Albuquerque Takes a Stand for Kerry

Excerpts from the lead editorial today in the Albuquerque Tribune:

"From the war in Iraq and the acidic sections of the Patriot Act, to global warming and national energy policy, Bush's foreign and domestic policies have been based on secrecy, fear, distortion and misinformation. For these reasons, we urge independent and undecided voters in particular to double-check what Bush says against what he has done. Bush continues to insult American intelligence with his:

- Mistaken and unreal views of the war in Iraq, with its mounting costs in American and Iraqi lives, money and good will;

- Failure to focus US military might on pursuing our real enemy, the terrorists;

- Willingness to compromise American freedoms, in contrast to a resistance to develop and implement safeguards to protect our people, borders, ports and infrastructure from future terror attacks;

- Unabashed flip-flop of the conservative fiscal ideal, turning a balance federal budget---indeed, a huge surplus---into the largest deficit in US history;

- Unrelenting attack on 30 years of environmental promise to benefit political friends in the fossil fuel and utility industries;

- Willingness to accept a $422 billion federal deficit, a ballooning $7.42 trillion national debt and grossly unfair tax cuts.

These all come at the expense of ordinary, hard-working, taxpayng Americans--and our children's children, who will be stuck paying the bill.

In very sharp contrast, Kerry has demonstrated tested qualities of leadership and imagination. The hallmarks of his Senate record and presidential candidacy are less partisan and more fundamentally democratic and moderate.

And moderation, in an increasingly polarized nation, is absolutely vital.

Kerry embraces transparency, consensus and compromise. As does our constitution, he will seek to include, not exclude. Although labeled a flip-flopper, Kerry represents the essence of statesmanship. Unlike Bush and Cheney, he has the courage to alter political positions and courses when he finds he was mistaken. "

"...he represents a more realistic plan to end the US occupation (In Iraq), transfer power to the Iraqi people and extricate our troops as soon as practical. He has promised to rebuild our international alliances, embrace alliances and treaties, and lead by example, not threat."

"Kerry embraces ideas. He seeks to represent the most fundamental of American values, ideals and hopes. He is committed to a government contract based on the premise 'of, by and for the people.' "

"The Tribune endorses John Kerry for President of the United States.

He has earned the job---and the chance to return security, prosperity, freedom, concensus and the American identity to a nation at odds with the world and itself. The United States has lost its way under President Bush, who too often has failed on both foreign and domestic fronts."