Monday, November 01, 2004
Making A Case For John F. Kerry
With only hours to go, I find it hard to believe that there is anybody left who is undecided about the Presidential election. Maybe that is because I have had my mind made up for quite some time now. I just don't understand how anyone could be undecided between these two strikingly different candidates. To me, it's like the difference between excruciating pain and a full-body massage. (Maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but you get the idea.) However, according to the pundits there are still a few people out there that haven't made up their minds. So, for those of you that may be leaning toward voting for the President, I offer you a list of things to consider. All of these things have happened during George W. Bush's four years in office.
I'll admit, everyone makes mistakes. I know I've made at least a handful today. The difference is that I am willing to admit my mistakes and nobody has died, lost their job or health care, slid into poverty, or been abused or tortured as a result of them. If only our President could say the same.
Critics have said that Democrats aren't really supporting Kerry as much as they're voting against George Bush. I disagree with that statement because I, for one, strongly support John Kerry. He is an intelligent man with a well thought-out plan for the future of our country. He has twenty years of experience at the federal level during which time he has become adept at the process of negotiating with other law-makers and foriegn leaders. He is deliberate in his decision making and does not rush to a conclusion without giving the situation a great deal of thought. And, when it is necessary, he has the presence of mind and the self confidence to change his views on a situation if new facts present themselves.
But I think we need to look back at the recent history of our elections. When George W. Bush was elected(?), was it because America fell in love with him or was it because a lot of people were fed up with Bill Clinton and, by association, Al Gore? What about when Clinton was elected in 1992? Was it because people adored him or because the country felt George H. W. Bush was out of touch? What about when Reagn defeated Carter, or when Carter defeated Ford? Did those elections turn on the swell of good feelings for the challenger or the disappointment with the current administration? I think that we can safely say that it is a little of both. So sure there is some dislike of our current President, but that's what elections are about. Does the man in office deserve another chance or not?
You see, often times an election is a lot like comparing apples to oranges. The incumbent has the experience of being the President and has a Presidential record to tout. Now the challenger may have a record, but it's not the same as that of the President. He hasn't had the opportunities or the experiences that a President has, so you have to ask yourself, "Has the President done a good enough job handling the situations he was presented with to deserve another four years?" I urge you to take a look at the list above. Our President can't think of a single mistake he has made and yet I can name twenty; each of which has cost someone their life, their paycheck, they're insurance, or their dignity.
America deserves a new start. The families that have lost husbands, sons, and daughters deserve someone who will tell them the truth about their situation. The workers who have lost their jobs and are unemployed or under-employed deserve a chance to regain their livlihood and their dignity. The people who have lost their healthcare deserve a chance to be healthy without having to forfeit their finacial status. And those children that have been left behind deserve a chance to go to a free school that has enough money to provide them with the educational opportunities to make them life-long learners and productive citizens.
George W. Bush has failed our country. He has failed our military, our middle class and poor, our seniors, our children, our future and the rest of the world. It's time for a change. John Kerry can provide that change. The best part about living in this country is that every four years we have the opportunity to change direction if we need to. I have never known of a time in our lives when a new direction was needed more.
As you go to the polls tomorrow, go with the knowledge that you can change the country's direction and set it along a new path. Don't allow anyone to tell you that your vote is not important. Don't allow anyone to tell you that your vote is not necessary. And never allow anyone to stifle your voice or deny your vote.
We can make a change in this country and it all starts tomorrow. As I cast my vote for John Kerry tomorrow, I do it with hope and optimism. I hope you will do the same.
- Budget surplus squandered
Tax breaks that favor the wealthy
Record budget deficits
Education under-funded
Environmental policies gutted
August 6, 2001 PDB ignored
Civil liberties trampled
Osama bin Laden allowed to escape
Iraq invaded without the help of our traditional allies
Troops inadequately equipped
1,100 American lives lost in a war of choice
"Mission Accomplished"
Abu Ghraib
Guantanamo Bay
At least 370 tons of high explosives missing
Over 2,000,000 private sector jobs lost
Poverty rate up
Number of uninsured up
17% increase in Medicare premiums
Prescription drug prices up
I'll admit, everyone makes mistakes. I know I've made at least a handful today. The difference is that I am willing to admit my mistakes and nobody has died, lost their job or health care, slid into poverty, or been abused or tortured as a result of them. If only our President could say the same.
Critics have said that Democrats aren't really supporting Kerry as much as they're voting against George Bush. I disagree with that statement because I, for one, strongly support John Kerry. He is an intelligent man with a well thought-out plan for the future of our country. He has twenty years of experience at the federal level during which time he has become adept at the process of negotiating with other law-makers and foriegn leaders. He is deliberate in his decision making and does not rush to a conclusion without giving the situation a great deal of thought. And, when it is necessary, he has the presence of mind and the self confidence to change his views on a situation if new facts present themselves.
But I think we need to look back at the recent history of our elections. When George W. Bush was elected(?), was it because America fell in love with him or was it because a lot of people were fed up with Bill Clinton and, by association, Al Gore? What about when Clinton was elected in 1992? Was it because people adored him or because the country felt George H. W. Bush was out of touch? What about when Reagn defeated Carter, or when Carter defeated Ford? Did those elections turn on the swell of good feelings for the challenger or the disappointment with the current administration? I think that we can safely say that it is a little of both. So sure there is some dislike of our current President, but that's what elections are about. Does the man in office deserve another chance or not?
You see, often times an election is a lot like comparing apples to oranges. The incumbent has the experience of being the President and has a Presidential record to tout. Now the challenger may have a record, but it's not the same as that of the President. He hasn't had the opportunities or the experiences that a President has, so you have to ask yourself, "Has the President done a good enough job handling the situations he was presented with to deserve another four years?" I urge you to take a look at the list above. Our President can't think of a single mistake he has made and yet I can name twenty; each of which has cost someone their life, their paycheck, they're insurance, or their dignity.
America deserves a new start. The families that have lost husbands, sons, and daughters deserve someone who will tell them the truth about their situation. The workers who have lost their jobs and are unemployed or under-employed deserve a chance to regain their livlihood and their dignity. The people who have lost their healthcare deserve a chance to be healthy without having to forfeit their finacial status. And those children that have been left behind deserve a chance to go to a free school that has enough money to provide them with the educational opportunities to make them life-long learners and productive citizens.
George W. Bush has failed our country. He has failed our military, our middle class and poor, our seniors, our children, our future and the rest of the world. It's time for a change. John Kerry can provide that change. The best part about living in this country is that every four years we have the opportunity to change direction if we need to. I have never known of a time in our lives when a new direction was needed more.
As you go to the polls tomorrow, go with the knowledge that you can change the country's direction and set it along a new path. Don't allow anyone to tell you that your vote is not important. Don't allow anyone to tell you that your vote is not necessary. And never allow anyone to stifle your voice or deny your vote.
We can make a change in this country and it all starts tomorrow. As I cast my vote for John Kerry tomorrow, I do it with hope and optimism. I hope you will do the same.
