February 27, 2004
More important issues
It strikes me as odd that Kerry’s comments on gay marriage are not headlines today. He points out (accurately, I think) that the Bush administration is trying to use this issue to distract people from real issues, like the 43 million Americans without health care. This strikes me as an incredibly serious accusation and yet the media seems to have no interest in covering it. I also think it was a huge mistake on Bush’s part to do this now. Even if it’s a win issue for the GOP, it’s way to early in the cycle to be able to capitalize on it. Though I suppose Newsom and the MA courts forced the issue.
Moderately related: Seems the photographers who own the photos that were doctored to discredit Kerry are a little miffed. Of course, the culprits see no problem with stealing and misusing someone else’s property for their own purpose.
Like it or not, people actually care about this issue. I do not much, but people do and it is their democracy. The thing about “jobs” is that most people actually have them- the overwhelming majority and they also realize that whether they keep their job or not has SO MUCH more to do with the specific particulars of their company and industry than the measures Bush does or does not take. And for that health care number, the same analysis applies- most people have adequate healthcare (Also, I wish people would stop using the disengenious number that completely undercounts self-employed peopel ect).
So the majority of people DO care about the social issues, and this is a big one (Bush would not be putting it out there if it wasnt- this was front page news before Bush said anything), and they do not want to be told by Kerry what they have the right to care about. Again, I do not agree with them- i would much rather talk about the democrats irresponsible outsourcing rhetoric and their lack of ideas on Iraq (also, i would love to talk about how Bush is doing a terrible job with teh deficiet, giving in to the AARP on medicare ect.).
As since we are on this issue and Kerry- why are you guys who were SOOO pissed at Bush for saying what he did about gay marriage not up in arms about kerry’s position last night? he basically endorced the Massachusetts ammendment banning gay marriage (Although i couldnt really tell with all his double-speak. between him and edwards it was like they spun so fast that they actually disappeared off of the TV screen). Then, to reconcile his position that each state should decide for itself, he had to actually REVERSE his position on the CONSTITUTIONALITY of the defense of marriage act. incredible! it was as cynical an act of politics as Bush’s proposal for a constitutional ammendment, and yet I have no heard a peep about it on here. come on guys!
Posted by: Misha Tseytlin at February 27, 2004 12:25 PMrev_matt,
You may have missed the recent Daily Show, but it went to the heart of your comment about Kerry. They played an excerpt of Kerry being interviewed on Good Morning America, where he made the exact same statement.
The clip starts with Kerry saying that Bush is trying to distract attention from more important issues like jobs, health care and the deficit. To which GMA’s Charlie Gibson replied, ‘I wanna get to those issues, but first, this gay marriage debate…’
Posted by: Bert M. Caradine at February 28, 2004 01:13 AMAnd this is where Bush having 5 times the war chest as Kerry is going to boost Bush’s confidence in November. This means 5 times the media controlling, 5 times the issue shaping, 5 times the issue redirecting…
We may again get the best government money can buy. And there is no way I can call that a democracy - but there will be many claiming money is speech as if money went to english classes and took logic courses, and money talking should come before the majority of the population. If the majority wants to speak directly to their representative or President, let them make a few hundred million like the rest of those shaping policy over lunch and dinner and golf games.
Posted by: David R. Remer at February 28, 2004 02:40 PMMisha:
Excellent post. I personally object to any politician telling me what I should be interested in. If they really want to know, it would be that politics is full of money grubbing, double talking rich people who simply want to stay there. I have lost the ability to believe that they really truly care about the issues more than power, the health of the country more than their re-election campaigns, and the state of the Union more than the comparitive power of their particular party.
It does amaze me though, at how ham handed the attempts at manipulation are. Bush has REACTED to an issue brought up by others, yet he is branded as bringing up the issue for political purposes. Howard Dean was lauded for his energy and drive, just before being castigated for his ….energy and drive. Kerry will be characterized as a Massachusetts liberal in the vein of Dukakis, whether or not the comparison fits.
Politicians truly have become the used car salesmen of our time——yes, the lowest form of semi intelligent life. Pardon the cynicism, but dont let it blind you to the truth in my comments.
Posted by: joebagodonuts at March 1, 2004 12:11 PM
