I think there is a method to the madness of the Bush administration's

[Veggie Meathead]

domestic policies.They come to the table knowing that the middleclass intelligentsia is generally against them and they are waging war against the middle class at every opportunity. The shifting of the

tax burden from the wealthy to the middle class is now an established fact.Because this was accomplished without so much as a whimper of a protest, they are now training their guns at the next pillar of middleclass economic security--- the Social Security System. The socalled "Ownership Society" is a ruse designed to dismantle the entire Social Security System within the next two decades.Notice how all their plans are implemented in slomo so that Republicans would not feel the political heat immediately,least of all Bush.

The dismantling of the Social Security System will ensure that our seniors will have a hard time and would be reduced to begging in the streets.A generational war would erupt with the young and healthy despising the elderly.It would be a Hegelian nightmare unleashed on America, a war of all against all.

I would also note that when the dismantling of FDR's programs is completed, more moneys would be made available for their program of world domination and,of course, more "fodder units"( Bush Senior's
term for our soldiers) would be available for fighting their wars against just about everybody on earth.

In my opinion, John Kerry and John Edwards should hammer away at these themes during the enxt eight weeks.Our elderly should be awakened to what lies ahead for them, our poor people( whites, blacks, hispanics, native Americans) must be made aware that the election of Bush poses a personal danger to them.

[stray cat]

1. Definitely the Bush Agenda!

Even their fear campaign is intended to distract from the real agenda of keeping any power away from 98% of Americans.

[Veggie Meathead]

3. IMHO the Kerry-Edwards team should avoid at all costs being

drawn into any discussions of "terror" and wars.This only gives Bush an opportunity to thump his chests.The only thing I would like to see is contrast Bush's AWOL status, his pulling strings to avoid the draft, Cheney's deferments with Kerry's heroic war record.

But hammering away at what lies ahead for our elderly ( loss of social security, increased medicare payments) and what lies ahead for our poor ( no economic opportunities,leaving the military service as the only viable option) will resonate with voters, the traditional Democratic base.This calls for an educational and voter awareness program of the first order.I hope Kerry-Edwards take it to them.

[LibDemAlways]

2. Elderly people have a lot of time on

their hands, and pay very close attention to their Social Security and Medicare benefits. They also vote. They aren't going to like the 17% increase in their Medicare premiums. The chimp tried to sweep that one under the carpet yesterday, but it's something that has the potential to do him significant damage on Nov. 2.

[Veggie Meathead]

4. If you combine that with the potential loss of all Social Security,

we can have a winning formula to get the votes of this very involved constituency, which, by all inclinations, is Democratic.

[dumpster_baby]

5. actually, white males from 33-50 are generally pro-Bush

That age range is approximate, but it does generally contradict your thesis.

THat said, I do agree that educated white people are probably a tad more Kerry than Bush.

[Veggie Meathead]

6. those whose livelihoods are not threatened and fall in this age

group, yes.But others whose jobs are at stake will not be. I think our job is to convince even those who think they are economicall well situated to think about what will happen to them if their jobs wind up in China.Of course, people like IT professionals already know that their jobs are going to be permanently lost to India.The blue collar people are the ones we need to convince.

[dumpster_baby]

7. Actually, I myself am one of this 33-50 yo threatened white males

Free trade wiped out my career. But even if I were still working, I could not vote bush, not after my research into leftist writings. Heck, I can barely vote kerry.

[Veggie Meathead]

8. Please do not waste your vote. We need people like you to

turn back the evil that has gripped our country.You and I as single people may not feel powerful but when we are part of a movement we will be.Please take heart and vote for Kerry-Edwards.Our day is coming.

[Gin]

9. there is madness to their madness....these folks are nuts....

insane people can be clever and cruel.....understanding what you are dealing with is half the battle...in the end...the straight jacket will confine them...and we will watch. (IMHO)