Your Thoughts Exactly

So you're going to vote? I feel Bush supporters fall into two main camps. The rich, and the conservatives. If you’re rich, and you feel that the conservative fiscal policy of tax cuts and business tax breaks will help put a couple more dollars in your pocket, then I salute you. You’re being selfish and rational. There’s nothing wrong with being selfish; we all are… from time to time. But I ask you, if you’re rich, can’t you afford to think about who is better for civil rights, scientific research, foreign policy, education, etc.? I mean, if you’re Bill Gates, and you already give billions of dollars to charity anyway, what better way to spend it than supporting the candidate less likely to screw up the country for the next four years?

It isn’t that simple, obviously. Other issues come into play than tax cuts. Kerry is against the outsourcing of jobs to foreign countries, even though it helps keep American companies profitable, and doesn’t seem to make a large impact on the employment in the US. So Kerry takes some stands that seem to be ‘for the people’ but may have a negligible impact on society. But the issue I want to point out here is that as a businessperson, you have a lot of control over where your money goes and who you employ. As a citizen of a large nation, you have a lot LESS control over whether gay rights are squashed and trampled. You have a lot less control over abortion rights, and you have a lot less control over what goes on in the rebuilding of Iraq and who this country is going to invade next.

Which brings up another interesting point. When Bush invaded Iraq, he condemned the entire US to being either with him or against him. It was an incredibly divisive issue, one that not only divided our country, but also the world. Bush supporters accused anti-war protestors as being un-American, unpatriotic, and even worse, French. Anti-war advocates accused Bush supporters as being sheep, jingoists, and even worse, Bush supporters. But like it or not, if you’re a citizen of the US, your country has soldiers abroad, fighting against people who have not harmed you or threatened you in any way, indeed, who are fighting only for Iraq and their home country.

So, being part of the rich and successful, try and look at the big picture. Maybe Bush is indeed more capitalist. Maybe Bush will help the economy. Maybe the estate tax is your hot button issue. Maybe you think that Reaganomics still has a chance. But these are small technical issues. Gay rights, abortion rights, nuclear disarmament, and a foreign policy that takes into account OTHER nations interests—these are issues that will shape the world for years to come. If your ideology doesn’t line up with Bush, I implore you, forget about your wallet, it’ll probably stay fat and bloated anyway.

But if you’re part of the right, the conservatives, then perhaps for the very reasons I stated above, you are going to continue to vote for Bush. You think it is important to trample gay rights. You think abortion is murder. You think that the US is, and always will be, right, and that if you’re against the US, then you’re against kittens and freedom. Then vote for Bush. You’re voting your conscience, and I can’t do anything to change your opinion.

Next, if you’re voting for Bush because you think he’s decisive, because you think he can lead the nation more effectively, or because you like the cut of his jib, then I suggest you drop that attitude right now. What good is a decisive president if he makes the wrong decisions? Vote the issues. Find your hot issue, and vote with it. If you can’t think of one, here are some important ones: stem cell research, African debt relief, education, putting men in space, world peace, environment, health care reform, social security, or terrorism. If you chose terrorism, read on. If you chose something else, vote that way. If it still turns out to be Bush, then at least you’re making an informed decision.

Lastly, if you’re a swing voter who wakes up in the middle of the night, sweating about terrorists and what they could be doing to your quiet suburban town THIS VERY INSTANT… then you need to get a grip, and call a psychologist. Your fear is irrational, stupid, and unfounded. Vote with your wallet, vote with your conscience, but please, don’t vote with your idiocy.

This doesn't mean you should vote for Kerry. He has more than his share of problems. Vote Nader! Vote Libertarian! Or, don't vote at all. Protest the "lesser of two evils" system of elections, and vote only for referendums and local elections.

# posted by Stuart @ 12:49 AM