Bush vs. Kerry -- The Deciding Issue for You?- Page 2

[sean martin]

Posted: 7/10/04 at 5:50pm

>> For instance, someone always brings up the "School Prayer" issue at some point, now this will NEVER come to pass in America, but by talking about it openly in the press and whatnot, and hopefully getting the ACLU involved, the Right gets support from people

And let's not forget how the Right purposely misconstrues the issue: it's not about praying in school, it's organized prayer... but it's that little word "organized" that the Right rarely mentions. Funny how that is, huh.....

[magruder]

Posted: 7/10/04 at 5:54pm

As a gay man, I believe the fight to legalize gay marriage is all well and good, but damn if I wouldn't give it up for putting issues of health care, education and unemployment on the front burner. America lags way behind the rest of the world in national health care. Public schools are a catastrophe. And all around me in New York, friends and friends of friends are laid off and we have it better than in many other parts of the country. (And the cuts in funding for veterans as noted in Fahrenheit 9/11 is also heartbreaking). What are we doing in Iraq if we can't even take care of ourselves?

[Corine2]

Posted: 7/10/04 at 6:05pm

It is true. I was laid off 7 months ago and I pay over $600 a month for health insurance that i can not afford.
It is a terrible time. Bush needs to focus on many important issues.
Hopefully Kerry can make good changes.
I believe all people that love each other should be allowed to marry each other.
I don't understand what the big deal is.
It is all about equality! Updated On: 7/10/04 at 06:05 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:06am

I appreciate those who have given honest, well thought out answers.

I personally do not feel that the Democratic party is for gays or gay rights. At least the Republicans openly say they are against it. As I said in another posting, the Democrats just smile at gays and take their money. The Democracts really didn't do much when the Defense of Marriage Act came around. I do not believe Kerry will support gay issues. I also believe that he and his wife couldn't give a rip about women's issues or racial issues. I honestly think there is a danger in electing Kerry because his wife will become bored with being First Lady and will fly off somewhere and his mind will be more on appeasing her than running the country.

Bush may not be the greatest, but to me Kerry is a much more scarier choice. At least we know what we have with Bush.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:09am

Yes, Gotham, Fahrenheit 9/11 showed us EXACTLY what we have.

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:16am

Papa - If you feel 'Islamo-fascism' is sweeping the world, then how do you feel about the 'Christian-avengers' that basically have the same thing in mind? And even though I've heard the arguement that the Islamics are running around the world killing people, it carries very little weight considering the history of Christian 'missionary' work. Frankly, I prefer to LEARN from history, and we've done the crusades - there simply MUST be an alternative approach. Having Bush 'called by god' at the head of the march is not my answer.

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:20am

Gothampc - I absolutely have no illusion that the Democrats are out for anybody but themselves. Only the most uninformed would be able to have lived the last few years and think anything to the contrary. HOWEVER, I don't see them willing to use certain groups for political gain - it would be shooting themselves in the foot. The Demos may not advance certain groups standings, but they won't erode them either - which the Republicans are obviously willing to do, simply in the name of energizing their base.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:21am

well, d, if i have to choose between the 50's and the dark ages, i'll take the 50's everyday and twice on sunday.

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:25am

I agree, Papa - but my point was, I think we've gone back to the middle ages - at least in the fifties, people wore chiffon and pearls. I look around and see people who would be quite comfortable letting livestock wander in and out of their abodes - maybe even marry them.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:30am

ok, now, d, you're getting dangerously close to santorum territory here.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:30am

Let it be known Kerry's relationship to DOMA:

He was one of 14 Senators -- and the only one up for reelection in 1996 -- to oppose the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Don't Ask, Don't Tell:

John Kerry opposed the Clinton Administration’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy” He was one of a few senators to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee and call on the President to rescind the ban on gay and lesbian service members.

to name just two things Kerry HAS done for gays and lesbians.

Source: http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/glbt/

Updated On: 7/11/04 at 12:30 AM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:32am

Remind me again how much time Kerry has missed from his Senate position? Isn't it something like 80%? An absentee Senator will make for an absentee President.

I don't have to see F9/11, I was standing on a street corner in NYC and I saw the Twin Towers fall. Bush has the strength to go after the people that attacked our country. We can not allow terroism to rule us.

[shesings]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:35am

Gotham - you've GOT to be kidding me. You're actually saying that you wouldn't vote for Kerry b/c his wife may get bored? That is the most pathetic excuse I've ever heard. Why is she going to be bored? Because she's wealthy? If anything she will revel in the limelight that she can use to her advantage. Not voting for Kerry is your right, but trying to say your not doing so because of his wife is downright ridiculous. And what makes you think Kerry 's only focus will be appeasing her? Bush certainly showed a huge lack of concern for his family while his underage daughters were running around Texas drinking and making fools of their family. Or perhaps when his daughter was hospitalized and he didn't even bother to go see her. You're right though - don't vote for the man b/c he might actually be interested in his family! Updated On: 7/11/04 at 12:35 AM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:35am

And there it is, folks: "I don't have to see F9/11". Well, since you won't be seeing it, you should know that it is about much more than that day you were standing on your street corner.

I dare you to watch it--see if your opinions are still as strong.

It also makes much mention of a very absentee President: George W. Bush--the President who has taken the most vacation ever! He would certainly be setting a challenge for Kerry to try to beat.

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:37am

Oh Gothampc, I really do give wide leeway for any opposing viewpoint, but that viewpoint has to be based in fact. Absolutely nothing of this administrations actions can be defensibly argued to have THAT as its main objective. We haven't put our money where our mouth is. If we are really about getting a handle on the terrorism that threatens our daily lives, then why am I being told about credible threats to our summer by a group that isn't even being addressed?

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 1:33am

ANY choice entirely based on fear is a bad one.

[shira467]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 3:20am

I'm practically a yellow-dog democrat, I admit it.

Gay rights, abortion rights, the war, taxes....Kerry may not be the best candidate, but who else is there that we could vote for as a bush hater?

I'm afraid if democrats/people who dislike Bush are divided, the presidency would again go to Bush....which I pray will not happen.

Posted: 7/11/04 at 3:23am

I don't see that as the problem, Shira. Interestingly, there is still approximately HALF the population that buys into all this tomfoolery. Even though the opposition may not ever agree on what an appropriate alternative might be, I see none of them saying, "OK, I'll just keep what we have." It's too scary.

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 3:24am

they both stink. This country is going to the dogs

Posted: 7/11/04 at 3:25am

And the populace is the chew-toy.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 3:34am

That is OH so true

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 1:01pm

Let me just throw another thought into the pot. The Democratic Party reeeeeaaaaaalllly wants to see Hillary Clinton run in 2008. If Kerry is in, that will really mess up their plans. I bet there will be many Dems voting for Bush in order to keep the strategy on track.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 1:03pm

LOLOLOLOLOL Gotham, you are off your rocker!!!!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 1:09pm

Letting Bush stay this time would be the greater of two evils because the damage he has done so far is irreversible and four more years of that could prove incredibly disasterous.......

[Sunfish]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 3:15pm

Goth, the problem is Bush did NOT go after those who attacked our country. He spent a short amount of time, with minimal troops deployed and zero success, in Afghanistan, and then went after his target of choice, Iraq, which had NOTHING to do with the 9/11 attacks and was not an imminent threat. By doing so, he has created an Iraq where terrorists HAVE found sanctuary and support, where the US has found itself in a military and political quagmire, with mimimal international support and the highest levels of mistrust and disdain from countries that have been our historical allies. He has spent billions of dollars that are desperately needed for domestic programs, and by doing so enriched corporations and campaign contributors closely tied with his administration.

Kerry has a long record of foreign policy experience, including 20 years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and 8 years chairing the Terrorism, Narcotics and International Operations Subcommittee. We DO know what we are getting with Kerry, and it is a damned sight better that GW Bush.

Bush, with his messianic zeal, and his conviction that God is on HIS side, terrifies me, because there is no reasoning with people who hold these beliefs. He is no more reasonable or centered in his beliefs than Osama bin Laden...both are convinced that the Highest Power of the Universe has called them to Divine Duty. If he re-elected to a 2nd term, he will see it as a blank check from God himself to fulfill God's will as HE (GWB) sees fit. The world is likely to be an entirely different place after 4 more years of that, and I can pretty much guarantee that you will not like it.