In recent weeks my family has come under relentless attack from the White House political operation, elements of the Democratic Party and organizations and media outlets supported by some of the Democrats’ wealthiest donors.
These attacks stem sadly from one main reason: our support for the Republican presidential candidate as well as other Republican candidates.
Too often there is a media double standard in our country based on situational ethics. The president’s supporters are treated one way while those who might challenge his leadership are treated in another.
This is hypocrisy.
History shows that when regimes are challenged — in political war, when feeling threatened — they overstep their authority. Suddenly news of government inquiries that had been proceeding quietly becomes highly public — followed soon after by a series of politically motivated leaks designed to discredit their opponents. And the leaks continue to spring up, like mushrooms after the rain.
Usually leaks spark big media noise initially, but end with a very slight whisper. However, before it is over, there is a major injustice done to those who are the targets of the false and unproven accusations.
Politically motivated leaks befit dark regimes, overseas dictatorships. They do not befit America, the world’s greatest democracy. They are not the American way.
All our life, my family has walked in the American way. We did not take anything from anyone. We never felt entitled. Instead, through our own hard work, we struggled for success.
My husband, Sheldon Adelson, a son of a poor Boston taxi driver, started his business life at the age of 12, and has achieved everything with his own hands. His companies have directly created more than 50,000 jobs and indirectly provided employment for hundreds of thousands of Americans and people around the world. These jobs have in turn supported an even greater number of families.
For my part, I have worked as a medical doctor for almost 40 years in the areas of internal, emergency and addiction medicine. In those years I have saved human life and helped countless individuals regain meaningful lives.
Our belief is that it is one’s right and obligation to rely on oneself, on one’s efforts, on one’s talent. This is the American way. This is the dignified way — to be an entrepreneur, not a follower; to rely on yourself, not to expect the government to take care of you; to strive to do your work by yourself, not to demand others do it for you.
And if you succeed, then your success is exactly what America is about — proof of the American dream!
But the American dream is possible because of certain fundamental rights that are conferred and protected by our Constitution.
One of those rights is the freedom to support and donate to the candidate you want, as long as you abide by the laws that protect us all.
Those who currently chase after my family, who demonize us for our political positions, are acting on motives contrary to American values. And those in the media who are collaborating with these people are also acting from the same wrong political motives. Indeed, they are feeding it with a media double standard — allowing for Democrats what is forbidden to Republicans.
The reason is simple: to help the Democrats keep control of the executive branch of the government.
But the United States is not a third-world country.
The United States is not a dictatorship
The United States is not a dark country.
The United States is not a socialist country.
Ours is a country with a constitution, with just laws, freedoms and values. All Americans should strive to protect those values and not hurt them. We should live up to them!
My family believes in the American values of private entrepreneurship, of human dignity, of conducting business in an honest way and of keeping family values.
The ugly attacks — the damaging bad-mouthing by political partisans — will not deter us from our way.
We will continue to walk in the American way.
God bless America!
Miriam Adelson has been a medical doctor for nearly 40 years in the areas of internal, emergency and addiction medicine. Her husband is Sheldon Adelson.
