The Unofficial Real Time Presidential Debate Thread, page 14

First of all, I must say that the wardrobe managers need at least one gay man to ensure that �your date does not dress like you.�

Tonight�s debate was not a win or even a draw, it was purely a matter of campaign rhetoric. Nonetheless as a foreigner, there are a few things I noticed which would stay with me if it were candidates in my country vying for the top seat. So I ask my American friends to consider before they cast their vote.

The very first question was regarding the shortage of the flu vaccine. Bush responded in a manner that immediately brought back memories of 9/11, in that American media was quick to blame Canada for the advent of the terrorists� entry into the US. Bush blamed what he has referred to repeatedly in the past, as your best friend, England, for the vaccine problem. He then said he was looking to Canada to fill the shortfall, Canada, the very country to which 5 days ago he levied his distrust with regard the importation of drugs. Later he criticized socialist countries for �having poor healthcare.� Whereby, Canada is often criticized for its healthcare, it just strikes me as odd that he looks to a poor provider to solve the flu vaccine problem.

In contradictingKerry on his stance on terrorism being reduced to a nuisance, Bush declared that reducing the importance of terrorism to that of prostitution is �dangerous,� which leads me to ask the question then; when will America under Bush's purview, place as much emphasis on the war on whores? Granted, his statement may not have meant what I interpreted.

Bush claims Kerry voted 127 times against tax reductions in 20 years. I understood that the federal budget was presented once yearly, so in 20 years I would want to know what comprises 6.035 nay votes a year, so as to be clear that one nay vote is not counted in multiplicity.

On the job market, Bush hangs his hat on education. It seems essential to him that the general public have an education to compete for the jobs loss. To this I ask? Is it a requirement to have a degree to sweep floors, clean toilets or work on assembly line? Further into the debate the issue of illegal Mexicans came up and again the jobs were addressed as to the minimum wage in that the Mexicans come to the US to work from 50 cents to $5./hour. Well what jobs are Mexicans with presumably far less an education, and introductory English speaking skills, more qualified to hold over educated Americans? Finally, an educated person would hope to make more than minimum wage, otherwise, why go to college? But how can they compete with working in Indians educated or otherwise who will accept wages not only undercutting minimum wage, but corporations taking advantage of offshore tax havens?

Interesting indeed was the question regarding the Catholic Church and abortions. I note that the Bush campaign strategists solicited the RCC for support and support they seem to have found. Bush�s advantage was his visits to the Vatican. However, the RCC does not like the abortion issue and appeal to good Roman Catholics everywhere to note how sacrilegious such an act is to their God. Yet, this church is not affording the same attention to the death penalty, and this church inherently subscribes to sex for procreation only, and at best, Vatican roulette.

Of note: It seems that Bush made a promise to his wife that he did not keep.

The most elitist line of the debate: � I met with the black congress and caucus at the White House��

[edit on 10/13/04 by SomewhereinBetween]