with the British, with the French.  I was stationed in Germany and visited Italy, Rome, the Island of Capri, Austria, Innsbrook, France Praris.  I have since returned visited Berlin, Stuttgart, Neu Ulm, Switzerland, Austria, Paris.  In Switzerland I met diplomats from Jordan.  I landed in HAWAII, Guam, Japan, the Phillipines.  I have seen the Russians, eye to eye, and check point Charlie.  I was in Saudi Arabia.

So although Hillary has traveled more miles than I, I know that Susana has not.  I have been to all the border towns and have crossed over.  In Arizona, I have been to Aqua Prieta, Nogales, In California, San Diego, the Island of Capri, Manteca, Yosemite, San Francisco, the Presidio, As far south as Chihuahua Mexico.  As far north as Yellow Stone, Boise, to Washington DC, coast to coast.  I have never run into Susana, I dont think she is qualified for the Dept of the Interior. 

I was a nurse by profession for many years, published.  So I know more about healthcare than Hillary, Susana, and President Obama.  I'm a disabled veteran, and disabled by Social Security. 

So Susana you dont have my vote, you are a republican.  You are pro business, you think corporations are human beings, you believe in welfare for corporations, deregulation.  You believe Newt has every right to get $30K an hour from Freddy Mac.  You believe in privatizing Social Security.  You dont think that seniors should be able to buy cheaper drugs in Canada.  You believe the pharmaceutical industry should be able to hold hostage, seniors and cancer patients, for a nickel. 

You believe that Americans can hold duel citizenship, that they can leave the US because they disagree with laws against polygamy, but return to vote.  Say it isnt so Susana.