.............

[piglet too]

OK, I have avoided posting my thoughts on key issues to me, for fear of flaming and what not. However, to better explain why I am still undecided, I think now is the time. Please keep in mind that we all have our own opinions, so please do not blast me for mine. I know that the president match site says I am more along the lines of Kerry. I just don't know if he will follow through with his stances, or if he will even be able to.

Taxes ~Bush~ I like some of the things that Busg has done, he has helped our household with the cuts and I would hate to see them go. However, Kerry claims he only wants to raise the tax for the rich, I just don't know if he can do that and if we (the "poor") will also undergo major changes.

war ~Kerry~ I don't want us to be in Iraq, however, I support our troops 110% and that shall never change. My nephew is joing the military when he graduates in the spring. I am afraid that if Bush remains as our president, we may still be fighting this war in Iraq 4 years from now. Don't know if Kerry can get us out of there any better, but under him I doubt we will be there in even two years.

education ~more Kerry I guess~ I am not sure about the whole NCLB thing. So far it has not done a whole lot, but it is still early. I do not want vouchers though, and that "pushes" me more toward Kerry than Bush.

possible USSC appointment ~Kerry~ I am pro-choice and in favor of gay rights to marriage. As it is very certain that whoever is president this next term will appoint a SC justice, I feel that Kerry is the choice here.

enviroment ~ Bush~ If only for the fact as much as I hate the idea of doing it, drilling in the Artic, may be the way to go.

So there you have it. Well, at least somewhat of the reason I am still not sure who I will vote for.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I don't know if this will help you but try and take fear and emotion out of your decision. It's hard to do because we're constantly being reminded of what's "out there" but if you can try and look at each issue, where each candidate stands alone, that might help.

Also why don't you first rank the issues according to how important they are to you.

Then look at where each candidate stands, a lot of the major web sites have each issue broken down for you and you can see where each candidate stands and compare their views. Mid-way down that page there's a chart where you can do that-

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/

Hope that helps!

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by LisaZoe
It's very common for people to not know early. Some even make up their minds when at the polls. While I may not understand that, I can certainly understand that elections can be confusing. Not only must you consider what the candidates and their parties are saying, you may be getting information in other ways - often conflicting. Although I don't view it this way, some people truly do reach a point where it is more choosing the lesser of two evils rather than picking the best one.

Valid points, indeed. Frankly I can see deciding on local candidates being tougher than the Presidential race. As I've put forth a number of times here, the President doesn't really make a lot of difference when it comes down to it. He had blab all he wants about what he will do, but Congress, in the end, really determines what of his agenda gets done. So, if you vote for your guy but the Congress goes the other way, you really haven't moved the ball forward all that much. So, ask yourself, what can your candidate really have an impact on. For me, it's national security first and foremost. After that, I will vote for representatives and Senators that align with the domestic issues I care about. If we have a President in office that supports those as well, all the better. But, I don't look to the President to have much of an impact on domestic issues as he can foreign policy.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Piglet too,

I understand exactly why you are seesawing on the candidates. I would like to tell you that your view on Iraq won't happen no matter who is president. I'm not trying to be disrespectful in anyway. Please don't think I am. We are going to be in Iraq probably a minimum of the next 10 years. My husband is active duty Army. His unit was one of the first into Baghdad. I have talked to the general at length about this. Their country was in devistation before we got there and you have seen the pics since. I know that Iraq is an important matter to voters but please don't think that voting for Kerry will get the troops out sooner because I just don't think it will happen. And for the record I'm not pressuring you one way or the other as long as you do get out and vote.

Good luck making your decision,
Tina

 

[Rokkitsci]

Originally posted by Gupsmom
Wow...regardless of who a person is voting for, I cannot imagine telling someone not to vote.

Jess

OH I can - I think that way too many people vote as it is.

If someone takes his vote with the same seriousness as he takes to decide what color socks to put on in the morning, I would just as soon that person stayed away from really important things like voting for president.

It is not a popularity contest. It is not the answer to some preference poll. It is not to determine who is "cutest."

This is to decide who will hold the reins of power in the most powerful country in the world during a time of imminent danger.

This is important stuff. Whims have no place in this decision.

If you don't know how to operate the machinery, stay away from it. <~~~~~ good advice for bulldozers and voting for president.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by piglet too
OK, I have avoided posting my thoughts on key issues to me, for fear of flaming and what not. However, to better explain why I am still undecided, I think now is the time. Please keep in mind that we all have our own opinions, so please do not blast me for mine. I know that the president match site says I am more along the lines of Kerry. I just don't know if he will follow through with his stances, or if he will even be able to.

Please do not take my comments as flaming. They are simply my comments on what you have stated. Take them for what they are worth

Taxes ~Bush~ I like some of the things that Busg has done, he has helped our household with the cuts and I would hate to see them go. However, Kerry claims he only wants to raise the tax for the rich, I just don't know if he can do that and if we (the "poor") will also undergo major changes.

If Kerry's policies are implemented by Congress indeed they cannot be funded by simply raising taxes on those making more than 200K. Now, Bush is no saint when it comes to spending and one day the bill collector will come. He is betting (as am I, and history is on our side here) that lower taxes will generate more federal revenue as more money in peoples pockets generates more jobs, more spending, and a better economy. We'll see.

war ~Kerry~ I don't want us to be in Iraq, however, I support our troops 110% and that shall never change. My nephew is joing the military when he graduates in the spring. I am afraid that if Bush remains as our president, we may still be fighting this war in Iraq 4 years from now. Don't know if Kerry can get us out of there any better, but under him I doubt we will be there in even two years.

Honestly, and again, no flame intended, I really do not understand the against the war/support the troops. Do you want the troops to succeed in their mission. The war in Iraq,(and the left on this board will disagree with me) is part of the larger war on terrorism. Look at WWII. Japan attacked us. Where was our first response? North Africa? What sense did that make? North Africa didn't do anything to us, or to Europe. Well, North Africa was a key staging point for launching the war in Europe. Same with the South Pacific. Midway didn't do anything to us, but yet, there we went. The larger picture, as you imply, is what to do about Iraq now. Kerry has said, and repeated today, that he really doesn't know what he will do until after he gets into office. Not sure I want to bet on that.

education ~more Kerry I guess~ I am not sure about the whole NCLB thing. So far it has not done a whole lot, but it is still early. I do not want vouchers though, and that "pushes" me more toward Kerry than Bush.

My only response to this is why do we think spending MORE money, at a federal level, will get us closer to solving the education problem, when all the money we've spent up to know has not seemed to work?

possible USSC appointment ~Kerry~ I am pro-choice and in favor of gay rights to marriage. As it is very certain that whoever is president this next term will appoint a SC justice, I feel that Kerry is the choice here.

This is a valid concern on both sides of the aisle. I should amend my Presidential responsibility to include this. Isn't "pro-choice" a euphamism, btw?

 

[insanedisneyfan]

I am 26 years old and tomorrow is probably the most important day for my generation to vote. No matter who you vote for just get out there and do it. These are 2 VERY different candidates. They stand for different issues. No matter who you vote for remember to stick to the issues the REAL issues. 10 years from now we all will hope to be in a safer world, I know I want my kids (when that time comes) to be able to live the American Way.
So just get out and Vote BUT........ keep in mind if you do vote for Nader, you aren't voting for him you are voting for Bush.
No disrespect to anyone.
Good Luck!

 

[Disney Princess 6]

I'm still undecided because I have problems with both candidates. Each one has major issues that I don't agree on. I'm not going into details - I don't want more debate. I watched all the presidential debates, I've read, and now it will come down to prioritizing things and just deciding which candidate more closely addresses my concerns.

 

[Crankyshank]

Disney Princess 6,
I would probably just write down your key issues and then see which candidate best matches your standing and then vote that way.
Either way, it's very important to vote. Too many women have fought too hard to allow women the right to vote. I would feel like I was letting them down by not voting,

 

[peachgirl]

Originally posted by Disney Princess 6
I'm still undecided because I have problems with both candidates. Each one has major issues that I don't agree on. I'm not going into details - I don't want more debate. I watched all the presidential debates, I've read, and now it will come down to prioritizing things and just deciding which candidate more closely addresses my concerns.

I think you're on the right track. Since you have problems with both candidates, if I were you I'd decide what issues were most important to me then decide which candidate agrees with you most.

As others have said, since the next President will most likely get to appoint at least one or two Supreme Court Justices, I think it's very important to look at what kind of appointments each man will make. They're lifetime appointments and those choices will have consequences years after the man who appoints them is out of office.

Another thing to consider is that more than likely the Senate and House will stay Republican. This will give Bush more power to implement his agenda and since it will be his last term, he hasn't got the worry of re-election. If you agree with his choices and decisions, great! If you don't you might want to think about that.

Lastly, look back to what was important to you in 2000. Did Bush accomplish what you wanted, did he do what he said he would?

I don't think there is anything wrong with being undecided at this point. It simply means you're taking the decision very seriously and looking at all the issues. Not everyone is that sure of what they really want. Good for you for putting so much thought into your vote....whichever candidate you choose!

The only opinion I would offer is to not throw your vote away on a candidate who has no chance of winning. I'm a firm believer in voting on the lesser of two evils if that's what it comes down to. Either Bush or Kerry will win this election and I would want to have a say in which one it is.

 

[tonyswife]

I take issue with the idea that using your vote for a third party is "throwing your vote away" People should vote their concious and I would never tell someone they are wasting their vote if they choose a third party. I am a registered Libertarian and I voted for Harry Brownin 2000 and I dare you to tell me I wasted my vote. I take voting very seriously. I study the issues, I research the candidates, I weigh the pros and cons of the ballot propositions. I NEVER "throw my vote away" even if someone thinks I did by voting third party.

I think the various state Democratic parties that are fighting so hard to keep Nadar off the ballot should be ashamed of themselves. Talk about disenfranchising voters.

I am voting for Bush this time around because I feel as if the national LP has gone the way of extremists and I no longer find myself in agreement with a lot of their positions. But, if someone wants to vote LP or GP or any other party, they are not throwing their vote away. We will never get rid of the "lesser of two evils" if we refuse to NOT vote for them.

 

[Tinkbell]

Originally posted by hppy2bhome
www.presidentmatch.com.
Even if you know who you are voting for, it is fun to answer the questions just to see how closely your values and morals match up with the candidate you have chosen.

Thanks for the link! I'm 73% matched with Kerry and 10% matched with Bush. Just as I thought.

 

[peachgirl]

I dare you to tell me I wasted my vote. I take voting very seriously. I study the issues, I research the candidates, I weigh the pros and cons of the ballot propositions. I NEVER "throw my vote away" even if someone thinks I did by voting third party.

Sorry, but it's my opinion that voting for 3rd party candidates is throwing your vote away. You're entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine.

In this particular election, it's the general consensus that voting for Nader will help Bush. Anyone who's considering voting Nader, should think about the consequences of doing so. A Nader vote is more than a vote of conscience, it is, in reality, a vote for Bush and against Kerry.

Each person should make up their own mind as to whether or not they want to do that.

 

[tonyswife]

Originally posted by peachgirl
Sorry, but it's my opinion that voting for 3rd party candidates is throwing your vote away. You're entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine.

In this particular election, it's the general consensus that voting for Nader will help Bush. Anyone who's considering voting Nader, should think about the consequences of doing so. A Nader vote is more than a vote of conscience, it is, in reality, a vote for Bush and against Kerry.

Each person should make up their own mind as to whether or not they want to do that.

It's only a vote against Bush if you're assuming that Kerry is better than Bush. Perhaps you feel that way, that's fine, your opinion. But, it's not the opinion of every person who wants to vote for Nadar. And, you're right, every person should (be able to) make their own decision about who to vote for. Unless, of course, one party is working really, really hard at keeping your candidate off the ballot to benefit their candidate, even if it means disenfranchising people who want their vote to go for Nadar.

And no, I did not "throw my vote away" in 2000 but thanks for your opinion.