To: KLP who wrote (1554 ) 1/2/2003 5:28:08 PM From: American Spirit Respond to I supported Bush after 9-11 because we were all united. That gradually faded as he used his new power and fear of terrorism to try and thrust through odious ideas like drilling in ANWAR. Attack the environment in the name of national security? That's when he lost me. Then last August when he used the Iraq War to drown out all other issues including the worst economy and greatest political-corporate scandals of our time, held a phony economic summit with no dissenters allowed and went on a non-stop fundraising tour to beat and drown out Democrats. Even attacking some war heros like Max Cleland for not being patriotic enough. That's when Bush declared war. And yes, politics is war. When I hear Rush Limbaugh accusing Democrats of using foreign affairs, war and national security as a political issue it makes me want to laugh and gag at the same time. Talk about the stove calling the kettle black. We have reached the point where Bush needs to be stood up to and held accountable by all those people who believe in preserving a healthy honest democracy, serious debate and real no-spin zones. That includes anyone who isn't a dittohead. The battle for and about the middle. The name-calling of the right is so loud and non-stop it's created a vicious and divisive insult contest. What they did to the Clintons and then Gore was heinous. Bush hasn't had to put up with any of that and would cry foul if anyone tried. Both sides want power, but the right-wingers started the character assasination business and have raised it to an ugly art-form. Character assasination and liberal-baiting with all the innuendos instead of mutual respect, honest, intelligent debate. I respect honest conservatives and am conservative on some issues myself, but I think this country is largely on the wrong track, foreign affairs included, and that the special interests, top-secret interests, right-wing religiosos and loud-mouthed one-sided partisans have taken over. So to be heard amidst the buzz and spin you have to speak up loudly and forcefully. I love serious debates with Bushies. I go after them everywhere I can. But 9-11 gave Bush the biggest bully pulpit since Roosevelt and he's been misusing the trust of the American people ever since for more and more selfish purposes. And his legion of spin-doctors have been attacking the patriotism of anyone who complains during the takeover process. Well 9-11 and Nov. 5th is over with now. We move on. So to me 2004 has GOT to be where this overly-political right-wing blitzkrieg gets stopped. And it's not just about parties. I'd love to see Kerry-McCain smash the two-party tradition to bits in 2004 by running together. I applauded when Clinton appointed Republicans to top positions. Why not? I'm a true believer, free thinker and no tool of the DNC or anyone. I'm not on their mailing list and never will be. There's not a dime in this for me either. In fact I would benefit from some of the Bush tax cuts but dont want them. And foreign affairs has become a big-time #1 political tool of the Bushies, and so foreign affairs is included in the political debate, no one side more patriotic than the other I might add. So may the most honest, visionary, courageous, intelligent, morally sound and least corrupt candidate win in 2004. I'll rfight for that gladly. And the battle has begun. Even though Bush lied today and told reporters he didn't pay attention to it. Yeah right. Everything Bush does it about either getting re-elected or helping his special interest cronies. He's been running for re-election for a long time now.
