So what if Kerry become's president?

[Shainie]

Do I like the mess our country is in right now? Heck no!

So . . . what if Kerry becomes president? We surely will still be in Iraq at that time, what's he going to do about it? Is he magically going to be able to fix everything?

I've heard his commercials about making Health care affordable for everyone. I really like that word affordable. Commercials for cars that cost $28,000 - are affordable! (To who?) Haven't presidents in the past used Health Care reform as their platform? Nothing has been done. Our health insurance goes up at least 10% a year in Minnesota. (One of the highest in the nation for insurance costs).

Personally, I don't want Bush or Kerry. I want someone else. From what I've read, Bush and Kerry aren't that much different. No one goes out on a limb.

How about closing our borders? What candidate is going to do that for us? (Thousands of more immagrants just entered Minnesota - can someone please post a sign on the country saying "No vacancies".)

Is there links or something about what Kerry plans to do about the mess this country is in?

I haven't had much hope in any president since Clinton took office. Big talk - no action (except the action that was going on under his desk).

[crazytimes]

I have to agree with you that I don't care for Bush or Kerry. If I had to pick one I would choose Bush, but I wish there were more options.

I too wonder how we are going to make health-care afforable for everyone. Of course it sounds nice, but how it is going to happen?

As far as immigration, that's one issue I don't care about. Frankly I am glad we have immigrants. They do a lot of labor that many people wouldn't even consider doing, so I think they are very important to our economy. Not that I am saying we should take advantage of them, but if they are willing to work some of the lower-class jobs, let them.

[bobbcat]

Personally, I don't want Kerry because he believes the UN can do a better job of running our military and because he supports raising all sorts of taxes (as we are all overtaxed already).

I haven't had much hope in any president since Clinton took office. Big talk - no action (except the action that was going on under his desk).

He had too much time on his hands you know, with the First Lady really running the show.

[Pipanella]

Originally Posted by bobbcat

He had too much time on his hands you know, with the First Lady really running the show.

LOLOL!!!

[mrbowler]

Take a Look at some of the Third Party Candidates. It's not a waste of a vote if you truly don't like either the Republican or Democrat Candidates. I've watched C-Span-and I've watched some of the Green Party & Constitutional Party Candidates. I think it actually would be beneficial to have (3) strong parties in the United States instead of the Gridlock (2) Party System which is dominated by Corporations & PAC's-of course this is just my opinion.

[bobbcat]

In the current climate, it is all but impossible for 3rd parties to participate, as it costs too much money and there are simply not enough people out there with deep pockets who will support anything other than the major 2 parties. As the distinctions between the major 2 become more blurred as time goes on, the country is moving towards a one-party system by default.

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by crazytimes

As far as immigration, that's one issue I don't care about. Frankly I am glad we have immigrants. They do a lot of labor that many people wouldn't even consider doing, so I think they are very important to our economy. Not that I am saying we should take advantage of them, but if they are willing to work some of the lower-class jobs, let them.

I disagreee that American's won't do these job's. American's would do these job's if wages were $15 dollar per hour. (Illegal) Immigration is a way for Companies to break the law, and use workers to there advantage.

[bobbcat]

Has it occurred to you that perhaps some of these positions are not worth $15.00/hr, mrbowler?

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by bobbcat

In the current climate, it is all but impossible for 3rd parties to participate, as it costs too much money and there are simply not enough people out there with deep pockets who will support anything other than the major 2 parties. As the distinctions between the major 2 become more blurred as time goes on, the country is moving towards a one-party system by default.

Here's a Interesting Way that Third Party's are trying to gain more influence, and is used in various ways already in the United States called Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) -I haven't explored, but it's something that voter's might gain more acceptance of.

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IRV is a reform that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, so that in cases where there is no initial majority winner, a runoff recount can be conducted without a new election to determine which candidate is actually preferred by a majority of voters.

"A growing number of jurisdictions have come to see that the diminished costs of elections and the inevitable attrition of voter interest in a second election make IRV a thoroughly practical means of assuring voters that their will can be carried out in a single election. It is a reform that enhances the right of democratic choice in a common sense way."

John B. Anderson, nine-term member of Congress, 1980 Independent candidate for President of the United States, law professor.

The IRV works basically as follows: Instead of just casting one vote for one candidate, voters rank the candidates: 1,2,3, etc. (hence, the motto, "it's as easy as 1-2-3."). If no candidate receives a majority of the #1 votes, the candidate with the least total of #1 votes is eliminated. The second choice votes from these ballots are then transferred to the other candidates. The ballots are recounted, and candidates are eliminated in this fashion until 1 winner emerges with a majority of the vote. The animated links to the left can help clarify this simple process, but let's talk about why it's a superior voting system, first:

When there are more than 2 candidates, it ensures the winner has a majority. Without IRV, the winner can win with less than 50% of the vote. How do we really know they have a mandate?
It will allow more candidates, including independents and third-parties, to get involved in a race, without being accused of "spoiling" the elections. Even if your favorite candidate comes in last, at least IRV allows your next favorite candidate to be counted. No more wasting your vote, and no more spoilers.
It will decrease negative campaigning. To win, candidates need to get some 2nd and 3rd place votes, as well as 1st place votes. They'll be less likely to "go negative" if they need their opponent's voters, too.
IRV saves money. Some states and local elections hold runoffs weeks later to pick the winner. IRV holds the runoff all in one election--saving money.

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by bobbcat

Has it occurred to you that perhaps some of these positions are not worth $15.00/hr, mrbowler?

Hey Free-Trader's are always harping about the market. Let the market decide instead of bring more of a market into the country. I'll let the market place decide-as long as the labor rules are followed.

[crazytimes]

Of course people would do jobs like these if the pay was higher, but why in the world should someone be paid $15.00/hr to wash dishes? That will just make the price of menu items go up and profit go down.

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by bobbcat

Personally, I don't want Kerry because he believes the UN can do a better job of running our military and because he supports raising all sorts of taxes (as we are all overtaxed already).

And he also support's repealing the tax cut's to upper income folks.

"He believes that we should keep the middle class tax cuts that Democrats fought for in 2001 and 2003. Specifically, he wants to protect the increases in the child tax credit, the reduced marriage penalty and the new tax bracket that helps people save $350 on their first level of income. He strongly disagrees with Democrats who want to repeal these tax cuts because it would cost a typical middle-class family with two children an additional $2,000. These families are often already struggling with higher health care costs and higher state and local taxes. In fact, John Kerry wants to give more tax breaks to the middle class with new tax credits on health care and college tuition. These tax cuts are part of his plan to restore the economy and cut the budget deficit in half in four years."

Here's a Good Bumper Sticker:

Democrats's raise Taxes : Republican's raise Deficit's
Take your Pick Pay Now! or Pay Later !

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by crazytimes

Of course people would do jobs like these if the pay was higher, but why in the world should someone be paid $15.00/hr to wash dishes? That will just make the price of menu items go up and profit go down.

$15 Dollar's per hour is just a random number-the supply of labor will adjust according to the pay level the employer is offering. The cost gets passed to the consumer, but other segments of the economy employ american worker's, and they have been able to make profits and expand the economy thru many economic cycles. Plus you actually get some benefits in that the worker is actually paying taxes..able to purchase good & services..instead
of the money going back to mexico etc. American Politician's should be looking out for America First.

[bobbcat]

And he also support's repealing the tax cut's to upper income folks.

What makes you think that this is a good idea? Who do you think is out there creating the jobs? Not gov't, that's for sure.

I am personally as a military wife (husband 35 1/2 years in two days) sickened by Kerry. He represents all that is false and not family oriented in politics to put it in nice terms. If he gets elected I fear what will happen to our country. Many years ago I was at an airport where a young Russian girl was trying to board a plane to get away from her abusive husband in the US (who had a dishonorable discharge) with her baby. We, the counselors at a battered women's shelter were having problems trying to get her things checked. He walked right past us, demanded to go in front of us. When he said who he was I tried to talk to him and his response was "I don't have time, I am late for an appointment I need to go, understand." this man had a cold heart, his sweet talk means nothing to me now. I wouldn't vote for him for dog catcher. Venting after years now, sorry. It was Halloween, horrible day, We finally got the girl home to Russia, where she, her son and family is thriving. Been years but I won't forget.