bush vs. kerry, round 3 is being televised nationally at 8PM central tonight. i find it interesting that bush’s new campaign strategy has to deal with demonizing kerry by labeling him a “liberal” and a proponent for “big government”. i find it suprisingly self-deprecating of george bush to accuse kerry of big government when his own administration has the same thing on so many occasions.

the patriot act
everybody’s favorite bit of legislation that supposedly “sharpens our teeth” against the terrorists. i mean, if it’s called the “patriot” act, it can’t possibly be bad can it? i’ll argue that there are a lot of provisions allowed by the act that do help, but there are also a frighteningly large number of civil liberties that are stamped all over in this act. here’s a link for more info.

u.s. dept. of homeland security
a new branch of the government. i don’t know what normal people call that, but i’d say it’s increasing the size of the government. i actually agree with the spirit of the department, and don’t necessarily have any reservations against the department itself. but how can bush claim the conservative minimalist government ideal, with this staring in his face?

unprecented spending on the military
we’ve already spent over 120 billion on iraq. not that the situation doesn’t deserve it, i fully support our troops over seas, and think they deserve every accomodation afforded to them. correct me if i’m wrong though, isn’t the military a branch of the government? oh, ya. that’s right.

it’s increasingly clear that the bush campaign has been based on childish labels the past months. do people really positively respond to this? i can’t help but think he is limiting himself to his current constituency. the political waters are so freaking divided right now, you’d think he’d want to win a few over from the “liberal” side. oh well, it’s your grave george.

never fret though, george bush will guide us safely through the night and make sure that liberals like john kerry never give the “evil ones” the keys to our homes. fear, consume.