Real Kato Blog: Appeal to my Republican Friends

This is a last-ditch appeal to my Republican friends on why we should not elect George W. Bush on Tuesday.

I want to talk to you on your terms; on issues that matter to Republicans. I know that you disagree with Democrats on some principles and issues. But let's talk a bit about George W. Bush, who is quite possibly our worst president since Warren Harding.

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First, let's talk economics. Yes, Bush favors tax cuts. But so does John Kerry. Where they differ is that Bush does not seem to understand the concept of fiscal responsibility. We have the largest budget deficit in history, which means we are recklessly spending money and passing the bill to our children and grandchildren. The federal government is larger than it's ever been, and Bush has never vetoed any spending bills brought before his desk. This is not fiscal conservatism. Even Ronald Reagan must surely be rolling over in his grave. Bush is just giving people tax breaks for political gain, knowing that he will never have to face the future financial crisis he is creating.

Second, let's talk about social and moral issues. First of all, Bush and Kerry agree on the topic of civil unions for gay couples (Bush explicitly said he supports them, and that he supports letting states decide the issue, a couple of days ago.) So I can't see how people are making political hay over this "defense of marriage" thing. Now consider this: Bush is a former drinker and cocaine-user. Cheney told Senator Patrick Leahy to go f--- himself. Bush likes to give people the finger. The administration is dogged with evidence of corruption regarding cozy business relationships with Halliburton; yesterday the FBI announced that they were starting a formal investigation. My point is, the Bush administration cannot claim the moral high ground in this election. They are politicians and men just like others; they were not anointed by God (though they do seem to enjoy invoking God's name in vain for political purposes).

Third, let's talk about the military. Bush accuses Kerry of "denigrating the troops", but what could be worse than what Bush is doing to them? 1100 American soldiers have died in Iraq. Troops are being stretched to their limits because the military is overextended (and that's an assessment of high-ranking military officers, not just my opinion). Soldiers are being forced to serve in longer rotations, and being kept away from their families for longer periods of time than they ever imagined. Supply convoys are being sent out without adequate armed escort, putting lives in danger. And now, 380 tons of explosives have been lost in al-Qaqaa, and the Bush campaign says it's the troops' fault for not watching closely enough. The best thing we can do for our troops is clean up the mess in Iraq as quickly as possible, and get them home. That's Kerry's priority, but apparently not Bush's, because Bush seems to think things are going just fine in Iraq. And one more thing: consider this article I wrote a year ago. Then think whether Bush really supports our military, or whether he just wants to use the military to support his own politics.

One final thing: don't you want a President who's at least as smart as you are, if not smarter? I'll come right out and say it: I think George W. Bush lacks the mental capacity to be President.

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It's probably pretty clear why Democrats hate George Bush. I'm just surprised Republicans seem to like him so much. Listen, I respect the Republican party for its principles. I just can't stand the way hypocritical way Bush gives lip service to those principles, even as he undermines them for his own gain.

I doubt I'll be able to convince most of you to vote for Kerry. But maybe you could vote for the Libertarian Badnarik, or just leave the Presidential choice blank. But please don't vote for Bush. Please. It's your children's future that's at stake here.

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