After the Second Debate
October 13, 2000
After watching last night's debate/discussion/auditions, a friend of mine
replied, "I guess we should just vote for the best Vice President." Her
suggestion was that neither Gore nor Bush was worthy of a vote and therefore we
should just focus on the Vice Presidential race.
I think that both candidates made an attempt to address some of the issues
that were absent from the last debate - racial profiling at least. Gore's
desire to pass the civil rights bill is admirable. Bush's desire to create
more beds for future inmates is scary.
Does Bush have the false notion that all Americans are running the race
from the same starting line, with the same training, the same equipment, the
same coaching and fan support? If I were white and middle to upper class with
young adult or older offspring, perhaps I would hear Bush more clearly. But,
because my background puts me no where near any of that, I am forced to see
more immediate realism in what he said.
Here's what I got from Bush: He said the rich will get the largest tax
break because they are responsible for the country's prosperity. The full
extent of the law will be applied to all criminals, regardless. People should
be allowed to buy and carry guns with few stipulations in the current laws
surrounding acquisition. The lack of family structure is the reason behind the
rise in situations like Columbine. If you own the land everyday is Earth day.
Obviously there was more explained than these few lines, but the points are the
same.
Gore basically said that programs are essential to make local and state
authorities do what's in the best interest of all their constituents. Those
persons with the most money should pay the most taxes. One of the reasons
criminals and some children kill people with guns is because guns are easily
available. Programs need to be implemented to fill the gaps that working
families cannot. New fuel technologies can be developed to combat future gas
shortages. Again, there was much more to it than these few lines, but this was
my gist.
I have to give Bush a last bit of credit. I am CLEAR that the death
penalty will never be abolished [under his presidency].
I am about a 2 on the scale toward Gore.
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