Comments on: An Open Letter on the 2004 Presidential Elections

By: Josh Baugher

Josh Baugher — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

So how did your parents and other folks respond?

By: jmikec

jmikec — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I can understand how you feel, and I feel the same way about the USA PATRIOT act. I have major concerns about it. But, I will still vote for George Bush. As much as I’d like to think a third party can win, right now it just isn’t possible. Hopefully one day, but right now it just isn’t possible. And I think the overall risk to the country is greater if John Kerry is president.

What I plan to do, immediately following the election, is do whatever I can to make sure Congress doesn’t extend it. IIRC, it will expire soon, and will need to be extended by Congress, correct? If that is the case, the more effective route is to work with your Sentators and Congressman to get it overturned, or at least not extended.

Thakn you for sharing your thoughts with us.

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Um, Kerry is only for rolling back the tax breaks if you make over $200K a year. And if Bush gets re-elected, those people are going to be the first ones up against the wall when the economy collapses and the revolution comes. Plus don’t forget The Bush Tax. And Bush has increased the size of the government more than any President in U.S. history, even if you subtract the Homeland Security Department and the invasion of Iraq.
Garrison Keillor had a great piece about the election:
We’re Not in Lake Wobegon Anymore.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Josh: One friend who received it only had time to briefly look it over, though he said he’d read it more in depth and call me again. Nonetheless, after reading it briefly, he said that he still supported Bush as he felt that another terrorist attack would be less likely under Bush (and I wasn’t sure how to respond to that).

I mailed the letter to my parents about a week ago, but I haven’t heard from them about it. I’ve talked with them over the phone a couple times recently, but they didn’t bring it up. I would think that it would have arrived, but maybe they don’t want to talk about it.

jmikec: I understand what you’re saying. And, I can’t say that Kerry would be an ideal candidate. But, I can’t respect anyone who voted for the USA PATRIOT Act — I can only consider it a substantial lapse of judgment to have done so. Some of Bush’s other ideas may be sound, but I don’t feel that I can trust his decision-making process anymore.

Charles: You’re right that Bush has increased the size of federal government significantly. However, I chose to mention that in the closing of my letter to offer a counterpoint to what voters may perceive as a potential weakness in Kerry (that he might increase the size of federal government, even if Bush might not be much better).