Why I support John Kerry - and not Bush

Iraq:

John Kerry's plan for Iraq calls for working to establish a NATO mission for Iraq, and the authorization of "an international High Commissioner" by the United Nations. The High Commissioner would oversee Iraq governance and reconstruction. This is how it should be - involving the family of nations in this critical endeavor. In contrast, Mr Bush has alienated much of the world, continuing to insist that the US control the reconstruction, even while trying to get other nations to contribute armed forces.

Regarding the whole war and the way it came about, I hold George W Bush personally responsible for the nearly 1000 coalition deaths and the approximately ten thousand civilian deaths that have taken place during this war. Bill Clinton was impeached for lying about oral sex. George W Bush lied to get America into this war, 11,000 human lives have ended because of his lies, and yet some people can still support him. Amazing.

I have one nephew in the Marines in Iraq right now. Another nephew was among the first group of Marines to enter Iraq, suffered the death of his best friend - a fellow Marine - while there, and is now preparing to go back for a second tour. I have tremendous respect and admiration for these brave men and women who serve their country. Most of us will never fully comprehend the sacrifices they make for us.

War is far too serious to be taken lightly. Yet I can't help but feel that George W Bush thinks of the men and women in the military as little more than numbers. John Kerry knows first hand what war is like. George W Bush - at best - had an easy time of his military 'service', and possibly actually shirked his duty. I believe that John Kerry is far more capable than Bush of making reasoned decisions about matters as serious as war. Perhaps I'd feel more confident in Bush if his daughters were serving in Iraq.

Taxes and health care:

At the start of Bush's presidency, the country was operating on a balanced budget and even had a surplus. Less than 4 years later we have a record deficit. For heaven's sake, what kind of moron grants tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans, at the same time that the economy is crumbling and the deficit is rising?! Come on, I'm no accountant, but I have run my own business and have managed to work and pay my bills for many years. Even a guy like me knows that you shouldn't spend more than you make, and if you do need, for some very serious reason, to incur debt, then it should be secured debt, and should be managed very carefully with a solid plan for repayment. Mr Bush, who apparently has an MBA (!), somehow thinks that it is OK to give money back to those who least need it, meanwhile saddling our children and their children with paying off the new debt.

John Kerry will work to repeal Bush's ridiculous tax cuts, and use that money to help finance health care. My dad went bankrupt when he and his wife both experienced serious health issues just after starting new jobs - before they were insured. This is not an uncommon situation in this country. John Kerry will use the funds recouped from the repealed tax cuts to help finance health care that will cover 95% of all Americans, including all children.

OK, enough for now. Time for my beauty rest. If you would like to help elect John Kerry, please consider making a donation or volunteering. Peace.