Agree with you largely - a good percentage of the world's problems throughout history and today can be traced to religious extremism, whether that is Christian, Jew or Moslem. I don't know enough about Hindu, but they seem very peaceful.
Where I would disagree is your 40% figure of Bush supporters being extreme zealots. I think support for Bush is very fluid and that the people who either will or COULD vote are looking for some dynamism and some innovation.
The emphasis on religious fundamentalist issues is turning many people, including myself, away from Bush. But, so far, I haven't heard anything from Kerry. Is he afraid to say that government will stay out of private affairs, abortion, phoney and expensive drug wars, stem cell research and religion??????? Let's hear it John!!!
So far it's basically the President - who has screwed up a bit but he's our President (not necessarily my feelings but I'm trying to take an objective view) vs. Kerry who has said very little other than to attack.
The people are not going to blame Bush or Clinton for 9/11. I'd like to see Kerry concentrate on what he would do. So far, he's silent. "Wait for the commission." Who cares? I want to hear what he would do!! I can think of ways to shake up the system. We need to get rid of the fat cats and the patronage and the inefficiency that clogs every aspect of government. |
