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Why I'm Voting for John Kerry
The Wall Street Journal ^ | July 20, 2004 | FELIX ROHATYN

Posted on 07/20/2004 5:50:12 AM PDT by presidio9

Edited on 07/20/2004 7:22:21 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]

As a first-generation American I care passionately for this country and I fear for its future. And as an active Democrat, I support the Kerry-Edwards ticket for two fundamental reasons: First, I believe that their view of America and of our domestic economic and social priorities will improve the prospects of a better future for all Americans; and second, I believe that their view of America's position in the world and its relationship to our allies will make us safer in today's dangerous global environment.

The Bush administration came into office with a wealth of experience and a radical view of our domestic as well as of our foreign policy. Their domestic economic policies consisted of large transfers of wealth to upper-income Americans through tax cuts, of large deficits, a cheap dollar and high levels of debt. Significant increases in defense, a recession and the war in Iraq added hundreds of billions of dollars to the deficit. Internationally, the administration took an equally radical approach, jeopardizing 50 years of American leadership on a whole range of international institutions and agreements.

The initial reaction of the Bush administration to the events of 9/11 was thoroughly effective and professional. It assembled a broad international coalition, under a U.N. resolution, and won a quick military victory in Afghanistan. And then it was diverted to Iraq, ignoring the objections of key allies and the U.N. and ending up in the morass we see today.

Four years into its term, both the domestic and foreign policies of the Bush administration have, in many respects, failed. Our budget, currency, debt and trade balance, have all deteriorated dramatically; our deficits and sagging dollar have raised the potential of an eventual financial crisis. What is more, I believe that Americans are less safe -- despite the capture of Saddam Hussein -- and less well off, despite the rise in the stock market.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: yawn
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Mr. Rohatyn is an investment banker and former(Clinton-appointed) U.S. ambassador to France.

The Wall Street Journal is widely regarded to have a strong conservative biase in its editorial policy...

1 posted on 07/20/2004 5:50:12 AM PDT by presidio9
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To: presidio9

Wow, a lifelong Democrat is going to vote for a Democrat. Shocking.


2 posted on 07/20/2004 5:53:16 AM PDT by Numbers Guy
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To: Numbers Guy
A life-long Democrat with ties to France. It is truely shocking.
3 posted on 07/20/2004 5:54:55 AM PDT by ladtx ( "Remember your regiment and follow your officers." Captain Charles May, 2d Dragoons, 9 May 1846)
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To: presidio9
This is what it's all about: A Kerry administration, I believe, would get a more positive reaction from Europe's leaders than is the case now...

In other words, its more about satisfying the Europeans than about satisfying the Americans.

4 posted on 07/20/2004 5:55:13 AM PDT by Brilliant
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To: presidio9

"Quagmire" bump.


5 posted on 07/20/2004 5:56:28 AM PDT by Rebelbase (To democrats the truth is personal.)
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To: presidio9
I did not read the entire article but the gist seems to be that Kerry is better because he would get along with the French and Germans. Why is that important? The author does not seem to say much about Kerry winning the WOT. Is making nice with Europe more important?
6 posted on 07/20/2004 5:57:02 AM PDT by KJacob (No military in the history of the world has fought so hard and so often for the freedom of others.)
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To: presidio9
Their domestic economic policies consisted of large transfers of wealth to upper-income Americans

And this clown is an investment banker? I don't want him anywhere around my money!
7 posted on 07/20/2004 5:57:51 AM PDT by GodBlessRonaldReagan (Count Petofi will not be denied!)
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To: presidio9

Felix, the French and the Germans are not our allies. The UN is not our friend. We are not corrupt enough to fit in. Kerry will change that, or he would if he got the chance, which he won't.


8 posted on 07/20/2004 5:58:48 AM PDT by Bahbah
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To: presidio9

Well, it only took him a paragraph to go from "why I'm voting for John Kerry" to "why I hate George Bush." What I've been looking for is some Kerry supporter to tell me why he is voting for Kerry, not why he hates W. Oh well, guess I'll have to keep waiting.


9 posted on 07/20/2004 5:59:24 AM PDT by Dad was my hero
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To: presidio9
I believe that their view of America's position in the world

Another from the "Traitors for Kerry" crowd ...

10 posted on 07/20/2004 6:00:01 AM PDT by af_vet_1981
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To: presidio9
One thing this clown doesn't mention: In the two situations he uses to to show french and german support, the only reason Warsaw Pact forces weren't in Bonn or enjoying the nigthlife of Paris were the American forces protecting their worthless butts.
11 posted on 07/20/2004 6:00:31 AM PDT by sticker
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To: presidio9

I don't want to debunk the whole article (too time-consuming ...and tedious), but among other things he states that's it's too bad that France and Germany didn't go into Iraq with us. It would have been in their best interests he asserts. Then why is the U.S. the bad person in this arrangement Mr. Rohatyn? Why doesn't he just admit that he's a liberal and he'd vote for Kerry no matter what Bush did? Two terrorist regimes destroyed, a number of others cowed and submissive (Libya, Yemen), no terrorist incidents in the U.S. since 9/11, Al-Qaeda severely weakened and on the run, a booming economy, and this twerp thinks that Bush is a failure. Unbelievable.


12 posted on 07/20/2004 6:01:05 AM PDT by driftless ( For life-long happiness, learn how to play the accordion.)
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To: presidio9

Why no "Wacky Liberal for Kerry" alert?


13 posted on 07/20/2004 6:01:11 AM PDT by PhilipFreneau
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To: sticker

Not only that, but French soldiers fought for the Nazis in North Africa, and killed American soldiers.


14 posted on 07/20/2004 6:03:40 AM PDT by BSunday (YES AMERICA CAN !)
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To: newgeezer

It's pretty twisted that they are tying debt and deficit spending to Republicans now.


15 posted on 07/20/2004 6:03:51 AM PDT by biblewonk (WELL I SPEAK LOUD, AND I CARRY A BIGGER STICK...AND I USE IT TOO.)
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To: Bahbah
There's an old Tom Lehrer song about the Multi-Lateral Force (MLF) which was intended (I believe) to be a multi-national force with nuclear capability to deter the Russians. In his intro to the song, Lehrer (always very ironic) said that it made him feel very safe for us to give nuclear weapons to our new friends ... the Germans (crowd laughter) and our old friends ... the French (louder crowd laughter).

The song itself is amusing and contains a reference to why the Germans won't cause any trouble: "We taught them a lesson in 1918 -- and they've hardly bothered us since then!"

16 posted on 07/20/2004 6:04:19 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (The Fourth Estate is a Fifth Column)
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To: presidio9
This is the result of a more serious Democrat's thoughts, not one of the hate-filled crazies. Let's see if we can reply to this article with serious thoughts.

Let's cool off the comments from the comedian wannabes! We do have some pretty sharp Freepers! How can we respond to this in a convincing way?

17 posted on 07/20/2004 6:04:27 AM PDT by Sen Jack S. Fogbound
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To: presidio9
First, I believe that their view of America and of our domestic economic and social priorities will improve the prospects of a better future for all Americans;
-- How on earth is it going to help me pay for my three kids in college with Kerry/Edwards raising our taxes and bringing in Nationalized healthcare which I will have to pay another $1500 a month for. I pay for their college out of my pocket, they don't have any loans or grants.

and second, I believe that their view of America's position in the world and its relationship to our allies will make us safer in today's dangerous global environment. = 100% PURE B.S. !!!!

18 posted on 07/20/2004 6:05:05 AM PDT by buffyt (Bush Cheney Victory 2004)
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To: newgeezer

Actually when I think about it, Renaldus Maximus kicked Russia's ass by sound conservative policies yet we are suffering a real financial burden dealing with the pissant likes of Iraq. 85 billion here, 85 billion there and pretty soon you're talking abut some real money.


19 posted on 07/20/2004 6:06:07 AM PDT by biblewonk (WELL I SPEAK LOUD, AND I CARRY A BIGGER STICK...AND I USE IT TOO.)
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To: presidio9

Surprise, another bs article from a lib.


20 posted on 07/20/2004 6:06:16 AM PDT by freekitty
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