I have a rich cousin who is against Bush

[louis c]

I am fairly close to a wealthy cousin who built a successful business from scratch in Florida, after being laid off from Eastern Airlines. With a $65,000 investment ten tears ago, he now owns a $13 million dollar company with 100 employees.

If you're interested, his employees are not Union, but have Health Insurance and good wages. He does not outsource any jobs. His background is working class. Although he does not belong to an organized religion, he is very spiritual. His demographic would be Repuke. He's far from it.

He saved nearly $100,000 in taxes last year. He says that it is incomprehensible how we can leave people in such need, run a deficit, and give tax breaks to people like him, who don't need it.

He travels to Europe at least twice a year, and he tells me he is embarrassed by the actions of the present administration. This is coming from a proud American who served in the Coast Guard, and who's father won a Silver Star in WWII. His son fought in the first Gulf War.

He wondered how he got an autographed photo of Laura and the President in the mail, even though he is a registered Democrat, and never donated to any Republican campaign.

When he discusses the election with some of his friends who also are doing well financially, he says what good is a tax break when the quality of our lives, and those we love, is diminished or destroyed. What good is the extra money when your government makes it dangerous to travel and makes you ashamed of actions done in your name.

He is no Kerry fan, but he knows that the people in power now must go, so he'll be voting for Kerry.

It so refreshing to be in the company of someone who "gets it", and actually sees the bigger picture, beyond his own self interest. God bless him.

[JanMichael]

1. How'd he get the photo? GIS. You can use tax records to select those...

...homes that only the rich could afford. Then assume they're Repukes and mail them a card.

Easy.

[NMDemDist2]

2. agreed, Bless the man eom

[bossfish]

3. The "smart" rich people

who actually have businesses that sell goods and services, know that we need a strong middle and working class who CAN BUY THINGS.

So, you get your $100K this year, but then your business dries up because no one can afford your products.

[JanMichael]

5. There are the "Smart" Plutocrats (Or nearly) and the "Stupid" ones.

The reletive is one of the more intelligent it seems.

[TheDebbieDee]

7. I have been saying the same thing the first time............

I heard of "outsourcing". If these companies continue to outsource and skirt taxes, then the lion's share of their consumers (that's us) will no longer be able to afford buy their products and services.

[Longhorn]

4. There are those who care about other people --

such as your cousin -- and those who only care about themselves -- such as Republicans. Sounds like he's one of the good guys!

[Dogmudgeon]

6. Lots of rich people are scared of Bush

What good is it to be rich in a country that has sold out every ideal that it had? Rich folks live in society, too, and are rightly scared of Bush's warped world-view.

George Soros, for example.

Just because rich people can do evil so easily doesn't make all rich people evil, and we tend to forget that because of the evil that is done with large amounts of money. In a totalitarian regime, whether you are rich or poor, you have the same amount of human dignity -- zero.

--bkl

[SharonAnn]

8. I travel to South America frequently and I observe what has

happened when the middle-class is shrinking and ideals have been sold out.

Those who have anything live in fear that they'll be robbed, in their home or in their car or in the parking garage. Robberies are becoming increasingly violent. You can't leave your house without leaving at least one trusted employee there around the clock. Your guests cannot park outside of your house on the street, their car will be broken into while they're inside visiting you.

What good does it do to be rich and have so much when you have to live in constant fear from the millions who are poor?

[DemoTex]

9. Bu$h-1 totally fucked EAL

GHW Bu$h refused to order the PEB (Presidential Emergency Board) which might have saved EAL. On the other hand, it might have failed. The point is, and what many former EAL employees hate, is that Bu$h-1 let EAL die without trying. Because he and his minions needed to teach airline labor a lesson.

[louis c]

10. But my cousin never forgot where he came from

[DemoTex]

12. Meaning?

I do not quite get your drift. Where did he come from? Was he union? IAM? ALPA? Other? Was he management? Was he a Frank Lorenzo henchman? I don't know. Lorenzo ruined lives. Lorenzo was part of what we always called the Texas mafia. Lorenzo was a Bu$h-buddy. Where did your cousin fit in? You now have my attention.

[louis c]

14. Actually

he was a Machinist, and a union shop steward. I must say, he never liked Reagan or Bush for fucking them. But now that he's done real well, he doesn't forget who fucked him back when.

Plus my uncle(his dad) was a loyal GE union welder.

[DemoTex]

17. Thanks. That is the crux.

He was IAM. They were the strikers. I supported them 100%. EAL labor got fucked by the GOP, in the form of Frank Lorenzo. This was a Reagan carry-over. Bu$h I was too stupid to initiate this kind of anti-union policy.

[JustinF]

11. I know a white guy who is against Bush

If only the rest of the white male population could listen to reason.

[louis c]

16. When people in the business world

who benefit financially from the Bush administration, are out there speaking against him, it shows us a lot about both Bush and the individuals who are willing to speak out.

[gasperc]

13. ok, kinda resenting this hate Bush reluctantly supporting Kerry mantra

I appreciate this guys support but I think Kerry a great candidate and will make a great President. With all the forces come at the guy from all angles I can't anyone rising up to the level of he's the one

[louis c]

15. I, personally love Kerry

but I'm realistic enough to realize not everyone feels like me. If they vote for him, and ask others to do the same, that's O.K. for me.