I've been waffling back and forth about whether to vote Democratic or Libertarian. (Obviously, either would be a protest vote.) The Libertarian vote definitely singes the Republicans, and a shift to the Dem vote isn't as clear a signal, and may just go unnoticed. I'd like to leave it at a protest vote, without actually "endorsing" one of the candidates, but the Rove political machine is so well-fueled, so rapacious, and so serious a threat to our liberty that I could be convinced to vote for the Dem. I'm afraid that the rural vote in Maryland (my state of residence) will be so overwhelmingly for Bush that the same effect that happened recently in Annapolis could show up in the Presidential race. It's a long shot that Maryland won't go for Kerry, but it could happen. That concern would make me not only want to vote against Bush in some way, but to grudgingly vote for Kerry, a man who I find to be ill-informed, arrogant, wrong-on-almost-everything, and an all-around crusty, lifeless career pol.
That said, I present below my Top 10 Reasons to Vote Against Bush in '04:
10. Campaign finance reform. The president admitted the bill was unconstitutional, then whipped out his pen, not to veto it, but to sign it. High principle, indeed.
9. The Medicare bill. The Republican legislature rolls over continually for this president, even when it involves huge transfers of wealth from poor people to wealthy people. My generation thanks you, Mr. President.
8. Rumors of support for the Federal Marriage Amendment. This Amendment is so outrageous, such a denigration of the Constitution, such an affront to Federalism, that it might just signify a whole scale philosophical shift of the GOP. F' em.
7. "Let's see you go to MARS, Osama!"
6. Thumbing anti-statists in the eye by vastly increasing the funding levels for the (again, patently unconstitutional) National Endowment for the Arts.
5. Muddying the debate over pension reform by allowing it to be characterized as a proposal "to increase the debt by $1 trillion." If this is the best he can do, I'm out. Actually, I'm already out.
4. Not devoting enough resources to catching this nation's enemy #1, Osama bin Laden. This could have been done, contrary to what the neocons will tell you, were it not for the fact that the pres decided to invade Iraq.
3. Wasting Trade Promotion Authority. The president presided over a slew of protectionist measures (steel, softwood lumber, panties) to ensure that he would have TPA to wield in defense of free trade. What have we got to show for it? Bilateral agreements with Chile and Singapore.
2. No Hillary in '08. This is the most cynical political reason I could come up with. This was also how I grudgingly pulled for Howard Dean to get the nod so I could vote that way. If a less evil Dem is elected in '04, the chances of Hillary assuming power in '08 are much less. Also, Radley's pointed out that the Republicans just might grow their balls back with a Dem president and start talking about shrinking the size of government again.
And reason #1 to vote against Bush in '04 (should be no surprise)....
1. The Bush doctrine.
Bush Rocks!!!
Kerry Sucks!!!
Kerry is a loser. vote for Bush.
Posted by: Nicholas Smith | September 30, 2004 at 10:53 AM
bush looks like a monkey and betyrays are country as one too.
Posted by: jonathon | October 12, 2004 at 12:35 PM
bush sucks my boyfriends dead because of him
Posted by: asia | October 17, 2004 at 05:11 PM
do not vote for bush he is against peoples own rights and belifs and feelings that is what makes americca grerat we are not all the sam enad even if he does band gay marigesb there are still goning to be gay people.. yeah im not for abortion but i believe that their are reasons for people to have them!!!!! VOTE KERRY NOT SON OF A BUSH!@#$%^&*
Posted by: ssara beth middleton | October 19, 2004 at 10:38 AM
Well first off, I think you are a complete dumbass for putting what you did on this website. I'm not even going to go into how many mistakes you made about Bush.
Get your facts straight.
Vote Bush 04'
Fuck Kerry.. hes just talk...
Posted by: Kelli | October 26, 2004 at 10:24 PM
I don't care what you people talk about Bush. He is my hero and I will vote for him. Forget about Kerry, he is just talking. My people hate him. traitor!!!!!!!
Posted by: May | October 28, 2004 at 12:15 PM
Its really great how everyone is expressing them selves through this election!! i truly believe that we should all be able to express our reasons to vote for Bush or Kerry but i dont believe you have to do it in such a manner of disrespect to the other of whom you choose not to vote for. But other than that it doesnt matter who you choose to vote for just as long as you GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!!!!
Posted by: sabrina | November 01, 2004 at 06:15 PM
HOW weird my name is also justin logan ...and i believe that its a fucking joke when we have a president who cant even says nook yah lure...and cant even find any nook ya lure weapons...hes like the all of the worst american stereotypes wrapped up into one monkey looking retard. I mean cmon..he wears a fuckin cowboy hat..how redneck is that..
Posted by: Justin Logan | January 08, 2005 at 01:10 AM