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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mannie who wrote (61321)	10/18/2004 10:09:51 AM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 89467

THREE BIG REASONS TO VOTE FOR KERRY By Joe Rodriguez Columnist The Mercury News Posted on Mon, Oct. 18, 2004 mercurynews.com This campaign is nastier than it needs to be. George W. Bush and John Kerry's records on key issues aren't as different as they'd have us believe. Blame the spin doctors, partisan zealots and lobbyists for the hatred and hype. After judging the candidates on many issues, from health care to terrorism and from unemployment to tax cuts, I scored it 47 for Kerry, 3 for Bush. In football, that's a rout, but it's a bogus score in politics. For example, Bush says he's for free trade, but he signed a huge tariff on foreign steel to please folks in the Rust Belt. Kerry wants companies to stop moving jobs off-shore, but he was a solid free-trader in the Senate. Issue-by-issue scoring can take you only so far. So this liberal and unaffiliated voter -- I bet you thought I was a Democrat! -- offers three themes for judging the candidates: • Life and Death. Let's get the abortion issue out of the way: Every time religious conservatives push Bush to outlaw abortion, he side-steps the question. Kerry personally opposes abortion but supports a woman's choice. But on most other quality of life questions, Kerry offers a modestly healthier and safer vision for the country. He would expand our current health care system to include 27 million more Americans. He supports stem cell research for finding cures to crippling diseases. He would protect the forests, skies and rivers better than Bush. • World Leadership. If there's a clear line between the two, it's how Bush and Kerry see America's role in the world. Kerry sees it the old way, as leading like-minded allies into war as a last resort, or in nation-building when diplomacy fails. Bush has America going it alone, which means shooting first and asking questions later. We know what the result is in Iraq, but let's look at one of the consequences of going it alone. After Iraq and Israel, Mexico is our most important foreign relationship. So many Mexicans coming here, so many U.S. jobs going there. So much Spanish heard here, so many gringo corporations heard there. I once gave Bush points for his affinity for Mexico and desire to cut a new immigration deal. But when Mexico refused to support his invasion of Iraq, Bush demoted her to banana republic. Every partnership we have with Mexico could sour or stall. • The War. Whether based on lies or an honest attempt to bring democracy to the Middle East, Iraq is a quagmire. There is no exit without humiliation or defeat. If Kerry's hope for an international solution is a pipe dream, then Bush's democracy by force is a pipe-bomb nightmare. We aren't helping by staying. We should leave as soon as the Iraqi army can put up a fight, and hope that Arab neighbors step in to bring peace. Kerry may or may not have figured this out. Bush never will. Vote for Bush and you'll get America alone, lonely and broke. Vote for Kerry and we'll get our friends back, and help against our real enemies. ___________________________ JOE RODRIGUEZ's column appears on Tuesday and Friday in the Mercury News. He can be reached at jrodriguez@mercurynews.com.