Why Kerry?

[warch]

Dean was remarkably moderate almost.....secular. I was a big Dean fan. He gave me some hope. But now it rests in Kerry.

I support the Kerry ticket because they are running on the democratic platform. They believe in the separation of church and state. (kerry still has to pander and explain his Catholism- wouldnt it be great to have an athiest candiate!) Both Johns are more moderate than me on gay marriage but at least they are against screwing with the constitution to "protect" a religious definition of holy matrimony and deny rights. I like that they would repeal the tax break for the wealthiest Americans, as I am dead-on average income American (not too far from low) and I have felt the financial hit from the defunding of important social programs in schools, my city, my healthcare, etc in my soaring property taxes. I am alarmed by the great economic divide- the two Americas speach is real to me. I like that they would repeal Bush's attacks on National park lands and encourage the development of alternative energy sources. Edwards is a trial lawyer- this does not alarm or enflame me. If my kid has her intestines sucked out at the public pool by a insecured drain pump, I want to be able to sue, to ensure the problem is fixed and to help pay for her lifelong care. Yes there are frivilous law suits, but yes there are important ones too. I believe in corporate accountability to the law and the judicial rights of an individual, even being the daughter of an insurance claims investigator.

The war: I believe Kerry would have been more cautious, diplomatic...basically he would have been smarter. I believe he would have concentrated on Afghanistan. I think Kerry is a smarter man than Bush. And I think Kerry is a more ethical man than Cheney, who seems to really be in charge. Kerry and Edwards, as the majority did, supported the war with the info presented them. I'm concerned about now. I think Kerry can do a better job with foreign policy, military operation, and rethinking the intellegency orgs than Bush.

Theres more but thats it for now. Gotta get back to work.

[lookout123]

Originally Posted by warch

...I like that they would repeal the tax break for the wealthiest Americans, as I am dead-on average income American (not too far from low) ...

a major portion of the tax bill was the reduction on dividends and capital gains. people who make minimum wage up through highest income levels benefits from that - if they are investing, which the vast majority of americans do. i will do some digging for the accurate number, but it is in the ballpark of 93% of americans curently have an equities, or mutual funds that hold equities. that means that 93% of americans benefit from one aspect of the tax reductions. the standard argument against that is that the "wealthy" get more benefit in terms of dollars. well, yeah - that only makes sense, and i don't see a problem with that. it is fair because everyone is taxed on their investments at the same percentage. unless of course you stop to remember that AMT (alternative minimum tax) still applies, which means that if you have too many deductions and make over a certain dollar figure you have to pay whichever is higher - AMT or your standard tax rate. those in the lower income brackets rarely get nailed with AMT issues - so again, how have the "wealthy" gotten one over on the rest of the country?

[warch]

so again, how have the "wealthy" gotten one over on the rest of the country?
Political influence, accountants and lawyers.

[lookout123]

Originally Posted by warch

so again, how have the "wealthy" gotten one over on the rest of the country?
Political influence, accountants and lawyers.

um, what? i mean specifically what about a tax reduction on capital gains and dividends is unfairly beneficial to the "wealthy"?