"Political points that jab like a knife in the heart."

Suzzane Shepherd is president of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas. Her son Jack has Down Syndrome. Jack is a sixth-grader at a local middle school.

Reading this article made me imagine myself in the shoes of people with intellectual disabilities. Words spoken without thought, are like a two edged sword. Suzzane is targeting all members of the society when she puts pen to paper. She hopes that this article will fall on fertile ground and the general public will desist from using the word 'retard'. White House Chief of Staff used the word to "denigrate those who disagreed with the administration on health care". What sort of an example does this set up, especially coming from a political leader? A nation usually follows what their leaders do or say; so having said this, our leaders are supposed to be on guard at all times as their careless words can do more harm that good, especially putting into consideration that mean words could shape who we are.

President Barak Obama's "special olympics joke lands him in hot water." The President became a little too relaxed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and caused himself unnecessary embarrassment when he joked about his bowling alley score, comparing it to "special Olympics or something". He apologized, but the damaged was already done. The word 'retard' should be banned or replaced with a more civil vocabulary word, no one wishes to be labeled with their illness or disability as they did not choose this path for themselves.

Politicians need not make humiliating comments in order to score political points as the expense of children like Jack. Citizens vote for representatives who stand for integrity, compassion, transparency as well truthfulness among many other characteristics. This measure applies to all colors of the political spectrum. It has nothing to do with democrats of republicans, but has a lot to do with humans beings on this earth.

In conclusion, here is a quote to support my beliefs as well as the beliefs of the writer of this article -

"I think it's very important to see that words hurt and words do matter. And these words that in some respect can be seen as humiliation or a put-down with special needs do cause pain and they do result in stereotypes." Shriver