The best thing about the internet is it allows the free exchange of ideas, with little government interference, unlike in some means of communication, such as radio and television, where there are some government restrictions. Because of this free exchange of ideas idiots, like John Kerry, are able to put their proposals for the future of America online. What John Kerry probably wasn’t betting on was the “Way Back Machine”, an internet archive, which keeps track of thousands upon thousands of web pages, and has many updates of these pages, as they progress through time.If you go to the Way Back Machine1 and type in the site http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/natservice/ then click on February 10, 2004. If you go towards the bottom of the page, you’ll find Kerry’s plan for high school students. I’ll summarize it here, just in case the Kerry campaign gets their hands on this site.
As part of his 100 day plan to change America, John Kerry will propose a comprehensive service plan that includes requiring mandatory service for high school students and four years of college tuition in exchange for two years of national service.
Now notice the date that you clicked on to get to that page. February 10, 2004! This was only eight months ago, and now he has the balls to say that Bush is the one who supports a draft.
I’ve heard the argument that “Kerry has the right to change his mind”, but I call bullshit on this one. There’s changing your mind, like saying that you want steak instead of chicken, and then there is changing your mind like saying national service will be mandatory for high school students, and then saying that he doesn’t support the draft. This isn’t just simply changing your mind. This is simply Kerry following the latest poll figures (although I can’t possibly imagine that this ever seemed like a good idea to anyone, in any poll).
The same people who defend Kerry’s right to change his mind, are also the same idiots who call this country a democracy. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again. The United States is NOT a democracy. A democracy is a place where the majority rules. There is no such place. The United States is a representative constitutional republic (note that when you recite the “Pledge of Allegiance”, you say “…and to the republic for which it stands…”). The problem with mob/majority rule is that the minority group always winds up being oppressed. This in turn will ultimately lead to a dictatorship. Adolf Hitler inherited a liberal democracy2, and quickly turned it into a dictatorship. If you think a democracy is the way to go, think again. The United States has a Constitution, which limits the federal government’s powers, and a system of checks and balances ensuring that a person’s inalienable rights are recognized and most importantly, protected.
It is important to recognize how Kerry “flip flops” on so many issues, letting the political currents guide his policies. In a democracy, as Kerry would have you believe we live in, he could offer voters whatever he thought would help him win a few extra votes. But the question still remains “at what cost will we be able to get these great things”. Unfortunately, it is a question that is rarely asked, because people don’t look at the big picture often enough to see beyond the immediate impact something will have on their lives.
For some unknown reason, Kerry had the statement above on his website in regards to high school students. Shortly thereafter, the polls changed to show that he needed to say something else about national service. When confronted with an issue with Constitutional consequences, how will Kerry make his decision? Will it be based on the latest poll data, or will it be based on what is the right thing to do?
I guess we’ll see what you decide on November 2nd.
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