Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Jolimont · 03-03-2003, 04:29 PM

Why should Howard Dean be the Democratic candidate in 2004? I hadn't heard of him until today (where have I been?!) but I must say I like what I'm seeing. I wonder what you guys have to say about him, good and bad. Maybe that's the guy I'll support for president, but I'm not sure yet.

Ultron · 03-04-2003, 07:14 AM

I don't think he'd be the Democratic candidate, really. But he can still be a candidate. He won't win though.

paul30 · 03-04-2003, 07:27 AM

I applaud Dean for his vocal stand AGAINST the Quisling pro-war Democrats.

Gephardt and Kerry and Edwards and Lieberman (the Ariel Sharon of the Democratic party) have all endorsed Bush's idiot war.

Dean was the first to come out and FINALLY denounce it.

He is also strong for universal health care. (Bush is strong for universal Insurance and Pharmaceutical profits.)

But Dean has some downsides.

First, he is a quote "free trade" advocate like Clinton: that means, free for large corporations, NOT free for workers at home and abroad, and definitely not free for the environment.

Second, he is a balanced-budget freak. Balanced budgets are fine as long as they are not balanced on the back of the poor--as they usually are. So-called "Defense" (actually, Offense, in the form of Imperial troops) is sacred and can never be cut (even though it does not protect us and in fact endangers us by subjugating others and making them hate us); but mere education, health, housing, and other programs can be cut to balance the budget.

Take a look at Kucinich.

admice · 03-04-2003, 09:09 AM

I posted this before, but didn't get much responce: does anyone know much about universal health insurance (whcih is what Dean is for)? As a doctor he has a vested interest, I hope it coincides with the interests oo fthe majority of Americans. Kucinick (sp) may not say he is pro-life, but I'm sure he still is. People don't change their stance on that much.

Zar · 03-04-2003, 09:26 AM

At this point, I'll grab hold of the Dean lifeboat over Bush in a heartbeat. Do we really have a choice? When starving to death, do you demand a filet mignon, or will a good hamburger do? Right now we're eating a rat sandwich.

Dean seems to have been a fiscally responsible governor. He is not a frothing war hawk. He seems to care about healthcare. He is an eloquent speaker and an attractive personality (so far). He may appeal to big business, which is a downer for working class people, but it may save this country, since the elite may give him a pass and stand behind him. Better a Clintonite than a madman.

And for goodness sake, lets get a Yankee in the White House for a change!

Mr. Superbad · 03-04-2003, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by paul30
First, he is a quote "free trade" advocate like Clinton: that means, free for large corporations, NOT free for workers at home and abroad, and definitely not free for the environment.

Dean says he wants to link human rights and trade policy

Zar · 03-04-2003, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Superbad
Dean says he wants to link human rights and trade policy

You see, now, the hamburger has even become flank steak.

Jolimont · 03-04-2003, 09:57 AM

Do you know of any way to compare Dean and Kucinich on the issues? Some sort of table that would cover the basics?

Mr. Superbad · 03-04-2003, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by admice
I posted this before, but didn't get much responce: does anyone know much about universal health insurance (whcih is what Dean is for)?

There are a few different ways to go about implementing it, but
this is a good site about a single-payer plan.

Beyond what is said here, I'm not too familiar on the details of what Dean is proposing.

admice · 03-04-2003, 02:34 PM

Thanks for the links. Yeah, so far Dean looks good, but I don' t know enough. Kerry looks good too. He may have voted to give Bush military authority, but many did. He's got other good things going for him. The main thing, I agree, is GET BUSH OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

03-03-2003, 04:29 PM	#1
Jolimont Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USA expat, now living in France Posts: 1,153	Howard Dean Why should Howard Dean be the Democratic candidate in 2004? I hadn't heard of him until today (where have I been?!) but I must say I like what I'm seeing. I wonder what you guys have to say about him, good and bad. Maybe that's the guy I'll support for president, but I'm not sure yet.

03-04-2003, 07:27 AM	#3
paul30 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA USA Posts: 870	good and bad I applaud Dean for his vocal stand AGAINST the Quisling pro-war Democrats. Gephardt and Kerry and Edwards and Lieberman (the Ariel Sharon of the Democratic party) have all endorsed Bush's idiot war. Dean was the first to come out and FINALLY denounce it. He is also strong for universal health care. (Bush is strong for universal Insurance and Pharmaceutical profits.) But Dean has some downsides. First, he is a quote "free trade" advocate like Clinton: that means, free for large corporations, NOT free for workers at home and abroad, and definitely not free for the environment. Second, he is a balanced-budget freak. Balanced budgets are fine as long as they are not balanced on the back of the poor--as they usually are. So-called "Defense" (actually, Offense, in the form of Imperial troops) is sacred and can never be cut (even though it does not protect us and in fact endangers us by subjugating others and making them hate us); but mere education, health, housing, and other programs can be cut to balance the budget. Take a look at Kucinich.

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03-04-2003, 07:14 AM	#2
Ultron Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: here Posts: 738	I don't think he'd be the Democratic candidate, really. But he can still be a candidate. He won't win though.

03-04-2003, 09:09 AM	#4
admice Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: S Cal Posts: 327	I posted this before, but didn't get much responce: does anyone know much about universal health insurance (whcih is what Dean is for)? As a doctor he has a vested interest, I hope it coincides with the interests oo fthe majority of Americans. Kucinick (sp) may not say he is pro-life, but I'm sure he still is. People don't change their stance on that much.

03-04-2003, 09:26 AM	#5
Zar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 3,477	At this point, I'll grab hold of the Dean lifeboat over Bush in a heartbeat. Do we really have a choice? When starving to death, do you demand a filet mignon, or will a good hamburger do? Right now we're eating a rat sandwich. Dean seems to have been a fiscally responsible governor. He is not a frothing war hawk. He seems to care about healthcare. He is an eloquent speaker and an attractive personality (so far). He may appeal to big business, which is a downer for working class people, but it may save this country, since the elite may give him a pass and stand behind him. Better a Clintonite than a madman. And for goodness sake, lets get a Yankee in the White House for a change!

03-04-2003, 09:57 AM	#8
Jolimont Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USA expat, now living in France Posts: 1,153	Do you know of any way to compare Dean and Kucinich on the issues? Some sort of table that would cover the basics?

03-04-2003, 02:34 PM	#10
admice Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: S Cal Posts: 327	Thanks for the links. Yeah, so far Dean looks good, but I don' t know enough. Kerry looks good too. He may have voted to give Bush military authority, but many did. He's got other good things going for him. The main thing, I agree, is GET BUSH OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

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