Look who's supporting John Kerry

[Guest web_norah]

i am far from a communist - albeit i do find certain socialist systems to be working for people....Sweden, Germany, even England embrace some form of social -driven systems, and thats not a decade late, thats called "the system working for the masses" things like free health care, schools, universities, three weeks paid vacation, etc....does believing in that make me a socialist or a communist? give me a break!

for example - that stem research issue which John Kerry discussed on Friday which G Bush wont spend a dime on.....those things are socially conscious efforts ...

[Guest slamminshaun]

i am far from a communist - albeit i do find certain socialist systems to be working for people....Sweden, Germany, even England embrace some form of social -driven systems, and thats not a decade late, thats called "the system working for the masses" things like free health care, schools, universities, three weeks paid vacation, etc....does believing in that make me a socialist or a communist? give me a break!

for example - that stem research issue which John Kerry discussed on Friday which G Bush wont spend a dime on.....those things are socially conscious efforts ...

I'm sure Web Norah's not a communist either. My question would be, how do you pay for all the free-bee's?? It's easy to say that the gov't should foot the bill, but one of two things would have to happen: Either our tax rates go sky-high or we slash our military to scary levels. The only reason those countries can afford those free-bie's is beause they do not have nearly the military capability or expense that we do. Many countries besides the U.S. benefit from OUR military, such as Canada to name one. By us protecting them, they can use their tax dollars for social programs. Who will ever be elected on a pro-tax, anti-military platform? Doesn't matter if its right or wrong, it just won't happen.

[Guest endymion]

I meant, why not admit he's liberal?

"liberal" is a polarizing word. That's why Bush uses it so often, he's a polarizer. Are you actually accusing Kerry of doing something wrong by avoiding a polarizing word like "liberal"?

...because if you are then I feel compelled to point out that four years ago George W Bush was telling us that he was a "compassionate conservative", why did he not just come out and admit that he's a fundamentalist Christian neo-conservative? He outright lied to get elected and then "flip-flopped" and transformed his administration into an extreme right-wing institution. Now he's polarizing us further with the "liberal" rhetoric in order to go for two.

[Guest slamminshaun]

I meant, why not admit he's liberal?

"liberal" is a polarizing word. That's why Bush uses it so often, he's a polarizer. Are you actually accusing Kerry of doing something wrong by avoiding a polarizing word like "liberal"?

...because if you are then I feel compelled to point out that four years ago George W Bush was telling us that he was a "compassionate conservative", why did he not just come out and admit that he's a fundamentalist Christian neo-conservative? He outright lied to get elected and then "flip-flopped" and transformed his administration into an extreme right-wing institution. Now he's polarizing us further with the "liberal" rhetoric in order to go for two.

Why is liberal such a polarizing word and conservative is not? They are polar opposites in definition.

[Guest web_norah]

i am far from a communist - albeit i do find certain socialist systems to be working for people....Sweden, Germany, even England embrace some form of social -driven systems, and thats not a decade late, thats called "the system working for the masses" things like free health care, schools, universities, three weeks paid vacation, etc....does believing in that make me a socialist or a communist? give me a break!

for example - that stem research issue which John Kerry discussed on Friday which G Bush wont spend a dime on.....those things are socially conscious efforts ...

I'm sure Web Norah's not a communist either. My question would be, how do you pay for all the free-bee's?? It's easy to say that the gov't should foot the bill, but one of two things would have to happen: Either our tax rates go sky-high or we slash our military to scary levels. The only reason those countries can afford those free-bie's is beause they do not have nearly the military capability or expense that we do. Many countries besides the U.S. benefit from OUR military, such as Canada to name one. By us protecting them, they can use their tax dollars for social programs. Who will ever be elected on a pro-tax, anti-military platform? Doesn't matter if its right or wrong, it just won't happen.

i rather pay extra taxes if there was a free health care system, i think the amount of money spent on military isnt necessary.

i rather pay taxes for a better education system..

you think taxes are so high here ???.....look at other countries....and those with higher tax brackets are better educated and when they are ill, they can all go to the same hospital and receive better medical treatment.

[Guest endymion]

Polarizing Terms In October 2004:

"conservative"

"liberal"

"right-wing"

"left-wing"

The country is divided. Any reference to the division is divisive. If you're trying to unite instead of divide, as Dubya claimed he would in his last campaign (the one where he was lying) then you would avoid polarizing terms. You would speak to every journalist and not just the ones from conservative publications. You would speak to open audiences and not to audiences who have signed loyalty pledges in advance.

Bush told us he was a "compassionate conservative" and that he would bring his uniter style from his Texas governor days to Washington. He was lying, he immediately did an about-face and set up an extreme right-wing neo-conservative administration. He flat-out lied. Kerry is simply avoiding a potentially touchy word.

Kerry is not trying to paint himself as the polar opposite of Bush because Kerry actually is trying to do what Bush claimed to want to do, unite people. He does not limit his appeal to tree huggers.

[Guest endymion]

Are we comparing prisons now? Cause capitalist prisons include naked humiliation, not just murder.

[Guest endymion]

So yay we have equivalency. The "COMMUNIST!!" mud-slinging is officially stupid at this point.

[Guest pod]

and the proper phrase is goddamncommunist!

[Guest slamminshaun]

I think Web Norah has a well thought-out, intelligent argument. We just have a fundamental difference of opinion. I believe in smaller, less intrusive government backed by a strong super-military. Web Norah believes in a more hands-on gov't with less military. I think the theories I support are right, she thinks the theories she supports are right. Both of us think we know what's better, but we just have very different ways of how we think it can be accomplished. Fair enough Web Norah? To answer TechJunkie, the reason Kerry avoids the liberal/conservative language is because he can't win votes on that argument. Something like 65% of the U.S. identify themselves as moderate/conservative to conservative. Only 25% identify themselves as moderate/liberal to liberal. Politically, John Kerry needs to shed the liberal costume to avoid polarizing voters away.

[bornslippy22]

it happened in Russia and in China.

and it only remains in China (world power)....what does that say about the communist utopia?

[Guest slamminshaun]

it happened in Russia and in China.

and it only remains in China (world power)....what does that say about the communist utopia?

Is China technically "communist" anymore? I read somewhere there were only four communist countries left: Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and N. Korea. If they aren't communist anymore, that would explain their recent construction bonanza.

[bornslippy22]

Is China technically "communist" anymore? I read somewhere there were only four communist countries left: Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and N. Korea. If they aren't communist anymore, that would explain their recent construction bonanza.

eh..one COULD argue that they are, like Norah tried...say they arent...so now u have those little crappy countries...with the exception of N. Korea and their nukes...those other countries arent exactly a beacon of hope for such a great theory...btw, dont even get me started on the China buying all the steel and concrete in the world...i work in export and we are hurting with pricing and delivery from imports, b/c of China....

[Guest endymion]

...what does that say about the communist utopia?

To be clear, I am not defending communism. I think it's stupid myself. Interesting idea, tried it, didn't work out at all, spent lots of time studying all about that in Russian classes in college.

But see, in order of stupidity, it goes like this, most stupid ranked higher:

McCarthyism

Communism

Socialism

[Guest web_norah]

they're all the same Tech

i threw the social conscious element (free healthcare, education, etc) and next thing you know, i am deemed as a communist.

[Guest pod]

I tried studying in some Russian classes in school but couldn't get past the Bond Girl stereotype.

McCarthyism is paranoia defined. Hell, it drove McCarthy to drinking himself to death.

Communism and Socialism sound good on paper, but due to the way people are, it just never panned out.

[bornslippy22]

...what does that say about the communist utopia?

To be clear, I am not defending communism. I think it's stupid myself. Interesting idea, tried it, didn't work out at all, spent lots of time studying all about that in Russian classes in college.

But see, in order of stupidity, it goes like this, most stupid ranked higher:

McCarthyism

Communism

Socialism

LOL...ok will agree with ya on this...

[Guest cutchemist]

i got a john kerry sticker yesterday from the UofM rally...it was a rainbow....whats up with that?

[Guest JMT]

not sure, edwards said his ticket also supports the gay marriage ban.

[Guest endymion]

You're getting close to lying, JMT. Edwards thinks that it's a states' rights issue. That means that he supports allowing some states to ban gay marriage if they like, some states to make it legal if they like, and that there should be no federal stance or constitutional ammendment. Kerry according to his own PR "was one of 14 Senators -- and the only one up for reelection in 1996 -- to oppose the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)".

[Guest JMT]

thats not how i recall him answering the moderator's direct question during the debate, when asked to clarify the issue. he said his ticket feels gays should NOT have marriage, but possibly "unions". he said his ticket "agrees" with bush"

im not justifying anything, just stating a fact.

and what kerry did in 96 doesnt mean anything today. he changes stances often.