I'm not going to get into a political debate with anyone on this, but I thought I'd comment quickly anyway...I live in Massachusetts, and I'm definitely voting for Bush!! I don't think he's done a bad job as president, and I do agree with much of his stance with the war in Iraq... I also agree with more of his views than Kerry's...One thing that bugs me... (and I'm not saying all Kerry supporters do this, but MANY do...) When people tell me they're voting for Kerry and I ask why... all I hear are the things Bush did wrong... Which makes it seem like quite a number of people are voting for Kerry simply because he's not Bush, and I don't think that's a very good reason to vote for someone. For once, I'd love it if someone could tell me why they DO like Kerry rather than why they DON'T like Bush... I'm hard-pressed to find anyone that answers the "Why do you like Kerry?" question without mentioning a supposed fault of Bush. It just annoys me.
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Fellow Moderates, please vote for Kerry
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In reply to: For once, I'd love it if someone could tell me why they DO like Kerry rather than why they DON'T like Bush... I'm hard-pressed to find anyone that answers the "Why do you like Kerry?" question without mentioning a supposed fault of Bush. It just annoys me. That's often how incumbent battles are fought (that’s how they were fought in 1996 and 2000 as well). The fact is that we know much more about a Bush presidency than a hypothetical Kerry presidency. Why is this annoying? It's perfectly normal to focus on the facts that are available, and most of these fasts are related to Bush's tenure. Kerry offers an alternative to Bush’s vision. It makes sense to argue against Bush’s vision when you’re promoting its alternative.
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Now now Steppenwolf, you still didn't answer the question. I'm a Bush supporter but just to help you get started... Kerry supports veterans and wants to continue their benefits they were promised when they once served. I think it's the right and noble thing to do.
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It's funny you mention Kerry supporting veterans as most veterans I know despise the guy. I watched a show the other day that had several war veterans dissing on him.
Odelia broght up an excellant point though. I never really thought of it like. People wanna vote for Kerry simply becuase they want Bush out. What they dont realize is maybe Kerry wont be any better...
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KILL ALL THE STUPID MONKEYS
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Huh?
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In reply to: Now now Steppenwolf, you still didn't answer the question. I'm a Bush supporter but just to help you get started... Kerry supports veterans and wants to continue their benefits they were promised when they once served. I think it's the right and noble thing to do. I did answer the question. I told Odelia why I was arguing against Bush to promote Kerry. I then went to sleep. I think the real differences lie with healthcare and taxes. Kerry supports a more inclusive health care plan, which I think better addresses the current health care crisis than anything Bush has put on the table (he hasn't really put anything on the table). With regards to taxes, I think we need to increase our revenue in order to offset these massive deficits. That means increasing taxes for the highest brackets (the brackets that received the largest tax credits under Bush). If we want to pay for this war and this deficit, we can't keep reducing our revenue. Kerry also stands a better chance of getting UN support for continued reconstruction in Iraq. It would help if the US could split the costs with allies--Bush hasn't been able to do this. There is more I want to say on this, but I need to go to class. I'll write more tonight.
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GO BUSH, GO BUSH ! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
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LMAO!! i aint voting for no one!
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i just had to find it funny that Steppenwolf goes to all the troulbe of this long and quite thourough, well thought out argument that is Pro-Kerry, and then the first Pro-Bush post is just "Vote Bush"
stepping out of US politics now, before it somehow infects me. have fun or something
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I wont win? Yeah I know, you're female haha. I cant find the link and I'm heading outta town today & early tomorrow. I'll be back in time to vote. BUT I wont get the emails in time to matter, so I geuss we'll just see who wins the election.
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I'm not really sure who started the anti-abortion post. I too don't believe in abortion, but I would much rather see women having them done in a safe, sterile, and clean environment than in an alley with a dirty coat hanger. I also would NEVER vote for someone whether they believed or did not believe in abortion. I'm more concerned with jobs and the economy. I live in Cleveland and this is THE poorest city (at least according to our newspaper) and the city with the most job losses. When I watch the debates, Kerry seems to have plans and new ideas, where as Bush just seems to point fingers. This will be the first election I vote in and I'm really glad I get to vote for Kerry.
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In reply to:
There is more I want to say on this, but I need to go to class. I'll write more tonight.
It's tonight... so let me add a few more things. In addition to fiscal and health policies, I believe that Kerry's flexibility and open-mindedness would add legitimacy to America's foreign policy. As a corollary to that point, such flexibility would benefit domestic regulatory policy as well.
While Kerry has been characterized as a flip-flopper, the other side of that equation is that he's seems to be more flexible and open-minded than Mr. Bush. This is not only valuable in war, where factors are constantly changing, but in domestic policy. In war, and foreign policy in general, we need a president that is capable of formulating new plans on the spot, rather than doggedly pursuing a defunct plan. I don't think that Bush is capable of admitting his errors, and as a result, he may continue commit the same errors out of pride. Judging from the debates and Bush's public speaking, I also don't think that Bush is able to come up with new plans on the spot--he gets stuck, and often appears flustered when under stress. He typically performs poorly in non-scripted situations. I don't think that this demonstrates strength; on the contrary, it demonstrates inflexibility and it weakens the legitimacy of our country by making our president look foolish or incapable of dealing with new facts and situations. On the other hand, Kerry has been able to speak more fluidly and appears better at adjusting to new situations. Kerry's unscripted moments haven't produced many awkward results (especially in comparison to Bush). Not only does this lead me to believe that he's more flexible than Bush, but it makes me trust his on-the-spot abilities. In a post 9/11 world, we need someone that can react IMMEDIATELY to unscripted events. Kerry seems the better man for this task.
On the domestic side, I hope and expect that this flexibility will translate into a more bottom-up approach than the top-down approach of this administration. Flexibility with our agencies lets them better accomplish their jobs without the fear of being fired by the president for discovering facts that he doesn't like. Agency heads should not constantly struggle to appease the president, and I strongly believe that Mr. Kerry will foster a more cooperative atmosphere with the rest of the executive branch.
Finally, although I prefer not to engage in this sort of debate, I take exception to the comment repeated by several posters that "no one is saying anything positive about Kerry, but only negative things about Bush." In fact, if you re-read this thread, you will also find that almost no one argues anything positive about Bush. Instead, we've seen a slew of "Anti-Kerry" comments, and, as CaughtMyFancy pointed out, Bush endorsements without arguments. Hardly anyone has actually defended Bush's policies. Sometimes, when you look into a crowded room, the only face you don't see is your own... We should all consider how well we fare against our own arguments before we criticize others.
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Neither can I, it's all were getting on bloody UK TV
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Lol. We're taking over the airwaves.
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In reply to: Bush endorsements without arguments Heheh Sure, Kerry can think on his feet... but it doesn't mean anything if he has to re-evaluate everytime. I know I've made a lot of references to so called "flip flopping", but what he doesn't flip flop on is what worries me the most.He has not changed his mind about the soldiers having body armor yet he now decides he wants to stay in the war.He wants all out pro-choice. In fact, he approved the partial abortion bill 6 times. A person may be pro-choice but do they agree with partial abortion?Gay marriage... I have conflicts with myself on this issue. At one standpoint I think a gay couple should be able to receive the legal benefits of marriage... At the same time I think it's wrong for the two to be joined "under the eyes of God". Marriage is where religion and government collide.Unfortunately, I think the US is becoming overly secular and the people's morals are diminishing. No wonder why men like Bin Laden can convince people that his efforts are a holy war.
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In reply to: Gay marriage... I have conflicts with myself on this issue. At one standpoint I think a gay couple should be able to receive the legal benefits of marriage... At the same time I think it's wrong for the two to be joined "under the eyes of God". Marriage is where religion and government collide.Kerry does not support gay marriage. He also doesn't support a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, but honestly, making a Constitutional amendment against homosexuals is excessive under almost any standard. The Constitution should not be treated like a political play-thing. Marriage has always been religious issue, and to the extent that the government is involved, it has ALWAYS been the state governments. This is Kerry’s stance; this has been the stance of the American legislature and judiciary for over two-hundred years; this is the stance of most Americans; and this is certainly my stance. I laud Kerry for fighting against opportunistic changes to the Constitution.In reply to: Unfortunately, I think the US is becoming overly secular and the people's morals are diminishing. No wonder why men like Bin Laden can convince people that his efforts are a holy war.That’s a baffling statement—Bin Laden is a religious extremist who has absolutely nothing to do with secularization (quite the opposite!). Furthermore, if you’re suggesting that Americans buy into his “holy war,” or are responsible for his "holy war," then I can’t agree—Al Qaeda has absolutely no support from either party. Terrorism cannot be blamed on secular Americans; that sort of thinking amounts to offering terrorists excuses for their heinous actions. As far as abortion goes, I also don’t support partial birth abortions. However, that is not the only issue in this election. It’s certainly not the only moral issue. War, poverty, healthcare—these are moral, religious, and spiritual issues. Voters must balance all of the issues, not just one.
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lol. You totally misunderstood me with the Bin Laden statement.
In reply to:
Terrorism cannot be blamed on secular Americans; that sort of thinking amounts to offering terrorists excuses for their heinous actions.
That is one reason they've been using the whole time. You're right, terrorism should not be blamed on Americans. It's rediculous if you ask me.
On a separate issue kind of relating too... I don't know what will piss terrorists off more. Kerry who stands for a lot of what they're against or Bush who is determined to stomp a boot hole into them.
As for gay marriage, I recall Kerry making a speech about supporting them. Or maybe he changed his mind because, after all, he has to get elected. Whatever happened to the part of the Constitution saying separation of Church and state?
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In reply to:
lol. You totally misunderstood me with the Bin Laden statement.
That's good--there are times when I'd prefer to be wrong. :grin:
Regarding gay marriage, Kerry is against legalizing gay marriage, but for civil unions. Thus, he would grant homosexuals many of the legal benefits of marriage, but he would not interfere with the religious aspects. The balance he strikes is virtually identical to:
In reply to:
At one standpoint I think a gay couple should be able to receive the legal benefits of marriage... At the same time I think it's wrong for the two to be joined "under the eyes of God". Marriage is where religion and government collide.
Confusion about Kerry's views on marriage stem from the fact that he has been historically unwilling to back legislation banning gay marriage or defining marriage as an act between a man and a woman. This makes sense if you believe that the state should not get involved in religious issues.
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It's bedtime for Steppenwolf.
Everyone (eligible) make sure to vote tomorrow! You might otherwise face the wrath of P. Diddy. :grin: