Back in the USA After an Eye-Opening Experience in South America
I returned from Bolivia last Saturday. It was an amazing experience, and I learned a lot. I would write more about it here, but I would rather keep my notes on my group blog site, which can be found at http://equipobolivia.org/blog.html. Please check it out, and you are welcome to leave comments on this site, or on our Contact page at http://equipobolivia.org/contact.shtml
Now that I'm back in the USA, most of my focus has been on the Presidential primaries. My state, Missouri, will have its primary in less than two weeks, and after Gephardt dropping out of the race, it proves to be a hot battleground.
First let me say this: At this point I am not entirely decided that I will vote Democratic. Although I try to avoid most labels, I'd probably be best labeled an independent. I try to be blind to party colors and just vote for, and support, the candidates and policies that I think are best for the United States. That being said, I am very critical of many of Bush's policies, the most deplorable of which is ironically his spending practices (at least when coupled with tax cuts). I understand recession-side economics, and I do believe that some heavy governement spending can boost our economy, but it must be sustainable for the long-term health of the United States. I think Bush has gone too far in adding to our countries deficit, and it's irresponsible.
Back in the Fall of 2002, I began researching candidates for the 2004 presidential election. For whatever reason, my attention was intrigued by John Kerry. I continued to research the other candidates, but John Kerry kept draggin my attention. For me, his record on the environment, energy policy, foreign policy, and his life story are very attractive. I began actively supporting his campaign, at least from within my personal network of friends.
Before I left for Bolivia, John Kerry was not doing well in the polls. He needed help badly. I decided to make a small donation to his campaign just before I left, in order to do my part in helping where he needed it most.
As I read my emails while in Bolivia, his campaign kept sending out positive signs of his campaign turning around. As I departed Bolivia, his campaign was on fire leading up to the Iowa Causesus.
Low and behold, least Tuesday he came from behind and won the Iowa caucuses decidedly. Now he is the front-runner leading into the weekend before New Hampshire.
But that's enough play-by-play on his sucesses. Really people should be looking closely at his policies and his message, in order to decide if they will support him. These policies are best described on his own website: http://johnkerry.com. Please visit it, and come back here to let me know what you think.
Best wishes,
-rob