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Third party candidates can be a double edged sword. H. Ross Perot shook things up in 92. I would have voted for him if i would have been able to register in time. But the end result was that he took potential votes from the Republican Party. I cant remember if it was enough to ensure a Clinton victory or not, i was more focused on the fact that somebody was out to bypass politics and run the goverment like a business.
He did make an impression during the Presidential debates. In my opinion, he stole the show. He didn't direct his responses to the panel, he directed them to the audience. Those college kids ate it up. What was also suprising was the fact that he said he has lived the "American Dream" and he wants us to live it too because I love you! The words "I Love you" are not very common from Presidential candidates and it made an impact like you wouldn't believe. The blue collar crowd that i lived around and worked with took notice of this goofy-little man. (For the record, Perot choice of a running mate was not a good one)
Perot had a top 10 list of objectives that he thought needed to be addressed dealing with goverment and the country as a whole. He presented the issues on national television and the political experts only focused on his personna and image. But what was strange was that 7 of those 10 issues were dealt with in some positive measure during the next session of Congress. One big issue was abolishing the I.R.S. The I.R.S. took measures to become more "user friendly" and helpful.
Yes, 3rd party candidates can have a measureable impact on the election. Positive or negative, that would depend on your point of view.

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Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.

I'll say this... and that's all

I don't think anyone really LIKED Kerry... not many people anyway.

This election was Bush vs Bush... most people either voted for Bush or voted against him. Kerry just happened to be the other name on the ballot.

I'm sure I missed this one a little, but alot of people feel this way too.

One thing I have heard being kicked around, is actually doing away with the IRS and going to a "voluntary" tax. A national sales tax. The more you buy, the more you pay into the government.

One good example of this is Mississippi and Tennessee. There's a 7% state sales tax in MS and it's a big freakin hassle at the end of the year. People are having to file non-resident for working here and not living here, and it's just dumb...

TN, on the other hand, just said what the hell and set a higher sales tax. 9% I think. It works well, too. Noone has to file non-resident, the people that live there don't have to worry about damn paperwork, and there is not really much of a tax commission. (Less overhead)

The whole idea is there more you make, the more you spend. The higher your income, the more you're taxed. Things like groceries and fuel wouldn't be taxed, just discretionary spending.

http://www.fairtax.org/
Smart people can just stop buying stuff. People think that would cripple the economy... and yeah, it would sag, but just temporarily. People always need new cars, new clothes, etc... It would eventually balance out, and hey.. no IRS

There has always been a division of party ideals. I watched some of Bush's acceptance speech and some of Kerry's consession speech. Kerry showed me that overall, he was an honorable candidate for the presidency. He asked that all of his supporters to focus on the direction the country has taken with the current administration.
Bush addressed the nation with a certian degree of humble gratitude. He stated to those who voted for Kerry that he will have to do his very best to earn their respect.
Both Kerry and Bush are well aware that during these times, a divided country just will not benefit anyone.

Although you may have felt that the nation was unified during the Clinton administration, There were many of us that though quite the opposite.
For instance, "Monicagate". Now i know that Presidents throughout the years have had certian infidelities. Presidents are just as foulable as anyone. But when Clinton boldly pointing his finger at the camera stating in an almost agressive manner that he DID NOT have sexual relations with her. He Lied. He lied to investigators, he lied to a nation, he lied to me.
Half the country though "so what"? "Big deal". The other half (which included me) though that they deserved better from a standing President.
Also, i didn't initially like the idea of "2 Presidents" in office at the same time. Hillary pushed Health care way too hard, too fast. Yes health care is a domestic issue that needs a total overhaul. When people have to order perscription drugs from out of the country, to me this is a big red flag that says that something NEEDS to be done.
The inittial benefits of the .com era may seem to envision prosperity but it left us vulnerable on many levels.
During the Regan administration, there was an unpresidented High Tech/arms build-up spearheaded by a President that walked the walk. And it was mortgaged on the future. One way to look at it was to realize that your kids would foot the bill (3 Trillion). To some, this was outragious. To others, it was the only sure way to defeat Communism. Capitalizm prevailed and the Soviet Union was no longer a superpower.
The Clinton era was able to eliminate vast amounts of debt but to do that, The DoD was hit too hard for our own good. There was restructuring and downsizing of the military during the Bush Sr era, but The Clinton administration seen the financial gains of pushing much harder. Now were paying THAT price.
Whats the use if you're economically prosperous but you get mugged at the atm machine? If you eliminate the mugger, you're free to do good things with your life.

_________________
Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.