A convert, maybe

After over two months of trying almost any argument to convince my mom to vote for John Kerry, I may have finally been successful. She was never really planning to vote for Bush, but planned to leave the presidential portion blank. She's an independent and is skeptical of both parties but leans Republican.

The argument that she called 'the most rational thing I've heard out of you all day' is about the balance of power that could be shifted for a generation in favor of the right if Bush wins. Being suspicious of both parties she is a big fan of the checks and balances. Because the Republicans will control the House for quite a long time and a Bush victory will likely be accompanied by a majority in the Senate, the one check that remains is the Supreme Court. Up to four justices may retire during the next four years tilting the court toward the right and consolidating control over the judiciary which will in turn pave the way for the legislative and executive to operate unfettered. The checks and balances could become pats on the back instead.

Also, as you may already know, the strange reference to Dred Scott was apparently code for overturning Roe v. Wade. As my mom said, Bush is perhaps not actually for overturning it, but is trying to get political mileage out of holding that possibility out to the pro-choice poeple. Still, if you're fond of preserving potent checks and balances you have a good reason to vote for Kerry.