OT-POLITCAL QUESTION

nosurrender · July 2007

WARNING: If you don't want to talk about politics then stop right here.

I didn't want to get sidetracked on the other thread and change the original meaning so I thought I would post my question separately.

Please- try to put all your political leanings to the side for a second and think about this-

Would you, as a breast cancer survivor, back a candidate who legitimately made breast cancer an issue? For example, if a candidate said, along with his/her other platforms, that the he/she would increase funding for research and seriously work to put an end to the Unites States losing over 40,000 women a year to this disease?

The reason I asked you to put your political leanings to the side is the second part of the question,
Would you support this person even if they were not a member of the party you most identify yourself with?

Thanks! It should be interesting.

(to answer my own question: IF the candidate had a real plan and not just platitudes, if they had researched BC and really understood what we were going through, I would personally support that candidate.)

SheriH · July 2007

You ask a tough question! I think your answer about if the person had done serious research and had a definite plan would make a difference. There are quite a few "hot button" topics in politics and they all have to be considered before I make a decision on a candidate. Would I vote outside of my party? Yes, but I would have to be darn sure of my reasoning. I choose my party for it's overall stance, not just on one or two topics.

Do I sound as wishy-washy as many politicians? Probably, but I am pretty set in my ways, it's just my politics don't usually correspond to what may be considered to be the popular view on this board and I don't want to offend anyone here on purpose, and I know I would. However, I am interested in the response you get from this question.

BTW, smart idea to announce loud and clear that this is not only OT, but political. Hopefully anyone who isn't interested will skip it.

jasmine · July 2007

It would depend on their stand on other key issues. I couldn't just ignore other key issues just because they supported bc research and made bc an issue. Yes, I want a cure too.

As far as party is concerned, I've never supported anyone just because they are in a certain party. I look at their stand on issues that I find important to see if I agree with their viewpoint. There are some issues that I will compromise on but there are some that I won't.

If I only agreed with a candidate's stand on bc but was at odds with the other issues, then I would not be able to support them.

For me its a big picture thing.

Jaybird627 · July 2007

If this candidate were anything other than a Republican then probably YES.

Jaybird

Naniam · July 2007

I honestly try to vote for the "person" not a party. I'm registered to one party but over the years find I have chosen equally from the opposition party. That part is not a problem for me.

The problem would be to believe that someone in politics actually has a plan, show it in print, is readable/understandable and is SINCERE!!.

I'm frustrated with the political process - to many debates with questions without substance and "IF" the candidates are given a tough, policy based, well though question they are so very, very good at never really giving a direct answer to a question - they just "talk" and when you stop and really think about what they said the dots just don't connect. Either party, no problem. A candidate having a plan and being sincere - I would have to see it in writing!!!!!!

Good question, thought provoking too. Wondering how others will answer.

Brenda

Toronto · July 2007

health care in general yes, BC no.

iodine · July 2007

I have no party affilliation.
I choose no one issue. It has to be a whole package.

sns · July 2007

I would consider an awareness and desire to do something about bc a factor in voting - but not a major one. I consider many other issues more important at this point in time.

sahalie · July 2007

g.

Your questions and topic would have fit in nicely with the thread Amy started. It was about last nights debate and the issues at hand.

Too early to tell the whole picture with each candidate and will have to wait closer to crunch time.

djd · July 2007

lol...I would vote for Mickey Mouse if that was the only alternative to the down-spiral our country is in!

Seriously, how could we do any worse than GWB? [it's just a rherotical question, ok?]

Anonymous · July 2007

Breast cancer and other health care issues are important to me. So I would certainly be interested in this candidate. I think I might vote for he/she.

Nicki

fd411 · July 2007

If a candidate had an agenda that I supported, It wouldn't matter what political party they belonged to. I'd vote for them.They just had better step up to the plate with the issues if they got elected.

Ferne

marshakb · July 2007

I won't vote for any RADICAL (far to the left or far to the right) thinking and you get that in both parties. I am like iodine, except I did choose a party just so I could vote in the primaries.

Vote for a particular candidate based solely on BC? Absolutely not. How unfair to the folks with other health problems.

As to the GWB question, LOL Here's an even scarier thought, Imagine if that had been John Kerry or Dean. EEEWWW At least this time around the Democratic party has candidates that stand a chance of getting elected.

JMO..

nosurrender · July 2007

Thanks for all your replies.

It makes me wonder- why isn't BC ever mentioned?

There are 275,000 women dx'd with BC in America every year. Over 40,000 of them will die, and there are well over 2 million survivors living and working and VOTING.

They all have families and friends and they have been affected as well.

Those are a lot of votes!

You all are right, I made the question too broad- of course you would have to agree with other things the candidate stood for...
I guess what I meant was if you were in the voting booth and they both had similar platforms but ONE had a BC agenda- A REAL ONE- that would make me pull the lever.

Thanks for answering!

newvickie · July 2007

I never vote by party...I vote by person and issues. If bc were an issue along with other issues that I consider important I would vote for that person regardless of part and yes, if two had the same issues but one had added bc...that is the lever I would pull.
My boss made an interesting point, he is at a high risk of prostate cancer and said that he personally would vote the same way that I would but that those of us with breast cancer are actually luckier than persons with other types of cancer such as prostate. Not trying to start a debate here at all but he does have a point...you really don't see prostate cancer walks, or brain cancer walks etc. Those of with breast cancer are pretty much front and center. He is thrilled with that and prays that a cure for breast cancer can be found and that it may lead to a cure for many other types of cancer too...I guess he's just saying that he would vote for whatever party was truly interested in fighting the cancer battle.
oh my what a ramble that turned into...sorry!
Vickie

nosurrender · July 2007

They play baseball for prostate cancer. Watch professional baseball some time and you will see that they do.

I have heard people say that we are "lucky" to have breast cancer and not another type of cancer.

I don't think it is so lucky.
Breast Cancer KILLS MORE PEOPLE than any other cancer.

How I wish breast cancer patients had a PSA test like the men do for prostate cancer- it can warn you BEFORE you have prostate cancer.

Imagine if we had that?

Breast cancer gets a lot of attention for the wrong reasons... if you removed all the marketing ploys that hijack our disease solely for profit and exposure, you would see a lot less "attention" being paid.

threadbear · July 2007

I believe that advances in breast cancer may lead to advances in other cancers. You hear it on the news, how a new treatment may work on more than one type, or a genetic process could be developed for other cancers. I think that the bc movement has helped to bring cancer into the spotlight. I know sometimes I feel that some people don't think that bc is as bad as other cancers, but I sure do, now.

threadbear · July 2007

Forgot to add my opinion... I'm not sure how I would vote, but bc and health care in general get my attention. I am more likely to vote by party after watching this country go down the tubes the last 8 years, and I don't feel bad about it. Many many people voted by party after the Monica Lewinsky fiasco.

newvickie · July 2007

I didn't know that Gina (baseball and the PSA test). I love to debate with my boss and I'll do some more research for "ammunition". He doesn't think we are in any way "lucky" to have breast cancer though as I do know of many people who do. I hate the whole pooh poohing of the bc when you hear..."oh its "just" breast cancer, they can cure that"...grrrr.
oops...getting off topic...sorry
hugs to you Gina...

BethNY · July 2007

they play baseball for breast cancer too- and use pink bats- and football too... just an aside.

I dont think BC would sway my vote. The health care crisis as a whole-- like the 7 million people in the US without health insurance... now there's a swaying factor.

And a politician who wants to irradicate breast cancer? I just don't know if I would trust them. Why would they single out breast cancer. What about AIDS? What about autism?
I don't know.
Just b/c I got BC I don't think my politician needs to revolve around it.

However, I am completely disgusted with the cancer cuts bush made these last few years. But, hopefully with a democrat in office in 08 the cancer funding will return.

marshakb · July 2007

Gina, the answer to that is a resounding YES. Two candidates pretty much equal in my mind on other areas but one who makes BC more of a platform? Yes indeedy cause I sure don't feel lucky to have gotten BC in any form or fashion or comparison. The numbers you have are devestating!!! You would think the candidates would at least realize this and if nothing else see it as a chance to entice awhole bunch of votes! 2 million survivors who vote! Of course then we have to stay on them to make sure they follow thru with platform promises.

JustOne · July 2007

There are a million and one diseases out there that are just as important to families as our BC is to us. My mother died from Alzheimers, and believe me, there needs to be way more research and funding for that also.

Health care, on a whole interests me and a candidates agenda on many topics.

~Pam

shokk · July 2007

Gina I don't think a bc platform would cause me to vote for a particular canidate........I am a conservative.......I am against national health care.......I really don't understand why some people think the health care is a constitutional right......we can witness what happens when government gets involved in private enterprise........but you know Gina what politicians say and what they can get done are two different things........there are so many platforms like many have said.......I am usually for the candidate that believes in smaller government.......and in favor of private enterprise.....

NoH8 · July 2007

I would have to see what other issues the candidate backed as well. I vote mainly on social issues so if that candidate backed much of what I believe in, then I would.

Shirlann · July 2007

I was under the impression the Lung Cancer was by far the number one cancer killer? Hummm, sure thought so.

Hugs, Shirlann

Beesie · July 2007

Shirlann,

Yes, lung cancer is the leading cancer killer, even when just considering women.

http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/2003ReportRelease

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...=image&cd=3

And FYI, the NHL have played hockey for breast cancer - pink sticks. And in Canada, only breast cancer has been on an official coin (the special edition breast cancer quarter).

Anonymous · July 2007

First of all, I don't believe the American people would be too happy to hear a politician zero in on one disease.

There needs to be MUCH education about breast cancer. Too many people think it's the "one" you want to get. I do talk to people about bc because I certainly didn't know squat about it before it came into my life. People need to know there is no cure. I know that sounds harsh, but it's true.

As far as voting for a politican who would support bc research and such....no, I would not vote on that alone. I am quite conservative on several issues. However, I am willing to "agree to disagree." There are many issues that are important to me. So far I'm not impressed with ANY candiate.
Shirley

snhb · July 2007

I like many others have said, vote on all the issues that a candidate purports. However, I absolutely "get" where you are coming from, and I would like to point out that in this particular group of politician's I think that this is the first time that Breast Cancer is actually being given a forum, in the sense that you have Elizabeth Edwards in the media. Also, Hillary Clinton's mother-in-law had BC. So, while BC isn't a discussed issue, I think some awareness is being raised.

Poppy · July 2007

I have a friend, who at 36, still votes based upon abortion rights. I'm all for a candidate promising funding for diseases or for whatever other "social" programs I agree with, but my main concern is with the safety of this country and Americans around the world.

I will vote for the person who will deal with terrorism swiftly, strongly and with the least number of human casualties. All the other stuff is icing on the cake.

Erica

LoveMYcats · July 2007

Congress calls the shots! So far we have John McCain with skin cancer and I think ???? prostrate cancer?? and Thompson with prostrate cx and Rudy G with prostrate cancer. I think there are some others but can't think of who???? (And Edwards wife with BC.) Probably the longest list of cancer survivors that ever ran for President! I think this is a first - Presidential cancer survivor candidates.

NoH8 · July 2007

Quote:

I was under the impression the Lung Cancer was by far the number one cancer killer? Hummm, sure thought so.

Hugs, Shirlann

You're right, and I feel sorry for people with lung cancer because they're often blamed for their illness,particularly if they smoked. You never see walks, races or large scale fund raisers for those folks.
I believe that malignant melonoma is the 2nd largest cancer killer.

OT-POLITCAL QUESTION

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