Politics from Jason
I would LOVE to see a fair tax system put into place instead of the income
tax, but alas there is no viable candidate, or political party that will
come even close to implementing it. I think the Republicans could make a
stronger argument if they actually stayed true to their principals and cut
taxes (for everyone) and reduced spending. But lately they seem to keep
forgetting about that last part regarding spending. It's laughable for any
supporter of Bush and the last 8 years to characterize anyone for their
potential spending. I also like the idea of investing in American made
green technology and creation of jobs in this sector, but both candidates
sort of talk that up. I like Obama's ideas around closing corporate
loopholes and other ways rich businesses and people avoid some of their tax
burden. Hard to say how successful he can be at re-working that. Neither
party really has anyone's back on this issue so people tend to vote on this
issue in terms of who will help them. So Obama it is for me, because I
don't make 250 and I do not buy into the trickle down economics of the
Republican party. I don't blame anyone who makes a lot of money for voting
McCain on this issue (on other issues maybe), but I don't understand why
someone wouldn't expect me to vote Obama.
War
In 2000 when Bush was appointed President, I was unhappy and people asked
me why. I said "he will have us in a war within 3 years", and damn if I
wasn't right. Of course, those responsible for the events of 9/11 did
deserve a military response, but an Invasion into Iraq was and is still not
the answer. I also believed the general public was misled on the reasons
for this war (WMD's - Iraqi ties to 9/11). The Republican administration
handled all of this incorrectly from a tactical standpoint (no plan after
invasion), and a moral (why are we there?). I am a tree-hugging hippy on
the war issue. I don't want to see our soldiers in harms way unless
absolutely necessary.
Separation of Church and State
Like it or hate it I firmly believe in the separation of church and state.
So when it comes to the social issues like gay marriage, abortion, and
creationism/evolution... well the Republicans just can't win me over. They
are behind the 8-ball on that one with me. There will likely be 2-3
supreme court justice appointees during the next president's term, and I
shudder at the thought of a overwhelming conservative majority. Whichever
side you may root for, I don't know that either side having a majority in
this area is a good thing for the country.
Campaigning
The elections of 2000, 2004 and now 2008 have proved a few things to me.
Both parties will stop at nothing to win an election, from disenfranchising
voters with oddball registration forms to nasty, dirty campaign ads
(swiftboating anyone?). While both parties are guilty, I have seen the
Republican party use some of the nastiest tactics ever. Even Karl Rove has
admitted that some of McCains recent ad's are outright lies. This coming
from Rove? Are you kidding? There is a pattern of deception and
divisiveness that the republican part has taken over the last 8 years that
really turns me off, even going back to what George W did to McCain in
South Carolina during the 2000 election. The Democrats do their share of
truth bending, but the outright lying and mudslinging of the Republicans
just shows me that they don't want to really talk about the issues. Why is
that? Also, if you are bored, try to figure out the reason that gay
marriage bans were one the ballot in many swing states during the 2004
presidential election. Shouldn't take too long.
McCain / Palin
If you ever called John Kerry a flip flopper then you need to develop a new
word for McCain. He is supposed to be a Maverick, and he showed that by
voting against Bush's tax cuts TWICE. But now, his tax plan is exactly the
same of Bush's. Why is that? He votes party line 90% of the time, but is
now claiming to be the agent of change. He is a giant opponent of
deregulation in business, but over the past couple days has indicated
support for it because the financial news has been so negative. This just
doesn't add up to me, and I do not want a leader who doesn't even know what
he stands for or who he represents. I suppose all politicians are guilty
of this to a point, but I would really expect stronger convictions from a
man like McCain.
Sorry Alaskan's... Sarah Palin gives me the creeps. Probably due to her
vigorous stance on social issues. But probably more importantly, due to
the fact that she has pretty much come right out of the gate playing the
Republican game of deception. Bridge to Nowhere? Thanks but no Thanks? I
don't take Earmarks? Sheesh... Facts are starting to prove that these
reasons we are supposed to love her aren't tuning out to be very true. Her
experience is lacking too, and I am sure someone will retort the same of
Obama, but I really think 8 years in state legislature and 4 years as a
Senator trumps her experience on a national level.
Obama / Biden
He's just a good speaker.. an empty suit. Well maybe I am a sucker, but I
buy into him (as much as I can buy into any politician). I like the things
I hear from him, and I like the plans he outlines to get us there. His
message has been consistent, and he talks issues much more than McCain. Is
he experienced enough? I dunno. Many are not when they take office. I do
believe that he will surround himself with good people, and I can not say
the same for the Republicans, with the Cheney's, Rumsfelds, and Wolfowitz's
running around. After the last 8 years the Republicans have built a lot of
distrust with me, and it will take a lot to earn it back.
Conclusion
I wish we had more viable candidates, 3rd and 4th parties to choose from
vs. the current left vs right situation. But we do not. I know there are
others out there, but they are a wasted vote at this point in my opinion.
Frankly speaking, the Republicans had a chance to show us what they can do
for us over the last 8 years, and they haven't shown me much of anything.
I think it's time the other party gets a chance to see what they can do.
If Obama wins, he will have a tall order to live up to the hype, but I
think he deserves a chance. After 4 of 8 years of a Democratic president
maybe I will be ready to switch sides... Who knows.. I would like to find
out.
- Rachel's blog
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Is Palin your choice?
even though I am new blogger, I am sure I am breaking all the rules by inserting someone elses words. sorry.
Opinion from the New York times
Palin’s Words Raise Red Flags
By BOB HERBERT
Published: September 26, 2008
The country is understandably focused on the financial crisis. But there is another serious issue in front of us that is not getting nearly enough attention, and that’s whether Sarah Palin is qualified to be vice president — or, if the situation were to arise, president of the United States.
History has shown again and again that a vice president must be ready to assume command of the ship of state on a moment’s notice. But Ms. Palin has given no indication yet that she is capable of handling the monumental responsibilities of the presidency if she were called upon to do so.
In fact, the opposite is the case. We know that there are some parts of Alaska from which, if the day is clear and your eyesight is good, you can actually see Russia. But the infantile repetition of this bit of trivia as some kind of foreign policy bona fide for a vice presidential candidate should give us pause.
The McCain campaign has done its bizarre best to shield Ms. Palin from any sustained media examination of her readiness for the highest offices in the land, and no wonder. She has been an embarrassment in interviews.
But the idea that the voters of the United States might install someone in the vice president’s office who is too unprepared or too intellectually insecure to appear on, say, “Meet the Press” or “Face the Nation” is mind-boggling.
The alarm bells should be clanging and warning lights flashing. You wouldn’t put an unqualified pilot in the cockpit of a jetliner. The potential for catastrophe is far, far greater with an unqualified president.
The United States has been lucky in terms of the qualifications of the vice presidents who have had to step in over the last several decades for presidents who either died or, in Richard Nixon’s case, were forced to leave office. Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson became extraordinary presidents in their own right. Gerald Ford successfully guided the nation through the immediate aftermath of one of the most traumatic political crises in its history.
For those who think Sarah Palin is in that league, there is no problem. But her unscripted public appearances would lead most honest observers to think otherwise. When asked again this week about her puerile linkage of foreign policy proficiency and Alaska’s proximity to Russia, this time by Katie Couric of CBS News, here is what Ms. Palin said she meant:
“That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land — boundary that we have with — Canada.”
She went on, but lost her way midsentence: “It’s funny that a comment like that was kind of made to — cari — I don’t know, you know? Reporters ...”
Ms. Couric said, “Mocked?”
“Yeah, mocked,” said Ms. Palin. “I guess that’s the word. Yeah.”
It is not just painful, but frightening to watch someone who could become the vice president of the United States stumbling around like this in an interview.
Ms. Couric asked Ms. Palin to explain how Alaska’s proximity to Russia “enhances your foreign policy credentials.”
“Well, it certainly does,” Ms. Palin replied, “because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there—”
Gently interrupting, Ms. Couric asked, “Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?”
“We have trade missions back and forth,” said Ms. Palin. “We do. It’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America, where do they go? It’s Alaska. It’s just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to our state.”
It was surreal, the kind of performance that would generate a hearty laugh if it were part of a Monty Python sketch. But this is real life, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. As Ms. Palin was fumbling her way through the Couric interview, the largest bank failure in the history of the United States, the collapse of Washington Mutual, was occurring.
The press has an obligation to hammer away at Ms. Palin’s qualifications. If it turns out that she has just had a few bad interviews because she was nervous or whatever, additional scrutiny will serve her well.
If, on the other hand, it becomes clear that her performance, so far, is an accurate reflection of her qualifications, it would behoove John McCain and the Republican Party to put the country first — as Mr. McCain loves to say — and find a replacement for Ms. Palin on the ticket.
Word. And in regard to
Word. And in regard to separation of Church and State let me just say that I am a Christian, and it really aggravates me when people say they would vote Obama if he were anti-abortion. Reason:
If we put as much time towards convicting sex criminals, preaching on contraceptives and abstinence, and getting people to adopt unwanted children. Abortion would barely be a problem.
In addition, abortion bothers a person so much, there's more they should be doing about it.
"Personally, I blame MTV."- Lord Of War
My problem with the abortion
My problem with the abortion debate is that there is absolutely no reason for it to take place at a federal level. All "life issues" including murder are handled at a state level. I've always felt that the abortion debate is just a distraction and I agree that if someone is anti-abortion there are better ways to spend time/energy. My personal favorite are people who are "pro-life" AND pro-war. I'm anti-hypocrite, thanks.
Jason- I have a feeling we'd probably go the rounds when it comes to economics, but otherwise fairly spot-on. You didn't mention it, but may know that Obama is quite the flip-flopper himself just without the 25+ year track record. His vote to support the recent FISA legislation after promising his base that he would filibuster against it is a good example. Trust me, that doesn't mean I support McCain; I think they're both douchebags. Just sayin'
I'd love to be wrong, but I think the "change" we'll see when Obama (most likely) wins this election will be similar to change for a dollar.