[Superman]

Well, I continue to receive comments that I don't understand. Len reminds me that Kerry does not have a platform, as though this is something that I have not accepted. Here is the second sentence in my post which started this thread:

"We all notice that JK and the dems do not have a platform."

And the point of this thread is John's missing platform, and what a standard liberal platform might look like. So, I think I got it. Candidate Kerry has not laid out a platform.

I'd also agree that he desperately needs to adopt one, or communicate one, or something. I have a personal belief that, notwithstanding the capture of the republican party by its absolute most conservative sect, the American people have a substantial amount of commitment to the traditional liberal approach. Again, the liberals seemed to outnumber the conservatives in the 200 election (and I'm just going by the numbers and noting that Nader was considered liberal, and no, I am not exhuming the Dubya-should-not-have-won argument). Frankly, I think the typical voter wants to send Dubya packing. but he is likely to be re-elected unless the voter sees a legitimate alternative. If I were John Kerry, I'd be very tempted to give those voters something pretty darned concrete to glom on to. And it'd be a familiar message, and one that we have already, as a nation, committed to. Taking care of our less fortunate. regulating business so it can stay healthy, provide jobs, but also curb inflation, not ruin the environment, yadda yadda. Frankly, something closer to the "real" republican centrist position, which by the way makes a great deal of sense.

Okay, I digress again. The other thing I don't understand is this "Superman is agitated" thing. I've always been massively "type A." I cannot chew gum because it becomes a war within my mouth and pretty soon my teeth and gums are beat. I walk fast, leaning forward. While eating, if it's lunchtime. Et cetera. And yet people tell me regularly that they wish they were as calm and even-keeled as I. So, perhaps you guys have been thinking I'm one thing, when all along I've been both. Like the folks who, after months or years of thinking I'm so very calm, finally say "Jim, you're really wound up tight, aren't you?"

I dunno. I'm shrugging. And going home. G'nite.