I realize that I’ve spent much of this space expressing my disdain for George Bush and his administration, — there is so much to loathe — but let me turn to why I’m supporting John Kerry.

1) Philosophically, I believe that government has an important and positive role in establishing the public good. I believe that one of government’s tasks is to act on a check to the profit motive, which we have seen must be somehow controlled (see Teddy Roosevelt; see Enron). I think John Kerry shares this view; I think George Bush views government as a servant of overweening corporatism. (I don’t think that all Republicans are as irresponsible are George Bush!)

2) I believe that John Kerry is a more sensible and thoughtful person than George Bush (whose personal and political history is unencouraging). For some sense of Kerry’s public service, I recommend reading this summary in “The Nation.” (I tend to think of “The Nation” as a fairly wild-eyed leftist publication, but this is a very measured look at Kerry’s record.)

3) I believe that Kerry will develop policies — particularly tax policy — that lead to a more sensible distribution of goods and services in this country; a more thoughtful, measured response to the threat of terrorism; a wiser foreign policy; a decent health care system; a cleaner environment.

4) I believe Kerry is neither corrupt, nor reckless, nor deceitful, and I am sure George Bush is all of those things.