Investigative reporter Greg Palast is author of The Best Democracy Money Can Buy (Penguin 2004). Oliver Shykles and Matthew Pascarella of GregPalast.com contributed to this article.
Nov 12, 2004

2004 Elections
Failing the Test of Citizenship
Mike Hersh writes: Millions of voters failed the test of citizenship, in part because Republicans lie so effectively and the media refuse to do their jobs. For example, Dick Cheney threatened Americans saying a vote for Kerry was a vote for a devastating nuclear attack in our cities. Those most familiar with real al Qaeda attacks rejected Cheney's indefensible threats. Ground Zero for 9/11 - New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia and even Northern Virginia supported the Democrats. Still, Cheney's vicious campaign worked by exploiting fear of terrorism elsewhere.

Republicans created and benefited from a massive information vacuum through dishonesty and immorality. Media irresponsibility helped maintain this fog of deceit. In this environment, the Democrats failed as teachers. The Republican method rests on manipulating misinformed people, and making sure they remain misinformed and pliable. While Democrats try to educate the electorate, Republicans try to trick voters and - failing that - to deny voting rights. Democrats have to knit together facts honestly into a compelling narrative. It should be easy. In the end, the truth always beats lies.
Nov 5, 2004

2004 Elections
Bush Threatens Social Security
Mike Hersh writes: Bush claims he won't "privatize" Social Security, opting for the kinder, gentler term "modernize." Since we can't take Bush as his word, we have to judge him by his actions. When Bush took office he reversed the Clinton/Gore policies which were paying down our debt. Throwing away bipartisan consensus in favor of fiscal responsibility, Bush gave away our surplus - almost entirely to elite special interests which had backed his and his father's various candidacies. Rather than reserve at least some of the surplus to shoring up Social Security as he'd promised, Bush raided the Treasury and the Social Security Trust Fund. These are undisputed facts.
Oct 31, 2004

2004 Elections
Why Would Anyone Vote for Bush and Cheney?
Mike Hersh writes: Bush and Cheney base their campaign on hypocritical accusations that Kerry cannot protect American lives and trivializing or ignoring important issues. No wonder they try to claim they're the only ones who can keep us safe - even though they let terrorists operate in the US after ignoring specific warnings bin Laden was intent on striking. Bush and Cheney hope we forget that it wasn't Kerry who didn't keep us safe, Bush and Cheney failed on that paramount responsibility - and then failed to make needed changes to fix the problems.

Either Bush can't do the job for America, or he refuses to do the job. Either way, it's time for serious leadership. It's time to end the blame games, the trivialization, the excuses, and the lies. We cannot afford four more years of more of the same. Bush is unfit to serve four more minutes. Bush whines that the job of president is "hard." Let's do him a big favor and fire him next week so he can find a job he can do.
Oct 26, 2004

2004 Elections
Overrule the Pro-Bush Polls
The Staff writes: Before the debates, the polls showed Kerry 5 points or more behind. After Bush's horrendous debate performances, the polls told us the race was tied. Now they're saying Bush is pulling away. We know this isn't true, because Gallup and other polls admit they over-count Republicans in their surveys. Unless we show our support openly, people will assume the polls are accurate. We have to wear shirts and buttons, show stickers and other emblems of our support for Kerry to make sure people know Kerry is the real choice for most Americans. If we sit back silently, the fake polls will give the Republicans cover to steal our election again. What can you do about it? Become a walking public opinion poll by buying and wearing and showing anti-Bush and pro-Kerry items.
Oct 18, 2004

2004 Elections
The Lawyer vs. the Liar
Mike Hersh writes: People judging the Vice Presidential Debate on demeanor and talking points miss the point. While if taken in isolation, VP Dick Cheney held his own but only by flatly denying Sen. John Edwards' charges - denying known facts and reality - while lashing out with lies about Edwards and his running mate John Kerry with increasingly testy whoppers. Early in the debate, Edwards set the tone:

"Mr. Vice President, you are still not being straight with the American people. I mean, the reality you and George Bush continue to tell people, first, that things are going well in Iraq -- the American people don't need us to explain this to them, they see it on their television every single day. We lost more troops in September than we lost in August; lost more in August than we lost in July; lost more in July than we lost in June." Nothing Cheney said or did bridged this huge and growing credibility gap.
Oct 6, 2004

2004 Elections
Bottom Line: Bush Failed
Mike Hersh writes: Voters have a clear choice between Kerry's clear thinking, honesty and leadership ability versus Bush's odd mix of vacillation when we need clarity and stubborn refusal to change course when his simplistic stabs at policy blow up in our faces. Bush's lies, denials and excuses won't bring the dead back to life or prevent future attacks. Bush tries to excuse his horrendous record by blaming "bad intelligence." That's not good enough.

Bush ignored sound advice and followed only the "intelligence" that supported his snap judgments and prejudices. We must hold Bush accountable for his fatal mistakes. Bush showed he won't stop endangering our lives with his bad decisions. He refuses to adjust or reverse the bad choices he keeps making based on ignorance, false information and poor planning. Kerry can keep us safe. Bush can't. We have to vote Bush out before he gets more Americans killed. What more is there to think about?
Oct 2, 2004

2004 Elections
Kerry Wins First Debate
Mike Hersh writes: Although Kerry won this debate, watch out for another dishonest media rewrite trying to rob Kerry of his debate victory, just as they did to Al Gore in 2000. This debate focused on foreign policy, Bush's supposed strong point. On the economy and domestic issues - where Bush is trying to distract Americans from sky-rocketing poverty, oil and health care costs, millions of good jobs lost, and more bad news by gay bashing, race baiting and empty posturing - Bush is even more vulnerable. When the topic shifts to those issues, Bush can only show his shortcomings in all matters domestic.
Oct 1, 2004

2004 Elections
Kerry is Correct, Bush Campaign is Lying about 'Swift Boat' Vets
Mike Hersh reports that the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" are really a swift talking, vote-grabbing dirty-trick operation closely linked to the Bush 2004 effort, despite Bush campaign denials. Bush backers are lying and lying about lying. They're also "flip-flopping" to cover up disturbing facts about Bush's own record - from the Vietnam Era to date.
Aug 20, 2004

2004 Elections
Swing States for Kerry Edwards
About 20 very important states will decide this election. If you live in one of those states, you can make a huge difference. Show your support for John Kerry. Let your neighbors know your state is Kerry Country. Wear shirts and show other items to beat Bush. Even if don't live in a swing state you can still make a difference. Buy and send caps, shirts, bags and stickers to friends who do. Or "adopt" a swing state and send items to people there. Buy bulk buttons and magnets. Find swing voters at these links: Swing State Initiative | Mainstreet Moms Oppose Bush. Make a difference in 2004!

Swing States for Kerry/Edwards	Arizona for Kerry/Edwards	Arkansas for Kerry/Edwards
Colorado for Kerry/Edwards	Florida for Kerry Edwards	Iowa for Kerry/Edwards
Louisiana for Kerry/Edwards	Michigan for Kerry/Edwards	Minnesota for Kerry/Edwards
Missouri for Kerry/Edwards	Nevada for Kerry/Edwards	New Hampshire for Kerry/Edwards
New Mexico for Kerry/Edwards	North Carolina for Kerry/Edwards	Ohio for Kerry/Edwards
Oregon for Kerry/Edwards	Pennsylvania for Kerry/Edwards	Tennessee for Kerry/Edwards
Washington for Kerry/Edwards	West Virginia for Kerry/Edwards	Wisconsin for Kerry/Edwards

Fortunately, as I will argue below, a Kerry administration, the "lesser evil" may not be all that evil. Those who told us in 2000 that there was not a dime's worth of difference might pause for a moment and reflect. If a thousand or so Nader votes in Florida had gone instead for Al Gore.... [ Visit Website ]
May 5, 2004

2004 Elections
An Open Letter to John Kerry from a Worried Democrat
Michael Silverstein, the Wall St. Poet, writes An Open Letter to John Kerry from a Worried Democrat. Dear Senator Kerry: Like so many Americans who understand the necessity of defeating George W. Bush this November, I've been profoundly disappointed by your failure to capitalize on his many policy blunders. You seem unable to present your views in ways that touch people and change minds.

Given President Bush's obvious vulnerabilities on Iraq, jobs, tax policies, the environment, drug costs, energy, women's rights, et al., the coming election is more and more becoming yours to lose. And lose you will (and we will) unless you correct present shortcomings. Here's a few suggestions, respectively offered, that might help improve your campaign.
May 5, 2004