Gary,

I can understand your concern. I have based my decision on several things.

First and foremost: the vision thing. The Kerry campaign has its moorings
in the strong history of America meeting the threats to its existence
through focusing on the fact that future ALWAYS has the promise of a
brighter tomorrow. WE have NEVER faced down threats to our existence by
focusing on fear of what someone else wants to do to us.

Second, I look at that benchmarks Mr. Bush chose and I look at his record in
achieving them. Nothing but failure.

Third, I look at which vision is better aligned with my thinking. Mr. Bush
has consistently chosen to emphasize those things that benefit business
rather than families. Give business breaks on pollution rather than worry
about the effects on real and future human beings. Reduce the deficit on
the backs of active military by reducing "impact aid" which is the money
provided to school districts that serve military bases. Not only does this
money offset the load incurred by adding students from homes that pay no
property taxes (base housing) to those schools, he only announced it after
the deployments last year. Instead of giving families a real break on
prescription drug costs, he developed a plan that simply makes it easier for
drug companies and pharmacies to charge more. The list goes on, but you get
the idea of MY thinking.

Why Mr. Kerry? Because his vision, as very clearly laid in his speeches,
emphasizes families over business enrichment. Also, he puts his money where
his mouth is. Not only did he mortgage his own home to risk all in the Iowa
Primary, but he is proposing to raise his OWN taxes.

I understand that these may not be reason enough for some. But I happen to
think the choice is very clear. Mr. Kerry has shown he is willing to make
his own personal sacrifices. And Mr. Bush has failed by the very standards
he set for himself.

--
Regards,
Dewey Clark
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