I posted this in a Nader-related thread, here is a summary of how I think on some issues:
I like Nader because:
-against corporate welfare (like bailing out the airlines after 9/11)
-against the government regulating adult's consensual behavior
-against tax shelters for corporations
-stong support for the environment (animals and rainforests) and supports Kyoto
-supports better vehicle and fuel regulation (pollution and safety-related)
-supports affirmative action
-would genuinely support renewable energy
I like Bush because:
-I'm against abortion
-I support the war on terror
-I support flat-tax system (not that he does, but he is a tax-cutter)
-I support the State of Israel's right to exist
-sympathetic to the toils of Mexican immigrants (having lived on the border while he was governor of Texas)
-doesn't render to much control of US policy/affairs to the UN
I DON'T like Kerry because:
-the way he would steal Dean's speeches and methods outright without any guilt
-his flip-flopping makes me wary of anything he says, especially if it's a totally different position than he had before
-could't stop mentioning Vietnam during the primaries...
-I don't support partial-birth abortions
so basically, this is just a small example, my views on different issues lie all over the map (for example, I don't like Ralph Nader's support of a woman's right to choose), but basically I average everything out and basically, Kerry was a douchebag during the primaries, I doubt that has changed now that he isn't going up against Dean... I'm sure I agree with something genuinely with Kerry, but I don't know if he is something I particulary like leading our country...
I agree with Kerry on Israel, and I actually hate Bush's bumbling on the envinroment with the same "it would hurt our economy" line instead of working towards some innovative, new solution. I know Nader is a super-taxer and his idea of government would probably execute in a lazy, fat fashion with tons of beauracracy, but I do like him taking on both parties...
My support for Ralph Nader is more of an admitted protest vote because I think the environment should be a major issue (as can be seen in The Day After Tomorrow) and I'm a fan of his consumer-advocate ways. Actually, if Kerry were to make a big deal out of the environment, commit to Kyoto 100% (or rather, find an innovative solution that wouldn't cripple our economy, but definitely make a stand on the issue), and say that he can guarantee using Alaska's oil temporarily as we work to cut our dependence on foreign oil by 10-15% under him, maybe by giving MAJOR incentives to hybrid manufacturers or something, I'd vote for him in a heart-beat, but basically I see him as the same as Bush on this issue, any difference is negligable that I don't notice it...
It's not a black and white world, and it's not a Kerry/Bush world, or a Democrat/Republican world, I think Bill Clinton did a good job as President (with the exception of the terror issue), I'm usually a big supporter of Democrats (in fact my whole town is basically a Democratic strong-hold in a Mexican community), I always vote in the Democratic primary (so I guess I'm technically a registered Democrat), but I just call it as I see it...
I was making a point about how I would support Nader's run, although I don't agree with him on some fiscal issues, I wouldn't mind seeing a 3rd party presence in the US to bring up issues the two parties won't (like corporate welfare)...