[dissention]

Originally Posted by Violet

--I'm okay with stem cell research, but I don't think that makes late term abortions okay.

George Bush does not support stem cell research. The only embryos he has made available for stem cell research are damaged ones, hardly the cream of the crop. That, in turn, taints any kind of research that comes out of testing. All of the cells available under the Bush policy were originally grown on what is known as a "feeder layer" of mouse cells, making their therapeutic value uncertain. The Bush policy prevents federally funded scientists from conducting research on stem cells grown without this contamination.

Kerry believes in supporting stem cell research. He wants to expand the stem cell policies by making clean embryos available, along with more federal support. From the Kerry webpage on stem cell research:

"John Kerry And John Edwards Support Lifting The Ban On Stem Cell Research. Stem cells hold enormous promise for the development of new treatments for the most devastating diseases. John Kerry and John Edwards believe our medical researchers should be permitted and encouraged to simultaneously pursue embryonic stem cell research. As president, John Kerry will overturn the ban on federal funding of research on new stem cell lines, and he will allow doctors and scientists to explore their full potential with the appropriate ethical oversight. Patients and their families should no longer be denied the hope that this new research brings."

Originally Posted by Violet

--I'm all for gay marriage. In fact, I performed a committment ceremoney for a friend when I lived in FL.

George Bush wants to ban gay marriage nationally instead of allowing states to decide. His administration also doesn't believe that gay men and women should have equal pay in the workplace. He once said that AIDS was not a disease. Out of all the money he has said he would give to stop the spread of AIDS, so far he has only given $300 million, billions short of what he promised.

While John kerry does not believe in gay marriage, he does not believe that the federal government should impose the rights of the states and ban it. He also voted against the Defense of Marriage Act of 1998, one of very few senators who had the balls to do so.

Originally Posted by Violet

--No throwing things at me, but I supported the war in Iraq. But I also feel it's time for our troops to come home.

George Bush CUT combat pay for the soldiers in Iraq, he CUT benefits for them, and he CUT aid for their families back at home. He has also CUT veterans benefits for all veterans and has given the go ahead to closing three VA hospitals.

Originally Posted by Violet

--I'm middle class

90% of all the wealth in this country belongs to 1% of the population. When he cut taxes, who benefitted more? The people who make $25,000 a year or the people who made millions? The people who made millions. In fact, over 80% of the tax cut went to the wealthiest one percent of the population...the same people who already own 90% of all wealth. Bush is also in favor of getting rid of the income tax and instead replacing it with a flat federal sales tax. Tha twould mean a federal sales tax of around 20%, plus 5-10% for state and local taxes, meaning that you would pay about 30 cents on the dollar for taxed products

Now, at JohnKerry.com, he lays out every plan he has for the country and the issues. Go here:

http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/

When you click on an issue, it will give you some background info on that particular issue and what he believes. As you scroll down whatever issue you click, on the right side of the screen you will see a box that says "_________ Plans." Click on a particular plan and it will be laid out for you. Go there and check them out because they lay everything out!