I want to see change.

[kentuck]

I want to see all of the Bush policies abolished. Dismantle wholesale his war on terrorism. Throw out his taxcuts and economic voodooism. I want to see our National Guard come home to defend our own country. I want to see us do away with the color-codes that frighten the citizens of this nation, simply by their existence. I want to see a return to some type of normalcy from this paranoid insanity of Bush and the Repubs.

Is it too much to expect any of this from our candidate? Do we have to maintain the policy of "pre-emption"? Can't we have just a few of these changes? Am I asking for too much? I don't want to seem demanding.

[mhr]

1. My Letter To The Kerry Campaign

www.johnkerry.com/onlinehq/mediacorps/yourstory.php

------

Dear Mr Kerry,

I used to believe in the American dream - stay out of trouble, get an
education, serve your country, and work hard with success virtually
guaranteed.

I used to believe that this country was for everyone not just the
wealthy and powerful.

I used to believe that our institutions mattered and that they
represented a tradition of honesty and integrity not a haven for
partisan politics and special interests.

I used to believe that we could make a difference in the world by
example not through lies, threats, torture and war.

I no longer believe.

Now unemployed for four years, I have come to understand that
America is a sham, nothing more than a racket for the ultra-wealthy
to extract their pound of flesh from people like myself. Once exploited,
we become little more than roadkill on the corporate super highway
- discarded like yesterday's news.

The America that I grew up believing in is dead, replaced by cabal of
avarice, deceit and deception all designed to benefit those who have
at the expense of those that have not.

I honestly don't know you Mr. Kerry and can say that you are not
speaking to the issue that matters most to me, a fair and equitable
America.

A nation that understands we are stronger when all
citizens share the fruits of our collective work and sacrifice. A nation that
emphasizes our shared experience and beliefs. An America that puts
people before profits, nation before corporation, and society before economy.

Maybe you can make a change. I hope that to be true.

Many of us would like to believe again.

Sincerely,

MHR

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Kerry - no preemptive strikes

I think he's made that clear. He's not going to go off on any military adventures. I'm sad that he feels we have to keep troops in Iraq, but I think he feels that is the only thing keeping the country from civil war. I hope he re thinks this policy once he is in office.

[Don_G]

3. I Think Kerry Will Have World Support

And can depend on other nations to help out once they see that outside interests like Big Oil is no longer controlling the Administration.

I can see lobbing a Cruise Missle or two into Osama's heir's lair but I don't think Kerry will go any farther than that.

[greatauntoftriplets]

4. And dump "No "Rich" Child Left Behind".

It was a bad idea, even before the under-funding crap.

[kentuck]

5. Absolutely!

I'm ready for change.

[Mel]

6. I agree and want to add

we get rid of that worthless give away to pharmaceutical companies and let's really do something about prescription drugs and Universal Health Care for All.

[luaneryder]

7. And repeal the Patriot Acts!

[mike_c]

8. this isn't my America any longer....

There's damned little to be proud of and much that is shameful. Our government's primary constituency is the corporation nation whose interests are at the heart of most public policy. Our foreign policy is based upon greed, imperialism, violence, and maintaining social inequities. The most basic principles of democracy are mocked by our social institutions (law enforcement, the press, the religious right, and so on).

Yes, I want change. However, I'm convinced that neither changing the suit in the oval office nor making "slow steps from within the system" will ever effect meaningful change in U.S. government. It wouldn't have worked in 1776, and it won't work now. Institutions of government that are not responsive to the needs of the people are rarely-- perhaps never-- flexible enough to change so fundamentally without wholesale replacement. They are entrenched and defended by the oligarchy who reap the benefits of their treachery.