Skirting The Issues 7.28.04
By Melissa Garcia
It is not yet even the weekend and already Democrats are having the best week ever. After all, this week’s Democratic National Convention is setting the stage for this fall’s campaign, and currently all eyes are on the Democratic party. In the spirit of our new presidential candidate, the spotlight goes to Senator John F. Kerry – politician extraordinaire.
Kerry’s approval and support seem to be on an electoral roller coaster. One month ago, Kerry was considerably ahead in the polls when it came to taxes and terrorism, but now he is already down 6 points when it comes to taxes and 8 points on the subject of terrorism. One week he is ahead and then next week he is right back to where he started. Perhaps this seesaw of opinion is a reflection of the candidate, his simply crowd-pleasing campaign, his straddling stances on important election issues, his flip-flop voting acrobatics, and his inconsistent beliefs and lack of conviction.
It is hard not to acknowledge Kerry's methods as "lost" and "wishy-washy," terms that both Democratic and Republican critics have given the candidate during his campaign. To call Kerry ideologically and politically consistent is to praise Bush as an eloquent speaker. The flaws are painfully obvious. However, the mispronunciations and stutterings of Bush are merely laughable, whereas Kerry's indecisiveness and "doublespeak" should remain a cause for concern. "I'm on the east side! I'm on the west side! I'm on the right! I'm on the left! Look…now everybody's happy!"
Not so.
I admit, Bush has a few ideas I don’t agree with, but at least he takes a stance, and, more importantly, sticks to it . The list of Kerry’s “flip-flops” is long… in fact…too long., and it is all on record, baby!
The War on Terror
John Kerry: “I know how to make America safe and fight a war on terror that does not overextend our troops, that does not put America at greater risk. And we need a nominee about whom there are no questions on the subject of national security.”
Well, I have a question… How are you going to do that? That is a question that might require specifics instead of a vague declaration of intentions.
Gay marriage amendment
When it comes to same-sex marriages, Kerry says that he favors “same-sex unions” like those in Vermont but is against “gay marriages” and believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman and left up to the state’s discretion. Yet, he voted against Clinton’s “Defense of Marriage Act” which gives states the option not to accept same-sex marriages from other states. Hmmm… sounds like someone does not even know what they believe and just thinks the matters should be left to someone else to handle. Heaven forbid a liberal offend the gays.
Death penalty for terrorists
Whoa… wait a minute. Kerry says he is opposed to the death penalty, but he makes an exception for terrorists. Otherwise, he feels the penalty is given unfairly. What is the difference between a terrorist and a man who chooses to murder his innocent wife and five children in their sleep. That one is totally obvious. Do not play to the patriots – play to the victims. At least he has made his view on justice clear.
Here is a brief list of other issues on which Kerry has said one thing and done another, done one thing and said another, done something while believing something else, or believed something while doing something else:
- Affirmative action
- Welfare Reforms
- Tax cuts
- Missile Defense
- NAFTA
- Health Coverage
- Ethanol
- Small business income taxes
- Marriage penalty for middle class
- Trade with China
- The Iraq War
- Funding for troops in Iraq
- The First Gulf War
Believe it or not – this list could be longer. However, what all of these issues have in common is their relevance to the 2004 campaign and election. At least half of these topics are extremely important in defining our next president. Is it possible to feel security when backing a candidate who does not have a firm stance on very timely, crucial subjects?
Either way, there is no explanation that can make Kerry’s inconsistent speech, beliefs, and voting excusable. Kerry tends to change his mind frequently depending on just whom he needs to appeal to and when. Clearly, a man who abandons his cause and conviction to appeal to others and gain power is not to be trusted. Even if he just happens to change his mind (Ha!), who wants someone indecisive to run the country and represent the people of America?
So, Mr. Kerry, the spotlight is on you. You had better make up your mind soon.
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