Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

One last politics story before the election . . .

Predictions on winners and losers.

Winner: George W. Bush
Loser: America and the American People (no matter who wins this is pretty much the case)

I think Bush will win, at least around where I live it feels very *Bushy*. I do not think Bush is the best man for the job or even a very good leader at all but I do think he has the momentum and its late in the race (and the Kerry campaign has made all sorts of very strange moves).

Now I also dont think Kerry is by any means perfect, I just think he has more experience and intelligence when it comes to the important matters of foreign policy and social issues (not fiscal policy, on that he is likely just as BAD as Bush, and no Bush is NOT GOOD in that department, he is horrible).

I think Kerry understands that Iraq has some issues, good or bad that we went there, thats all over now and we cant change the past, we have to deal with the present. I also think Kerry really can help rebuild standing in the world and I think thats important (I realize that many people disagree with both these points). Bush is still spouting "stay the course" and "be steadfast" and so on, and that only works when you are PERFECT to begin with. For those of us that arent perfect, people and nations, we realize that course corrections are normal and part of making things better and doing better overall. Bush refuses to acknowledge any problem ever.

I also think Kerry is more honest and open. He does have some confusing positions sometimes but they generally pertain to complicated matters and "gray areas" that are not always boolean. (And all the so called issues about his record and his flip flopping are just disingenuous nonsense, for anyone willing to LOOK INTO any one of the claims. Hes not perfect, again, but he has no more flip flops than just about any politician or person and has far FEWER than Bush himself - and I am NOT jabbing Bush for this either, I am simply stating that the pot is not far from the kettle in a mixed metaphor sort of a way ;).) Kerry doesnt have stacked campaign events requiring legal documents avowing support to attend them, Kerry responds to questions even tough ones and does not answer every unscripted moment with "no child left behind!", basically Kerry doesnt have any of the entire Rovian bullshit machine driving him.

And to clarify the Loser section, I think America does lose if Bush gets another term. The most important issues of the day will soon be coming to a Supreme court near you and in the next presidential term several justices could be appointed. The court now stands at a narrow 5-4 conservative majority and if Bush is re-elected that will tip even further. I think the "social" issues that are so important to Bush and most "conservatives" are a profound misunderstanding of freedom and equality AND THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT. I find this abject flaw in this ideology to be a GREATER FLAW than a similar one I find with "liberals" who seek not to restrict personal social behaviors but to put government in the role of caretaker in various ways (also not the correct role of government, but an entirely different and less offensive yet still offensive misunderstanding).

In the upcoming election it is my HOPE that the candidate I find better suited to the job and the time, John Kerry, will win, but I am not optimistic about that hope. Nor am I optimistic about the future regardless of which candidate wins (both have some serious issues, one just has some "seriouser" problems).