Views on Politics

I am not a political person. I don't know if I am a democrat or a republican, nor do I care. I don't have any bumper stickers on my car saying, "Vote or Die," "Four More Years", or "Kerry On." When November 2 rolls around, I'm still not sure which candidate will get my vote. I struggle with the fact that since I live in Texas my vote really doesn't matter. Sure, it counts. But it doesn't make a difference. Texas will go to Bush regardless of what I do. Maybe that's why I'm not political.

But at 2:00am last night when I was hypnotically clicking the Next Blog button up top, I was surprised to see so many blog entries devoted to the upcoming election. Is this what blogging is about? Have I missed some unwritten rule about blogs? I better get on the bandwagon then.

I am writing this entry not to try to convince anyone that one candidate is better than the other. Bush and Kerry both have good and bad qualities, as political figures as well individuals. If I don't learn what those good and bad qualities are, I won't know what to expect when either of them wins. It is imperative to have some idea of what is going around you.

Even so, I'm not voting because the winner of the election is important; I'm voting because I am important. Neither Bush nor Kerry will ever know what issues are priorities to me but I am a person, and my opinions matter, if to nobody but myself. The act of voting is proof of my existence.

My Top Ten Issues

1. Homeland and National Security
Bush: 2 checks
Kerry: 0 checks

It is important for me to feel safe and protected. I want this from my future husband, my friends, my family, my community, and my country. Security is a basic and core need for every person. It is a sentiment rather than a testament. I can feel secure without a 100% guarantee that I am safe. Metal detectors and visa inspections are not the solution to insecurity although they help. In order for me to feel secure in my country, I need a President who I believe will stop at nothing in order to protect me.

I don't know what Kerry specifically plans on doing to make me feel more secure. I tried looking at his web page but it didn't say anything other than he will make this country more secure. I know what Bush will do. He'll stop at nothing, even if it means taking away some of my freedoms or discriminating against certain groups. I am aware of the negative consequences of those actions but I am willing to risk that in order to satisfy this basic need that I have.

Bush on Homeland Security

Kerry on Homeland Security

2. Health Care
Bush: 1 check
Kerry: 3 checks

I haven't begun to deal with health care insurance yet since I am still a legal dependent of my parents. However, that will change in less than a year. I know that I want to be able to choose my own doctor and go to specialists if needed so that I can get the best care that I can afford. I also want cost of prescription drugs lowered, the number of uninsured children reduced, and a national health care program introduced.

Bush says that he wants to help people be able to choose their own doctor and get more adequate care. (Does this mean he is against managed health care programs? I still don't know how all of this works.)

However, Kerry wants to implement that Patient’s Bill of Rights, and is interested in a universal health care program. He wants to make sure that all Americans, especially children, are insured.

Kerry also wants to make generic drugs more available and legalize imported drugs from Canada – both of which may increase competition and lower the prices of brand-name drugs.

Kerry gets some checks here because of the universal health care program and its potential to insure more people. It is OK with me if he raises taxes to cover me at the hospital (real emergency or not).

PBS.org Healthcare Comparison

PublicAgenda.org Healthcare Comparison

3. Job Creation
Bush: 0 checks
Kerry: 4 checks

I'm about to graduate, and one of my big concerns is how quickly I can get a job with good benefits. I am completely against outsourcing of jobs. Companies are outsourcing the computer programming jobs that I want to countries like India.

I don't think it was Bush's fault that 3 million jobs were lost in the first year of his presidency. I think we can owe that to terrorism. However, Kerry is the one who is saying he will bring those jobs back and more. It doesn't matter whose fault it is; the newly elected President must fix it.

Additionally, I doubt Bush's tax cuts of 2001 will get me a job like he says they will. His Jobs and Growth Act of 2003 that provides tax incentives to companies that expand their payroll might.

I wholehearted agree with Kerry's plan to eliminate tax breaks to companies who outsource jobs and to give additional breaks to those who hire domestically.

Kerry gets four checks.

PBS.org Job Comparison

4. Science and Technology
Bush: 2 checks
Kerry: 0 checks

Although I am a computer science major, I am very cautious concerning advances in science. I think cloning and altering genes and DNA is disturbing and will ultimately have negative consequences. Researching cures for diseases and stay up-to-date with advances in technology is important but I never want to determine my baby's sex or clone my dog. "Playing God" can’t be a good idea.

Bush seems to recognize the difference between what can be done and what should be done. He has demonstrated this by proceeding with great care concerning stem-cell research.

I don't know what Kerry's guiding philosophy is on science and technology. I know that he plans on continued funding for stem-cell research. Until I know, my checks in this category goes to Bush.

Bush on Stem-Cells

Kerry on Stem-Cells

5. Social Security
Bush: 3 checks
Kerry: 1 check

I believe that when I retire, I will not be able to live or rely on social security payments. I am for privatization of social security benefits so that I can independently save for the future. I think that I would be able to save much more money if put money into a private pension plan than with the government.

Although I agree with Kerry that the government should not risk the current social security surplus by investing it. Kerry's voting record shows he is completely against privatization.

Bush says that he is for privatization so he gets three checks.

PBS.org Social Security Comparison

6. War on Terror
Bush: 4 checks
Kerry: 1 check

Unfortunately, I believe we went after the wrong enemy. Our fight should be against the extremist al-Qaida jihad, not Iraq.

Kerry says he will complete the mission in Iraq and hopefully bring in the United Nation to help us. This seems like a good idea to show our enemies that the world backs us in this war. But once again, I don't really know specifically what Kerry will do. I know what Bush will do – fight. And that's what I want against terrorism.

Also, I don't want to switch Commander-in-Chiefs in the middle of a war. That might give the enemy an opening to attack. We began this war with Bush so he should finish it. If we elect a new leader, if would be a sign of disunity, and therefore, weakness.

7. Education
Bush: 1 check
Kerry: 2 checks

Bush created the No Child Left Behind act, which attempts to ensure that every child will graduate from high school. I think it's good in theory but overall too strict, and we just don't have the money to pay for the resources needed to bring it to fruition. We need something more realistic. Some children do not have the physical capabilities, like high enough IQs, to make it through high school. The act also puts undo pressure on teachers to help students succeed when some students are just not capable of performing on higher levels.

Kerry recognizes the flaws in the No Child Left Behind act and says that he wants to help recruit more teachers in order to improve education. Since I am considering teaching, this might be beneficial to me.

I don't have an opinion on the voucher issue, which helps parents send their kids to private school. I do think there are other issues more important than vouchers. Such as, how am I going to pay back my debts for college? Will my future kids be able to pay for college? Fortunately, both Kerry and Bush have specific plans to help higher education costs.

Bush on Education

Kerry on Education

8. Gay Marriage
Bush: 2 checks
Kerry: 1 check

Oh man, gay marriage. How do I write this without offending anyone?

I am against gay marriage, and I think practicing homosexuals are sinning. I don't know if homosexuality is a choice or something you are born with but I think to practice it is wrong. However, I do believe that all gay people are God's creation and have the same inalienable rights as everyone else. It's one of those "hate the sin, love the sinner" issues.

There's a difference between being tolerant of private behavior and endorsing that behavior. I don't want my future child to have a gay elementary school teacher but I do want to be tolerant of the person.

I go back and forth about supporting same-sex civil unions. Faithful and loving partners should be able to have the same legal benefits that married couples do. But where is the line between faithful and loving partners and relationships involving incest? People once considered homosexuality to be an unacceptable behavior. Will our views on incest or bestiality change too if we allow behavior to be a factor in our rights? We can't become a society like the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah where everything is acceptable. There has to be a limit somewhere on what our society accepts, in order to protect us from the consequences of sin.

Even though I think civil unions should be allowed, I don't want to start supporting inappropriate behaviors so that's why two checks in this category go to Bush.

I think Bush's attempt to amend the Constitution to define marriage was at best silly. The definition of marriage is not one of the foundations of our country.

PBS.org Gay Marriage Comparison

9. Environment
Bush: 1 check
Kerry: 2 checks

Saving our natural resources and finding more efficient fueling methods is important to me. I hear predications all the time about when we are going to run out of oil – anytime between 2025 and 2040. At least sometime in my lifetime.

I want to see funding for research of more fuel-efficient cars, whether hybrids, electric, solar power, whatever. I'd also like to see more tax breaks for people who buy fuel-efficient cars.

I tend to side with Bush over specific environment issues such as the Artic National Wildlife Reserve and the Kyoto global warming pact to cut greenhouse gas emissions. However Kerry's environmental philosophy seems better overall. Nature ultimately is more important than our economy (except when I am the one loosing money).

I'm definitely for Kerry's "Restore America’s Waters" campaign. We need to be sure we will never run out of clean drinking water.

Bush on Environment

Kerry on Environment

10. Other
Bush: 2 checks
Kerry: 0 checks

I do think Bush unintentionally misled the country about Iraq. His advisors probably misled him. But in the back of my mind I believe the war in Iraq was about oil first, weapons of mass destruction second. Whether he lied to us directly or by omission, I don't know.

Kerry has a poor voting record. He can talk all he wants but his actions show what he truly believes and will fight for. I don't think he has as strong convictions as Bush does.

If I were President, I would lower the national drinking age in order to reduce drinking. It would cause more problems for the first few years but ultimately things would calm down. Teenagers rebel by drinking, and they think it makes them cool. If 13 year olds were allowed to drink with their parents, alcohol wouldn't be such a problem at 18. I don't think either candidate is running on that issue.

Totals
Bush: 18 checks
Kerry: 14 checks

I guess I'll be voting for Bush.