Bush cousin voting for Kerry

I don't know if this means anything or not. I like the way this particular person articulates the problems with a Bush presidency v. his avowed Christian faith. My recent visitor said that Bush was a good Christian who cared about people and invaded countries to help people. Doubtful. In terms of policy, there is little doubt that Bush has favored the rich, the powerful and those at the top of the heap. He has, as a matter of policy, shown less concern for the poor, the environment, peace, and even civil discourse.

Now, will Kerry be dramatically better? I don't know. Some democrats actually secretly wonder if this election should be won. After all, whoever wins this November will have to address huge deficits and a horrible situation in Iraq. Be real easy for Repubs to just blame Kerry for things going badly.

I can't think that way. I think Bush is a very threat to our democratic process. In fact, I don't really think he believes in Democracy--and evidently, neither do his followers. And while there is little doubt that a Kerry win will not make us less divided as a country, it might stem some bleeding and allow us to incarcerate Tom Delay and some of the other criminals from the Right. Just kidding. Kind of.

content: "Jeanny House (Wisconsin): I'm voting for John Kerry because I'm a Christian. I know that my second cousin, George Bush, claims that he is the anointed leader of the American people and that God told him to run for office. I believe he may even believe that. I don't.

My Christian faith leads me to a concern for the poor and the marginalized, yet Bush's actions in office have repeatedly cut funding for health care, aid to failing schools, jobs programs, after school programs, Head Start, and many more services that provide real help and hope to those living in poverty. Under the Bush administration, over a million additional people have dropped below the poverty line. 1.2 million more have gone into 'deep poverty,' which is one-half the $18,810 for a family of four that defines 'poverty.'

My Christian faith leads me to a concern for the health and welfare of all of God's people, yet 45 million people in this country have no health insurance. The Bush administration, working hard to protect the interests of large, rich insurance companies, has done nothing to address the real health care crisis.

My Christian faith tells me the peacemakers are the blessed ones, yet George Bush wants to resurrect the Crusades, one of the most shameful experiences in Christian history. I fail to understand how lying to the people of the United States about any of the many justifications they have used for going to war in Iraq can be considered in any way, shape, or form a remotely Christian activity. Yes, Jesus once said, 'I come not to bring peace, but a sword.' He was talking about liberating his OWN people from within, not invading an oil-rich country out of purely selfish motives, then claiming it was for the liberation of others. The only true liberation comes when the oppressed claim it for themselves. This is something George Bush and his Imperialist cabal will never understand.

My Christian faith moves toward greater inclusiveness and acceptance, George Bush moves toward punishment, division, and exclusion. My Christian faith seeks to bring people into the circle of decision-making, George Bush seeks to keep them out. My Christian faith seeks to afford equal rights and responsibilities to all, George Bush seeks to reserve more rights for the privileged few.

My Christian faith is not looking for a new Messiah named George Bush."