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jfbI've been collecting reasons to vote against Bush for over four years (with a brief hiatus after 9/11). You've heard them all.
I've spent much of October volunteering for the Democrats. I've registered voters and I've knocked on doors. I've watched the debates with a crowd of liberals, and I've written letters to strangers in swing states about why they should vote for Kerry. In the process I've learned more about Kerry's positions and proposals and record. I don't like all of his policies, but I like a lot of them. I won't bore you with the list.
In the end, I not only voted for Kerry but was happy to do so because, well, I think he's a good guy. A little stiff, but intelligent, moral, and, in that waspy way I know all too well, compassionate. He's spent most of the last 40 years serving the nation. He's identified real problems and worked in incredibly frustrating political situations to solve them. He hasn't always set the goals I'd like; he hasn't always met the goals he set; but, well, that's how legislative politics works. I want to see what he can do, given the chance to lead.
I've spent much of October volunteering for the Democrats. I've registered voters and I've knocked on doors. I've watched the debates with a crowd of liberals, and I've written letters to strangers in swing states about why they should vote for Kerry. In the process I've learned more about Kerry's positions and proposals and record. I don't like all of his policies, but I like a lot of them. I won't bore you with the list.
In the end, I not only voted for Kerry but was happy to do so because, well, I think he's a good guy. A little stiff, but intelligent, moral, and, in that waspy way I know all too well, compassionate. He's spent most of the last 40 years serving the nation. He's identified real problems and worked in incredibly frustrating political situations to solve them. He hasn't always set the goals I'd like; he hasn't always met the goals he set; but, well, that's how legislative politics works. I want to see what he can do, given the chance to lead.
no subject
Date: 2004-10-29 02:03 pm (UTC)And I must vehemently disagree with your statement that Kerry isn't decisively different enough from Bush. Kerry is one of the strongest environmentalists in the senate, and one of the very few people in Washington who fought for tougher CAFE standards. Kerry strongly supports a woman's right to choose and would never appoint a judge who opposes Roe v. Wade. Kerry, and the liberal base, do not believe in massive tax cuts for the super wealthy. Kerry believes in waging political combat against powerful special interests for the benefit of the general public. This includes doing battle against the pharmaceutical monopoly and energy companies that get away with illegal pollution.
Exactly how is he like Bush? And you had better come up with more than "he voted for the Patriot Act." That was a singular action occurring immediately after a horrible attack on this country which, for many months, changed the very face of this nation.
Kerry was a privileged youth who didn't have to go to war. He was a war hero who didn't need to protest that war. He is a wealthy man who doesn't need to care about health insurance and the price of drugs, but does. He does these things because he deeply cares about this nation and its people.
Kerry and Bush, black and white.