Monday, September 27, 2004
Top Dog
A quick run-down of why Kerry will make a better top dog:
Budget
BUSH: Approved record deficits in a time of recession, war, terrorism and tax cuts. Budget in surplus when Bush took office; $521 billion deficit is projected this year.
KERRY: Says he would cut deficit by half, at least, in first term, in part through repeal of Bush tax cuts for wealthier Americans.
Economy
BUSH: Would make tax cuts permanent; no job creation plan for millions of jobs lost
KERRY: Plans to create 10 million jobs in four years, offer an employer tax credit for new jobs created in manufacturing,offer tax credits to help small and midsized businesses pay for employee health care, end a tax benefit enjoyed by American companies with operations overseas.
Education
BUSH: No child left behind (an unfunded and failed mandate)
KERRY: Says too much emphasis is placed on tests for measuring student achievement; focus on teacher training and pay, after-school programs, and tax-credits for college tuition
Environment
BUSH: Will prevent forest fires by logging forests; has consistently opposed many environment protections and favors a "polluters police themselves" approach; is in favor of legal protections for makers of MTBE (a gasoline additive that has a remarkable track record for ruining drinking water supplies and causing cancer), denies global climate change.
KERRY: Will much more broadly support environmental protections, and recognizes the costs associated with dirty air and water; has the highest congressional ratings from the League of Conservation Voters.
Health care
BUSH: Number of Americans without health insurance has risen in his presidency, reaching 43.6 million in 2002, up from 41.2 million in 2001 and 39.8 million in 2000, according to Census Bureau. Cost of drug benefit and other Medicare changes now estimated at $534 billion over 10 years, up from $395 billion when changes were debated.
KERRY: Would expand existing insurance system for federal employees to private citizens through tax credits and subsidies. Tax credits for small businesses and their employees for health insurance. People aged 55-64 could buy into federal employees’ health plan at affordable price. Government would help companies and insurers pay an employee’s catastrophic medical costs if the firms would agree to hold down premiums. Federal support to expand access to state-administered health insurance for children. Require mandatory financing for veterans health care.
Iraq
BUSH: ordered an invasion of Iraq, calling the Saddam Hussein regime a threat to America's security; oversaw a swift military victory followed by a violent aftermath in which the death count for U.S. soldiers topped 1,000 in September (current death toll, as of 9/27 is 1052 US and 1187 Coalition). Current bill is $200 billion (paid for by American taxpayers). More info here:
Iraq Coalition Casualties
KERRY: Voted to give Bush authority to wage war, but said he would have used that authority completely differently, including having a post-war plan and exit strategy. Kerry recognizes the importance of good foreign relations and the ability to cooperate internationally to fight terrorism around the world.
Religion
BUSH: The president is an evangelical United Methodist who says he has been "born again," a theology that undergirds many of his basic policy positions (see his radical position on stem cell research). He says he regularly seeks guidance from God and opposes movements to remove religion from public life.
KERRY: Kerry says his decisions as president would be guided by his "obligation to all the people of our country and to the Constitution of the United States." Amen.
Finally, Kerry wins the "character" issue hands down. He volunteered to serve in Vietnam while Bush used his rich-kid ties to get out of going. After returning from Vietnam (with a Silver Star, a Bronze Star with Combat V, and three Purple Hearts), Kerry testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (at age 27); he then served as a prosecutor, lt. governor, and was elected senator, all by the age of 40. That was about the age that Bush finally gave up partying and drinking and was "born again."
Budget
BUSH: Approved record deficits in a time of recession, war, terrorism and tax cuts. Budget in surplus when Bush took office; $521 billion deficit is projected this year.
KERRY: Says he would cut deficit by half, at least, in first term, in part through repeal of Bush tax cuts for wealthier Americans.
Economy
BUSH: Would make tax cuts permanent; no job creation plan for millions of jobs lost
KERRY: Plans to create 10 million jobs in four years, offer an employer tax credit for new jobs created in manufacturing,offer tax credits to help small and midsized businesses pay for employee health care, end a tax benefit enjoyed by American companies with operations overseas.
Education
BUSH: No child left behind (an unfunded and failed mandate)
KERRY: Says too much emphasis is placed on tests for measuring student achievement; focus on teacher training and pay, after-school programs, and tax-credits for college tuition
Environment
BUSH: Will prevent forest fires by logging forests; has consistently opposed many environment protections and favors a "polluters police themselves" approach; is in favor of legal protections for makers of MTBE (a gasoline additive that has a remarkable track record for ruining drinking water supplies and causing cancer), denies global climate change.
KERRY: Will much more broadly support environmental protections, and recognizes the costs associated with dirty air and water; has the highest congressional ratings from the League of Conservation Voters.
Health care
BUSH: Number of Americans without health insurance has risen in his presidency, reaching 43.6 million in 2002, up from 41.2 million in 2001 and 39.8 million in 2000, according to Census Bureau. Cost of drug benefit and other Medicare changes now estimated at $534 billion over 10 years, up from $395 billion when changes were debated.
KERRY: Would expand existing insurance system for federal employees to private citizens through tax credits and subsidies. Tax credits for small businesses and their employees for health insurance. People aged 55-64 could buy into federal employees’ health plan at affordable price. Government would help companies and insurers pay an employee’s catastrophic medical costs if the firms would agree to hold down premiums. Federal support to expand access to state-administered health insurance for children. Require mandatory financing for veterans health care.
Iraq
BUSH: ordered an invasion of Iraq, calling the Saddam Hussein regime a threat to America's security; oversaw a swift military victory followed by a violent aftermath in which the death count for U.S. soldiers topped 1,000 in September (current death toll, as of 9/27 is 1052 US and 1187 Coalition). Current bill is $200 billion (paid for by American taxpayers). More info here:
Iraq Coalition Casualties
KERRY: Voted to give Bush authority to wage war, but said he would have used that authority completely differently, including having a post-war plan and exit strategy. Kerry recognizes the importance of good foreign relations and the ability to cooperate internationally to fight terrorism around the world.
Religion
BUSH: The president is an evangelical United Methodist who says he has been "born again," a theology that undergirds many of his basic policy positions (see his radical position on stem cell research). He says he regularly seeks guidance from God and opposes movements to remove religion from public life.
KERRY: Kerry says his decisions as president would be guided by his "obligation to all the people of our country and to the Constitution of the United States." Amen.
Finally, Kerry wins the "character" issue hands down. He volunteered to serve in Vietnam while Bush used his rich-kid ties to get out of going. After returning from Vietnam (with a Silver Star, a Bronze Star with Combat V, and three Purple Hearts), Kerry testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (at age 27); he then served as a prosecutor, lt. governor, and was elected senator, all by the age of 40. That was about the age that Bush finally gave up partying and drinking and was "born again."
