BS: Why George Bush? Why John Kerry?

Subject: RE: BS: Why George Bush? Why John Kerry?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 05:47 PM

I try to make important decisions thoughtfully, with intentionality, but once I come to a decision, I try not to stress over it. The stress impedes whatever action I may take based on that decision, and is no use to me. As I get older it's esier to let the stress go, because although I believe I can make a difference in the world, I also know that I am just one small person in a sea of equally-worthy decision-makers. So yeah, voting is important, but it's probably not where I will have an opportunity to make the biggest or longest-acting impact in things going on arond me. That happens closer to home.

But about voting. If I had any doubts before, I lost them when I saw that the whole media message of Bush's campaign is about fear-mongering-- that it just isn't safe to vote for anyone else. It intensified as they went into the convention. I think he actually believes this-- brainwashed by his handlers-- and even if he were right, I still would not want somone keeping me safe with their attention fixed on fear. The more he sincerely believes it, the less I want him in the Oval Office.

If there is real danger, I'd rather have someone thinking more clearly than people can when they're gripped by fear. I don't mean that I want false assurances, or for a leader to blow smoke up my ass. But I do not want someone preoccupied by fear in charge of.... anything that has to do with me.   

I don't put much stock in party platforms or candidate positions, except as they illustrate a general mindset and worldview. Platforms are merely temporary negotiations for votes. Whatever else a candidate may say they stand for, our political process and media intrusions will rub off the rough edges, and very few of the winners' stated agendas survive the first year in office, intact.

I don't put much stock in what they say they believe in, either, even if they seem to live their beliefs, because the first thing winners seem to do is sell out those very same beliefs-- once they find out how it really is to deal with our system of government.

So that leaves Kerry. I don't mind the reputation for changing his mind. I like people who are able to do that when there's good reason. If he gets the top job, his handlers will put pressure on him to see to it that he doesn't change it very often, anyhow, cuz they'll go nuts trying to wrangle political agreements if he does it too much.


I don't care if anyone attacks me for my post. It's my vote, and my circle of advisors doesn't include Mudcatters on such matters. I'm comfortable with my position and I don't expect to look back in, to see if someone has started a fight with me over it.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Why George Bush? Why John Kerry?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 05:37 PM

Ron, I think the real problem facing us in both the USA and Canada and elsewhere in the so-called democracies...is the party system itself. Political parties are not fit representatives of the public, because it is not the public which finances them. They are handmaidens of the major financial lobbies (banks and corporations). This has resulted in a system which effectively cannot represent the public and will not ever represent the public...it will only pretend to represent the public so as to secure a requisite number of votes at election time.

That is what's happening out there.

We have to completely dismantle all the existing political parties, do away with them forever, and adopt a much more representative system that cannot be controlled by major financial players.

There are ways it could be done. I could PM you about a book that explains one way it can be done.

The forces that would wish to prevent that from occuring, however, are huge! And that is the primary problem in a nutshell. They want to maintain the status quo, because they derive their power and privileged position from maintaining it.

Subject: RE: BS: Why George Bush? Why John Kerry?
From: GUEST,GROK
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 05:32 PM

I am not a US citizen. So, I won't get to vote. However, if I was going to, it would be Kerry. I prefer the policies of Nader, but Kerry's will have to do. He can and will defeat Bush--who happens to be a frightening, stupid man.

Subject: RE: BS: Why George Bush? Why John Kerry?
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 05:31 PM

I will vote for Kerry. When you listen to him speak he 'mostly' makes sense and sounds reasonable. I was displeased to see him in the primary debates trying to stick to canned, pre-written responses, but since then, he has sounded MUCH better as he just said what he thinks.
   The debate about 'flip-flopping' is mostly a result of a man who makes the effort to think, and re-evaluate as new circumstances dictate, and I don't see why he has not MADE that point better. He has much experience with the issues after years as a senator..(MUCH more experience than Bush has).

I believe he will do a credible job, and will avoid the worst errors that Bush has made, and will re-instate some of the Democratic party's programs, which will help the country as a whole.

...and, he is not Bush...

Subject: RE: BS: Why George Bush? Why John Kerry?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 05:28 PM

Also - I can imagine that some of you might have reservations on sharing the name of the candidate you plan to vote for.   While I am not a fan of "guests", I would suggest using the anonymous log-on if you wish to add your thoughts. Again, please don't use it as a way of attacking someone else.   We all know that we won't agree with someone who plans to vote or support a candidate opposite our beliefs. The idea of this thread really isn't to start a discussion, it is more to share ideas and a chance for us to be honest with the reasons why we support the candidate we do.

Subject: RE: BS: Why George Bush? Why John Kerry?
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 04:46 PM

I'm with Peg on this, plus with a Democrat in the White House, I hope to see women's rights upheld and also stop the far right takeover of the Supreme Court, among other things.

Subject: RE: BS: Why George Bush? Why John Kerry?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 04:44 PM

Since I started this, I should add mine.

I am going to vote for John Kerry. As the father of two children, I worry about the draft being re-instated. I also worry about women losing their freedom to choose. I feel that John Kerry will look after their interests more than George Bush.

I believe John Kerry is a strong leader who will bring honor back to the office and reinstill respect around the world.   While the republicans accuse him of "flip-flopping", I think that Kerry will be more in control than Bush has shown.

I feel that Kerry has better ideas on improving the economy and creating jobs. The net loss of jobs in this country under Bush cannot be tolerated.

Subject: RE: BS: Why George Bush? Why John Kerry?
From: Peg
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 04:37 PM

I'm voting for John Kerry because he's not George Bush. That's pretty much it.

Subject: RE: BS: Why George Bush? Why John Kerry?
From: greg stephens
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 04:36 PM

Like Little Hawk, I dont have a vote in the USA. As an outsider, I have to say I often find it difficult to figure out what the difference is between the candidates. Mind you, I have the same problem in Britain.

Subject: RE: BS: Why George Bush? Why John Kerry?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 04:31 PM

I'm sorry, Ron. Being Canadian, I cannot vote for either one of them. Given the choice, I would rather vote for neither of them, but if I had to choose it would be Kerry.

Why?

I think his administration might be less dangerous than that of George Bush.

That's just a guess, though. I have no guarantees.

There is not much that either Kerry or Bush stand for that would encourage me to vote for them.

Subject: BS: Why George Bush? Why John Kerry?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 04:13 PM

There are a number of threads dealing with the current election. Most of these threads seem to spend most of their energy dealing with regurgitation of facts, lies and half truths that come mostly from slanted press releases.   Most Mudcatters seem to have their particular source of information and spend hours trying to defend that point.

I am going to throw out a challenge, which I know will probably be thrown out the window knowing how Mudcat discussions work.

I would like to ask those of you who are willing to share to give YOUR reason for voting for either candidate.   What is it about that candidate that can possibly improve YOUR situation or implement policy that is in sync with ideals that match YOUR beliefs.

Now here is the hard part, I would love to see this forum continue WITHOUT challenges to the posters view. I would love to see people post the REASONS they are going to vote for a particular candidate and NOT be attacked.   This is purely meant to share OPINION, not stir debate.   Leave the attacks and debates to other threads.

Suitable punishment will be handed out to the first person that attacks someone else - or even question someone elses reasoning. The words should speak for themselves and truly we can make decisions for ourselves.

Anyone up for the challenge?