Having a hard time convincing anyone to come over to our side?

[wadestock]

I have had some luck lately with people considering the FUTURE...ie ....what will happen if we have another 4 years of Bushco.

Many people are just not able to reconcile the differences one will make over the other RIGHT NOW....they tend to be confused...but pose the notion....what about in 4 years?...then things become a bit more focused.

Here's where we will no doubt see the biggest and discernible effect in a couple key areas. Pick a couple issues you might think are huge differences....here's what I've been harping on...and has succeeded in convincing a couple young voters to consider Kerry/Edwards....

#1 - Regardless of how you view the war effort, isn't it appropriate to assume that if Bushco. gets in there will be a tendency to exert FURTHER military force in other parts of the world? Does the idea of a draft scare you? Don't you think Bushco. will attempt to convince themselves that they are on the right track with the "global war on terrorism". Although you might believe that getting rid of Saddam was an overall positive outcome...have you considered the concept of applying military force, possibly preemptive style...to other countries in the region? Do you really trust Bush that this wouldn't happen? Why would you want to take the risk?

Have these people go on-line and examine the potential brains behind all this neoconistic/militarism at http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/
The video of his recent brief on "The Pentagon's New Map" is available there. Creepy stuff.

#2 - Is there anyway to control the rising debt if Bushco gets another 4 years? Are you aware of the fact that you currently pay 8 cents on every tax dollar for INTEREST on the national debt?????
The total debt is projected to be perhaps 12 Trillion or more if Bushco gets another 4 years. Are you aware of the fact that with rising interest rates, this could mean you might pay as much as 15 to 20 cents on INTEREST on the debt out of EACH AND EVERY TAX DOLLAR YOU PAY TO THE IRS???? Assume your family pays $10,000 a year in taxes to the IRS, this could mean you might have to pay about $2000 per year on interest on the debt. Compound that payment over time....and consider how this compares to previous Bush tax cuts of $300 or $600.

[kentuck]

1. It's so horrendous people don't want to think about it....

Look what he's done in just four years. No one can comprehend what the next four years will bring.

[liberal N proud]

2. The people I talk to, just say, I don't care!

It is difficult for me to believe that these people are going to just sit back and let it all go down the drain on Nov 2.
Some of them say I got my tax cut, I don't care about anyone else.

[CrowNotAngelGRL]

6. Thanks for sharing this

and I passed it along. I'll have to watch the video later this evening though.


http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/

[Doohickie]

3. With respect to your second point:

Make mention that each man, woman and child owes more than $25,000 to pay off the national debt. For a family of four like myself, we are now in hoc for over $100,000!

[wadestock]

5. Be careful of that argument....

That divides the total 7 Trillion debt across every man woman and child....and it ignors that our "economy" would develop the resources to pay down the debt.

I think it is much more realistic and infinitely more scary to consider the notion that we will be sustaining a large total debt for years to come and that our ACCUMULATED payments for the debt will end up being perhaps as much as your "dividing it amongst ourselves" calculation says.

In other words...I could be looking at payments over the next 20 years totally easily 40 to 50K on INTEREST PAYMENTS on the debt.
Now take that money and invest it....and you could easily get the 100K you're talking about....could represent college tuition for a youngster...vital medical costs....retirement that you count on...etc etc.

But the biggests point is that since most people don't do their taxes they aren't aware of the yearly interest payments that EVERY TAX PAYER makes each and every year. After the Reagan debt fiasco...we got up to 15 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR to pay down the debt. It gradually got under control under Clinton/Gore and when the debt was paid down by 500B. Then we reached a point where we had actual surplus and WE DIDN'T HAVE YEARLY INTEREST PAYMENTS AT ALL!!!!!!

So this is much more than just dividing the amount. It's about smart economic policy that both pays down the debt and achieves a means to avoid costly interest payments...saving money for me and you and making the "PIE" that much bigger so we can pay for other much needed programs.

[stellanoir]

4. though your arguments are completely valid

I've had success convincing undecided and disengaged voters by simply saying. . ."John Kerry has a conscience and an intellect. George Bush has neither."

Try it. It may just work.

The only case where it didn't work in the last week, was one in which I had to further, "all Bush has to offer is good intensions, and we all know where that road leads. . ."

Sorry for the repetition. Just have found that this argument really works.

[Doohickie]

8. I've started using a phrase

to refer to what Kerry meant when he said "global test", and what he knows that Bush doesn't: What Is Right.

We should do What Is Right.

Countries don't respect us unless we do What Is Right.

The Bush administration has stopped doing What Is Right.

If we start to do What Is Right under Kerry, we will again gain the trust of other nations and the world situation will become much more stable.

[hippiegranny]

7. I have found that many people are persuaded

by the thought of extremist Supreme Court appointments. I have convinced several people with that one after trying the more mainstream arguments about the war and economy.