But I don't really like Bush either...
I couldn't vote for John Kerry, but that doesn't mean I like G W Bush much better. For me, this was an election where I once again had to choose the lesser of two evils. I went with the devil I know in the end.
Following are some stray thoughts on the election and the next four years. Take them for what you will.
John Kerry was a weak candidate - a poor choice by the DNC. Kerry made the mistake of using military service as a rally point and it backfired on him (especially after the C-BS fiasco with the letters). Nobody gave a rats ass about what happened in Vietnam until he made it a focal point - it was a different time and a different war. All he managed to do was stir up the old feelings that he betrayed his comrades in arms with his acusations and testimony. Even Jane Fonda eventually apologized for her actions after a fashion. Kerry never did.
All of the sound bites from the DNC were attack ads. The web sites that supported Kerry in a big way (moveon.org, etc.) were full of hate filled diatribes. The only place I've heard more hatred was listening to a Catholic Deacon talking about homosexual marriage. The only thing I ask from a political campaign is that they run on facts, with a minimum of spin, and in a positive way. Name calling, mud sliinging and scare tactics are not the way to win my support.
The only bright spots of Kerry's campaign were the debates (which I think he won - rather decisively on the first one).
The entire Kerry campaign was reactive instead of proactive. Kerry fell for every trap that was set and when he got in a hole he seemed bound and determined to dig deeper. If he had run on his Senate record and concentrated on showing what he had done for the country, then built upon that with the message of what he would do (more than the endless "I've got a plan" BS) he might have actually swept the election. He didn't. The DNC didn't. It was like Kerry didn't have a record in the Senate. I'm not saying I like his record, but it was like he never even acknowledged that he had one!
There are so many things his campaign did wrong that it's no wonder he lost. Nobody should be surprised and the DNC needs to take a good hard look at themselves if they ever want to have another shot at the oval office. Their only other option is to wait for the GOP president to screw up so badly the country doesn't have any other choice than to replace him.
As for the next four years Bush really needs to make some changes.
I would hope that Ashcroft gets the boot (the blind loyalty shown in his direction is sickening). I really and truly fear for the freedoms that Americans have always held dear with Ashcroft in office. We really need somebody in that office that will enforce the laws of the land, that respects the constitution and respects the rights of individuals. We don't need somebody that is "profiteering" off of terrorism the way Ashcroft has. Finally, the person to replace Ashcroft shouldn't think the letters ACLU together form a 4-letter word, but if he/she respects the constitution that won't be a problem.
We have an obligation as a nation to do the right thing in Iraq and Afghanistan - we can't afford another Somalia (a la Clinton) or Vietnam. I believe GWB will follow through there - it is going to be the legacy of his presidency. Look for major military action as soon as the elections in Iraq are completed. When that is done, I see the UN taking a larger role (since all the dirty work will be done for them and at least be tacitly backed by the UN). There is hope that Iraq will be a memory by the time the next presidential election comes around. A small hope, but hope none-the-less.
I think GWB also needs to move more toward the middle of the road. If he truly wants to heal the divide that currently exists in the US he needs to be more moderate. GWB needs to stop trying to legislate his religion. I'm glad that Jesus works for him but he needs to show me some respect and quit trying to ram it down my throat. The truly great presidents are able to put aside their own beliefs for the good of the country just as FDR did when it came to desegregation. If GWB can unite the US the rest of the world will come along with no extra effort.
I really want to see the tax code reworked and GWB has said that it will happen. Give me a flat tax. Give me a national sales tax. Give me just about anything other than what I've got now. I'm tired of paying for the rest of country and funding welfare programs that I don't see working. I'm tired of having a tax code that defies all logic. I've got a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I'm not a dummy. But I can't figure my own taxes without costing myself even more money in the end. As long as the new tax code is fair and EVERYBODY is treated the same I'll shut-up and happily pay my share.
The last 2 things I think GWB needs to seriously address are healthcare and education. Medical costs are outrageous as are the costs for medical insurance. I wish I knew how to fix the problems. GWB needs to find a way that doesn't include socialized medicine. As for education, the "No Child Left Behind" act is a noble goal but in reality it will create more problems in many urban areas. It took a long time to create the current education problems, it will take time to right them too and the act is entirely too agressive in that regard. Forget the idea of school vouchers as well. Taking more money away from public education won't help fix the problems.
Your milage may vary, thanks for reading.