Kerry voters, why are you voting for him

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by orvilleair
To the OP, it is more of an anti-Bush than pro-Kerry sentiment. You have to ask if this country is better off than it was four years ago, and in my opinion it isn't.

I'm a registered independent, and all of the Bush cards I received in the mail represent his social issues (especially the gay marriage stuff). I really feel that there are more important issues in the country than gay marriage, abortion and putting a man on Mars. I received no Kerry literature, other than from my wife's union.

Look at Disney, are they better off than they were four years ago. They're not, and that's why an unprecidented 40%+ shareholders voted to remove Eisner.

Fiscally, the Republican party has abandoned that platform, so there is no choice if you're a fiscal conservative.

Another voting against Bush, but not FOR Kerry. Thanks.

You have to ask if this country is better off than it was four years ago, and in my opinion it isn't.

Don't you just love Reagan!!???? I do!!! What a great line. And now Democrats see the wisdom in it.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by dmadman43
Another voting against Bush, but not FOR Kerry. Thanks.



Don't you just love Reagan!!???? I do!!! What a great line. And now Democrats see the wisdom in it.

If you think it is constructive to belittle so smugly our opinions, go ahead. It really doesn't do much for my opinion of your camp, though.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by CLynnJones
I am voting for Kerry for numerous reasons. The top 2 being:
1. Intelligence
2. Diplomatic Skills

I think these are 2 very imperative characteristics for the President Of The Untied States Of America to possess.

Is there evidence in his 19 year Senate career for #2? I understand there is evidence of his diplomatic skills in working with the North Vietnames for an end to the Vietnam War, but other than that, is there a track record here? Just trying to understand, that's all.

How do you measure #1?

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by auntpolly
If you think it is constructive to belittle so smugly our opinions, go ahead. It really doesn't do much for my opinion of your camp, though.

Where is the belittling? I'm just saying heres another one in the "against Bush" camp. I don't see anything wrong with that.

And, truth be told, Reagan was one of the first to use the "are you better off" strategy. Just making an observation.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by dmadman43
Where is the belittling? I'm just saying heres another one in the "against Bush" camp. I don't see anything wrong with that.

And, truth be told, Reagan was one of the first to use the "are you better off" strategy. Just making an observation.

Noooooo you weren't being sarcastic! I really thought we could have a couple of threads with people honestly sharing the way they feel about their candidates, but if you are going to reply the way you did....(Thanks! What a great line!) people will feel less inclined. I wouldn't have dreamed of being snide about your thoughtful answer in the thread I started about Bush!)

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by LauraR
The environment is a top issue for me, and without saying anything negative about Bush, I can say Kerry has 98% voting record in favor of environmental protection. Also, not to bash Bush, but I am very concerned that we have gone from a budget surplus to racking up close to half a trillion dollars of debt a year. Kerry will repeal the tax cut for people making over $200,000, who IMHO don't need the money. I also admire Kerry's service in Vietnam. I certainly don't blame Bush (and Cheney) for avoiding going to Vietnam, since alot of people didn't want to go, but I think it shows character that Kerry volunteered (I may be influenced by the fact that my father is a Vietnam veteran).
Just a few reasons of the top of my head...

I, too, am not enthralled with Bush's domestic spending.

I'm curious why you think the govt should decided how much money you and I need. Can you explain?

As for the service issue, can I ask if you did (or would have) voted for Bush in '92 and Dole in '96 because of their military service vs the other candidate's lack thereof?

 

[crazyforgoofy]

I was preparing to post my list of reasons for voting for John Kerry, dman but it seems you're only interested in trashing the opinions of others.

Fine, trash this:

John Kerry and I agree on nearly everything (read the position papers on his website if you're interested in details.)

George Bush and I agree on pretty much nothing.


Have a Disney Day!

 

[orvilleair]

dmadman43, I believe elections are usually about voting on an incumbant for either doing a good job or screwing up. That's how Clinton won in 92. The economy was bad in 91 and Clinton's mantra ("It's time for a change" or "We're going to build a bridge to the 21st Century") won it for him. Bush Sr looked like he was tired to me. Granted 2000 is a different situation, but in 2004 it's merely approving or disapproving the sitting president. This is totally against your thread, but I believe that many people feel this way.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by auntpolly
Noooooo you weren't being sarcastic! I really thought we could have a couple of threads with people honestly sharing the way they feel about their candidates, but if you are going to reply the way you did....(Thanks! What a great line!) people will feel less inclined. I wouldn't have dreamed of being snide about your thoughtful answer in the thread I started about Bush!)

Truthfully, I wasn't. I was just point out the fact that the Kerry campaign has taken to co-opting the Reagan strategy in the "are you better off" line. One really can't deny that.

I sincerely appreciate everyone's responses. Many are exactly what I was looking for. Like others have said, I do feel it is a relevant topic as Kerry has done a very poor job of making his case for why he should be President.

SoonerKate posted links to Kerry web site that states what is strategery is. That's great, but I rarely hear him talk about it. If Kerry is hoping to rely on folks reading his postions on his web site, he's not going to reach many voters. The number of people that don't use computers and don't use the internet is still quite large in this country.

My point in this thread was to have people articulate why they would vote FOR Kerry. I mean, if someone else (not Bush) was running agains Kerry would you still vote for him? If he was running against Reagan in 84 would you still vote for him? If he was running against say, Colin Powell, John McCain, or Condeleeza Rice would you still be voting for him? Take is opponent out of the equation for the moment and tell us why you think he should be President.

Many people have given very good reasons. Again, the only think missing is supporting evidence in his record. Does he have a record in his 19 year Senate career that supports these reasons? For example, I've always been curious why, in all those 19 years, Kerry never introduced any legislation around the areas he is now saying need to happen in this country. (Healthcare, drug prescriptions, education) Can someone explain?

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by crazyforgoofy
I was preparing to post my list of reasons for voting for John Kerry, dman but it seems you're only interested in trashing the opinions of others.

Fine, trash this:

John Kerry and I agree on nearly everything (read the position papers on his website if you're interested in details.)

George Bush and I agree on pretty much nothing.


Have a Disney Day!

Where have I trashed the opinions of others? If asking for clarification and support evidence in Kerry's record is "trashing" then, well, I can't help that.

Again, not every voter has access to the internet, so for Kerry to rely on his web site to make his case, he won't reach a lot of voters. Kerry has some interesting proposals, some of which I agree: college affordability, high tech job growth, and the "digital divide".

Thank you for stating your reason.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by orvilleair
dmadman43, I believe elections are usually about voting on an incumbant for either doing a good job or screwing up. That's how Clinton won in 92. The economy was bad in 91 and Clinton's mantra ("It's time for a change" or "We're going to build a bridge to the 21st Century") won it for him. Bush Sr looked like he was tired to me. Granted 2000 is a different situation, but in 2004 it's merely approving or disapproving the sitting president. This is totally against your thread, but I believe that many people feel this way.

Good point. I can't argue with that. But, Clinton did give reasons for voting FOR him, other than tired phrases.

This may shock many on this board, but I agree with you 100% about the '92 election. I voted FOR Clinton because, on balance, he at least had a plan. GWH Bush, did look like he was going through the motion, and he really gave no vision.

In the end, I don't see any substance behind Kerry's message.

 

[KarenC]

Originally posted by dmadman43

Don't you just love Reagan!!???? I do!!! What a great line. And now Democrats see the wisdom in it.

And when Reagan used it, he was right, and I voted for him. I don't agree with everything he stood for but he did turn things around, economy wise. And when he found out his tax cuts didn't shrink the deficit, but make it grow, he raised taxes (actually called them "revenue enhancements").

And again I ask myself...am I better off...and the answer is no...but more importantly, do I think the country is on the right track...and I think it isn't. I watched the Republican convention hoping to be convinced of the wisdom of the President's policies, but all I heard them do was bash John Kerry. It's time for a change.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by airhead
My vote goes to Kerry.

Forgive me for chuckling at your post and your screen name.

 

[Crankyshank]

 

[peachgirl]

I was preparing to post my list of reasons for voting for John Kerry, dman but it seems you're only interested in trashing the opinions of others.

Does this come as a surprise to anyone? Of course that's what this thread was started for. He's not interested in learning why anyone wants to vote for Kerry, he just wants to attack the reasons.

That's why this thread took so long to get responses and why a lot of us aren't going to bother playing his little game.


<center><IMG width="400" SRC="http://www.seeyageorge.com/shop/images/170.gif"></center>

 

[CLynnJones]

dmadman43,
You asked for what I base my #1 reason on why I won't be voting for George Bush --what I perceive as a lack of intelligence on his part. The answer to your question is:
I based this on my own observations and perceptions on the job he's been doing the past 4 years. The way he expresses himself and the statements he makes on a daily basis has Bush calling himself out regarding this IMHO.

 

[KarenC]

DMadman43--If you go to this link, you can find for yourself what bills and ammendments Kerry has sponsored or co-sponsored.

http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d108query.html

At least 85 Kerry-sponsored pieces of legislation have been signed into law. Going through the list I am struck by how often Kerry sponsored legislation was aimed at protecting us from terrorism or rogue nations. Cutting off the funding of terrorists appears to have been a priority of his, even before it became fashionable after September 11.

Here are some that relate to education and children's welfare, which I believe play into your questions regarding healthcare and education.

In the 102nd Congress a bill to authorize support for educational television programming for both children and adults with emphasis on teaching the fundamentals of a free market economy (S. AMDT 2692 to S.2532)

In the 104th Congress, a bill to require the implementation of a corrective action plan in states in which child poverty has increased. (S. AMDT 4913 to S. 1956)

In the 104th Congress, to provide demonstration projects for using neighborhood schools as centers for beneficial activities for children and their parents in order to break the welfare cycle. (S. AMDT 2662 to HR 4)

In the 104th Congress, to require applicants for assistance who are parents to enter into a parental responsibility contract and perform satisfactorily under its terms as a condition of receipt of that assistance. (S. AMDT 2664 to HR 4)

In the 105th Congress, to empower local communities to provide essential interventions in the lives of our youngest children ages zero to six and their families so children begin school ready to learn. (S. AMDT 309 to S. Con Res. 27)

In the 106th Congress, to express the sense of the Senate regarding comprehensive education reform. (S. AMDT. 1882 to S. 1650)

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by KarenC
DMadman43--If you go to this link, you can find for yourself what bills and ammendments Kerry has sponsored or co-sponsored.

http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d108query.html

At least 85 Kerry-sponsored pieces of legislation have been signed into law. Going through the list I am struck by how often Kerry sponsored legislation was aimed at protecting us from terrorism or rogue nations. Cutting off the funding of terrorists appears to have been a priority of his, even before it became fashionable after September 11.

Here are some that relate to education and children's welfare, which I believe play into your questions regarding healthcare and education.

In the 102nd Congress a bill to authorize support for educational television programming for both children and adults with emphasis on teaching the fundamentals of a free market economy (S. AMDT 2692 to S.2532)

In the 104th Congress, a bill to require the implementation of a corrective action plan in states in which child poverty has increased. (S. AMDT 4913 to S. 1956)

In the 104th Congress, to provide demonstration projects for using neighborhood schools as centers for beneficial activities for children and their parents in order to break the welfare cycle. (S. AMDT 2662 to HR 4)

In the 104th Congress, to require applicants for assistance who are parents to enter into a parental responsibility contract and perform satisfactorily under its terms as a condition of receipt of that assistance. (S. AMDT 2664 to HR 4)

In the 105th Congress, to empower local communities to provide essential interventions in the lives of our youngest children ages zero to six and their families so children begin school ready to learn. (S. AMDT 309 to S. Con Res. 27)

In the 106th Congress, to express the sense of the Senate regarding comprehensive education reform. (S. AMDT. 1882 to S. 1650)

Thanks. This is helpful. I seen nothing on healthcare, though. The bills you listed seem somewhat trival, IMHO. (And I'm sure some will accuse me of more "trashing"). The text of some are quite surprise to me in that they look to give authority to local govt. I wouldn't have expected that from Kerry.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by CLynnJones
dmadman43,
You asked for what I base my #1 reason on why I won't be voting for George Bush --what I perceive as a lack of intelligence on his part. The answer to your question is:
I based this on my own observations and perceptions on the job he's been doing the past 4 years. The way he expresses himself and the statements he makes on a daily basis has Bush calling himself out regarding this IMHO.

I can understand that. But, I don't see how that makes Kerry more intelligent.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by peachgirl
Does this come as a surprise to anyone? Of course that's what this thread was started for. He's not interested in learning why anyone wants to vote for Kerry, he just wants to attack the reasons.

That's why this thread took so long to get responses and why a lot of us aren't going to bother playing his little game.


<center><IMG width="400" SRC="http://www.seeyageorge.com/shop/images/170.gif"></center>

Please be so kind as to point out where I have "attacked"