Why I'm not voting for "W" (Resume)

[DaveH]

1. I don't think bringing the up other candidates family into the debates is a good practice. I think thats making things a little too personal.

2. I don't think Kerry was hating on gays/lesbians

3. Republicans don't hate on gays/lesbians either. I think it is correct to make it a federal law re: gay marriage. Why open it up to the states to decide something like that? Then you would have groups flocking to states (like they were a while back when a certain city was giving out marriage licenses to gay/lesbians) to get married. Then if they were to go back to their home state which disallows it, where does that put them in the eyes of the law? It would be opening up a can of worms IMO.

[Guest]

I agree whole heartedly w/ that statement dave! I should have clarified. I am not a Bush hater, but rather a Kerry supporter. I honestly think that Kerry would make for a more reliable president than Bush. I will be the first to admit, taxes will be going up under Kerry. Things are to the point where they have to. When we have to borrow $160,000,000,000 from China (a communist country mind you) to help pay for the war in Iraq I think we are just setting ourselves up for disaster in the long run. I'd personally rather pay for the war in Iraq now, with my money, than place the burden on future generations. The thing that gets me about a lot of conservatives is the way they attacked Kerry for not funding the war after he voted to authorize it. There are two faults with that.

1. Kerry was in support of the bill in its raw form, however he did not like the finalized product and the fact that it had a $17,000,000,000 payment in there to Halliburton on a no-bid contract.

2. We should have NEVER sent our troops to Iraq w/o the proper gear in the first place. Why did the troops have to be there w/ unarmored humvee's and lacking bullet-proof vests and other protective gear in the first place. If this president was so concerned about our men and women in combat, those provisions would have been provided BEFORE placing them in harms way.

Which brings me to another point. The Bush administration lobbied congress to CUT COMBAT PAY for our troops mid-war. And he says he is behind the men and women in uniform in this country?????

For the record on Kerry's stand on military spending:

John Kerry has voted in favor of military appropriations 16 of the 19 times it has been presented to him. He has voted for over $4,000,000,000,000 in military hardware spending. He has backed every weapons program that George W. Bush has proposed.

[STiSchucky]

DaveH wrote:
It kind of sad that negative politics is what it takes to win. But that is how you win over the people the don't take the time to actually study the candidates positions and values. It's really sad that a lot of elections are decided by people who don't really know whats going on, and just vote based on "this guy sounded better than that guy".
you can easily tell where Kerry stands, always on the corrected side with all of his plans.

[DaveH]

Well, the thing is each side can spin the numbers to make their guy look good. In politics, a cut isn't really a cut but rather a decrease in the amount of increase... I could go and find a lot of statistics to show just the opposite of what you just wrote is true, but I'm not a fan of cut-n-paste politics.

I would never vote for a guy that wants to increase taxes. The income tax structure is already too biased toward "getting the rich people". I would go so far as saying that a flat income tax is even too biased. I would prefer that every american pays the same amount of tax. Why should someone have to pay more in taxes than their neighbor? Figure out a number, and thats what everyone pays... done deal, no loopholes, no more IRS is needed, etc. Then the next job is getting rid of all the crap spending.

As far as voting for the bill for the additional wartime spending goes, EVERY bill that goes through has pork crap attached to it... I don't like it, but thats the way it is. Every politician has to decide whether the bill has enough good stuff in it to compensate for the crap that gets attached to it.

[Guest]

Which is basically what I was trying to get at anyway. I agree, I think EVERYONE should pay the exact same percentage of tax as the next guy. IMHO the advantage the "Rich" have is that they (generally) have more things to write off against their taxes.

I'm not saying Kerry is perfect, I just think he's a better choice based on my own beliefs and/or research.

However I have no problem with someone who wishes to support Bush. There needs to be balance in government, otherwise we might as well be under a dictatorship.

[PSiedTSi]

i personally dont know who to vote for...i dont like bush and i dont really like kerry...id rather vote for kerry because i wanna see how someone else would handle the country...i just dont wanna not vote...i dunno im in trouble maybe ill just vote for ralph nader and then i wont hold myself responsible if bush or kerry mess up the country lol

[2wheeler]

Ok Chuck, good points in your original post. Now, convince me....list 50, give or take, positive, original(please don't put "Kerry didn't" in front of each point on the list you have above) reasons why I should vote for Kerry. Here's your chance to swing a vote.

[Tad218]

GraveDigger wrote:
Lol, politics are so negative. I don't care for either one, but if I had to vote for one, it would be W. Did you hear the lesbian comment Kerry made, he is not winning now after that, so don't back the lesbian hater!!!

there was too big of a deal made of that. it was a nice cheap shot. i know kerry enjoys lesbian porn just like the rest of us

[Guest]

DaveH wrote:

1. I don't think bringing the up other candidates family into the debates is a good practice. I think thats making things a little too personal.
   I agree somewhat, however, it appeared to me (an admitted democrat) that during the VP debate when Edwards spoke of Mary Cheney as a lesbian and had some kind words to say about her and her family regarding her sexual orientation that Dick Cheney seemed to warm up to Edwards and (I might be wrong here) thanked him for the kind words. When Kerry mentioned it, they acted like it was the first time she had ever been publicly acknowledged as a lesbian....seemed like a double standard in some ways.

DaveH wrote:
2. I don't think Kerry was hating on gays/lesbians
I agree

DaveH wrote:
3. Republicans don't hate on gays/lesbians either. I think it is correct to make it a federal law re: gay marriage. Why open it up to the states to decide something like that? Then you would have groups flocking to states (like they were a while back when a certain city was giving out marriage licenses to gay/lesbians) to get married. Then if they were to go back to their home state which disallows it, where does that put them in the eyes of the law? It would be opening up a can of worms IMO.
This is where dave and I differ in opinion. I agree that there will be some loopholes, but I believe that a lot of states (including ND) have it on the ballot to make it perfectly clear how the state wishes to view same-sex marriages. Right now, no state in the union has an obligation to honor a marriage that took place in another state.

I, personally am in favor of allowing the same benefits to gays/lesbians that are allowed to hetero-couples. For example, if one partner is in a hospital w/ a serious illness/disease/injury, I think that persons partner should have the same right to visit that person as ones spouse would have if they were a hetero couple. I'm not saying either side is in favor or against this, just stating my view. Having said this, I am NOT in favor of gay marriages, just equal rights under the law (give them the same priviledges w/o giving them a marriage license)

[jct_4628]

Holy crap. What is so wrong with gay marriages? Gays like the same sex, hetros like the opp sex. I dont really see the big difference here....both sides are in love. I'm not trying to impose my views here on anyone, I just seriously want to know why people think gay marriage is so bad! IMO we shouldnt even have to think if gays get the same rights, they just should. I dont really know how to explain that last part, it didnt come out right. I hate what society does to us. People hate gays, US citizens sue eachother all the time. Our country has the highest death from guns rate BY FAR over any other country. Girls are supposed to be 5'8 100 pounds like the fake airbrushed magazine covers. Our society implys some horrible stuff on us.

[SmitEvo]

Got BUSH!

[2wheeler]

Chuck, I don't see a response yet. Where's all the positives on Kerry?

[STiSchucky]

give him a second, he's looking at bush's site and then converting them to Kerry's plans

[2wheeler]

That's what I was kinda thinking.

[dynasty_v6]

Tjamz, bush won fair and square period

[Guest]

Sorry, I was away from my computer until now, I don't have time to respond at this moment as I am doing some remodeling in my house. I will by the end of the night.

[Guest]

1. He has experience leading in a combat situation
2. He has broken party lines when needed (Bills that would have helped lower the deficit in the 80's for example)
3. He actually Volunteered for vietnam, unlike the other guy.
4. He is STRONG on military/defense (He has voted for $4trillion dollars worth of military hardware as well as 16 of 19 military appropriations bills, as well as EVERY weapons program that Bush has presented)
5. He is for a stronger middle class
6. He co-authored a bill to balance the budget during the clinton administration
7. He voted for the no-child-left-behind act, and has in his budget a plan to actually fund it.
8. Voted to declare that that erecting religious symbols and praying on public school campuses as part of a memorial service does not violate the First Amendment to the Constitution
9. Voted on an amendment that would expand the definition of hate crimes to include gender, sexual orientation and disability. The previous definition included only racial, religious or ethnic bias.
10. Voted to increase penalties on certain drug-related crimes.
11. Voted to adopt an amendment that would increase the tax deduction for college tuition costs from $5,000 to $12,000 and increase the tax credit on student loan interest from $500 to $1,000.
12. Voted to pass an amendment that would call for the president to develop and implement measures to lessen dependence on foreign oil by 1 million barrels per day by 2013.
13. Voted on an amendment that would raise the basic Pell Grant from $3,300 to $3,700. This increase would be offset by reducing the level of tax cuts in the budget framework.
14. Voted to preserve language in the budget framework to increase funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provides federal funds to states for special education programs.
15. Voted to pass a bill that would join 22 agencies into a new cabinet-level Homeland Security Department with the responsibility to protect domestic security.
16. Voted on an amendment to establish a prescription drug benefit program through the Medicare health insurance program.
17. Voted on final passage of a bill providing funds for housing and veterans programs. It also contains funding for 17 independent agencies.
18. Vote to pass a bill that would authorize through 2005 a federal loan program to help the commercial casualty and property insurance industry cover future terrorist-related losses.
19. Voted to pass a bill that would expand law enforcement's power to investigate suspected terrorists.
20. Voted to pass a bill that would allow for the federal government to take over security at airports and make baggage screeners federal employees.
21. Voted to pass a joint resolution that would authorize the president to use all necessary and appropriate force against parties responsible in any way for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
22. Voted on an amendment to bar people convicted of violence, or potential violence, at abortion clinics, from being released from their debts that were directly brought about by those actions.
23. Voted to pass a bill that would replace the Freedom to farm Act and would authorize $45 billion in new spending for federal agriculture programs over five years, including a provision that would allow $2 billion in direct federal subsidies to milk producers.
24. Voted for an Amendment to eliminate restrictions on use of federal funds for abortion.
25. Has in his budget plans to increase minimum wage to $7/hour, something the president is strongly against.
26. Voted to require states to allow citizens to register to vote while applying for or renewing driver's licenses or through the mail.
27. Vote for an amendment to provide $27.14 million in humanitarian aid to Nicaraguan contras and establish procedures for congressional consideration of President Reagan's request of $16.5 million worth of stockpiled military aid to the contras.
28. Voted for an amendment authorizing defense funds to assist the Soviet Union with the dismantlement of nuclear weapons.
29. Voted for passage of a bill that would revise current bankruptcy law to make it easier for courts to change debtors from a system that allows most debts to be dismissed, to a system that requires a repayment plan. Other provisions in the bill specifically cite the debts of those convicted of violence against abortion clinics as well as increasing the minimum wage, giving $18.5 billion in tax cuts for small businesses over 5 years, and increasing penalties for certain drug offenses.
30. Voted for a bill establishing new regulations regarding deceptive mailings such as sweepstakes.
31. Voted to pass an amendment that would protect teachers from lawsuits linked to disciplinary measures that are carried out in conformity with local, state and federal laws.
32. Voted to pass an amendment that would increase funding to local educational agencies under Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [ESEA] to $132 billion over 10 years.
33. Voted on an amendment that would provide $1.75 billion in fiscal 2001 for measures aimed at reducing class size.
34. Voted on an amendment to require states to enact and enforce a standard of 0.08 blood alcohol content [BAC] as meeting the definition of driving while intoxicated. Highway and transit funding would be withheld from states that do not comply with the standard.
35. Voted to preserve language in the budget framework to increase funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provides federal funds to states for special education programs.
36. Voted to allow consideration of an amendment to create a reserve fund to improve the affordability, availability and quality of child care.
37. Voted for an amendment to bar gun manufacturers from being released from their debts that were brought about by lawsuits charging fraud, negligence, recklessness or product liability.
38. Voted to require special licensees at gun shows to conduct background checks on anyone purchasing a gun from them and to require pawnshops to conduct background checks on anyone redeeming their own gun.
39. Voted to pass a bill that would impose comprehensive voting-procedure requirements to the states.
40. Voted to adopt a conference report on a bill that would call for a more comprehensive disclosure of corporate finances and overhaul regulation of the accounting industry
41. Voted to exempt veterans' compensation from a proposal to cap entitlement spending.
42. Voted for an amendment to add $13 billion to the president's budget for
    veterans benefits and services between 1997 and 2002, paid for by making
    changes in corporate tax law.
43. Voted to allow states to give welfare recipients the option of meeting work requirements through enrollment in vocational or post-secondary education.
44. Voted to adopt the conference report of a bill to provide $1 billion in crop insurance funding over five years, provide $600 million for agriculture research, and $818 million over five years to restore food stamp benefits to elderly and disabled legal immigrants.
45. He understands that you need to have the proper funding to go along with spending. For example, the USA has borrowed over 160 Billion from China to finance the war on terror and 720 Billion from Japan.
46. He realizes that the even though we are the lone superpower, we need assistance from the rest of the world when dealing w/ international efforts such as terrorism. In other words we should at least attempt to get the support of the UN before attacking another country.
47. He has a plan to help lower the cost of healthcare by allowing you and I to buy in to the same plan that senators and congressmen get. It is NOT a free healthcare system, it is a plan that is income based that allows you to purchase healthcare at a lower cost (similar to how corporations get breaks on their healthcare systems by having large numbers of people sharing the risk).

Ok...my fingers are sore...that was 47 if you really want more, I'll give you 3 more in a few minutes...I'm hungry.

Source for much of this information http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=S0421103

[STiSchucky]

who actually cares about half of that

[2wheeler]

Thank you for your reply Chuck.

[Guest]

He asked what I thought were important issues worth mentioning that are worthy of a Kerry vote. I listed them.