Kerry voters, why are you voting for him

[dmadman43]

So, for all you Kerry voters, I would really like you all to explain WHY.

We all know that many Kerry voters are simply voting against Bush, but not really FOR Kerry. For those folks, the Dem's could have nominated a cardboard cut out of Clinton and done just as well. If you are in that camp, that's fine. I don't understand it, but that's fine.

But, can you Kerry voters please say something POSITIVE about Kerry? Please explain why you are voting for Kerry in terms other than "he's not Bush". I would really like to understand the thinking. And terms like "Bush is wrong on Iraq, wrong on taxes, health care, etc won't explain to me why you are voting FOR Kerry, either. Please explain why Kerry is right.

What has he done in his 19 year Senate career that makes you say "yep, this guy should be President". What bills or legislation has he introduced or seen to it that was passed that makes you say "wow! That guy should run for President". Did he ever introduce any healthcare legislation, for example? Any education bills?

Citing Kerry meager Vietnam experience will not be convincing,either. I mean, if you are voting for him for that, you will have to then explain why you didn't vote for Bob Dole in '96 or Bush in '92, given they they both had first had war experience.

So, all you Kerry voters. Please tell me why you are voting FOR him that doesn't entail any Bush bashing.

thanks..

 

[dmadman43]

10 views so far and not one answer. Interesting...

 

[Planogirl]

I viewed it once because I'm curious. I have doubts that you'll get many answers (if any) because this subject has been beaten to death for quite a while now. I personally have no opinion one way or the other yet.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

I have plenty of reasons for voting FOR Kerry (and plenty too for voting against Bush). I just hesitate to post because I don't have the always have the time or patience to defend myself against the inevitable flames I will get and I hate to think that my lack of response will be seen by some as agreement with their arguements, because its certainly not.

That said heres a short list of why I will proudly vote for John F. Kerry (I will not list Vietnam or anti Bush remarks per your original post, I will however point out what I think are faults in the current administrations plan to compare/contrast with Kerry):

I believe he shows a Principle over Politics attitude hard to find in many politicians. Evidence of this is shown in his investigation into the Bank of Credit and Commerce International. This was a massive criminal enterprise, that reached deep into the pockets of terrorist groups and drug lords. But more surprisingly it reached into Washington and even top Democratic party officials and the CIA urged JK to back of this investigation at serious risk to his political career... he did not. Many others in both the Republican and Democrat party refused to touch this investigation due to the political implications. The results of this investigation led several indictments and a breakdown in some terrorist and criminal funding as well as legislation authored by JK against such acts. I think he has exhibited this character many other times including his investigation into the Contras implicating inpropriaty as high as the White House leading to a report that was buried by both Republicans and Democrats but later confirmed as true by the CIA, searching for remaining POWs in Vietnam which led to Vietnam regaining trade status with America, his incessant fight for our environment (sponsored the first bill on Acid Rain, and many more environmental laws since, his backing of John McCain's campaign finance reform law, and his coauthoring of the even more stringent clean campaign law.

I firmly support him on His No Child Left Behind "flip flop." I think rather then being bad or hypocritical its to his benefit that his position has changed on this issue. No Child Left Behind, while not being enough, was a start and the President promised to fund it. It was a good thing, so he voted for it. Unfortunately it was SERIOUSLY underfunded and now puts undue strain on schools who are forced to comply with these new requirements but whose funds rather then increased as promised, were actually cut. Given the situation the program is currently in, it is bad for education and needs to be dealt with. John Kerry is now against the No Child Left Behind Act in its current state and promises to fund and expand on it when President.

I believe John F Kerry would better fund Homeland Security on US soil. Over a billion dollars has been cut from our fire fighters and policemen since 9-11. We need to be increasing their budget not cutting from it. Our fire fighter and policemen serve us well and I want them to be paid well and have more officers on duty should another tragedy occur (or better yet to prevent another one from occuring).

The current administration is picking and choosing which of the bipartisan 9-11 commison recommendations to follow. The comission has said that their recommendations will only work in concert (in other words all or none). They have said to chose and intelligence czar without implimenting other recommendations (as the current administartion has said they are considering) will leave us MORE vulnerable to attack. Kerry will work to immediately put into effect all recommendations of the 9-11 comission.

Shoot my laptop is losing power. I will try to get back on tomorrow to continue...

Edited to add... okay power cord up and running.

John Kerry voted for the 87 billion Iraq reconstruction package before he voted against it. Another supposed flip flop I fully support. John Kerry's supprt for the 87 billion dollar reconstruction package was on the basis that 20 billion of it be made as a loan due back to us from Iraq over a long period of time. Many Republicans broke ranks and voted along with Democrats in support of this. President Bush said he would not sign it into law with a loan being part of the package. So it was represented with us giving Iraq billions of dollars with no hope of ever getting it back. So guess whose paying for it? This money was to that build police Sations, hospitals, fire stations, etc. While they should have new infrastructure in Iraq we should not be giving it to them scot free while cutting funding for those same things here. I fully support Kerry's stance on this. On top of which there has been no accountability of this money, and on audits billions of it has been missing. Kerry promises declassification and accountability of money being spent in Iraq.

I think John Kerry will be strong in terror without spreading our military too thin by taking on other pre-emptive wars.

Finally (its getting late and Pop Daddy is probably already enraged at this post length) as a Christian, a woman, and a mother, I believe John Kerry will appoint judges and cabinet more likely to agree with my social and political ideals.

Flame away, but know these are just my opinions on why I will vote for Kerry. You are not gonna change my mind. I surely do not agree with why some of you will vote for Bush.

 

[mamajoan]

First off... demanding that reasons be limited by what YOU think are creditable is somewhat arrogant on your part, you bash Kerry/Edwards but will not allow your opponent the same tactic. You are ready for a fight... and no one seems to want to put on the gloves when they are to have one hand behind their back.....
Honestly... there are two viable candidates on the 2004 presidential election ballot..... one is Mr. Bush- who in my opinion has done what he has wanted to do during his tenure as president.... and I am not in agreement with many things he has promoted along the way. It seems if I am to make a decision between viable candidates that I must take Mr. Bush's record into account.

If I do NOT vote for Mr. Kerry... that is like a vote for Mr. Bush and I WILL NOT DO THAT .. NO WAY ... NO HOW!

One reason to vote for the Kerry/Edwards ticket - I feel that they have a more balanced vision of the United States population in comparison to Mr Bush/Mr. Cheney. I feel they will get us out of IRAQ as soon as they possibly can.. and are upfront about the fact that unfortunately the US will have to stay in IRAQ for 4 more years If Kerry/Edwards become head of the next regime their hands have been somewhat tied by their predecessor. ( this is somewhat true of all New hands to the office when a new party comes in) I pray that whoever ends up in charge will be strong.. yet kind, peaceful, intelligent and have an open mind.

Please don't BASH ME for giving MY reasons... know that it is clear in my mind and heart. Did I bash Bush/Cheney.. nope... Do I think that you will reply with an assortment of Kerry/Edwards bashes.. you bet! Will I reply again.... nope..

 

[shortbun]

sanity

 

[Bobbles]

Originally posted by shortbun
sanity

Agreed!

I have never been a supporter of President Bush even through the 1999 primaries. I think the RNC could have fielded a better candidate 4 years ago.

I think we need a change is my primary reason.

But in all honesty I don't think any threads posted here have any chance of changing anyone's mind.

 

[SoonerKate]

But in all honesty I don't think any threads posted here have any chance of changing anyone's mind.

Exactly, Bobbles. Posts like this tend to be a way of "baiting the liberals." (Never mind the fact that you might not be a liberal just because you're voting for Kerry. Around here, at least to a lot of posters, you are, regardless of your actual stance.) They're rarely, if ever, just an honest question. The solid majority (at least of those who speak up) on this board seems pretty set in their ways, whether they're Democratic or Republican. I really doubt that anything I have to say would change anyone's mind or make them think about an issue differently; more likely, it would just invite some sort of argument or "debate" with unfounded accusations being thrown in all directions. Really, by this point, it's pretty tiresome.

I never thought I would say I miss the Debate Board, but now? I kind of do. At least then this was mostly contained to one place.

 

[airhead]

My vote goes to Kerry.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by airhead
My vote goes to Kerry.

Yes, me too!

Where have you been hiding dmadman?

 

[jrydberg]

The OP is not demanding anything. I see several nice requests to explain what's positive about John Kerry. Seems like a legitimate, well-intentioned question. If you prefer not to answer, then don't. No biggie.

Personally, I think the question is crucial to the election. In my view, John Kerry's campaign hasn't given people a reason to vote for him other than he's not Bush. If he hopes to win, I think Sen. Kerry has to give people reason to vote FOR him.

 

[Christine]

When Bush was elected, I was not against him. In fact, I would say that most of my life I leaned toward being Republican. At the end of this last 4 years of his presidency, I mostly feel sick to my stomach. I HATE the way this administration has used 9/11. Also, I have this horrible feeling that I wouldn't really be voting for Bush but for Cheney, Perle, Wolfowitz, and Rumsfeld. Those men have an antiquated, war-mongering, take over the world agenda and THEY SCARE ME.

Then, there's religion. I want a candidate who is temperate about their religion. Not some "born again" who is going to thrust their religious views upon me/my body and my lifestye. Keep YOUR religious beliefs out of my life. While Kerry is Catholic, he also seems to keep his religion to himself. He does not agree with abortion, but will not thrust his stance onto another person who must deal with it.

I guess it all boils down to trust. I know you can never trust any politician, really (that is sad), but I have to say that, in the past, I've mostly trusted the President--mostly. Now, unfortunately, I don't believe a word from our current administration and it is not a nice feeling at all. Right now, I think that Kerry is in tune to many that feel this way.

Am I really FOR Kerry? Well, I have never actually been FOR any of the new candidates. There is just never enough information out there for me that will let me get behind a candidate 100%. I usually lean toward the incumbant. Not this time.

 

[Crankyshank]

I didn't realize we needed to justify/defend our reasons for voting for someone.

Simply put, I am voting for Kerry because I feel he is the best man for the job. For the reasons Tink&SquirtsMom stated and also because of his voting record on violence against women.

In the issues that matter the most to me, his platform matches my personal stance.

 

[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.

 

[ead79]

Then, there's religion. I want a candidate who is temperate about their religion. Not some "born again" who is going to thrust their religious views upon me/my body and my lifestye. Keep YOUR religious beliefs out of my life.

As a "born again" myself, I find this comment to be hurtful and less than tolerant. I understand what you mean by this comment, and I don't think you meant it to be offensive, but the sarcastic tone of the use of the term "born again" is hurtful to me. I understand that you want the right to make your own decisions when it comes to religion, but please respect those of us who are born again.

 

[Jennifer S]

I liked reading the answers people gave. I am not going to bash anyone but honestly Kerry does talk a lot about Viet nam but not too much about the future. I need to know what his plan is. Bush wrote his plan out where you can go and read it in detail. I wish Kerry would get more specific.
This way undecides could really make a good decision based on their beliefs.

I am voting for Bush because at least I know where he stands. I can't really say that about Kerry.


I think the original poster has a valid point. I'd like to read more about why people are voting for him other than he's not Bush because I just don't see anything good about Kerry. I'm trying but there just doesn't seem to be anything there.

 

[jmmom80]

people should vote however they want, and for whatever reasons. if edu. funding is important to you, then vote that way. but at least try to be informed on the issues. like the statement about federal funding for edu. being cut, which isn't true. federal funding for edu. has increased since 2001, not decreased. and no one is forced to comply with nclb mandates. states are free to opt out and forfeit federal edu. funding which accounts for about 15% of edu. funding at the local level. if they don't like the nclb provisions, they don't have to follow them.

 

[CLynnJones]

Jennifer S,
I hope you will watch the debates. I'm hoping they will clear issues up for a lot of people.

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by ead79
As a "born again" myself, I find this comment to be hurtful and less than tolerant. I understand what you mean by this comment, and I don't think you meant it to be offensive, but the sarcastic tone of the use of the term "born again" is hurtful to me. I understand that you want the right to make your own decisions when it comes to religion, but please respect those of us who are born again.

Elisabeth,
My apologies, please...

I knew my comment would probably strike a nerve for those that consider themselves Born Again Christians. I did not mean it to be hurtful. It is just that I feel very strongly about religion mixing with politics. I also feel that religion is VERY personal and should not pushed on anyone. My own personal experience with Born Again Christians or any fervent religious believer is that they they are on a mission to convert everyone to THEIR way. I believe that they have actually been told they *must* do this. In fact, I remember when I first moved to Japan, a VERY Christian man in my U.S. office told me to make sure I "go over to Japan, spread the word of Jesus, and convert those heathens." Wow!
Bush has admitted he is "born again". I am afraid that his beliefs will impact my life.

 

[TiggerInNY]

As far as I'm concerned, neither candidate has given any "positives" in their campaigns. It's all this bashing and negative crap. Tell me what you're going to do if you're President. Not what the other guy hasn't. Each administration, whether it be Dem or Rep, has it's faults and good points. But isn't it great that we as people, can openly voice our opinons? What a country!!!! God Bless America!!

I thought this message board is for Disney correspondence anyway? Everyone is entitled to their opinions and political views and believe me, its diverse. Let's stick to Disney and leave reality behind while we're on the boards??? Just like as if you're at Disney. As I see it, it only gets people angry and upset.

Just my opinion.

TTFN,
Tigger