Re: Kerry or Bush and why?
 

Thanks, Bill.

As you can see from what Bill writes and what I write, we are somewhat opposite in our politcal affiliations. However, at the same time, we are friends. We AIM each other often and we actually care about what each other are doing. I know that sounds amazing, how a liberal and a right-winger can be friends, but it is true.

What is the old line from Oklahoma (it's a musical, for you culture-deprived people)....?

"Oh, the farmer and the cowhand can be friends, la la la..."

Andy B.

Re: Kerry or Bush and why?
 

Mr. Andy Baker That’s great to point out. I lean pretty far to the left yet I have many friends that have the exact opposite view. I think the core of politics is a lot like the core of FIRST- it all comes down to people, and I think this is important to remember.

Re: Kerry or Bush and why?
 

I have to agree with the posts of Andy Baker and MattK. I myself have many friends who are conservative, but I'm not going to leave them just because of their political affiliation. In fact, it makes it even more interesting because we will have the occasional political debate which really just adds onto the friendship.

Re: Kerry or Bush and why?
 

haa haa-- a lovely poll on this subject matter-- if i could vote and i wish i could but i can't-- but to those who are voting-- good luck with choosing u'r vote-- just make sure that u do go out and vote


enjoy!!

(hopefully this time florida will get it right now ;) wasn't my fault last time)

Re: Mr. Baker's initial comments
 

I'm going to divide this post into two pieces. First off I have to reply to Mr. Andy Baker. I can see that he is a conservative. However I think we should all question whether Bush is a conservative in the true what republicans are supposed to stand for sense, which seems to be the view Mr. Baker shares. What have republicans typically stood for? Small government, less government intervention in peoples lives, and fiscal conservativeness.

Okay 1) Small Government - Mr. Baker says that he is for small government and so he will vote for President Bush. However President Bush's administration and congress is responsible for creating the largest government bureaucracy EVER, the Homeland Security Department.

2) Less government intervention in people's lives - The patriot act. Here is a law that allows the government to look into the lives of average Americans, you or eye, in ways we never dreamed would be possible. They can wiretap my internet connection and phone, search my home (without my knowledge), and obtain a list of the library books I read. All of this mind you can be done without and judicial oversight through a http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=13246&c=206]"National Security Letter."[/url] Essentially the FBI drafts up one of these letters and away they go.

3) Fiscally Conservative - The national deficit has skyrocketed under Bush. When Clinton left office the government was projecting surpluses!! Now we are looking at the largest federal deficit in American history. Even the GAO is raising red flags. So much more fiscal conservatives.

I would suggest that the republican part has abandoned their traditional platform and morphed into something new and frankly alarming. Deficit spending is good, spying on Americans is good, and more bureaucracy is good. These doesn't sound like the type of republicans that Mr. Baker seems to be longing form.

Re: Why Kerry is the canidate of FIRST
 

Now for why I think that John Kerry is the best, most “FIRST Friendly” candidate. From the outset of his candidacy John Kerry has made his views on the importance of science and technology in driving American forward very clear. Just recently he was endorsed by 48 past winners of the Nobel Prize. Many here are interested in perusing a career in science perhaps even the medical or biotechnology fields. If George Bush stays president the few remaining stem cell lines in this country might not be of any use at all by the time you arrive on the job. John Kerry has endorsed stem cell research and recognizes it for what it is one of new frontiers of sciences which American should be at the forefront of. In addition his call for energy independence will also serve as a catalyst for hundreds of thousands of new jobs. America has a great history of engineering our way out of products and the energy crisis that we face in this country should be no different. In addition American cannot continue to be the leader in science and technology with out a work force that is also the best on the planet and John Kerry’s plans on education and getting more people to college are equally bold and aggressive. We need a president who is willing to challenge the status quo, not be content with it. I firmly believe that John Kerry is that president.

I consider myself a democrat because I find it unacceptable that we are the richest most prosperous nation in the world but still have a sub-par education system, 1000s of children who do not get the chance at college, and hundreds of thousands of people who starve in the streets at night…in the richest most powerful country on the planet this is unacceptable. We have the means and frankly the obligation to help lift people up if you are well off and prosperous that’s great and you earned it but it is wrong for you to earn it on the backs of those who are not as fortunate.

Re: Mr. Baker's initial comments
 

Justin,

You hit the nail on the head. I am not happy with Bush and the above things that you have pointed out. What ever happened to worrying about our deficit? sheesh! You forgot to mention the prescription drug bill that gives cheaper drugs to even the wealthy seasoned citizens.

The big question is "what would Gore have done?" My guess is that the economy would have been even worse, since Bush gave it a kick start with our tax credits for families (my liberal brother called it a bribe for Bush's vote - heh).

I am in a quandry about who to vote for. Most likely, I will vote for Bush, but I would like to have a new candidate. Last time I felt this way, it was 1992 and our choices were Bush, Clinton, and Perot. I voted for Perot. Heck, he got 20% in Indiana that year.

Andy B.

Re: Why Kerry is the canidate of FIRST
 

I so agree. Yesterday he spoke somewhere about the decrease of interest in Math and Science (probably including technology), how it decreases from lets say grade 4 to grade 8 between men and women, and apparently he has a strategy to spark that interest back up. Unfortunately, he didn't mention FIRST, he did mention small programs though. Anyone interested in telling him about us? I'm thinking about it. Maybe we can get an endorsement from him. :cool:

Re: Kerry or Bush and why?
 

Vote Nader. Just as long as it isn't Bush. I really liked McCain a lot and thought he could be the next great leader, but look who we got instead.

I think it's a common misconception that liberals and conservatives can't get along. Mr. Ivey is uber conservative, and I'm uber liberal. We are great friends. Also, if there is anything I said here to make you think that I can't be friends with conservatives, I'm sorry Andy. I seperate politics and friendship. I can see someone's personality and be friends with them, even if I can't see how they can support planks a, b, & c.

Re: Kerry or Bush and why?
 

In many states, it may be difficult to vote Nader. I read recently that he did not receive the Green Party's support, so will only appear on 7 states' Reform Party ballots. (Someone please correct me if I am mistaken)

Re: Kerry or Bush and why?
 

Just write him in

Re: Kerry or Bush and why?
 

Re: Kerry or Bush and why?
 

I do not see why you can not just write in the name "Ralph Nadar" or "Mickey Mouse" or "Dean Kamen" or "Steve Jobs" or "David Kelly". You can write in any name you want

Re: Kerry or Bush and why?
 

Re: Kerry or Bush and why?
 

Yes, if anyone, write in Dave Barry! That man is funny.