As a service to those who remain undecided, what follows is the reasoning behind why I’m voting for John Kerry, in the hope that perhaps reading the words of an ordinary citizen might influence you toward what I believe is the only decision that's right for the long term health of our country. A vote for John Kerry is a vote for using context in decision making.
Context is what allows a judge to decide the best sentence for a teenager who stole a bicycle, instead of having a mandatory minimum because it's a "third strike".
Context enables us to realize that cutting taxes is worthless if we’re just going to have to pay it back later, with interest, because of the irresponsible fiscal policy implemented by this administration.
Context is what allows us to know that being a ruthless dictator in and of itself does not justify an overthrow first, justify later policy to remove him, while at the same time ignoring the true threat that was never fully vanquished.
Context is what allows us to have the view that while we may personally be against abortion, we can't let our opinions prevent a woman who has been raped from having the ability to stop the cycle.
Context is what allows someone to change directions to pursue a new best course of action, instead of insisting that the first course of action is the best, the only one, regardless of what reality indicates. Strangely, the only time context is used in the current administration is when they receive memos titled "Bin Laden Determined To Attack Within The United States".
Another reason to vote for John Kerry is if you believe that securing the country can be done with infringing upon civil liberties.
Vote for John Kerry if you believe the act of removing the curtain John Ashcroft had installed in the Justice Department to cover the Spirit of Justice, using our tax money, has figurative as well as literal meaning.
If you believe that a person with a different sexual preference has no effect on you, will not cause you to change your own sexual preference and will not cause you to fall in love with your pet, regardless of what Senator Santorum of Pennsylvania suggests, vote for John Kerry.
The fact that we personally may not be able to relate to having a same-sex relationships, that doesn't mean others who are in such a relationship should be denied the rights afforded to the rest of us.
Vote for John Kerry if you believe that while it's very frustrating watching the Democratic Party argue about whether it's partly cloudy or mostly sunny, that pales in comparison to having them argue with the current administration over whether the sky is blue to begin with.
One could go on, detailing the litany of issues that support the Democratic candidate. There are of course issues on which we disagree; John Kerry is not perfect.
What we need to realize and accept is that no candidate is perfect, and we will not be able to agree with any candidate on all the issues, beyond any shadow of a doubt. That should not be the goal; ultimately, the goal is not a perfect candidate but a more perfect Union.
On November 2nd I will go to the booth with these thoughts in my head and my heart, I will fill out my ballot taking all of this into account, and come to the conclusion that the decision before me is not a difficult one; in fact, it's not even close.
Vote John Kerry.