Someone who started two wars or someone who seeks understanding and is willing to forgive?
Someone who condemns gay people or someone willing to understand and forgive them?
Someone who uses the death penalty as a means for 'justice' or someone promotes humanitarian reform?

I like America. I like the free education I got as a kid and knowing that my children will receive the same. I like the help I received paying for college. I like knowing that my mentee can expect the same. I like the help I received while searching for my current job. I like knowing that my government will help me when I retire. I like knowing that social security will help my friend while waiting for an organ donor. I like knowing that the police are there to uphold law and order. I like all the good things that my tax money brings. I have never filed a bogus tax claim. I have never cheated on my government. I have never asked to pay less and receive more. That is why I will vote for Kerry. I will gladly repay the $20 Bush saved me help the government that helped me.

I have a friend who just found out that he will need two organ transplants in order to live. As such, he makes frequent doctor visits that are just too expensive for the average American worker. Not surprisingly, he has accumulated a medical debt that few Americans could hope to pay off. Yet, he continues to work, fighting through the pain, hoping that he will come out ahead one day.

So, it was nice that George W. Bush cut taxes. It basically benefited all those American who can afford their health care and aren't worried about their retirement. But, like a butterfly flapping its wings, nothing happens in isolation. Bush's tax cut has crippled our health care, drained social security and created a $500,000,000,000 deficit. To add insult to injury, Bush condemns Kerry for wanting to remove his tax cut and use the money "to pay for health care, education and other needs."

So, I ask myself, is paying another 1% in taxes worth the life of a friend - an American. Is it worth a retirement plan - a happy secure future? What is the few dollars you have saved worth to you?

View the letter

Dearest Mama and Papa,

What can I say? I am empty, bitter, angry and desperately lost with nothing but war, violence, and more war around me. I just don't believe that it was meant to be this cruel and senseless -- that anyone could possibly get near to Persh to take his life. What a God-damn total waste. Why? I was on watch on the bridge when the executive officer came over and asked me if I had a friend called Pershing. I knew immediately it was all over but even when I read the telegram it took moments to sink in. Then I just walked off the bridge and cried -- a pathetic and very empty kind of crying that turned into anger and bitterness.

I have never felt so void of feeling before -- so numb. My God I feel sorry for Shirley... I just feel so sorry for the whole thing. I am glad that you wrote Mrs. Pershing -- I know that it will mean a lot to her and it was warming to me to know that you did.

With the loss of Persh something has gone out of me -- he was so much a part of my life at the irreplaceable, incomparable moments of love, concerns, anger and compassion exchanged in Bones that can never be replaced -- never be satisfied in memory form. Persh was an unbelievable spark in all of us and we took for granted that we would always be together -- go crashing through life in our unconquerable fashion as one entity. Now that is gone in one incomprehensible moment. Time will never heal this. It may alleviate but it will never heal. If I do nothing more, and if I convince... the others to do nothing more, it will be to give every effort we can to somehow make this a better world to live in and to end once and for all this willingness to expend ourselves in this stupid, endless self-distruction.

Persh's loss will not -- and I don't know why -- but it will not affect my faith, rather strengthen my convictions -- it's the loss of another friend that teaches you so much it would be trite to even put it on paper. I just can't... the picture of the funeral out of my mind... There is a lot now to say but I really don't want to write about it -- I just don't have it in me. I will write again in a few days. I hope. Take care and God bless. I am thinking of you all.

Much love,
John

John Kerry, in a letter to his parents after learning that his friend, Richard Pershing, died in Vietnam.

  Silver Star: The Silver Star citation makes clear that Kerry's wartime service was both extraordinary and risky. "With utter disregard for his own safety and the enemy rockets," the Kerry's silver star citation says, Kerry "again ordered a charge on the enemy, beached his boat only 10 feet from the Viet Cong rocket position and personally led a landing party ashore in pursuit of the enemy. ... The extraordinary daring and personal courage of Lt. Kerry in attacking a numerically superior force in the face of intense fire were responsible for the highly successful mission."

  Bronze Star V: "The man was receiving sniper fire from both banks," according to Kerry's Bronze Star citation. "Lt. Kerry directed his gunners to provide suppressing fire, while from an exposed position on the bow, his arm bleeding and in pain (purple heart #3), with disregard for his personal safety, he pulled the man aboard [a Green Beret who is identified only as "Rassman."]. Lt. Kerry then directed his boat to return and assist the other damaged craft and towed the boat to safety. Lt. Kerry's calmness, professionalism and great personal courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the US Naval Service," Zumwalt's citation said.

  Purple Heart #1: On Dec. 2, 1968, Kerry took a risky covert mission in which he essentially was supposed to "flush out" the enemy, using a little Boston Whaler named "Batman." The Batman crew encountered some Viet Cong, engaged in a firefight, and Kerry was wounded on his arm, earning his first Purple Heart.

  Purple Heart #2: On Feb. 20, 1969, Kerry earned his second Purple Heart after sustaining a shrapnel wound in his left thigh.

  Purple Heart #3: On March 13, 1969, a mine detonated near Kerry's boat, wounding Kerry in the right arm, according to the citation written by Zumwalt. Guerrillas started firing on the boats from the shoreline. Kerry then realized that he had lost overboard a Green Beret who is identified only as "Rassman."

Kerry presents himself as a man of strength, intelligence and integrity. He was the first man to call Bush on his 'evil doings' and I believe that he is the strength behind the subtle movement to speak out against Bush's tyranny. He knows the difference between right and wrong and holds true to ethical backbone that creates his character. He has already developed a plan to win back the America that Americans love - a plan that focuses on America, not Iraq. He has a history of leadership untainted by corruption and a voice for a new tomorrow.

Please vote John Kerry 2004