My republican boss asked me why would anyone vote for Kerry

[Marnieworld]

He did it in a very friendly, non-confrontational way with sincere curiosity yesterday because I am the ONLY ONE he knows that is voting for Kerry. I bravely attached my magnetic Kerry/Edwards sticker to my car about a month ago. I say bravely because this guy is a known freeperish guy and it was right around the time that that woman got fired from her job for supporting Kerry remember? But there's been no repercussions and yesterday was the first day he mentioned it. I told him that I welcomed the opportunity to discuss it, but that I would think about it.

So I thought that I don't feel comfortable with telling him my particular beliefs but I should answer the question because it's a really good opportunity to possibly inform the uninformed. So I am asking you, the DU community to enlighten this person, and possibly get one or two more good votes in PA.

So why vote for Kerry? I believe there are two major categories of thought - Anti Bush reasons, and Pro-Kerry reasons. Please help. I think a list of talking points can help all of us deal with people's questions in this very crucial time so close to election day.

Thanks in advance.

Marnie :hi:

[Goldmund]

1. Why don't you send him to one of the...

Kerry-endorsing editorials? Like the New Yorker one, for example?

[in_cog_ni_to]

30. THAT was an EXCELLENT editorial!

That would be perfect! Good idea.

[still_one]

2. Don't talk about it

you will never know if it will be used against you later

[TexasBushwhacker]

4. I second that

You may be able to talk in a casual friendly way about it this week, but next week, someone will WIN and someone will LOSE. If Bush wins, the boss will probably make your life hell with "told ya's". If Kerry wins, you may LOSE your job because the boss is just so pissed.

[still_one]

3. say it is a personal matter, and should be kept out of the workplace

[JuniorPlankton]

7. I agree

Don't talk about it.
You will not convince anybody, but it can come back to haunt you later.
I like the idea of using the editorials.
We all have our thoughts, but few of us are as eloquent as pro-Kerry journalists.

:kick:

[ibegurpard]

28. I would word it like this:

"I'm sorry, but I don't feel comfortable discussing things like politics at work."

Makes you look professional which has an indirect good reflection on the people and issues you support.

[IrateCitizen]

5. A big one -- environment and foreign oil dependence

Kerry has advocated an "Apollo project" for renewable energies and efficiency. He has several times sponsored bills aimed at significantly increasing fuel efficiency standards. He is doing this because he recognizes the negative effects that excessive fossil fuel emissions are having on our environment, and also that we are severely addicted to foreign oil. This program would be a PERMANENT solution to these problems.

Under Bush, we have seen industrial emissions increase more than under any President in recent memory. He flip-flopped on his initial 2000 campaign pledge to cap carbon emissions at power plants. He has opposed raising CAFE standards, and his plan for relieving our addiction to foreign oil is to drill in ANWR -- a measure that would, at most, provide us with a 6-month supply of oil, and would only make our dependence on foreign oil worse in the long run.

DEFICITS -- We have seen the federal deficits balloon to the highest levels ever under Bush. We are saddling our children and grandchildren with debt for years to come. Kerry advocates policies aimed at really reducing the deficit -- without depending on shaky "growth projections" and the like -- because it's simply the right thing to do. It's wrong for us to leave our children and grandchildren our debts to pay off.

Is this a good start for you?

[Downtown Hound]

6. Well my most pressing one is that

Bush is a mass murderer, and I always use those exact words. He has killed tens of thousands of people for no reason. My question is why would anyone vote for Bush?

And then, there's the record deficit, the two million jobs lost, the fact that Bush had ample warnings of 9-11 and did nothing but go on vacation. His environmental policy is atrocious. The United States is the only industrial country that hasn't ratified the Kyoto treaty. Poverty has gone up under Bush. Murder has gone up under Bush. The economy has taken a nosedive under Bush. Civil Rights have been destroyed under Bush. I want to ask people that are astonished that we would vote for Kerry, "What the fuck is wrong with you? Why the hell would you ever vote for a man with this kind of record? Of course I'm voting for Kerry."

[JuniorPlankton]

11. I call * a war criminal

I think he should on trial with Milosevich and Hussein.

The fact that he is even TALKING about re-election is mind blowing.

[Individualist]

8. Since he's a republican,

give him a copy of this: www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=44657

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. Locate and give him (dont have links myself) some of the

numerous conservative endorsements of Kerry -- particularly from the newspapers that endorsed * last time around. They'll speak his language and make arguments that a conservative can appreciate. He'll also feel like he's not being a turncoat if he's supported by prominent conservatives.

I've found that conservative arguments might work, while progressive arguments are dismissed out of hand.

* is not a fiscal conservative. Patriot Act and Homeland Security are not smaller government. Etc.

Who's got the links?

[osaMABUSh]

10. Forget about him - your not going to sway his vote - instead

get out this weekend and get some real undecideds or Kerry leaners on our side. I'm working with moveonpac here in W. Pa.

http://www.moveonpac.org

[jobycom]

12. When someone asks, I say something like

because he's not a murdering, baby-killing, lying traitor who has destroyed the economy and our national reputation.

I get few responses on that one, but am often asked to leave. Might not work for a boss.

For a pro-Kerry response, I say because he's a genuine hero with a lifelong history of leadership, even in extreme and unpopular circumstances, and he's a believer in the same policies that gave us eight years of peace, prosperity and international respect. Then I usually throw in the first comment about Bush to offset it, and grab my coat and head for the door.

I once had someone ask me, when they saw my bumper sticker, which Kerry I was voting for, implying the whole flipflop slander. I said "The one running against the lying, traitorous babykiller who stole the White House." He didn't like my answer, but he sure backed down.

You'll notice a trend. I don't hide my hatred of Bush, nor my righteous outrage at what he did. I don't mince words. I won't change any minds, but in ten years, the people who speak to me won't be able to say they just never knew how bad Bush was. They will have heard it from at least me.

[Brotherjohn]

13. The Iraq War was at best a collossal miscalculation. We should not reward

... such a collosal miscalulation.

No one can dispute that Bush's main reason for invading Iraq was the threat posed by Iraqi WMDs. We were also told that this threat was such that we HAD to cut the inspections process short and invade NOW.

This was a CHOICE, made BY BUSH.

No one can now dispute that there WERE NO Iraqi WMDs.

Questions of misleading, etc., aside, this was AT BEST a COLLOSSAL MISJUDGEMENT on Bush's part... a misjudgement dealing with initiating an unprecedented pre-emptive war against the desires of most of our allies and the world.

How do we trust his judgement in future decisions of war and peace? How can we reward such a huge miscalculation on such an important matter by re-electing this man?

[nikatnyte]

14. It's like comparing filet mignon with raw sewage

I still can't comprehend how people can't see the vast differences between the two.

Just check oui the Chimp's dismal and embarrassing record on the economy, health care, the environment, civil rights, foreign policy (!), you name it. Everything he touches turns to shit.

It comes through in their motives. Chimp and his nefarious gang just ooze arrogance and smugness, with their only interests being their allegiance to the oil industry and other special interest groups. Their contempt for the American people is exemplified by their tactics of spreading fear and hate.

Kerry and Edwards seem genuinely concerned about the people of this country and its place among the nations of the world. They radiate hope and compassion.

But anyone who can't see that at this point is too far gone to do anything about.

[MARALE]

15. Fiscal Responsibility

Tell him you trust Kerry more with the future economy. Tell him Kerry will use intelligence to make decisions and not always go with his gut instincts. Tell him foreign relations will be much improved with Kerry in the White House and the trade with other countries will be much improved in our favor. Stay away from wedge issues like abortion, gay marriage. Talk to the conservative points that may sway him.

[SoCalDem]

16. politics and religion in the workplace, especially with the boss

very dangerous..

You are not likely to change his mind, and he's not gonna change yours..

Wait until you have your new job locked in:)

[OutsourceBush]

17. Tell him you have been listening to Air America Radio

[notadmblnd]

18. my answer when a question like that is asked

and I know talking about the issues cant be grasped by their little minds.. BECAUSE HE"S NOT BUSH!

[JuniorPlankton]

19. This is an endorement of Kerry by the American Conservative

http://www.amconmag.com/2004_11_08/cover1.html

The main point is that this election is about *, not Kerry. And * is so detrimental to the values and beliefs of the conservatives.

:kick:

[TaleWgnDg]

20. Yup, I gotta agree with the DUer who said to "forget it!" Why?

Because it's the workplace. Politics and religion are not appropriate topics w/i the workplace where it may impact you negatively. He's your REPUBLICAN boss. And it's a personal matter not for the workplace. This, despite your openly political bumper sticker/magnet on your car that may be parked in the company's parking lot, it is still not considered in your workplace environment.


. . . . . . . . . . . . .



.

[coalition_unwilling]

21. Lend him a copy of the DVD of F 9/11. The special features

are even more devastating than the film itself. If he's at all open-minded, he can't help but me moved by the Swedish journalist's account of the raid on Samarra.

[Cleita]

22. I would answer that it's the patriotic thing to do to save

our country from a movement that is very unAmerican and fascist. See if that peaks his interest, then you can spoon eed him the facts about how BFEE can't uphold the Constitution in the long run because their ideology comes in conflict with it and then lead him all the way down the primrose path to the PNAC website.

[bunkerbuster1]

23. I would speak positively on behalf of Kerry.

Your boss has already heard plenty of cartoonish, over-the-top critiques of our President. Yes, they've been described to him by the opposition (Rush, Hannity, et al) but he probably already gets why there's an ABB movement out there.

Tell him what you see that's good in Kerry. Speak of Kerry as a resolute, honest, decent man who's devoted his life to public service. Talk up the good work he's done as an investigator in the Senate (BCCI, Iran-Contra drug deals). Mention that he'd put bad guys away as a prosecutor, and link that to the kind of leader we need today who can connect the dots.

[LSK]

24. out of control deficits and spending

[fob]

25. Ask for all the reasons he's voting for bush*, then when he's done

say, "Well those are the exact reasons I'm voting for Kerry!"

[Redleg]

26. How can that question be "non-confrontational?"

It's like asking a person why they would marry their spouse- the question implies that the questioner can't think of a good reason and therefore you must be a dumbfuck to support Kerry.

[sandnsea]

27. Kerry gets results

Then pick and choose from this list.

http://www.johnkerry.com/about/john_kerry/senate.html

[orwell]

29. Show Him This

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1175972#1176125

[Radio-Active]

31. Just find out what issues matter the most to him

and then show how Kerry is better in those respects.

You have to do it subtly, and not push the argument. Ideally, he will come to the conclusion that Kerry is a better candidate and think that it was his idea all along.

[mnmoderatedem]

32. why WOULDN'T you?

nm

[newyawker99]

35. Hi mnmoderatedem!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[nostalgicaboutmyfutr]

33. not to plug my site....

but take a look at my blog...i have collected quite a bit of info on why conservatives don't like bush....

just tell your boss this...bush is up for an employee review and he just simply hasn't done his job....he should be fired.

or use this:

John Eisenhower: Why I will not vote for Bush:
http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=44657

The Cookie Analogy will never happen under Bush:
http://www.e-tractions.com/truemajority/run/oreo?rd=436

100 Facts and one opinion:
http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20041108&s=facts

Open Letter to Bush from MBA Professos:
http://maxspeak.org/mt/archives/000818.html#more

Second Term (flash):
http://www.secondterm.us/ or go here:
http://www.bushflash.com/animation.html for more of the same

59 Reasons why Bush should not be re-elected:
http://www.ocweekly.com/ink/05/05/cover-stacy.php

94 Reasons not to vote for Bush:
http://www.orlandoweekly.com/news/Story.asp?ID=4624

Some good websites:

http://www.costofwar.com/
http://www.flipfloppingbush.com/
http://www.toostupidtobepresident.com/
http://www.canofun.com/videoclips.asp
http://www.bushflash.com/wmf/redux.wmv
http://www.slambush.net/video/
http://billionairesforbush.com/ (a music video)

[Ready4Change]

34. As a Republican myself...

I'm voting against Bush for many reasons.

Fiscal: HUGE turnaround, from a balanced budget to the largest deficits in history. In the face of that, he still is calling for further tax cuts.

Unchecked Government Growth: Seems like the largest single term growth of government in my experience. And the final 2 years worth was under Republican control of just about every branch of government.

Military: Imprudent use of military has over stretched and weakened it.

Foreign Policy: Manner in which foreign policy objectives have been pursued has squandered post 9/11 international good will, turning the USA from an international martyr into an international loose cannon or even direct threat. Allies are abandoning us, and that severely limit our international options and strength.

Cronyism: No bid contracts to Haliburton, and failure to fully prosecute Halliburtons abuse of those contracts, gives evidence of unfair preference being given to that company. This calls into question Cheneys, and this entire administrations, potential conflict of interest in this regard.

Bush wraps himself in the mantel of a war hero, when in fact he avoided service in the war of his generation.

There's more, much more, but those are things which strike my Republican side as reasons to vote AGAINST Bush.

Now, why vote FOR Kerry?

Military service: While born of privilege, he VOLUNTEERED for service in a war that many were doing their best to avoid. Buy all accounts by people who would know, he served courageously and competently in combat, leading men, fighting the enemy, never loosing his boat or command. Critics of his service have either not served with him, or infact were awarded medals for the same combats in which Kerry earned his.

Anti-Vietnam War Stance: While many Right Wingers cite this as their main reason to vote AGAINST him, I consider it a reason to vote FOR him. That's because he volunteered and did his duty in combat, but kept his eyes open, saw the problems inhernet in Vietnam, and when he returned to the states he took action in an attempt to resolve those problems. When I read what he actually said, rather than what others THOUGHT he said, I admire his viewpoints, and his courage in confronting our nations leaders with those viewpoints. To me that's what a free society is all about.

Energy Policy: I consider this to be the most important issue of this new century. Kerry's stated approach is what I might propose in his position.

Finally, I may have some questions about what Kerry might or might not do in office, or what he might or might not be even able to accomplish. But Bush has proven to me by his actions (which don't match his words, btw) that I do NOT like the directions Bush chooses to take our nation.

It's past time for a change.

[Technowitch]

36. "Because even by Republican standards...

...and judging against 'traditional' Republican positions, values, and goals, Mr. George W. Bush is literally the worst president this country has ever had.

Took us to war on lies.

Bankrupted the treasury with irresponsible deficit spending.

Infringed on our privacy and civil liberties.

Hurt business.

Ruined the environment.

Made government BIGGER, not smaller.