Improving country must be the focus

The campaigning on both the Bush and Kerry tickets is quite focused on the war on terrorism. I feel it has very little to do with picking the best candidate for the job of president.

John Kerry was in Vietnam with a relatively clear-cut enemy. This war is totally different and no matter who wins the election, the next president and the one after him will have to deal with it.

Our enemies are no longer clear since it seems that most of the world would love to take a shot at an American. We will eventually leave Iraq, but it won’t change those who hate us. They are illusive, intelligent and have infinite patience. The tactics for fighting this type of war are in their infancy and are being developed by scores of people and agencies, not just the president. I realize that the primary duty of the president is to ensure our freedom and safety and whoever is chosen will do their best with the help of all the agencies that are devoted to just that task.

Let’s now start focusing on how to improve our country. Health care, education, inflation, new industry and jobs, taxes, etc. – these are the issues that are being skirted around. Both sides are claiming to be able to fix our country but the “how” is being left out. The war on terror is not going away any time soon and I would like to know how it will be funded without breaking the backs of the American people or the economy of the United States, not just how it will be fought.

Steve Soule

Everett

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