Gore would probably not endorse the censorship of a gay rights Web site. Vote for Gore for the sake of increased economic equality, liberals tell me, as if we might achieve economic justice while ignoring the abuses of a criminal-justice system that targets poor people and racial minorities, or the persecution of immigrants under the repressive new immigration laws that Clinton and Gore supported. Immigrants who have resided in this country for years, working and raising families, are now being imprisoned and deported for minor offenses, like shoplifting or marijuana use, committed years ago. One out of three young African-American males is in prison or on parole or probation. Many of them will lose the right to vote.
Some economists attribute our low unemployment rate partly to our high rate of imprisonment.
It's true that George W. Bush would probably pursue the war on drugs, juvenile delinquents, and the poor with particular enthusiasm. With a Republican president to oppose, Democrats in Congress act like Democrats. With a centrist Democratic president to support, they morph into moderate Republicans. But Republicans are likely to hold onto the Senate, even if Democrats regain the House. I understand why liberals and civil libertarians elsewhere may support him.