Things aren’t well in Oregon. Things aren’t well in the United States, and things aren’t well in the world. Whether we’re speaking about the environment, civil rights, the economy, overpopulation or war, things are deteriorating at a rapid pace.
Not everything that’s wrong in the world is the fault of George Bush, his advisers and the Republican-controlled Congress, but their style of leadership (spitting in our friends’ and enemies’ eyes, “Bring it On,” not signing the international land mine treaty) and the direction they’ve chosen for the country do have local as well as international impacts.
When I think of who I’ll vote for this fall, I focus on the 1,000 people who the president appoints to his or her cabinet and executive departments. I believe John Kerry’s picks would be more creative, objective, compassionate and expert in ways that Bush’s picks have been partisan, mean-spirited and fanatical. This change alone is enough of a reason for me to back John Kerry’s campaign for president with every fiber in my body.

Albert Kaufman

Portland