Just don't tell SamFisher. In his wisdom and generosity, he deemed me unworthy of such a vote. Ole SF, God loves him and I'm tryin' to...
At least this one is new. Rather than "if you support McCain you are stupid/ignorant/just don't understand"....now it is that you can't think for yourself. How arrogant.
If you're interested in a hint on how Obama will approach the economy, check out the thread titled Obamanomics and it's lengthy NYTimes article. Obama has some nuclear lobbyist friends, and I'd be shocked if Obama were to turn away from corn ethanol after Iowans love the guy and practically jump started his presidency. Plus, Democrats as a whole seem to be willing to concede the offshore drilling point. That last part remains to be seen as oil prices crater to 2002 levels. I actually think there will be some disappointment among the environmentalists if/when they see his plan in practice. I am too. Yes, there are some lingering questions about his character if only because he is young and "untested" politically. When tasked to vote, his positions on traditional wedge issues have mostly veered liberal or "present". My take on this is that Wright's life as a reverend and as a person can not be summed up in 30 second soundbites. He's a veteran. He was on LBJ's medical staff. He traded that lucrative life in medicine and traded it in for a ministry dedicated to helping Chicago's poorest and forgotten. That's several decades flushed in the drain. Now his speeches, if you watch the whole thing of each inflammatory speech, you'll notice a pattern. First there's a Biblical context. Then the angry yet cathartic rhetoric kicks in. Finally, the reverend talks about whether anger and rage is the solution for his Christian congregation or whether seeking God and forgiveness will help them on their way. This is very similar to imprecatory psalms in the Bible. But would I still want that in my church? Probably not, but I don't share or relate to the history of African Americans. Yet if you're worried about the message, the end message is consistent with forgiving and working toward a closer relationship with God. I'm not going to discredit his other associations. I recommend reading his book and asking yourself while reading through it on whether this man has the mind and character of a good American who has some lofty ideals to elevate his nation. Or perhaps you'll come across the conclusion that he is an inauthentic shyster able to pull the strings on a willing American public. I think medicaire and medicaid are the million ton elephants and SS is just a thousand ton elephant. Solving health care costs will relieve the non-discretionary load on our budget. I agree McCain has the experience, but Obama has the personality and cool to deal with complex issues. Now this could be a failing if he were to land in something similar to the Cuban Missile Crisis, but it would be a virtue on an issue such as invading Iraq or Iran. McCain's attitude is more instinctual and decisive. This was evidenced in his quick denounciation of Russia's invasion of Georgia, which Obama later followed suit. So I think it's a wash in temperament since no one knows what challenges the next president will face. As for the diplomatic "boost" Obama will enjoy, not sure if the gains will last if Obama continues on toeing the line of American supremacy as echoed for the last 60 years.
Dakota, Give me a call when your in Houston, I scan show you how much ($) I was behind Obama, you would be surprised........ But, I didn't expect anything more from you with the wasted vote comment, you would not have heard me say the same for yours. I may not agree with you, but every vote should be respected. Thanks for meeting my expectations....... RB
Refman, when someone does his research and presents credible reasons for voting a certain way, I have the utmost respect for him/her (I heard that you are one of the most impartial non-obnoxious republican who makes sense in that "favorite poster from the other side" thread) .. now, when you take points word for word from the campaign's talking points, I am in a position to tell you (not you personally, but the OP) that you're not thinking for yourself, but rather allowing the lies and deceptions affect your "opinion" (see: Ayers, Bill) .. when someone from the Obama camp goes out and bluntly says "we need change, Obama is hope!", I will also tell him that he's not thinking for himself.. notice that my justification for my Obama support isn't derived from the campaign, but rather from my own desire to not repeat what has not succeeded for a long while, and my worry that this ticket is highly unqualified, in addition to the fact that McCain has been running a dirty campaign, probably the dirtiest in U.S history..
To be honest, the biggest was change and a new direction for America after the last 3-4 years, and really had a very high opinion of Obama and still do. However, what has happened to the economy of recent months has changed the playing field completely. And I am a firm believer, we need the following: No tax increases, especially on business (small) that create a lot of the jobs, bottom line is business will continue to make money and you put additional taxes on them will effect pricing, jobs and possibly transfer of jobs overseas (however, that is least likely with America actually stronger then some others). Reduce spending and reduce government, we have got to get control of all this spending, especially after all these bailouts and high deficit. I believe he will either have to go against his policy of taxes and everyone's will go up, similar to what Clinton (who I supported) after promising not to or have to eliminate some of his promises - just not enough money there. Some of the other issues, foreign policy/supreme court/energy I had always slightly favored McCain, energy was closer to even because both have no choice but to address it and even though they may say something different will have to look at all opportunities to fix our dependence. Then you have some minor things that have come up, that concerned me so just added to switch: "Share the wealth" Joe Biden's testing comment, not every president has been tested as he is saying Continual information that pours in about his associations (which I believe, however not 100% sure, would be a non-issue if he was more up front and dealt with them as something in the past - just an opinion) Bottom line, I do believe we have two great choices here, but each are taking a different direction and right now with the change in our climate - I think McCain has a better plan and will get us out faster. At the end of the day it is just one vote and evidentially from Dakota it ius a wasted vote........
LOL if that is what you really believe on all of those issues: why in the world were you ever thinking of voting for Obama? Seriously, it seems you agree with Bush and Mccain on every single issue.
The wasted vote was a joke based upon how far Obama is ahead in the polls....that doesn't mean it is really a waste....everyone should vote..... DD
The ban still stands. But then you fell into my trap. Either way it is win win for this internet champion.
"for all intensive purposes" should be "for all intents and purposes" - doesn't that make a little more sense? "descending opinion" should be "dissenting opinion" unless you really meant for your opinion to be descending. just trying to help! checking out now.
I can't believe some of you have the patience to continually reply thoughtfully to some of this malarky.
It would be bad to take a large chunk of money out of the economy at a time like this. That's why Obama is putting more money into the economy. Obama's tax cuts are geared toward the middle class, so people are going to take that money and spend it. McCain's tax cuts are geared toward the wealthy. They don't need the extra money to put into the economy. If they want a vacation they've been saving for, they just take it. The Middle class will use this money to finally take that vacation, buy that TV, put down the down payment on the car, etc. The wealthy can already do all that stuff. Their extra money will be socked away to increase their wealth.
Serioiusly, this is exactly right. I'm not trying to call you a liar....in all honesty, I don't care who you vote for...what I'm saying is, if these are the things you care about...and these are the approaches that sway your vote....how in the world were you ever going to vote for Obama to begin with? None of the criticisms, real or imagined, that you mentioned regarding Obama are new.
