On Nov. 2, we all face a huge decision. Who do we want to lead our country? And on what do we base that decision? Sure, Senator John Kerry probably won the debate - he has been winning these things since his glory days on the Yale debate team. But this election is not about who looks better on television. This election is largely about what type of world our kids are going see. It is about how forcefully we are going to deal with the terrorists. It is about how much money your parents are going to pay in taxes. It is about the moral stances our country will take. I propose that we look at Decision 2004 from a different standpoint. Let's not look at what Kerry says he will do - let's look at what he has done consistently for two decades.
Kerry's long voting record in the Senate needs to be looked at a little closer. As a future officer in the U.S. Air Force, I know that I want my President's number one priority to be giving the troops the equipment they need to win. Kerry has given me no indication he will do that.
In 1996, Kerry proposed a bill (S. 1580, Introduced 2/29/96) to slash Defense Department funding by $6.5 billion. In 1997, Kerry voted "yea" to freeze defense spending for seven years (S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #181: Rejected 28-71). Kerry has voted to reduce and/or entirely kill the following systems: Bradley Fighting Vehicle, M-1 Abrams Tank, F-15 Strike Eagle, Patriot Anti-Missile System, B-1, B-2 and Missile Defense. He has also voted to cut funding for the CIA by 80 percent, the FBI by 60 percent and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration by 80 percent.
Since that time, Kerry has not changed. Senator Kerry, along with Senator John Edwards, are two of only four U.S. senators who voted for the Use of Force Resolution Against Iraq and against the $87 billion supplemental package (H. J. Res. 114, CQ Vote #237: Passed 77-23). He voted to authorize war, and then he denied our troops the body armor they need. It does not get more irresponsible than that. In response, Kerry said, "I actually voted for the $87 billion, before I voted against it."
Kerry's record on taxes is equally pitiful. In all, he has voted to raise taxes 379 times. For example, he voted to increase the gas tax by six cents per gallon. He's voted against tax relief for married couples. He opposed the child tax credit 18 times.
And yet, the most embarrassing and ridiculous vote that Kerry has ever cast: He voted "no" on banning partial-birth abortions.
Look at what Kerry has done, not what he says he will do. Actions speak louder than words. I admire Kerry's service to his nation. He's an honorable war hero, and I have no doubt that he is a good man. However, I have real qualms about his positions on the issues and where he will take this country.
For all the big-time liberals out there, I know Kerry is your man. But for all you semi-moderate folks out there who want your kids to grow up in a safer and stronger country, the choice is clear. Vote for President Bush. He is not a perfect president, but he is clearly the better choice.
Mike Koprowski
sophomore
Knott Hall
Oct. 10
