Random Output
Why I'll be voting for a democrat for President:
How does a guy from the Midwest, a veteran who who views himself as a fiscal conservative with a mixed bag of progressive and libertarian views find himself supporting a northeastern democrat? Why does a voter who has voted republican for President in all but two elections since his high school days find himself turning from the G.O.P.?
Like many I've been watching the run for the Whitehouse with growing interest. It promises to be one of the most hard fought elections in memory. It takes place in the background of a nation attacked, a ongoing war, controversial changes in law and a economy struggling.
The spin doctors claim the issues are huge, the choices and directions profound. For once I agree with them. Depending on your take of these situations, you can stand in either corner. There are good people who cannot bring themselves to support one or both candidates. My view is that no candidate is perfect, you have to pick the one closest to your own views and by your vote and activism promote your views.
A few months ago the first president I voted for died. I supported Ronald Regan in when he ran against Gerald Ford for the party's nomination. While I can't say that I was always supportive of what Regan did I respected him as a individual who had principles I could understand. It was Regan himself that provided the inspiration for the Republican's Blueprint for America, overturning 30 years of Democrat control of the House.
It's a sad thing to realize that for the first time in over 20 years I can not support a Republican for the Office of President of the United States. I voted for Bush the first time despite reservation. but I did vote for him. My dislike for Bush is not personal, I'd guess that in some respects he's a guy you could like. However Bush is not my neighbor, uncle or coworker, he's the president and simply put, it's looks to be a job he's not suited to.
After 3 1/2 years of this Presidency and administration, due to a track record filled with miss-steps, missed opportunities and mistakes my questions about this man's soundness of judgment have turned reservation to rejection. Now I offer you a sincere apology for who could have guessed the events that have unfolded. From the outside looking in I see an administration that has not shown the level of judgment required to lead America.
He has surrounded himself with a number of yes men who give him poor advice. His methods can be nothing short of tyrannical. He has a style of information management that ranges beyond spin to political manipulation if not ought right lie. Lastly, and I feel most seriously, he has a vision for America unchecked and unrelated to the realities of the the world, common American values or even conservative values in some respects.
It's the Economy Stupid:
It's true as far as I can tell that that the economy was starting to soften at the start of the Bush term. However by comparison to today I recall it being much stronger the end of Clinton's term than during any time under Bush's leadership. With the attack of September 11, 2001 and it's affect I can cut Bush some slack in this.
But how much slack should we give the president? 3 1/2 years ago when Bush became president unemployment was at a record low of 4 percent. The Bush administration record of 1.5 million private sector jobs lost is decimating the middle class. Worse the fact that manufacturing jobs have been hit the hardest. Manufacturing jobs are the jobs responsible for creating and supporting the middle class. Manufacturing jobs typically have medical coverage, retirement plans and education benefits for employees to further opportunities for themselves and their children. Speaking of education, it seems it's no longer the path to the future in more than just manufacturing, just ask the folks in the IT profession.
The Census Bureau report revealed the average American is making 1500.00 less in income after 3 1/2 years of Bush.
This is something Bush and the republican led congress could of taken steps to address if it was a priority. If there is any one presidential gaff (of the many) that displays the all talk, no walk performance of this administration when it comes to jobs, it was displayed in St. Louis. And for a guy who call himself a conservative, when is it good news that the job losses would have been higher if not for hiring more government workers? Measured in the trade deficit terms, many economists are estimating a record high 580 million dollar trade imbalance. If George Bush cares about a strong and growing middle class, his policies (or lack thereof) seem to point a different direction.
Four years ago Bush became president of a thriving America. Not only had Clinton eliminated the national deficit, he left Bush a $236 billion budget surplus. Unemployment was at a record low of 4 percent. In less than 3 1/2 years Bush, the avowed conservative, turned a record surplus into a record deficit, now estimated at $422 billion. Think about that for a minute, that's $658 billion dollars downturn.
Medical Crisis:
George and the Republican held Congress also continue to miss the boat in dealing with the spiraling medical costs and continued loss of medical coverage. Even seniors have not been spared as Medicare premiums just went up 17 percent. One clear opportunity was to allow drug importation. Does anyone (besides pharmaceutical companies) really believe that drugs from Canada are unsafe?
And where is medical related tort reform, a small but needed step? Did it slide off the map or was it not the large issue republicans have been so loud about? Across the country there is becoming a critical shortage in certain medical professionals, OB-Gyn in particular.
Foreign Misadventure:
Let me be clear, I supported the removal of the Taliban in Afghanistan. We had strong rational and the virtual endorsement (if not outright encouragement) of nations around the world. The Taliban government supported and protected the Al-Qaeda network. It was a fundamentalist nightmare for it's neighbors and it's own citizens.
Yet no sooner than we were on the edge of winning that war and capturing Osama bin Laden, Bush and his buddies had a stroke of stupidity. "Let's open a war on a second front" they cried, and floated every balloon they could find or invent until one flew. So far it's working about as well as the Third Reich's planning. The Iraq war is a series of mistakes so wide, broad and deep it can only be called a Greek tragedy. While nobody will miss Saddam Hussein, before we arrived Iraq wasn't the beehive for terrorists it has become. The Iraq war took needed troops out of Afghanistan to finish the job of destroying the Taliban and capturing Osama Bin Laden. Even Bush's fellow republicans in the Senate cannot deny we are in deep trouble.
With a price tag of 200 billion for a war we are losing, 1,060 dead, 7,290 wounded the costs, human and fiscal climbing every day this alone is worth exporting Bush back to Texas if not to the front lines.
So far this administration has failed to show progress in halting the spread of nuclear weapons. In case you may of missed the news, North Korea has the bomb and is believed to be producing nukes at the rate of 4 per year . Iran is a vexing problem as it has a legitimate reason to consider nuclear energy to generate electricity. The problem is it's desire to control the nuclear fuel cycle. The refinement of fuel separating processes combined with reactors which have as a by-product Pu-239 places Iran in a advantageous position should it decide to develop a nuclear weapons program. So far the Bush administration has failed to find a path through these problems. Worse yet, by example it intends to develop a new class of nuclear weapon to be used against underground bases.
Uncivil Liberties:
In the aftermath of 9/11 Congress enacted the Patriot Act. The birth of this bill was hurried and ugly and have been much different if Congress took time to read the bill first. Thankfully a number of the most controversial provisions were set to expire automatically.
Under the Patriot Act the government is no longer be required to disclose the identity of anyone, even an American citizen, detained in connection with a terror investigation until criminal charges are filed, no matter how long that takes. Given how easily that charge can be used we should be concerned.
It's been said that those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Almost 200 years earlier America had the "Alien and Sedition Act". It also wise we remember why we got the FBI out of the business of spying on American citizens like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the first place. The 9/11 Commission has suggested heavy Congressional oversight of the FBI to prevent abuse, which the Bush Whitehouse is fighting.
The Environment:
Less funding for National Parks and energy efficiency are just two of many questions one can ask about this administration. Nobody expected Bush to lead the charge in keeping America clean, but to halt or even roll back laws and regulations on environmental protection?
For these reasons and many more I cannot support George Bush for President and hope to see him defeated. We can't afford 4 more years of this kind of leadership.
So why vote for Kerry?
That is, other than he's not Bush? Whoever is elected will have a multitude of problems nor will they vanish with Bush should he lose the election. Kerry is not without flaws yet I believe Kerry can better tackle these problems.
We need to rebuild our alliances with other countries. We need allies if we want to win the war on terrorism. While Bush brought 6 years experience as the Governor of Texas to the job, the domestic and international problems we have require a longer resume. Kerry's experience in the Senate, especially his time on the Foreign Relations Committee, makes him better prepared to move the nation toward achievable goals and stronger international coalitions.
We need to heal our divisions. Bush ran as someone who could reach out to both parties but has failed. Kerry has for someone of his reputed liberal leanings, managed to find support from a wide and diverse number of groups.
I also believe that a President Kerry, who knows the ins and outs of Congress will have a advantage in bringing legislation forward.
I believe Kerry will take steps to stem the flow of work out of the country. His proposal to discourage outsourcing by cutting tax support is a good start. Combined with efforts to stop China's currency fixing it could be the edge needed to turn things around.
Kerry supports alternative energy. We need to start weaning ourselves from the middle east oil for several reasons. We have a trade deficit, we have oil hitting 54 dollars a barrel, that money we are sending overseas if helping many who have a deep hatred toward us. Pick one, pick all, the reasons are there. I don't see Bush pushing for anything than other than studies and drilling in Alaska.
Kerry has proposals for assisting in covering the cost of education. One called the " College Opportunity Tax Credit" would be good on tuition up to $4000 for four years of college attendance. It's a welcome idea that could offer parents and a spouse a little relief for those students, who are fortunate enough to have that fiscal support. Also proposed is a voluntary college-for-service plan, which would pay for four years of college tuition for young people who participate in a two-year National Service program. This is a lot like the G.I. Bill.
My support of Kerry this election is a leap of faith, just as my support for Bush the last election was. I understand that some cannot bring themselves to support Bush or Kerry. But here's the deal folks, like it or not one of these two will be the president. It's time to get off the fence and vote folks, it's your democracy.