Let's get Bush out of office!

I have always felt this way, but no more so when I read My Life by Bill Clinton. In it we are reminded that in spite of his stupid moral lapse with Monica Lewinksy (who, by the way, must really be naive to still be under the delusion that he was interested in more than dallying), is a brilliant man who wanted to improve life for all Americans. And was pretty successful in spite of having to battle the conservative right and the Republicans for the entire eight years of office. In spite of that, he had enough support in Congress to institute positive change, including cutting spending, creating a balanced budget, instituting the Family Medical Leave Act, implementing the first real welfare reform in years, passing the Brady Bill providing for sensible restrictions on the sale of firearms, and more. Take a look at President George W. Bush's vision for the country, and you will see almost everything the roll back the clock to the days of President Reagan.
 
I remember the days of President Reagan. When his heralded tax cut went into effect, I received a check for $68 in the mail. The following year, my tax return increased by about $50. At the time, one of my bi-monthly paychecks went to rent for a modest one-bedroom apartment, the other check left to provide food and other expenses I had, such as transportation to and from work, clothing, and about $80 in discretionary income. I did see my state income taxes rise as the state was given more unfunded mandates by the federal government.
 
Is that what we want for our next four years? No! Bush's administration's policies are devastating to the environment, to the economy, and to the welfare of the American people. Our constitutional rights are being systematically eroded as he allows himself to fall prey to the paranoia of a fundamentalist extreme group. (Sound familiar?)
 
As a Christian, I am appalled at the justification for war and other actions using the same Bible in which I read Jesus teaching of humility, love and peace. Jesus' last commandment was not, "Fight for the rights of the downtrodden" but "Love one another." At least in my learning, I have been taught, scripturally, that we should make our lives our witness to Christ. How hypocritical is Cheney to claim to be a Christian and then stand before the entire Senate and swear at a member of the Senate, both offending the average person and showing utter disregard for the rules and civility of the U.S. Senate.
 
Like it or not, our founding fathers were adamant about keeping the influence of any religious body from the action of the government. This is so elementary that I am still reeling from the reality of a government that is currently trying to impose a specific interpretation of religious values on the majority of the country.
 
Jimmy Carter and Bush's hero, Ronald Reagan, both lived their faith instead of preaching it. It was their moral compass in their decision making, but they did not try to impress their personal interpretation of faith onto the government.
 
John Kerry is much like that. He is a man of deep faith, but he doesn't feel he needs to focus on that. Instead, he wants to focus on what he can do within the authority of the constitution to ensure that the United States continues as a free and independent nation.
 
I am deeply committed to electing John Kerry. We cannot fall victim to equating our politicians with professional performers who use their personal charisma and charm to persuade us to use their product -- whether it's the evening news on television, a television show ("reality" or fiction), or a film.
 
We should crave substance, someone who, like Bill Clinton, is willing to figuratively roll up his sleeves and dip into the mire. Kerry has always fought for what he believes. Obviously a lot of people believe he can do that -- look at how people turned out in the Democratic caucuses and primaries specifically to ensure his nomination.
 
I am sure that President Bush sincerely thinks he is doing the right thing, and there is no question that he understands politics and is a smart politician. However, the chief executive cannot only be a smart politician. He or she also has to be an effective foreign policy leader, an economic and social leader, and committed to the American way of freedom and justice.
 
President Bush is a maverick. That may work well in Texas, a unique state that takes pride in its singular state (after all, it's the only state that tried to secede on its own), but that does not make it right for a country of fifty diverse states.
 
I prefer a man out of the tradition of one of the original colonies -- especially Massachussetts which has produced great leaders since the Adamses, a state whose constitution is the oldest and still working, in the U.S., which was a model for the U.S. Constitution. The people of Massachussetts take their citizenship and responsibility very seriously, and do not elect idiots to office. Neither should the people of the United States.