I was thinking about this today. Because truth be told, my life won't be affected too much by either Bush or Obama. My taxes aren't likely to change considering my income bracket and each candidates policies. My financial situation is secure. And I live a life that's pretty good, but certainly not as a rich person. I use to lean republican because that's what was in myself interest. But i never thought the republican party was good for the middle class....never bought into the whole trickle down concept that republicans push now. Sure - maybe when taxes were at 70 or 50 percent...but not at 25%. I mean, didn't we all learn the Laffer curve in econ 101? so i think as I have gotten older I do wonder about the country as an American citizen. I'm really proud to live and be a citizen of this country. Yes, I am Indian, and I can say 100% there isn't a country I'd rather live in that the U.S. But when I look at what's happened since 2000. The record budget deficits back again, the trade gap, the crappy dollar, the economic crisis, the corporate candy store in washington, and stupid pointless war in iraq - i think, maybe sept 11th will be looked back more symbolically than anything else someday - the day that marked the u.s. decline from a superpower to just another nation. with a health care system about to burst, and an education system that is lagging, a university system that's no longer attracting the best in the world, because gov't research is drying up. With a culture that no longer prizes innovation in action, just word...where being a leader is left to other nations as we as a culture focus on sports, entertainment, and holding on to an image of america that just isn't seen by anyone but us. Foreigners speak of an America in decline, and the evidence backs it up. Our global share is shrinking. Our biggest export is jobs. No, it's consumer goods and agriculture probably. as well as cars, aerospace, and telecommunications. but are we the leaders of tomorrow in these industries? I don't think so. At least we can be the number one exporter in arms...seems likely to hold for a while. That's why i liked Obama so much, because he had the kind of vision to invest in new technology and address the real problems in an intelligent and non-political way. I like school vouchers - if only because it puts pressure on schools to be better. But that's not an education plan. Nor is focusing on the b.s. stuff in the campaign. It saddens me to see that's what really matters. Stump speeches and quick attacks and negative ads. I thought - I hoped this would be an election on issues and substance. But it hasn't been at all. It's been a joke. But than I realized. Maybe this is what matters to my countrymen. Maybe it's more important to them to have someone who does what this republican campaign is doing. Maybe that's what they want. Especially the middle class. If they haven't figured out that this party isn't doing them any favors, and would rather go with a thin venear than actually learning what the real differences are - and what the truth really is....than I guess I am ok with that. I mean, it won't hurt me. I'm going to vote for Obama, and that's that. And I write this knowing that nothing I write here actually matters or makes a difference, so there's no ulterior motive. But honestly, if McCain wins than that's what the country wanted, so that's it. To me, I'll just write off the middle class and won't feel sympathy for a group of people that will choose corporate interests over their own children's livelihood.
Its true that who occupies the Oval office doesn't make a massive difference in your day to day life but as you seem to recognize there are some longterm implications. Whether you agree or disagree with it there is no doubt that in the past 70 years there has been an ever greater concentration of power with the Executive branch so that decisions by the President have a more direct affect and also can change much quicker than the other branches. The President can legally commit troops without Congressional approval and executive directives can cause changes in policies far faster than laws. Also the Presidential power to make court appointments gives the executive a powerful say in the direction of the USSC and Fed appeals court that can have an affect for a generation. So while you might be able to say that my daily life doesn't change much whether a Dem or a Repub occupies 1600 Pennsylvania that doesn't mean that your life isn't going to change because of the who is president.
It makes a difference in your perception of yourself so it goes directly to your quality of life. Are you a part of an progressive nation that represents science, freedom, equality and opportunity or are you an outcast ruled over by incompetent miscreants who are pissing away every thing free thinking and hard working people have gained. happy or sad, proud or mad. It makes a huge difference.
Well, Americans do not want great leaders for the most part, they want someone that is like themselves. At least those that pretend to be like them.
10 Reasons to care: 1) Supreme Court Appointments 2) Supreme Court Appointments 3) Supreme Court Appointments 4) Supreme Court Appointments 5) Supreme Court Appointments 6) Supreme Court Appointments 7) Supreme Court Appointments 8) Supreme Court Appointments 9) Supreme Court Appointments 10) Supreme Court Appointments
This is true, that is why Reagan was so good he was a great leader. Obama is like Reagan....both great leaders.... DD
This is the part that confuses me to no end. If I really am an average (or even below average?) American, why would I want someone who's "just like me" unless I had a slightly inflated opinion of myself? If you think that you have what it takes to play a big part in running the free world, you had better be exceptional. Is it insecurity that makes us throw around buzzwords like the word 'elitist'? If I don't expect the president to be better than me, then who the hell should be? I mean Fraggle Rock guys.
People are afraid of intelligence. A good leader knows his/her limitationd and brings on smarter people to fill in their weaknesses. A bad leader surrounds himself with like minded people who cater to his whims, or worse, surrounds himself/herself with people less intelligent than themself. DD
I think we all feel that way because we all seem to think that if "our team wins" then everybody will benefit. There's winners and losers in every election... just depends on who stands to lose more that determines the winners IMO.
Not *better* than you but maybe a *better* administrator *better* politicker You mechanic isn't better than you . . but he can do something you cannot [I'm just assuming you are not a mechanic and using it as an example] Not a *better* person Americans SHOULD want someone with the proper skillset but they get caught up with not wanting a person who THINKS they are BETTER than them who thinks that their #@#$@# don't stink etc I think someone said it best it is not even about issues or policies it is about YOUR TEAM vs MY TEAM! Rocket River
that's my point - we aren't a progresive nation that represents science, freedom, equality and opportunity. we're redneck nation. I am voting for Obama - but i really am detaching myself from the result.
It is not true that US is a redneck nation but a big part of it is though. It would be better if the US broke up along the old north south lines, both sides would be happier.
For some folks it doesn't make that much difference. Probably won't make that much difference to me from a purely personal point of view. Since I know what is going on I get resentment knowing that the GOP really only benefits those making $250 k per year, with the real gravy only kicking in at higher at much greater incomes. I don't have the solace of the near religious belief in markets many of you exhibit. It pisses me off for my son and his kids. Life in the US is getting more dog eat dog, everyone for himself, despite much talk about how religious everyone is. If you don't have medical insurance it can be a matter of life and death or perhaps a life of unrelenting pain or disability if Obama does not win. If you are in the military it can be a matter of life and death if McCain starts another neo-con war or prolongs the ones we already have. Even if you don't die or get traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder unnecessarily, you may lose your family needlessly due to endless rotations. If you are young and your parents can't pay your college tuition more of the same GOP stuff with less subsidizing of state tuitions and less subsidized student loans can lead to years of relative poverty post-college leading to stress and perhaps the breakup of your marriage. If you make minimum wage or near it it can means years of a y hard life. (Note for those who maintain only high school kids make minimum). Take a trip to small town Texas or go down to South Texas.)
There isn't immediate impact when a new president takes office. It takes years, but you can start seeing the changes. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer...But if you believe Diddy, he's getting poor too because he has to fly commercial now
