MDFrench
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To the fine men and women of GoldenEra,
The current climate of politics in this country is at a fever pitch like never before. It is virtually half of America against the other half if you believe the polls. The Kerry supporters are bashing Bush and the Bush loyals are trashing Kerry. War records are in dispute and both are being fed to the media like sacrificial lambs.
As MK can personally attest, I am a fairly conservative guy with moral views on life and politics. However, I am also a man of reason and become quite disturbed when America starts to split into two mobs.
Here at GoldenEra, naturally, our political views tend to lean in the conservative direction, but I would like to add something to the continuing (and healthy) political discussions here on this forum.
Let us keep in mind that political parties are just that, parties run by politicians. Both have one thing on their agendas - to win. Yes, the Bush administration is trying to run the country, but it is his campaign team that is working overtime to ensure his re-election just as the Kerry camp is trying to claim victory. In these moments, politicians and parties throughout history have gotten down and dirty, regardless of their high-minded ideals in the face of the public.
I try and keep this in mind when I hear the two sides bashing each other's candidate. First, about Bush:
He is a moral man who has overcome demons in his life, including a drinking problem and an inability to remain employed in his youth. He was a wild one - and those men when (and if) they settle down, often become good leaders. He was blindsided shortly into his Presidency by 9/11 and has been in a situation no President has had to confront. Yes, he has made good decisions, but he has also made mistakes and like all men will continue to do so - it is the nature of humanity. There were only two perfect men in existence - Jesus and Soupy Sales. (For those of you who haven't grasped it yet, the Soupy Sales mention is me kidding around).
Ultimately, it will be history that judges a Presidency like Bush's, just as it was history that ultimately judged Lincoln's. Right now, we are too far in the thick of it to get a clear picture. Again, like all men, Bush is not perfect but I feel he is doing what he thinks is just and best for this country from his point of view.
On to Kerry:
Kerry has been tortured by the right and in the media and sometimes here at Goldenera. I respect all opinions, so i would like to share mine. Kerry is doing what he is supposed to do, take on the responsibilities as the nominee of his party and try to win the election. People have argued that Kerry flip-flops on issues. Well, everyone changes their mind and while it is unfortunate that Kerry cannot solidify his agenda, that does not make him a demon. God himself changed his mind on many of his cosmic policies between the Old Testament and the New Testament. I mean, when Jesus came down, he basically said, "Hey, God isn't so vengeful anymore and he loves everyone - please let him into your lives."
I'm not saying Kerry is God. I am saying that if God can change his mind, I don't think Kerry should be roasted for rethinking his ideas. I can't speak to Kerry as a person, but he, like Bush, is trying to do what he feels is best for this country. And really, we can't speak about Bush as a person either until we're next door neighbors with him for a few years. In short, I don't hate Kerry anymore than I love or hate Bush. Do I agree with everything Kerry wants? No. But then again, I don't agree with everything Bush wants either. (e.g. logging along the Appalachian Trail)
As far as military records are concerned - remember this. There is nothing so infuriating as a draft dodger, and neither Kerry nor Bush can be described as one of those. Both of these men undenibly served their country in the military in a time of war. Neither ran to Canada. All this crap about who did exactly what while in the military is bogus. The fact is, these men stayed and took up responsibilities to defend this country. That makes BOTH of them heroes in my book.
I seem to remember a President a few years back who was a draft dodger - we rightly hated him for that, so let's not catch ourselves just trying to find something to hate about a man because of his party affiliation. Kerry served. Bush served. Details are irrelevant. Don't get caught up in this petty game.
In closing, and thank you for reading this, I do not demonize a man for his party affiliation, nor do I ignore the fact that both parties in recent years have lowered themselves to flame a man's character during an election year. I'd rather hear men talk about their solutions for our country, not another guy's specific military record or high school report card. It's immature and it cheapens our political efficiency.
There were great men in both parties - upstanding and outstanding Presidents who truly wanted the best for our country - Teddy, FDR, Truman, Ike, JFK, Reagan, and Jimmy Carter. Say what you want about Jimmy, but like Reagan, he was a moral man who never cheated on his wife or family, always told the truth, and like W. Bush, stuck to his guns in the face of immense unpopularity (e.g. - the oil embargo, which in light of current events, seems to have been a prophetic move, don't you think?)
I know who I'm voting for, but I have no hatred for the other candidate. For me, it's about what I believe and voting for that, not hating what someone else feels politically and voting to ruin him.
Sincerest regards,
Mike
The current climate of politics in this country is at a fever pitch like never before. It is virtually half of America against the other half if you believe the polls. The Kerry supporters are bashing Bush and the Bush loyals are trashing Kerry. War records are in dispute and both are being fed to the media like sacrificial lambs.
As MK can personally attest, I am a fairly conservative guy with moral views on life and politics. However, I am also a man of reason and become quite disturbed when America starts to split into two mobs.
Here at GoldenEra, naturally, our political views tend to lean in the conservative direction, but I would like to add something to the continuing (and healthy) political discussions here on this forum.
Let us keep in mind that political parties are just that, parties run by politicians. Both have one thing on their agendas - to win. Yes, the Bush administration is trying to run the country, but it is his campaign team that is working overtime to ensure his re-election just as the Kerry camp is trying to claim victory. In these moments, politicians and parties throughout history have gotten down and dirty, regardless of their high-minded ideals in the face of the public.
I try and keep this in mind when I hear the two sides bashing each other's candidate. First, about Bush:
He is a moral man who has overcome demons in his life, including a drinking problem and an inability to remain employed in his youth. He was a wild one - and those men when (and if) they settle down, often become good leaders. He was blindsided shortly into his Presidency by 9/11 and has been in a situation no President has had to confront. Yes, he has made good decisions, but he has also made mistakes and like all men will continue to do so - it is the nature of humanity. There were only two perfect men in existence - Jesus and Soupy Sales. (For those of you who haven't grasped it yet, the Soupy Sales mention is me kidding around).
Ultimately, it will be history that judges a Presidency like Bush's, just as it was history that ultimately judged Lincoln's. Right now, we are too far in the thick of it to get a clear picture. Again, like all men, Bush is not perfect but I feel he is doing what he thinks is just and best for this country from his point of view.
On to Kerry:
Kerry has been tortured by the right and in the media and sometimes here at Goldenera. I respect all opinions, so i would like to share mine. Kerry is doing what he is supposed to do, take on the responsibilities as the nominee of his party and try to win the election. People have argued that Kerry flip-flops on issues. Well, everyone changes their mind and while it is unfortunate that Kerry cannot solidify his agenda, that does not make him a demon. God himself changed his mind on many of his cosmic policies between the Old Testament and the New Testament. I mean, when Jesus came down, he basically said, "Hey, God isn't so vengeful anymore and he loves everyone - please let him into your lives."
I'm not saying Kerry is God. I am saying that if God can change his mind, I don't think Kerry should be roasted for rethinking his ideas. I can't speak to Kerry as a person, but he, like Bush, is trying to do what he feels is best for this country. And really, we can't speak about Bush as a person either until we're next door neighbors with him for a few years. In short, I don't hate Kerry anymore than I love or hate Bush. Do I agree with everything Kerry wants? No. But then again, I don't agree with everything Bush wants either. (e.g. logging along the Appalachian Trail)
As far as military records are concerned - remember this. There is nothing so infuriating as a draft dodger, and neither Kerry nor Bush can be described as one of those. Both of these men undenibly served their country in the military in a time of war. Neither ran to Canada. All this crap about who did exactly what while in the military is bogus. The fact is, these men stayed and took up responsibilities to defend this country. That makes BOTH of them heroes in my book.
I seem to remember a President a few years back who was a draft dodger - we rightly hated him for that, so let's not catch ourselves just trying to find something to hate about a man because of his party affiliation. Kerry served. Bush served. Details are irrelevant. Don't get caught up in this petty game.
In closing, and thank you for reading this, I do not demonize a man for his party affiliation, nor do I ignore the fact that both parties in recent years have lowered themselves to flame a man's character during an election year. I'd rather hear men talk about their solutions for our country, not another guy's specific military record or high school report card. It's immature and it cheapens our political efficiency.
There were great men in both parties - upstanding and outstanding Presidents who truly wanted the best for our country - Teddy, FDR, Truman, Ike, JFK, Reagan, and Jimmy Carter. Say what you want about Jimmy, but like Reagan, he was a moral man who never cheated on his wife or family, always told the truth, and like W. Bush, stuck to his guns in the face of immense unpopularity (e.g. - the oil embargo, which in light of current events, seems to have been a prophetic move, don't you think?)
I know who I'm voting for, but I have no hatred for the other candidate. For me, it's about what I believe and voting for that, not hating what someone else feels politically and voting to ruin him.
Sincerest regards,
Mike
