Why should I vote for Kerry?

[Bisquick]

I'm an undecided voter, but have no clue why I should vote for Kerry.  Anyone have real suggestions (i.e. if you say he is going to save the economy tell me how he will do it better than Bush)?  Kerry hasn't really given me any (well.. maybe one).  If you give me a political jargon answer, tell me something you are not capable of actually backing up (i.e. Bush lied, Bush is dumb), or tell me "because he's not Bush", I will have Zap place a curse on your poor head.  Since I am conservative, I already have a stack of reasons to vote for Bush, but a few points that worry me greatly.

[casino]

this is a good question buscuit.  however, i think that in this election, kerry's not being bush is a legitimate reason to vote for him.  does that sound ridiculous?  yes, but for many it is the main reason and shouldn't be discounted as invalid.

casino

[Bisquick]

valid enough that I won't have Zap curse you, but I would honestly like more.  I don't hate Bush, so that reason doesn't do much for me.

[Munkeysgrrl]

I'm an undecided voter, but have no clue why I should vote for Kerry.  Anyone have real suggestions (i.e. if you say he is going to save the economy tell me how he will do it better than Bush)?  Kerry hasn't really given me any (well.. maybe one).  If you give me a political jargon answer, tell me something you are not capable of actually backing up (i.e. Bush lied, Bush is dumb), or tell me "because he's not Bush", I will have Zap place a curse on your poor head.  Since I am conservative, I already have a stack of reasons to vote for Bush, but a few points that worry me greatly.

I like your open-mindedness, Biscuit.

John Kerry and John Edwards' plan to build a stronger economy will:

Create Good-Paying Jobs
As president, John Kerry will cut taxes for businesses that create jobs here in America instead of moving them overseas. John Kerry and John Edwards will also stand up for workers by enforcing our trade agreements.

Cut Middle-Class Taxes To Raise Middle-Class Incomes
When John Kerry is president, middle-class taxes will go down. Ninety-eight percent of all Americans and 99 percent of American businesses will get a tax cut under the Kerry-Edwards plan.

Make Washington Live Within A Budget
John Kerry will cut the deficit in half during his first four years in office. He will end corporate welfare as we know it, roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, and impose a real cap to keep spending in check. And when John Kerry puts forward a new idea, he'll tell you how he's going to pay for it.

Invest in Energy-Efficient Technology,
Reduce Dependence on Middle Eastern Oil,
Reduce Health Care Insurance Premiums
Reduce Prescription Drug Costs, Allow safe re-importation from Canada, overhaul medicare drug plan,
Offer College Tax Credit up to $4,000
After school programs funding,
Focus on ptotecting borders, etc., not infringing upon our individual rights through the patriot act,
Reverse the Bush rollbacks to our Clean Air Act, plug loopholes in the law, take aggressive action to stop acid rain, and use innovative, job-creating programs to reduce mercury emissions and other emissions that contribute to global warming.

His plans are all outlined on his website.   

www.johnkerry.com

[Bisquick]

How is he going to end corporate welfare without destroying corporations.  I know liberals love to hate them, but they still are our bread and butter.  They employ huge numbers of people and are our biggest foreign policy advantage.

How are we going to cut the deficit in a recession?  That is against strategy implemented by Democrats (FDR).

How is he going to cut taxes on the rich without clobbering the stock market and destroying consumer confidence?  I've heard he wants to repeal the dividend tax cut, which would really hit the markets.  Like it or not, that is a short term measure of consumer confidence.

What good is re-importation from Canada going to do?  Why won't drug companies just raise prices in Canada or not even sell in Canada if there are price controls?

How is he going to reduce health insurance premiums?

I agree with cutting foreign oil for sure (and am willing to take the economic hit to make that happen).  I actually agree with many of these points, but I don't know how he will implement them.

I'm not letting you off that easy.  I want real answers.  I know his answers are outlined on his website, but they are the vague political spewing both sides give.

[Tobias Beecher]

this is a good question buscuit.  however, i think that in this election, kerry's not being bush is a legitimate reason to vote for him.  does that sound ridiculous?  yes, but for many it is the main reason and shouldn't be discounted as invalid.

casino

Good point.

[Bisquick]

so far I have 2 he's not Bush and one post copied from the website.. I know you people can do more.  I need ideas!

[dr_draino]

biscuit, as I've said to you, Kerry has his problems...especially on economic issues.  Bush frightens me because the results of his decisions that I don't agree with would be fairly permanent.

1)  I am VERY dissappointed with the degree to which the Republicans are pushing the anti-gay marriage position.  Here is one of Bush's worst flip-flops (and they both flip-flop).  I'm not normally a Ted Kennedy fan, but he had it right when he described Bush's switch from "this is a state issue" to supporting a constitutional amendment was truly the first time a president supported writing discrimination into the constitution.  Bringing it up at the national convention shows that there are still plenty of people that will push Bush towards an amendment to our federal constitution that clearly describes two different classes of people.  As a staunch conservative, particularly on social issues, this might not bother you too much biscuit.  But think about this:  that was a change of decision brought about by pressure from special interest groups (the religious right IS a special interest group) and we're talking about a change to the CONSTITUTION.  

2)  I won't argue over whether Bush lied or not.  But I WILL NOT accept people calling him a "straight shooter".  A straigt shooter is open and forthright with the public and Bush is not.  Nor is his press secretary.  Sure, he shoots from the hip on topics that are easy to shoot from the hip on:  "Sadaam is EVIL"  "terrorist will be destroyed" blah blah blah, but when push comes to shove, he's all too willing to clam up and talk in Clintonese than I like (Swiftboat adds, 9/11 hearings, revealing the capture of the Tasmanian fella on the day of John Kerry's speach when it would've been in our country's best interest to keep a lid on it a bit longer are but a few examples)

3)  biscuit, you yourself said that tax cuts are a good SHORT TERM solution.  Unfortunately, Bush does not see them as short-term.  Again, we're talking permanent stuff that would take massive effort to reverse.

On energy...there's a reason why Bush is pushing Hydrogen as his main alternative fuel.  Because the main source of hydrogen we'll have for quite some time is BURNING FOSSIL FUELS.  Bush may be interested in getting us free of the clutches of mid-east oil, but he still wants us dependant of fossil fuels.

Tired of typing...sorry I couldn't give you reasons to vote for Kerry...I guess a couple would be "because he's similar to Bush in his approach to how to deal with Iraq now that we're in it up to our elbow"...

[Bisquick]

much better, though it was still why I shouldn't vote for Bush

I have a strange stance on the gay marriage, that I won't bore people with.  I do think Bush did a flip-flop for a reason.  He felt it should be in the hands of states, but it was not staying there.  It was in the hands of courts that were trying to throw out any law a state would pass.  I also don't want it in the hands of states as that would create way too many confusing scenarios.

I agree with you that the tax cuts need phased out.  I have never heard John Kerry say he was going to phase them out slowly.  If he did, he would make me more comfortable.  What he is screaming now is reactionary BS.  I really wish he would admit that what Bush did was right, but that he is not right in trying to make all of the cuts permanent (although I know that is not realistic).  I also think that end of the marriage penalty and investment and savings cuts should be permanent.

[TyroneShoelaces]

Why? Because I said so that's why! That was bushes reponse to why he insists there is a connection between Iraq and Al Qaida despite there being no credible evidence. Hell, who can argue with that logic? I don't see why you should hold us to a higher standard than the president.

I'm an undecided voter, but have no clue why I should vote for Kerry.  Anyone have real suggestions (i.e. if you say he is going to save the economy tell me how he will do it better than Bush)?  Kerry hasn't really given me any (well.. maybe one).  If you give me a political jargon answer, tell me something you are not capable of actually backing up (i.e. Bush lied, Bush is dumb), or tell me "because he's not Bush", I will have Zap place a curse on your poor head.  Since I am conservative, I already have a stack of reasons to vote for Bush, but a few points that worry me greatly.