[Spank-A-Thon]

Faile, just as in the UK you have to understand that not all people are a) interested in politics, or b) educated about politics.

There is no doubt that Bush has made some serious errors of judgement; I think that is something we can all agree on. I too am sorry that Bush was re-elected, but I have to admit also, there was something about Kerry that just did not sit right with me.

If Kerry had have won I'm not convinced things would have changed that much - history shows that new leaders don't generally make many changes to the status quo with any immediacy. On Foreign Policy there's not much difference in their stance (although I can't shake off the feeling that Kerry would be willing to negotiate with terrorists) but in Domestic Policy Kerry said he would do new things (which is not the same as actually doing).

There is no doubt that the whole Iraq situation is seriously messed up; a resolution looks difficult. However, I don't think Kerry would have been able to bring anything new to the table. The senate will still have a Republican majority and as such would have still exerted a "Bush-onian" influence over actions in Iraq.

Ultimately the American people have decided that Bush is best for them. That is their right and as such you cannot dismiss the American people for that. Unfortunately, it was a choice between Kerry and Bush and therein lies the problem; John Kerry.

I know it sounds stupid but Kerry just didn't look like a President (for me, Edwards was vastly more suitable). I have no doubt, if good ol' Bill had have been running against Bush things would have been vastly different. This election was as much about the man as it was the parties and America voted on the man.

I can understand that Bush needed to be voted out, but I don't think the US could bring themselves to vote Kerry in "just to vote Bush out".

As for the world "not being safer", it will never be safe as long as there is religion. The majority of wars are started because of religion. The fanatic nut jobs (I refuse to call them militants) are not interested in democracy or tolerance, they want to impose their way of life upon everyone. Whether Bush or Kerry is in power, those type of people will always exist and as such the world will never be safe.

On a final note, my brother is in the Armed Forces. My partner is in the Royal Air Force and because of Bush-Blair they could very well end up dying in Iraq. The many hostages killed could also be blamed on Bush-Blair so if anyone assumes I am a fan of Bush, then that is so far from the truth I can't describe it.

I cannot however agree with calling Bush worse than Hitler. Hitler committed mass genocide and brought the world to war. I do not agree with Bush's decisions or methods, but I certainly don't agree he is evil on the same scale as Hitler.

- S