Got this mass email from a buddy of mine, a guy with whom I have never discussed politics and (before today) I would have guessed supported Bush. One email does not win you an election, but trust me, this is exactly the type of person I would have worried about in this election -- midwestern, young married father, white collar.
In short, the type of voter that everyone is trying to get. While the fact that he is voting for Kerry is only a small victory, the points he makes in this email show that many, many more Americans understand just what is at stake here.
It's long, but if you are looking for a little lift, look no further:
Let me begin this letter with the pre-requisite, "I don't normally send these but...". You may also be shocked by this letter, since it is not very funny(even though some of you will consider the content to be), and also very political. I have never considered myself a political person, but this election has me all fired up. Feel free not to read on, but I hope you do.
I'm sure much of this letter will go in vain (and unread) to this predominantly republican email group. I believe I am one of the very few of my misguided, parentally guided, income guided, job guided friends to vote democrat in this election, but I thought I'd give it a shot.
Most of you know I enjoy arguing, and most of you probably know I usually do not know much about the argument topic. So with this election, I said I will get to know the facts and these candidates. I will appreciate each party's spin, but I will not be lured by the spin. In the last election, I voted Gore, and after 9/11, felt, like most Americans, Bush was the better choice. But as I watched the aftermath unravel, and watched as we sent troops to Iraq, and heard the facts that came out, I couldn't get past the fact that we were not doing the right thing here. We were actually way off course. To date we have no Osama, and a Saddam who seems more dangerous to our servicemen captured than free.
I'm also not real pleased about our economy. I enjoy the Republican rhetoric stating that the market started to slide the last 6 months of Clinton. Bush has continued the slide for 3 years and 6 months. I don't like his "crew", and I believe we are as close to a dictatorship as we've ever been. And I'm also one who dislikes how we are perceived abroad. I believe our arrogance as a superpower to be incredibly foolish considering the changing world climate. It's pretty clear we will long be a target to terrorists, but why fight it alone. What is wrong with allies?
Lastly, and most importantly, I can't stand this guy. Is it wrong to expect and want some intelligence in the oval office? Am I strange for thinking it's weird our leader can barely speak? Should I be offended he calls Al Quaeda a "bunch of folks", or the President of Russia by his first name? Why can't I hear a speech from this guy without cringing?
I feel for you die hard Republicans. It pains me to see the muscles in your faces contort as you describe Bush's qualities. Kate does the same thing when she tells me she didn't spend much while shopping. We all saw the debates, we know, it's OK, you can say it. We all know we're not in Iraq for the right reasons, you can say it. We all know Bush is not pursuing Osama to the fullest, you can say it. We all know we will continue to be hated by the rest of the world with Bush in office, you can say it. I just want to grab all of you, like that scene in Good Will Hunting and tell you "it's not your fault", and just give you a big hug, while you cry on my shoulder.
Look, we know we don't like where we are as a country now, and while no one can be certain Kerry will do it better, we know who can't, and who won't even try. You think he was a bad president while he was trying to get people to re-elect him, imagine what he will leave us with in another 4 years.
So go on, and vote like your father always has, or vote because you think your income bracket will be protected, but if it doesn't work out the way you want it in 4 years, and he's in office, will you please consider not voting Republican again, or at least, help to put a good Republican in office. I'll take McCain over Bush(or Gore for that matter) any day of the week.
And for those of you who hate Kerry...why? What has he done, but defend his country in battle many times over, get decorated for it, then serve his country as a prosecutor and in office. Oh, and he had the guts to come back from Vietnam and protest a war he saw as wrong from the frontlines, and protest the way his fellow servicemen were treating the Vietnamese. Many servicemen may say that was wrong, and I'm sure he's still not very popular with his fellow vets for that. I don't really care. As honorable and brave it is to serve, it is as diplorable to do so in a way inconsistent with the laws of humanity. It's sounds a little too similar with the treating of political prisoners in Iraq right now. Oh, and how about intelligence...again, see the debates. Kerry can articulate his points and debate like a president should. He may not be able to express himself in the way Clinton or Reagan could, but he's much better than Bush, and most other candidates that have run since 2000. And if you don't think he looks presidential, check out a $20 bill - dead ringer.
If nothing else, than at least visit his website, check out his plans, and really see if they are going to hurt or help you. Focus on the men, and the Bush's history, see Fahrenheit 9/11, accept or don't accept the spin, but please watch it for the points it brings up, then decide for yourself how true they could be. And finally, do me this favor...vote for Kerry. I promise to never be this engaged about an election again, and I will gladly get back to the funny, or trying to be funny, Jim you all know. Thanks for your time, even though you probably never got this far.