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october 31, 2004
why I'm voting for John Kerry
Why am I voting for John Kerry? I can't say it any better than Thomas Jefferson did over 225 years ago: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. - The Declaration of Independence, 1776 This administration is not governing in a manner that "we the people" can abide. By misinforming us, manipulating us with the constant threat of terror, curtailing our rights in the name of security, and eliminating our ability to criticize the government, they are destroying the right to liberty and the principle of consent that form the basis of our democratic system. It may be hard in frightening times such as these to think about changing the current administration, especially when it promises to secure our safety. But if it destroys our rights and our democracy, then we can never be safe. As Thomas Jefferson wrote, it is our right and our duty to throw off this sort of government and vote for a new Guard, who will protect our future security.
This is why I am voting for John Kerry, a man who has throughout his career fought for democracy, for our country, and for the power of the people to demand that our government redirect its policies when they become destructive of our ends. posted by alison at 10:07 am | in
just blogging 04
Comments
Thank you Alison. I am voting for him too. Posted by: Melly at October 31, 2004 10:31 AMYes--how I feel exactly. Now if only enough of us come forward to stop the madness that has taken hold of this country. Please, Kerry supporters, don't stay home on Tuesday. Posted by: Corinne at October 31, 2004 11:05 AMThank you for this post - it is always good to be reminded of these words! Let's get out there and vote!! Posted by: SeattleSteph at October 31, 2004 11:39 AMWell said, Alison (and Jefferson). I realized approximately four years ago who had studied our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and our Bill of Rights and who hadn't. I did. Apparently you did. I thought everybody did, but I guess not. Posted by: Beth at October 31, 2004 12:38 PMAmen, Sister! (Love your blog, by the way) Posted by: Monica at October 31, 2004 1:12 PMI am so with you. I am going to be biting my nails for the next few days. Posted by: Katy at October 31, 2004 2:00 PMAntoher AMEN. Thanks for the thoughtful post! Posted by: mrspilkington at October 31, 2004 3:30 PMSo very right on, thanks for the reminder. Yet one more excellent way to bring the point home to the many people who haven't figured this out yet. Posted by: Loren at October 31, 2004 4:45 PMBeautifully stated! Posted by: Shelby at October 31, 2004 5:29 PMI'm with you. I can't sleep nights lately. I'm keeping the faith. Check this out--the new Eminem video. So powerful and right on. http://mosh.eminem.com/video/ Posted by: Laurie at October 31, 2004 5:46 PM
Where did you get your t-shirt Alison? Around home or on the Web? I'd love to pick one up before Tuesday (I'm in Mass.) Rose Posted by: Rose at October 31, 2004 6:19 PMWell said! I am voting for him too. Posted by: Donna at October 31, 2004 7:30 PMWell said. May we all wake up on Wednesday morning with the feeling that change is in the air! Posted by: Theresa at October 31, 2004 9:24 PMHere's another amen and big resounding HELL YEAH! Posted by: Gina at October 31, 2004 10:54 PMI knew there was a reason why I liked reading your blog so much! Posted by: Mai at October 31, 2004 11:58 PMIt is our right and our DUTY, I agree 100%. I'll be voting on Tuesday for Kerry! All it takes is for us to actually get out and vote -- and ideally convince a co-worker, friend, neighbor, family member to do the same, someone who would normally stay home because "my one vote doesn't matter." All those "doesn't matter" votes add up quickly. Posted by: Kristi at November 1, 2004 2:20 AMCouldn't have said it better TJ and Alison!! GO KERRY!! Thank you, While Kerry isn't my first choice, Ido support him. Your blog today says so perfectly why we all should vote for Kerry. I love the boys shirts! And costumes! Kathleen Posted by: Kathleen at November 1, 2004 7:21 AMThanks everyone for the supportive words! It's so reassuring to know that there are others out there who also recognize how important this election is. Fingers crossed for tomorrow! Posted by: alison at November 1, 2004 9:58 AMI've already done the same [absentee]. We must visualize winning! oh...and a link for everyone to visit: Beautiful. You cannot argue with the constitution. I cannot vote, but am encouraging (coercing) everybody around me to make sure they do. Good luck to us! Posted by: valentina at November 1, 2004 12:25 PMWell said, Alison. Crossing fingers for Kerry. I woke up at 3 am last night all excited to vote on Tuesday. That's a first. I mean, I always vote, but have never been chomping at the bit to do so! Posted by: Leigh at November 1, 2004 4:21 PMSorry Alison But I have to be the voice of dissent here. I lived in Arlington VA in 2001 less then half a mile from the Pentagon. Literally someone planted a plane in my backyard. I am a mother and Navy wife and I don't believe that John Kerry will do what is necessary to take the fight to the terrorists. If we don't take it to them they have proven that they will bring it to us. And for that reason alone I will be voting for President Bush. But my prayer is that on Wednesday we can put this whole thing behind us and get on with life. Love your blog and I respect that you have your opinions but I just felt the need to share. Posted by: Jennifer at November 1, 2004 4:45 PMI have been lurking at your site for a few months now. I love your blog and your boys are so cute. I will also have to dissent and say I am voting for President George Bush. The thought of John Kerry running this nation scares me more than the thought of terrorists. Please take just a few minutes of your time and visit www.lgf.com (Little Green Footballs) This is a blog on politics home and abroad. Even if you do nothing else just search for the articles on John Kerry. They will be an eye-opener. Posted by: Ashley at November 1, 2004 5:10 PMAlison's mom puts in her two cents worth -- I live in New York City and observed a pretty terrible tragedy. Mr. Bush, I'm afraid, has done nothing to make me feel any safer. In fact, his unwarranted attack on a country that had nothing to do with either the New York or Washington horrors ... and his execution of that 'war' since... should be reason enough to consider a vote for someone else. And then there are all the many other reasons.... As far as John Kerry goes, this is a man I have respected since 1971 when I watched him speak for so many of us against another unwarranted war in which I lost friends. He is an intelligent, thoughtful, compassionate man who makes me proud of this country and what it could be again. He has had my vote since he first announced...
Hello Jennifer and Ashley. Thanks for your honest comments and the link too. I wouldn't want to belittle your fears in any way. The terrorists threaten us all and we are all afraid. But we cannot let this administration manipulate us with the threat of terror. Be afraid of the terrorists, but don't let the administration make you afraid of John Kerry. John Kerry fought valiantly in Vietnam and will fight terrorism (see his speech from Sept. 20 in NY here). But he would do it without the arrogance and unilateralism that administration has shown in its war agaist Iraq. This attitude has left America more hated by its enemies, despised by its former allies, and even more endangered. Strength comes from the power of many individuals all fighting for the same principles and goals. This nation is strong because it is a collection of diverse peoples and states, each contributing to the union. We need a similar union between nations to gather the strength to destroy international terrorism. When all the other democratic nations of the world stand behind us, like they did after September 11th, then we will be strong. George Bush has sacrificed this kind of strength for a mere show of brute force. John Kerry will gather real strength to fight real terrorists. I hope that after tomorrow, we can live in a safer America, safer from both foreign and domestic terror. Posted by: alison at November 1, 2004 6:42 PMThree Cheers for the Declaration of Independence I strongly support Kerry and have already taken action to voice that support. In my opinion, Kerry is the only choice that will guarantee us all the right to openly voice our opinions, even when we disagree, as we are doing here today. Suzanne Posted by: Suzanne at November 2, 2004 10:56 AMYou rock that vote, Alison! Posted by: Becky at November 2, 2004 1:43 PMAlison, you said it so much more eloquently than I. And how! You go, girl. I am literally champing at the bit to get to the polls. I promised my husband that I would wait and go to the polls with him. It's awfully tense, the waiting! Posted by: Norma at November 2, 2004 2:53 PMI strongly encourage All Americans to go out today and vote for Kerry. I am a french knitter who live 5 blocks from the white house, and do not feel safe at home with Bush for president. Thanks Alison for sharing your opinion today, and your knitting progress all the other days :) Posted by: Severine at November 2, 2004 4:07 PM |
