Buck,

I admire and respect you for what you have accomplished in your life.

That in no way diminishes the arguments that I have made that the social injustices in this country serve to keep the rich rich and the poor poor. I never said it CAN'T be done, only that it is not easy, and that our current direction under Republican leadership makes it increasingly difficult and stacks the odds against the poor and favors the rich.

I could tell you my life story as well. I am a hard working American who has been married with children since I was 20. I have worked 2 and even 3 jobs at a time, including working midnights, weekends, holidays, overtime, double shifts, and done hard physical labor or worked in dangerous and adverse conditions. I never asked for nor accepted any handouts, and I have done without many times. My wife also worked part time when our children were small, and later ran her own daycare. She went back to school and earned her degree after our kids were in school, and she is currently earning a masters degree while teaching first grade in the public schools of New Britain. We both have been gainfully employed for many years and are living comfortably, and two years ago bought our first house.

But I can see what is happening in this country today, under the so-called leadership of George W. Bush, and know it is wrong. So I will continue to fight to change it, and believe in my heart that everyone, yourself included, will be better off if I and others like me succeed in bringing about such changes. That is what this discussion is about; who is best to lead our country, and who will do the best for the most Americans. I believe that person is John Kerry, and that is who I will vote for.

Respectfully,

Jim