So, I sense that some of you are beginning to ask "What is up with Bill? Why's he so overboard about this election?" (No swiftboat reference intended...)

My most basic response is that I'd rather have the Kerry and Edwards families leading our country than the Bush and Cheney families. I do not pretend to know and understand all of the issues. I realize that my knowledge on most of the issues is only a scratch on the surface.

But I do feel strongly that going to war in Iraq was wrong. And if that wasn't bad enough, the treatment of prisoners by American soldiers -- under the supervision of Donald Rumsfeld -- was appaling and embarrassing. I feel strongly that the Bush administration is far more concerned with corporate America than middle class America. And I feel strongly that it is wrong that Halliburton is profiting from the war in Iraq.

Maybe even more important, though, are my interpretations of the distinctions between the Republican party agenda and the Democratic party agenda. Going all the way back to the RNC when Pat Buchanan spoke (one of those Reagan years) and basically said homosexuals are non-human and unworthy of the rights granted to American citizens, I have found it difficult to connect with the Republican ideals.

I feel strongly that every American -- every citizen -- deserves the rights and protections of the Constitution. No political party has the right to choose certain individuals or groups and deny them these basic rights. When that can happen, we all suffer.

And, when it comes down to it, I fear war. I hate that families all of our country and all over Iraq are being torn apart over a war that never had to happen. I say, diplomacy first. In my opinion, George Bush failed as a diplomat. He rushed to war too soon and without just cause. For that, if for no other reason, he should not get the chance to lead our country for four more years. If I made a mistake at work that led to such horrible results, I'd expect to be fired. Bush should be fired.

And I do admit that I am selfish in all of this. I do not want another four years of this war and planning for the next. I realize that John Kerry will have no way to end th e Iraq war easily or swiftly, but I'd rather we try his approach than continue with the Bush plan.
Kerry's administration will, I believe, begin to restore the reputation of the United States around the world. Currently, we look like war minded bullies with no regard for diplomacy or international law. Kerry and Edwards -- the Democrats -- will work to rebuild the relationships we need around the world. Only then, I believe, will we have a chance to be successful in bringing global terrorism under control.

My bottom line? I want my children to grow up in a world that is more often at peace than at war. I want them to grow up without the stress and tension of bracing for the next big terrorist attack. I want them to grow up in a country that respects all citizen. In a country that respects the land and natural settings upon which it was founded. I believe the Democratic party is more capable of allowing that to happen. We have to do a great deal of the work. And our leaders have to create a situation where that work can begin.

And that's why I am so interested in this election. My goal is to share things that I read in an effort to help spread information and ideas. I don't expect that all of you will agree with everything I send. But if I can help one person -- or two -- become more interested, and they in turn make the effort to learn more and become more involved, then my efforts are worth it.
I think we are in desperate times. I at least want to know that I did everything I could.

Sincere regards,
Bill Diskin