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05/18/26 8:17:32pm

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Subject: kerry revisited Author: krz [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 10/23/04 8:28:13pm I'd stated awhile ago that I'd give a pro/con on Kerry like I did with Bush in order to clarify my indecision -- so here's Kerry Pros 1. He's an intellectual. Generally, I would prefer a president who not only got better grades than I, but who can run me around the block intellectually. The most powerful leader in the world needs to be smarter than I am. Personality is important, but not more important than intellect. My sense of Bush is that he is intellectually superficial and over-relies on the opinions of those in his cabinet (and my concerns with some of those are on record). 2. He tends to have a more liberal social perspective (i.e., stem cells) - and one to which I tend to have more comfort. As I think the next president will be appointing Supreme Court justices (at least 1, maybe 2) this is a concern of mine. (3) an alliance and support from environmental groups with whom I have some agreement. I think he would tend to establish more environmental protection than would Bush under the same tenure. This isn't fact though - just thought. (4) a desire to collaborate with the UN - coupled with teh fact that I don't think he would sell our interests down the river (I understand others will disagree with this last position), see cons below Where he's a wash (in my humble opinion) with Bush - so it doesn't factor into decision making: (1) managing our dependence on oil (2) I'll reduce your taxes (both sides pandering on this one) (3) offense as good defense militarily - in all honesty I don't see a huge Bush/Kerry difference on the military. Kerry's take is that the war was good, but in hindsight he would have done things differently. A cop out for Kerry (who wouldn't do things different with teh benefit of hindsight?). Cons (1) Health care - I think his treatment of the issue of providing access to all is to expand the role of the federal government. Having worked in and been a recipient of these policies, I'm not confident this is the approach - and I haven't heard him comment on anything but what the government must do. His advisors are treating this more simplistically than I trust. (2) alliance with union leadership who for the most part (in my opinion - I am willing to accept critique of this) is more interested in protecting salary and benefits than in improving return. I've felt many union arguments are more protectionistic than they are progressive. Don't get me started on the QEO (I'd love a guaranteed 3.8% salary/benefits increase yearly - I've averaged much less). (3) the unknown - it's much easier to critique what Bush DID in office than to critique what Kerry MIGHT DO in office based on his past votes. This uncertainty translates to whom do you trust - the devil you know or the devil you don't. I understand that I should be decided by now - I'm not. Geo and I talk almost daily about our votes. We aren't comfortable with either candidate. I appreciate the posts that assist in fronting the position of why people are voting for a candidate (thanks tjm) - they help me frame my discussion much better. I appreciate it. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Subject Author Date thanks krz (NT) tjm 10/23/04 9:35:52pm intelligence pa 10/24/04 6:53:45pm EXTRA!EXTRA!: Bush Smarter than Kerry:::[NewYorkTimes] (NT) -- tjm, 10/24/04 9:48:46pm on concerns not related to policy krz 10/25/04 9:04:18am here, here! -- pa, 10/25/04 11:48:40am