Part II
Liberty and Human Rights (advantage Kerry)
As a civil libertarian I resent Bush's efforts to have government intervention in our personal lives. Examples include:
- 'gag' rule witch prevents any international organizations that receive US funding from discussing abortion as an option for terminating pregnancy.
- constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage
- a desire and efforts to roll back abortion rights
- refusal to honor the Geneva conventions
- efforts to undermine Habeas Corpus
- efforts to promote religion (for example, giving government funding to religious institutions)
The Bush administration seems oblivious to the fact that the Bill of Rights protects each and every one of us, no matter what the 'majority' thinks. Just because the majority are Christian, and that our nation was founded by mostly Christians, does not mean that the government should promote religion in any way. 'The congress shall pass no law respecting an establishment of religion.' I believe that the Atheist that brought the 'pledge' to the supreme court is right on.
I expect Kerry is more likely to keep government out of our personal lives, to honor international law, and honor the US tradition of 'separation of church and state'.
Education (no advantage)
I don't think there's much of a difference here. Education policy is largely set at the state level.
Health Care (no advantage)
The health care situation in this country is in trouble. The costs are very high and consumers have few choices (largely regulated at the state level.) I disagree Bush's approach of limiting malpractice suits. If frivolous lawsuits are a problem, than the laws that describe what it means to be negligent need to change.
Experience (advantage Kerry)
Bush has never been very successful, at school or in business. His accomplishments are largely a result of his family ties and political connections. Kerry's accomplishments (Yale, Vietnam, law school, prosecutor, Lieutenant Governor, and senator) had stronger ties to his intelligence, ability, and work ethic.
Integrity (no advantage)
Bush is a flip-flopper. Kerry is a flip-flopper. Bush has either deliberately mislead the country into war with Iraq, or exercised very poor judgment. Kerry and the democrats stood silent, afraid to stand up against the Bush. The democrats have a lot to thank Howard Dean for. He stood up against the war in Iraq before it was popular to do so, once he did, and gained support, other democrats followed his lead.
Steady leadership in time of war (advantage Kerry)
The portrayal of Bush as a strong and decisive leader is a myth. His advertisements and rhetoric claim otherwise, but his actions in time of crisis speak for themselves. Compare Bush's actions on 9/11 to Kerry's actions when he lead a gunboat up the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
Watch the video of Bush when he was told that the 2nd plane crashed into the WTC, and that the nation was under attack.
http://www.thememoryhole.org/911/bush-911.htm. He sat there, reading a children's book for a full 7 minutes, waiting for someone to tell him what do to. Is this how a strong decisive leader acts?
Compare to Kerry who earned the Silver Star Medal in Vietnam. Kerry's boat was under attack. He ordered that the boat engage the attackers, jumped off the boat and perused and killed a Vietcong solder who had a rocket launcher. Kerry also earned a Bronze for jumping off the boat exposing himself to enemy fire to save a fellow soldier who had fallen overboard.
Bush supported the Vietnam war, but used his fathers connections to get into the Air National Guard (he jumped to the head of a long waiting list), where his attendance was spotty.
Favorite Pet Peeve:
The USA Patriot Act has a provision that exempts the Ely Lilly corporation from all lawsuits related to the preservative 'Thermerisol'. Not a single senator or congressman will take credit for this, yet it passed.
