Virgie Bell's View: On Edwards...

I have been reading some comments by Elizabeth Edwards where she contends that she is surprised by the public reaction to her and her husband’s decision to continue in their race for the White House. She claims that most of the criticism is from those who have never battled cancer, so I would like to go on record here at Gunz up in telling her that I am one of those critical of that decision, and also to state that like most Americans, I have not been spared this horror.

Actually, I am surprised that she would think otherwise. It is my understanding that three out of five people will contact this disease. It seems to me therefore that if she received such criticism by the majority of people who have never been involved with something like cancer (which indeed is a family tragedy), then it is certainly a very small and lucky group of a very blessed minority. I am a survivor of cancer and surely am one of the very lucky ones. Jerry lost a sister about a year ago to cancer and then her husband died with it about six months later. I saw an entire family; a wonderful and caring family, go through something that is a hell on this earth. Cancer brings with it one of the most debilitating treatments on this earth.

If that is the Edward’s desire, and what they have always wished for him, to be President of the United States of America, then this to me is a stunning revelation in itself. They have held out for the top job in our country no matter what has befallen them in their lives.

I lost both of my grandmothers to cancer as well as an older brother that I absolutely adored. Even in large families, the help required in facing such a trial goes beyond anything one can imagine. It disrupts the lives of entire families. It is one of the most horrible things that a family can face. I cannot imagine a first family going through that and running for a political job in the first place. I find it beyond amazing that anyone could hold on to such a dream in spite of the fact that the president is just another human being. I would hope that their concern for a wife or a husband would by far override such ambitions. After all, I doubt Mr. Edwards has anymore to give to this office than a half a dozen other candidates. I can not even begin to believe that anyone would think otherwise. To put ambition above family is beyond my imagination. It is not something that anyone in our family would even think of. Most families do have to continue with their jobs, but that is in order to pay bills and put food on the table. Maybe then, as the old saying goes: the rich are different, only more so, holds more truth than I was ever aware of.

I would have to say that running for president at this time is the worst possible thing for their family. It is too ambitious for the likes of me to ever understand. I do not feel that this is something the American public wants to be part of at this time. I know that I don’t. It really makes me wonder about them. It really does.

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