As a woman, I have experienced similar problems that other minorities have in this country. Throughout the world women are considered lower than cattle or dogs in some cultures, as vessels of procreation in others, and as property up until the early part of the 20th century in this country.

Yet, I do not believe special concessions or focusing on my victim status serves me. I vigorously reject any "victim" title. I know that I create my own reality.

If minority groups want to hang onto their anger and continue to loudly proclaim victim status, they will continually find themselves in exactly the position they are looking for.

Women have sought and gained many concessions, and things are much better for us today. I believe that the Republican party is much better for any minority group than the Democratic party is for one main reason - the Democrats depend on angry minority members to vote for them because they remain angry and always want something done. The Republican party does not care what color you are; they care what you do and expect that you will do your part to elevate yourself and earn what you get. The Democrats are extremely color-conscious. The Republicans care much more about what you actually do and race has nothing to do with that.

Attempting to shame successful minority members for daring to succeed is a thinly disguised effort to keep those who succeed from showing everyone else that minority groups no longer need special concessions and are no longer victims - unless they choose to continue to remain victims.

Ranting, raving, and indignantly complaining about being a victim never solves the problem, but it sure absolves the one doing it from actually having to make an effort to change and improve his or her own life. Saying that those who stop buying the Democrat lie about being victims are "acting white" is a shameful attempt to keep them down; if they succeed, it means that a victim's reality may be based on a lie. Hmmm....

We do not need leaders in this country who are race-focused, or gender-focused. We need a leader who represents and serves every race and both genders. The Democratic party is in turmoil because they are more focused on "the first woman president," or "the first black president," rather than "the most qualified, most capable leader to be president." If being a certain race or gender is the most important characteristic of a Democratic presidential candidate, I want NOTHING to do with such a strange, mixed-up political party.

While the Democrats are in such a tizzy, making bigger and more embarrassing messes with their politics, the Republicans are quietly preparing for the big day. Barak speaks eloquently about the hungry winds of change, or insults our allies but, other than that, he says nothing. His greatest claim to experience is "organizing community activities." Wow, that inspires confidence. Hillary is focused on ruining our health care system and agonizing over how to attack Obama without sounding racist, but says virtually nothing. We're going to listen to that for four years?

Do something different this year, you who are in minority groups. Vote Republican. See if you feel a bit better with more money in your pocket, real opportunity to improve your lives, and the feeling that you really don't have to be a victim. You might love the change!