Alphecca

Millions of $$ in Useless Ads

From the AP:

Neither President Bush nor Democrat John Kerry has gained an advantage in the presidential race, despite millions of dollars spent on advertising, though Americans are growing concerned that violence in Iraq is increasing the threat of terrorism, an Associated Press poll found.

Bush was backed by 45 percent of voters and Kerry by 44 percent in the poll conducted for the AP by Ipsos-Public Affairs. Independent candidate Ralph Nader had 6 percent support. The numbers are essentially unchanged from AP-Ipsos polls taken in early and mid-March.

There's no real policy being elaborated by Bush or Kerry. No ideas, no explanations, no passion. America deserves better. But we won't get it. Kerry is already scaling back his huge spending plans because of the daunting budget deficit. Maybe he also thinks he can't possibly compete with Bush in big government spending. But he (Kerry) has nothing to bring to the table in real initiatives. And Bush offers no explanations for what is going right or going wrong -- especially in Iraq.

I've said this before but what America really needs now is a great orator and "cheer-leader" who can rally Americans to a point of view. I really don't get any sense of optimism from either candidate. Sometimes I even wish we had a parliamentary form of government. We could use a little more excitement around here...

In the meantime, Kerry is pandering to the left and Bush is pandering to the right and no one is bothering with moderates such as myself and the vast majority of the population.

I'm in an unusual situation since my positions are all over the place. I believe in gay rights. I believe in an unadulterated Second Amendment (as well as all the other Rights too.) I find abortion repellent and wish it was only allowed during the first four months -- before a functioning nervous system has developed and the un-born child can understand it is dying.

On some issues I'm almost socialist: I do not think anyone in this country who needs medical care, or wants a college education, should be denied such for lack of funds. No one should have to worry about money when they are sick or are trying to better themselves and their future.

While not strictly religious myself, I see nothing wrong with the mention of a God in a public setting. Lots of people say lots of things I might disagree with. Part of being an adult is being able to act as your own mind's filter of content.

I also think we coddle our children far too much. If I hear someone say, "It's for the children," one more time I'll stick a fork in their mouth and shout, "Done!"

Look at the endless regulations over safety measures as well as lawsuits just -- to use one example -- over playgrounds and the games children play. Folks, children are supposed to play, and explore, and yes, get bumps and bruises too. It's part of growing up. We try to protect them from everything and they grow up to be whiny adults who can't handle the REAL bumps and bruises (mental and physical) of adulthood.

Anyway, enough of this. I wish this election were tomorrow so we could be done with it. Of course, then I might not have anything to post about here...