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Promises for the future
by Rod Van Mechelen
Conservative American Indian Republicans—ConservativeAIR.com™
Posted November 2, 2004 5:00AM PST
The day freedom and liberty dawned for all the world
From August 30th to September 2nd, I attended the Republican National Convention in New York City. While there, I blogged for my local newspaper, the Olympian. Here is my final submission, called in from the convention floor just following President Bush's speech accepting the nomination:
Thursday was the final day of the convention. The days have been long, the events have been many, and the hours of sleep, too few.
At an event Wednesday night, I hoped to meet Sen. John McCain and let him know that a tribe he challenged to help other tribes took his words to heart. But as I stood about 30 feet away, looking up at him on stage, I could see that he was weary beyond words. Out of respect for this American hero, I turned and walked away, hoping to give him our message another day.
During the past few days, a lot of people have asked me, "As an American Indian, what do you want from the Republican Party and President Bush?"
For me, this is a difficult question, because I support Bush not for what he can do for me and Indian country, but for what he is doing: I came to the convention not to get something, but to give support to the campaign and party, and to add my voice to the growing chorus of Indian leaders who support the GOP.
What has Bush done for Indian country?
But why support this president? For some of us, the answer begins with our shared values and commitment to the same principles. But, like anybody else, most Indians understandably want to know, "What's in it for me?" To answer that, I did a little research, and it turns out that he has done a lot.
President Bush has reaffirmed tribal sovereignty several times, including in the Native American Heritage Proclamations of 2001-03. His administration has provided more than $1.1 billion for school construction and repairs. His 2005 budget requests $3.7 billion for Indian Health Service, an increase of $45 million over last year, and he has increased diabetes prevention funding by 50 percent, to $150 million.
Like Ronald Reagan, he is committed to fostering autonomy and self-sufficiency through economic development. To this end, his 2005 budget includes $1 million to help develop uniform business codes for all tribes, which are vital to making Indian country more attractive for commercial investments.
For some of us, these facts speak for themselves. The Bush Administration has given much to address the present needs of the Indian tribes, while working to further the future economic independence that Indian country so desperately needs. But it takes more than money and programs to make a leader worthy of support.
It takes heart and courage, integrity and grit, compassion, humility and resolute determination to do right.
If these are the characteristics of a leader, then George Bush is a great leader at every step. He spoke Thursday night of his accomplishments from education to the economy, health care to the war on terror. The list is long.
But he is not one to rest on his laurels, and he outlined for us an inspiring vision for the future. His speech has been heard and will be analyzed. But as his final words echo in my ears, I am moved, inspired and humbled.
I have witnessed a historic moment. A day will come when women and men not yet born will look back to this time and place with some reverence and much pride.
This was the day that freedom and liberty dawned for all the world to share.
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