Ok, now I will outline his plan to improve healthcare.

"A Plan to Strengthen Medicare

* Create a Real Medicare Drug Benefit. George Bush passed a Medicare prescription drug bill that did nothing to stop soaring prescription drugs costs. John Kerry and John Edwards support a real, meaningful affordable drug benefit that doesn't force seniors into HMOs, is run by Medicare instead of private insurance companies that charge seniors whatever they want, and provides real relief to every senior no matter where they live.

* Ensure Access To Affordable Prescription Drugs. The Kerry-Edwards plan will cut prescription drugs costs by (1) requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate better prices for prescription drugs, rather than paying the highest prices, (2) allowing reimportation of safe, FDA-approved drugs so that Americans can get the discounts on medications that are available in Canada and other countries, (3) requiring transparency rules for Pharmacy Benefit Managers that do business with the Federal government to reveal their profits from the drug industry and bulk purchasing, and (4) helping states provide discounts to other populations by giving them incentives to implement more efficient contracting to obtain better rates for prescription drugs.

* Give Seniors Quality Options To Address Their Long-Term Care Needs. The Kerry-Edwards plan will ensure that seniors living in nursing homes receive quality care through adequate inspections and better training for health care workers. Their plan will also protect Medicaid from politicians who want to block grant the program, which would threaten access to the services seniors needs. Their plan will give seniors more options by allowing Medicaid to pay for alternative care options, which would allow more Americans to live comfortably in their homes with the freedom they want. Finally, the Kerry-Edwards plan will support caregivers (both paid and unpaid, formal and informal) who provide the bulk of the support for those with long-term care needs."

His plans to strengthen seniors...

"Protect Medicare And Social Security. The Kerry-Edwards plan will:

* Ensure quality care in all parts of the country. Sometimes Medicare policies treat certain parts of the country unfairly. John Kerry and John Edwards will ensure that seniors receive quality care no matter where they live.

* Allow seniors to pick the plan that's right for them. John Kerry and John Edwards will never force seniors into HMOs to get prescription drugs or affordable premiums.

* Fight privatization that causes benefit cutbacks.

* Allow re-importation of safe, FDA-approved prescription drugs to give Americans access to the substantial discounts available in Canada.

* End artificial barriers to generic drug competition.

* Require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate better prices for prescription drugs, instead of paying whatever the drug companies choose to charge.

* Require transparency rules for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) that do business with the Federal government. PBMs process hundreds of millions of pharmaceutical claims per year and manage drug benefits for more than 200 million Americans. Under the Kerry-Edwards plan, these companies will be required to reveal the profits they make from the drug industry and show how much discounts are being passed on to seniors.

* Help states provide drug discounts by giving them incentives to implement more efficient contracting in order to obtain better rates for prescription drugs.

* Support a meaningful Medicare drug benefit that:

o Doesn't force seniors into HMOs
o Is run by Medicare, not private insurance companies that can charge seniors whatever they want
o Provides special help for the highest drug costs

Provide Quality Options For Seniors With Long-Term Care Needs. Too often, seniors are forced into retirement homes because Medicaid doesn't offer enough flexibility for home and community-based care. The Kerry-Edwards plan will invest an additional $25 billion in state relief that will help:

* Assure quality nursing home care with adequate inspections, reimbursements, and better training for health care workers.

* Protect Medicaid from efforts to cut or block grant the program.

* Give seniors more options by allowing Medicaid to pay for community and home-based care.

* Support caregivers, paid and unpaid, who provide the bulk of the support for those with long-term care needs, by improving access to information, training, and respite and counseling services.

* Invest in biomedical research including ethical stem cell research, that gives the potential for new treatments for chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and Parkinson's."

Also, he plans to get a Patient's Bill of Rights passed...

"Pass a Real Patients' Bill of Rights

Ensuring that all Americans receive the care they need means creating a real Patient's Bill of Rights. It's time that doctors and nurses are put in charge of making medical decisions with their patients - instead of allowing HMO bureaucrats to determine the care Americans receive. Americans deserve the right to choose their own doctor and have access to the specialists they wish to see.

The Bush administration has continued blocking bipartisan efforts to pass a Patients' Bill of Rights in Congress. Worse yet, the Bush administration sent their lawyers to the Supreme Court to stand with the HMOs and argue against giving patients the right to sue HMOs.

John Kerry and John Edwards believe that the time is overdue for a real Patients' Bill of Rights - one that puts patients ahead of HMO profits. They will push Congress to pass a real Patients' Bill of Rights that allows Americans to hold HMOs accountable for decisions that harm patients by denying necessary medical care. Other critical patient protections John Kerry and John Edwards will support include:

* A right to see the specialists they need
* A right to real emergency protections
* A real external appeals process that allows patients to appeal a HMO decision
* Whistleblower protections that allow health care workers to report quality problems without fear of retaliation

End Minority Health Disparities

Our nation still struggles to close disparities in health care access, care, and outcomes. Today, minorities continue to live sicker and die younger in America. African Americans are one-third more likely than all other Americans to die from cancer and they have the highest rate of hypertension in the world. On average, Hispanic Americans possess the least insurance, with one in three possessing no coverage at all. Native Americans struggle with what can only be called an epidemic of diabetes, with rates near 50 percent in certain tribes. The tremendous gains that we have witnessed in science and medicine have benefited millions of our citizens, but too often they are out of reach for minorities.

John Kerry and John Edwards understand that the need is great and the time is now to improve the health of those Americans who have been left behind. They will work to eliminate minority health disparities by expanding health insurance to 95 percent of Americans and every American child, improving language access programs in medical facilities, and ensuring access to quality care through greater disease management and prevention efforts.

Ensure Mental Health Parity

Ensuring equality in health care also includes ending discrimination for Americans with mental illnesses. Many of us have friends, family members, co-workers, or neighbors who struggle with a mental illness. And while the good news is that scientific breakthroughs have made it possible for us to diagnose and effectively treat many mental illnesses, the bad news is that silent discrimination against these individuals is all too common in our society. Many Americans forgo treatment because of financial penalties in their insurance plans or fear of being stigmatized by others. John Kerry and John Edwards will fight for mental health parity to end all discrimination against those with mental illnesses - and to end the social stigma attached to mental illness.

Ensure Freedom, Independence, and Choices for Americans with Disabilities

John Kerry and John Edwards believe that we must fight to ensure that people with disabilities can meet their potential and fully participate in the American dream. They believe in an America that ensures freedom, independence, and choices for people with disabilities. As part of that vision, they will ensure access to affordable health coverage and remove barriers to work for Americans with disabilites. While we have made great strides by helping people with disabilities return to work without losing their health care, it's time to make sure that parents caring for children with disabilities can keep their jobs without worrying about paying for their kids' health care bills. John Kerry and John Edwards also support expanding the Medicaid program so people with disabilities have more options for community and home-based care. As president, John Kerry will work to implement the Olmstead decision to make personal assistance services and supports available to people with disabilities in their homes and communities - because no one should be kept in institutional care if they prefer to live elsewhere and can do so with the dignity they deserve.

Improve Women's Health

Nearly one in five women below the age of 65 lack health insurance. As the economy has lagged, states have been forced to cut Medicaid budgets and businesses have been pushed to trim health care coverage and benefits - with women disproportionately affected. John Kerry and John Edwards will ensure that women have access to affordable, quality coverage that provides specialty care and preventive services, as well as wellness check-ups for their children. And they will work to improve the economy and shore up our Social Security and Medicare programs, which predominantly serve America's women."

John F. Kerry supports stem cell...

"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."


Ok, and this one REALLY impresses me. This is John F. Kerry's plan to fight AIDS...

"The Kerry-Edwards Commitment To Fighting HIV/AIDS: John Kerry and John Edwards believe that HIV/AIDS is the great public health and humanitarian crisis of our times - and a fundamental security issue. They believe that fighting AIDS - and tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, the other two most deadly global infectious diseases - must be at the forefront of America's foreign policy and national security agendas. As president, John Kerry will ensure that the United States truly leads the international community's effort to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic not only through words but through deeds - through increased resources, programs driven by science not ideology, and tangible and meaningful support for multilateral efforts, particularly the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

As the author of the most comprehensive HIV/AIDS bill ever to pass the Senate and a proven fighter to expand funding for American bilateral and global AIDS programs, John Kerry understands that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has implications for the life and death of millions of men, women and children across the globe as well as for global security. HIV/AIDS tears apart the fabric of families, communities, and nations, leaving in its wake orphaned and infected children, broken families, schools without teachers, and communities without leaders. Countries that have struggled for decades to improve are faced with weakened economies, debilitated military forces, and a deteriorating capacity to govern effectively and cope with rising health care costs. These countries could well become the home base for terrorists or criminal elements looking for a safe haven or even for those trading in weapons of mass destruction.

The HIV/AIDS Crisis: More than 20 million people have already died from AIDS and an estimated 38 million people around the world - 25 million in Africa - are living with HIV/AIDS, among them 2.1 million children under the age of 15. This year alone, AIDS claimed 2.9 million people, the vast majority of them in sub-Saharan Africa; another 5 million became infected with the HIV virus. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 2 percent of those who need medicine actually have access to it. The CIA predicts that as many as 45 million could become infected by the end of the decade. And infections and deaths are rising steadily, despite the increased resources that the international community has committed to this deadly epidemic. In the United States, infection rates are again increasing, especially in communities of color. Far too many people living with HIV in the United States are falling between the cracks and being denied the treatment and essential services they need. John Kerry understands that the world is still at the beginning of this epidemic, and sadly, the response continues to be more talk than action.

The Kerry-Edwards Global AIDS Plan

* Support and Provide Necessary Resources to The Global Fund

o Initiate Comprehensive, Integrated 5-year U.S. Government Strategy to Combat Global AIDS. As president, John Kerry will initiate a comprehensive strategy to combat global AIDS that will include specific goals, multi-sectoral approaches, and strategies for treatment and prevention, with particular emphasis on women, young people, and children including those orphaned by AIDS. It will maximize U.S. capabilities in the areas of technical assistance and training and research, including vaccine research. It will reduce programmatic duplication, increase coordination among U.S. government agencies, and decrease the amount of time it takes to get U.S. assistance to those on the front lines of the epidemic. The Kerry-Edwards strategy will focus not only on countries in the throes of the HIV/AIDS epidemic but new countries where the epidemic is ramping up - countries such as India, China, and Russia.

o Provide Increased Resources for the Global Fund and Bilateral Programs to Meet the $30 billion Target in 2008. The success of the Global Fund is critical to international efforts to wage and win the war against AIDS, TB and malaria. United States contributions to the Global Fund, which the Bush administration has fought to keep at a meager $200 million per year, must go up. As president, John Kerry will provide at least $30 billion in the fight against AIDS by 2008. Other donors must also do more, and John Kerry will push other donor governments, wealthy corporations, and foundations to provide their share as well.

o Ensure More People Receive Treatment. Treatment is essential to extend the lives of the millions living with HIV/AIDS around the world and to strengthen prevention programs that can stem the tide of new infections. John Kerry will work to meet the World Health Organization's goal of putting at least three million people on treatment by 2005, seven million by 2007, and move toward universal treatment by 2012. Increasing access to treatment through bilateral U.S. government programs and through contributions to multilateral efforts like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will be a key component of the Kerry-Edwards plan.

* American Leadership in the Battle Against HIV/AIDS

o Increase Resources for Tuberculosis and Malaria Programs. Tuberculosis is a leading killer of people living with HIV/ AIDS and malaria leaves many individuals, particularly children, weakened and vulnerable. As president, John Kerry will increase resources for U.S. programs to combat tuberculosis and malaria in order to develop vaccines and better treatments and to support treatment and prevention programs. TB screening and treatment, which are inexpensive and effective strategies, should be available to all that need them. The Kerry-Edwards plan will provide increased funds for programs using DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short-course) and for the Global Tuberculosis Drug Facility, which has reduced the price and increased access to high quality TB drugs. The Kerry-Edwards plan will also increase funding for malaria, particularly for new technologies such as insecticide-treated beds and for anti-malarial drug and vaccine research.

o Increase Diplomatic Efforts and Pressure on Countries Ignoring the AIDS Threat. Any successful campaign to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS must have the support and cooperation of national leaders in the affected countries. While many countries already devastated by the epidemic have recognized the magnitude of the problem and the need to take action against AIDS, others, especially China, Russia and India - which may feel the brunt of the next wave of the epidemic - move too slowly or not at all. As president, John Kerry will ensure that the AIDS issue is front and center on the U.S. agenda for these countries.

o Eliminate Ideological Restrictions on US Prevention Programs. Effective HIV/AIDS programs must be driven by science and what works on the ground, not by ideological considerations. John Kerry believes that the U.S. Government's global AIDS strategy must be flexible, using approaches and programs that are proven effective by science and practice. As Uganda has demonstrated, the ABC (Abstinence, Be Faithful, Use Condoms) model can be effective, but only if all three elements of the approach are used, not simply the A and the B. As president, John Kerry will ensure that bilateral U.S. programs are flexible and balanced and oppose efforts to limit funding to abstinence-only programs. Prevention, education and treatment programs for high-risk groups including individuals that are HIV-positive are also critical. An effective U.S. strategy must incorporate programs that reach out to these groups, providing them with the information and resources necessary to protect themselves and others. As president, John Kerry will push Congress to eliminate all legislative restrictions undermining the effectiveness of American global AIDS programs.

o Eliminate Global Gag Rule and Its Application to AIDS Funding. As a long-time opponent of the global gag rule, John Kerry will seek elimination of this legislative obstacle that undermines successful family planning programs and serves as an obstacle to the funding of much-needed HIV/AIDS programs. Women, who are bearing the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, must have comprehensive services that meet their health needs. Particularly in rural areas, where one clinic services all the health needs of the local population, denying women access to life-saving information on reproductive health and HIV prevention is simply wrong.

o Expand United States Efforts to Train Health Care Personnel. Under the Kerry-Edwards plan, greater attention and increased resources will be dedicated to training health care professionals and community health care workers. In many countries, the lack of health care workers is slowing efforts to expand access to HIV/AIDS treatment. Programs in Haiti demonstrate that individuals from the community who are trained to recognize the symptoms of AIDS, TB, and malaria, can help support patients and administer drugs. Because there will never be enough doctors in many of the most affected countries to provide all of the care that is needed, new efforts must be initiated to train more nurses and other care givers who are not formally-trained medical personnel.

o Expand Public-Private Partnerships. The private sector, with its broad range of businesses, foundations, educational institutions, faith-based and community-based organizations, plays a critical role in the campaign against HIV/AIDS. John Kerry believes that public-private partnerships are essential to a successful campaign against AIDS, TB, and malaria. Global public-private partnerships are already working to develop AIDS and malaria vaccines as well as microbicides for women and to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV. As president, John Kerry will support and strengthen these partnerships and seek to create others to strengthen HIV prevention and treatment efforts.

* A Trade Policy Promoting Access To Essential Medicines

o Support Access to High Quality, Low Cost Drugs. As president, John Kerry will pursue a trade policy that fully upholds the World Trade Organization's Doha Declaration on intellectual property and public health and ensure that any trade agreements negotiated by the United States do not undermine this critical international agreement. John Kerry will also work with the Global Fund, the World Health Organization and others to develop an international bulk purchasing mechanism for bulk purchasing of AIDS drugs similar to that used for TB medicines so that all those in need worldwide have access to affordable treatment. Improving access to high quality drugs at the lowest prices available is the only way to save millions of lives. Generic medication now can cost as little as 38 cents a day and bring new hope to millions of people suffering from AIDS around the world.

* Deeper Debt Relief For Nations Fighting AIDS

o Support Deeper Debt Cancellation. In order to help poor nations in the fight against AIDS, John Kerry supports deeper and broader debt cancellation for all impoverished nations engaged in the fight against AIDS. As president, John Kerry will direct his Secretary of the Treasury to initiate negotiations with the Paris Club of Official Creditors, the World Bank, the IMF, and others with the goal of modifying the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative to provide substantially greater debt reduction to poor countries struggling with the heavy burden of HIV/AIDS. Of the 26 nations that have received some initial debt relief, at least 18 pay more in debt servicing each year than their entire national expenditures on health care. Deeper debt forgiveness will provide them with critical financial resources to develop programs to combat AIDS and build up health care systems that can respond to the demands of the millions who are in need of care.

* Protecting The Most Vulnerable Victims Of AIDS

o Expand Efforts to Assist Children Orphaned by AIDS. One of the many tragedies of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is the ever-growing number of children who lose one or both parents to AIDS. Grandparents are left to care for grandchildren or children themselves take on the responsibilities of parenting their younger siblings. Today there are some 15 million children orphaned by AIDS and millions of other children whose families have been decimated by the epidemic. By the end of the decade there will be 25 million AIDS orphans with little hope unless the leading nations of the world deliver a massive response. Under the Kerry-Edwards plan, existing U.S. government programs for orphans and children will be expanded to ensure that the full range of medical, dietary, educational, legal and counseling needs are met for these children and their families or caregivers. Community care will be emphasized as much as possible so that children without families will be raised in a family environment rather than in orphanages and other institutions.

o Develop Comprehensive Programs for Women and Girls. Recognizing that women and girls are most vulnerable to HIV infection, the Kerry-Edwards plan will include comprehensive programs designed to empower women socially, economically, legally, and intellectually. Prevention and education programs to meet the special needs of women and girls, particularly in countries where they are legally and economically subservient to men, are critical and will be developed and funded under the Kerry-Edwards approach. Increased funding will also be provided for research on microbicides and other safe and effective technologies that women can use unilaterally to reduce their risk of HIV infection.

The Kerry-Edwards Plan To Respond To The Domestic AIDS Crisis

* Increase Funding For Programs Assisting People Living With HIV/AIDS In The United States

o Increase Funding for Ryan White CARE Act and HOPWA. More than half of the approximately 850,000 - 950,000 Americans living with HIV/AIDS do not have access to routine health care. As president, John Kerry will increase funding for the Ryan White CARE Act and end the waiting lists for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). John Kerry will work to provide the appropriate standard of care to thousands of Americans who find out their status through new federal testing initiatives and to meet current needs for HIV-related health and social services. He will also increase resources for the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program.

o Protect and Improve Medicaid. Medicaid is the largest financer of HIV/AIDS care in the United States and its long-term viability is critical to thousands of HIV-infected individuals. As president, John Kerry will put $25 billion into state fiscal relief in the first two years, and he strongly opposes the Bush effort to block grant the program. John Kerry also supports allowing states the option to expand Medicaid to include HIV-positive, pre-work impaired individuals by supporting passage of the Early Treatment for HIV Act. John Kerry also supports the development of federal guidelines for Medicaid providers to integrate HIV prevention services into their primary care services, including educating physicians about the importance of voluntary testing and counseling.

* Support Comprehensive Prevention And Fight Discrimination

o John Kerry supports a comprehensive, science-based approach to prevention and reject discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS. He supports integrated care and prevention programs and will work to end the HIV travel and immigration ban. John Kerry will also end the federal ban on syringe exchange and harm reduction programs to prevent the spread of HIV.

o Combat the Disproportionate Impact of HIV on Minority Populations. In 2001, minority populations accounted for 70 percent of all new AIDS cases in the United States. There is a critical need to understand the underlying causes of the increasing concentration of HIV cases in minority populations. We must address whether current prevention efforts and public health programs are effectively targeting the epidemic in different communities. John Kerry supports the highest level of funding for the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative (MHAI) which assists in community efforts to improve the public health infrastructure to better respond to the epidemic. John Kerry also supports the Leadership Campaign on AIDS to engage minority community leaders in the effort to combat the AIDS epidemic in their communities.

* Expanding AIDS Research

o As president, John Kerry will increase AIDS research funding at the National Institutes of Health, the Center for Disease Control and other agencies. An early leader in efforts to fund the search for an AIDS vaccine, he will create incentives for public and private development of AIDS vaccines and microbicides. John Kerry supports new research towards the development of a simplified treatment regimen for AIDS and TB. He will also ensure that clinical trials reflect the unique needs of people of color living in the United States and around the world.

* Leader In The Fight Against AIDS

o John Kerry cosponsored the first Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act (CARE) - which represents the largest discretionary federal investment in treating individuals with HIV and AIDS. John Kerry authored major elements of the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, which was signed into law by President Clinton in August of 2000. He subsequently authored the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2002, sweeping legislation that would have significantly increased funding for treatment of these diseases while requiring the U.S. to adopt a comprehensive five year plan to win the global war against AIDS. That legislation was passed unanimously by the Senate and was an important force in prompting the administration to endorse global AIDS legislation this year."

So thats his healthcare platform...

Ok, the last one I'm posting, I am just posting the parts of his platform I like and that are important to me.

The following are his plans on education. First of all, this is what he has drawn up to improve K-12 education..

"Create A National Education Trust Fund. Today, education spending is allocated at the discretion of Congress. That means it is vulnerable to funding cuts. The Kerry-Edwards National Education Trust Fund will ensure that new education programs authorized by Congress will be funded on a mandatory basis. As part of this initiative, John Kerry and John Edwards will fully fund No Child Left Behind Act, adding an average of about $10 billion per year to hire more teachers and shrink class size, offer more students extra individualized help, better involve parents in schools, and offer more after-school and preschool opportunities. At the same time, they will ensure that we get on a path to fully funding the federal special education law so that children with disabilities get the education they deserve.

Make Reform Work for Our Students. John Kerry and John Edwards are committed to making No Child Left Behind work for our children. Today, many states are measuring students with fill-in-the-bubble tests that limit both teaching and learning. John Kerry and John Edwards will offer the support needed for states to use sophisticated tests that capture the full range of skills that we want students to develop. They will also ensure accurate assessments of schools' success. For example, if a school was measured in the wrong way last year, they believe we should say so - a simple measure this administration opposes. And they will offer extra help to schools that are falling short, rather leaving troubled students behind.

Put a Great Teacher in Every Classroom. Great teachers are the single biggest contributors to great schools. Yet today we don't treat teachers like professionals-we don't pay them enough and don't ask for enough. John Kerry and John Edwards' "New Bargain for America's Children and Teachers" will recruit or retain 500,000 high-quality teachers over the next 4 years. The plan will offer teachers more: pay hikes of $5,000 for teachers in high-need areas or shortage subjects, as well as better training, mentoring, and career development opportunities. At the same time, the plan will also ask for more, including rigorous new tests for new teachers, new pay systems that reward teachers who excel at improving student achievement, and fast, fair procedures for removing teachers who don't perform on the job.

Raise High School Graduation Rates. Today, nearly one-third of America's young people are not graduating high school. John Kerry and John Edwards will turn 1 million potential dropouts into graduates over the next five years by expanding mentoring and tutoring, breaking up large schools that aren't working, and holding schools accountable for success in graduating students with a high-quality education.

Invest in School Construction and Modernization. Today, 14 million children are learning in sub-standard schools in need of major renovation, and half of all schools have a condition like polluted drinking water or soot-filled ventilation. As president, John Kerry and John Edwards will allow the federal government to issue $24.8 billion in school modernization bonds to help states and school districts repair and build modern schools. John Kerry and John Edwards support public school choice and charter schools, and because the greatest barrier to expanding charter schools is lack of facilities funding, the Kerry-Edwards school construction fund will dedicate funding for charter schools. The program will also support efforts to break up struggling large schools into smaller units.

Expand Preschool Opportunities. As president, John Kerry and John Edwards will work to make early education available and affordable for every American child. High quality early childhood education programs get kids ready for school, and in later years cut crime and increase job productivity by giving young children the opportunity to learn skills early on that put them on the path to success. John Kerry has supported increases in quality early childhood programs like Head Start and child care. He supported the Early Learning Opportunities Act, which became law in 2000 and helps families by expanding and coordinating early childhood development efforts. He believes we must continue to expand quality programs so that children can get off to a good start in life.

Offer 3.5 Million Children Afterschool Opportunities Through "School's Open 'Til Six". John Kerry and John Edwards are strong supporters of afterschool programs. These programs give students extra help, keep them out of trouble, and offer peace of mind to working parents. The Kerry-Edwards "School's Open 'Til Six" initiative will offer after-school opportunities to 3.5 million children, through programs that are open until 6 p.m. and offer safe transportation for children.

Support A Well-Rounded Education. John Kerry and John Edwards support providing rigorous education in math and reading, and in addition, a well-rounded curriculum that includes science, history, literature, and the arts. They support measures to improve education in all of these fields."

He also plans to make College more accesible...

"Offer a College Opportunity Tax Credit on up to $4000 of tuition for four years of college. This credit will be fully available to families having trouble with the costs of college and to young people who are paying their way through school. And John Kerry will work with colleges to provide the benefits of the credit at the beginning of each school year, when students need it most.

Simplify the Student Aid Application Process. Today, there are more questions on an application for a $5,000 student loan than on an application for a $2 million small business loan. John Kerry will simplify the student aid application, allow many students to apply for college on a postcard, and make sure students can get information about college earlier in the application process.

Help More Young People Climb the Ladder to College. For many young people, college is a distant dream. John Kerry and John Edwards believe we should reach out to young people and show them the path to college. Through initiatives like GEAR UP, John Kerry will expand tutoring, mentoring, and college preparation classes, and he will also help more young people negotiate the college application process.

Help More Young People Finish College. Only about one half of Americans who go to college actually graduate. John Kerry will work with high schools and colleges to boost college completion. This means strengthening the high school curriculum, so that more students arrive at college with the skills to succeed. It also means giving parents more information about schools' graduation rates, and rewarding colleges that do an especially good job at ensuring that their students graduate.

Offer National Service Opportunities. John Kerry will make a new deal with hundreds of thousands of young people: If you will serve America for two years-working in a school, a health center, or strengthening America's security-we will make sure you can attend four years of college tuition-free. "


So that sums up why I'm supporting for him, just mainly domestic issues. Although I like the idea he wants to use more diplomacy abroad, I still overall do not agree with his foreign policy. But I really don't like Bush's foreign policy.
It sucks that I have to say I am just 'supporting' him. DAMNIT, I want to vote in this election so bad. I know my vote does not make a difference, but it would feel so good to me, to make my dissaproval of Bush official.

I would almost change that to "reinstate" workers' right to organize a union. Since Bush stole the 2000 election, it is become nearly impossible to form a union.

TheTinMan2005 Wrote: Protect Workers' Right To Organize A Union. John Kerry believes that the card check and neutrality system is the fairest and most equitable way for employees to establish their desire to form a union and for employers to recognize the union and begin negotiations. As a senator, John Kerry strongly supported the right to organize for many Massachusetts workers. John Kerry supported SEIU Local 254 in their efforts to organize janitors in the Boston area, UFCW Local 791 in their efforts to organize the Star Market employees in the 43 stores in Massachusetts, UFCW Local 1445 in their efforts to organize the employees of Kayem Foods in Chelsea, and CWA Local 1365 in their efforts to organize the employees of Lucent Technology. John Kerry also worked with Polaroid retirees to recover benefits that were lost as a result of the Polaroid bankruptcy filing. John Kerry is supporting UAW workers at the Sainte Gobaine plant in Worcester who have not been able to get their first contract due to the union busting tactics of the company. As president, John Kerry will continue to forcefully protect workers' right to organize a union.

Did you copy and paste this from somewhere? If you didn't good job on knowing your shit!

Hydro Wrote: Did you copy and paste this from somewhere? If you didn't good job on knowing your shit!

@_@

I think it should be obvious that I copied and pasted. It's part of his campaign platform, taken from his site.

JohnKerry.Com

Yeah... um... remember when Bush said he was going to do all of that good stuff back in 2000? How much of that did he actually do?

I wouldn't trust what they say they're going to do on their official site.

TheTinMan2005 Wrote: @_@ I think it should be obvious that I copied and pasted. It's part of his campaign platform, taken from his site. JohnKerry.Com

Hyuga Wrote: Yeah... um... remember when Bush said he was going to do all of that good stuff back in 2000? How much of that did he actually do? I wouldn't trust what they say they're going to do on their official site. TheTinMan2005 Wrote: @_@ I think it should be obvious that I copied and pasted. It's part of his campaign platform, taken from his site. JohnKerry.Com

No kidding, lol.

Hyuga Wrote: Yeah... um... remember when Bush said he was going to do all of that good stuff back in 2000? How much of that did he actually do? I wouldn't trust what they say they're going to do on their official site. TheTinMan2005 Wrote: @_@ I think it should be obvious that I copied and pasted. It's part of his campaign platform, taken from his site. JohnKerry.Com

Hmm, true..

But all campaign promises are just that...promises.

I mean there is no way to prove whether or not he will actually do that stuff.

Again, you're probably not going to sway this guy's opinion, especially not with attacks and flames, so keep this thread spark free as well.

......
'Kerry' on. ;D

Glad it was copied and pasted, I feel better for not reading all of it. Anyway, Kerry seems like the better choice, but I don't believe He and Bush are really all that different. No matter what they say on TV.

I HATE when people try to use this argument. Okay, so Bush made promises in 2000 and didn't follow on them, why will Kerry? We don't know, but that sure is hell is a good reason to vote for Kerry! Why the hell would you want four more years of the guy who didn't do anything in his first four?! At least give Kerry a chance, he may actually do something with his presidency other than exploiting 9/11 to carry out daddy's plans from fifteen years ago.

Hyuga Wrote: Yeah... um... remember when Bush said he was going to do all of that good stuff back in 2000? How much of that did he actually do? I wouldn't trust what they say they're going to do on their official site. TheTinMan2005 Wrote: @_@ I think it should be obvious that I copied and pasted. It's part of his campaign platform, taken from his site. JohnKerry.Com

Did you completely miss all of my previous political posts, especially in that huge thread we all just got out of? I'm not voting for Bush.

Scarecrow Wrote: I HATE when people try to use this argument. Okay, so Bush made promises in 2000 and didn't follow on them, why will Kerry? We don't know, but that sure is hell is a good reason to vote for Kerry! Why the hell would you want four more years of the guy who didn't do anything in his first four?! At least give Kerry a chance, he may actually do something with his presidency other than exploiting 9/11 to carry out daddy's plans from fifteen years ago.

Hyuga Wrote: Did you completely miss all of my previous political posts, especially in that huge thread we all just got out of? I'm not voting for Bush.

yes u r you just want2 b teh c00l

yeah lol kerry iz teh kool d00d #1!!!!!!

VainQueur Wrote: yes u r you just want2 b teh c00l

you know what, i think i want kerry to win, just so you guys can see, how he fucks up the country

I was making a point about how anyone against both candidates uses that as some kind of argument. I never said you were voting for Bush. And as for the above post about how bad Kerry will fuck up this country, what has Bush done good for this country?

Hyuga Wrote: Did you completely miss all of my previous political posts, especially in that huge thread we all just got out of? I'm not voting for Bush. Scarecrow Wrote: I HATE when people try to use this argument. Okay, so Bush made promises in 2000 and didn't follow on them, why will Kerry? We don't know, but that sure is hell is a good reason to vote for Kerry! Why the hell would you want four more years of the guy who didn't do anything in his first four?! At least give Kerry a chance, he may actually do something with his presidency other than exploiting 9/11 to carry out daddy's plans from fifteen years ago.

What argument, though? We weren't debating anything. I was making an observation.

I'm talking in general. Any time I speak to someone "on the fence" about this election, they tend to bring that up. Don't take it personal, I just hear that point being used very often and it's not a good one.

Hyuga Wrote: What argument, though? We weren't debating anything. I was making an observation.

true republican mantality: SCREW PEOPLE AS LONG AS YOU CAN PROOVE TO BE RIGHT. THAT IS EVIL.

migle Wrote: you know what, i think i want kerry to win, just so you guys can see, how he fucks up the country

I didn't, considering the fact that I'm not on the fence. I just didn't know what you were talking about.

Scarecrow Wrote: Don't take it personal

migle Wrote: you know what, i think i want kerry to win, just so you guys can see, how he fucks up the country

hardly... theres nowhere to go but up...

unless it comes down to Florida again and lil' bro will just fuck that right up...

If there was a beaver running for president against Bush, I would vote for the beaver. That should conclude my views.

There's only one thing to say about John Kerry, in the famous words of Trey Parker, "Derp!" John Kerry said he is going to rely on the U.N. to make our war decisions for us. Well, I guess we can say bye bye USA. If you can state your opinion on Kerry, so can I. He is a 100% grade A douche bag. Everybody wants him in office just because they don't like Bush, and half the people out there only base their vote on that. Half of them don't even know what the fucker stands for. And I'm getting sick of all this, "He's finishing daddy's job.", crap. Our military has liberated two countries since Bush has been in office. Another thing is everybody saying "Bush Lies People Die", and Michael Moore on F 9/11 going up to those guys and asking them to sign their children up to go die in Iraq. Before I start on this I have friends and family in the military so it's not like I don't know where I'm coming from. When you join the military you should know that there is going to be a chance that you might get killed. You are fighting for your country. And you might say, "Iraq didn't even do anything to us." America is a beacon of light for the rest of the world. We always help people when they need help, and this time is no different. I mean should we have let Saddam Hussein just keep on killing people for no reason? Now don't get me wrong I do think that we should pull our troops out because our job is done there, but people are just using this as an excuse to get Bush out of office just because they don't like him. Blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda, I could go on and on but Silent Hill 4 is calling my name. P.S. Go ahead and bash me, and say I'm ignorant, because I've already gotten enough of it because of my beliefs. So I think I can handle a little bit more. Fire away!

linkinparkfreak Wrote: There's only one thing to say about John Kerry, in the famous words of Trey Parker, "Derp!" John Kerry said he is going to rely on the U.N. to make our war decisions for us. Well, I guess we can say bye bye USA. If you can state your opinion on Kerry, so can I. He is a 100% grade A douche bag. Everybody wants him in office just because they don't like Bush, and half the people out there only base their vote on that. Half of them don't even know what the fucker stands for. And I'm getting sick of all this, "He's finishing daddy's job.", crap. Our military has liberated two countries since Bush has been in office. Another thing is everybody saying "Bush Lies People Die", and Michael Moore on F 9/11 going up to those guys and asking them to sign their children up to go die in Iraq. Before I start on this I have friends and family in the military so it's not like I don't know where I'm coming from. When you join the military you should know that there is going to be a chance that you might get killed. You are fighting for your country. And you might say, "Iraq didn't even do anything to us." America is a beacon of light for the rest of the world. We always help people when they need help, and this time is no different. I mean should we have let Saddam Hussein just keep on killing people for no reason? Now don't get me wrong I do think that we should pull our troops out because our job is done there, but people are just using this as an excuse to get Bush out of office just because they don't like him. Blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda, I could go on and on but Silent Hill 4 is calling my name. P.S. Go ahead and bash me, and say I'm ignorant, because I've already gotten enough of it because of my beliefs. So I think I can handle a little bit more. Fire away!

Amen! Finally, another Big ass Republican like myself on these boards! Im really big on politics and Iv watched all the national conventions, speeches, etc. And you know what really makes me sick? All these little whiney baby liberals saying "well, all the Republican party does is bash the Democrats." To this I say, GET UR FUCKING EARS CHECKED! The democrats did just as much bashing if not more than the democrats! And if you really watched the Republican National Convention and ur not just blabbin ur fat mouths than you should know that the one person who did the most bashin on Kerry was a DEMOCRAT!