One of the things that people do is generally think of voting for their own interests. In some senses, it would make sense for me to vote for Obama … I’m already among the lowest 40% of the country on a pay/deduction scale (I pay no federal income tax at this point, and I report every nickel I earn and am totally scrupulous about my deductions.) As a teacher, my pay is a matter of public record. I have had four dependent children (soon to be three as daughter number two leaves the nest). I also have a house in Loudoun with the associated taxes and mortgage interest. I don’t make enough to pay according to the federal government. Obama wants to “share the wealth” which would probably get me more than what I already have. That is just plain wrong.
I understand why my Dad has said from before he retired (and still to this day says) that he would gladly give up social security if they would not tax his sons. The principle is that he doesn’t want to take money from others in order to pay himself, especially the next generation. When we raise taxes and entitlements, we steal from our children. They are the ones that will be saddled with higher taxes forever if we don’t cut government spending.
Obama, you have said you want all these programs … they would cost a ton of money for those that generate wealth. Taking a “wealth” pie of fixed size and cutting it into smaller pieces doesn’t make sense. Making the pie larger does make sense … and what you are planning will leave no wealth to create a larger pie. I will not vote for you if for no other reason than that.
Brian, did you vote for George Bush? Did you think the same things when you did?
You talk about your children. Do you think our national debt is good or bad for your kids and your future grandchildren?
Do you think you might be listening to people that don’t have a real interest in anything but your vote?
I don’t think you’re crazy. Just badly informed.
Edmund, Nobody thought GWB was a big spender, or would grow the size of Gov’t by 40%. Nobody is happy with his spending and deals on Medicare or a variety of other programs. If you think Obama is not a big spender and will not tax and spend like the typical liberal he is – I’m not sure what to say. I’ll take my chances with McCain. Come back in 2 years, if McCain wins and is a big spender – no one here will be happy. If Obama wins and spends like a drunken sailor – will you admit you were wrong?
I doubt it.
I am working the polls this morning – good luck to everyone waiting in line to vote. Get there early.
One of the things that right-of-center people need to do is start an opt-out movement against Social Security.
Instead of snorting the coke, give the money to a PAC that will campaign to put a stake in the heart of this fiscal vampire.
Ed,
Bush has turned out to be a big spender. That was not what the man was talking about on the stump. The spending for the war is one thing, the other nonsense is quite another. I don’t think you will find ANY Bush fans on this website. Frankly I will NEVER vote for anyone named Bush ever again.
I for one am SO glad this election season is coming to an end!
In an election between George Bush and Al Gore, I’d absolutely vote for George Bush every time. Am I happy with the deficit we’re running now? No, but I also understand where most of it stems from. And, considering Senator Obama’s track record with keeping pledges and putting together solid policies and sticking to principals, I wouldn’t bet on him being better than Senator McCain in holding down the budget deficit. Let’s see:
1. He promised to accept public campaign funds. He broke his promise, making his campaign the most expensive in U.S. history.
Somewhat obscene considering he’s asking people who have worked very hard for a living to involuntarily pay more takes to give that money to others.
2. He gave less to charity in the last couple of years (when he had lots of money) than most people making less than $250,000. Pretty shameful when you think about his platform.
3. His campaign removed essential checks on campaign funds raised online, leading to the ability for foreign nationals to donate money to his campaign (his aunt drove home that point very clearly this past week).
4. He put forth a health care plan that has built-in mandates that could very well cost some members of our society their jobs. He neglected to fill them in on that point and the media didn’t call him out on it.
5. He clearly stated that his policies regarding coal plants would cause electricity rates in this country to skyrocket. I’m guessing he’ll have to put in an exemption somewhere so that federal facilities that use electricity won’t have to pay those skyrocketing rates or that won’t help the deficit much.
He pretty much indicated that any coal companies that tried to build new plants would be fined so heavily they would go bankrupt, reducing the possibility that any new plants would be built, and since much of the electricity in this country is generated through the use of coal we’re in for some pretty dark nights.
6. He’s been half-hearted in support of nuclear power and off-shore drilling, meaning if we don’t get new coal plants and we don’t get nuclear power or domestic oil, we’re going to have a very hard time of it (at least until wind power, solar power and hydrogen power are able to provide the energy we need).
7. He ran a brilliant campaign, but underneath there was an undertone of age discrimination that really does not bode well for older members of this society.
8. He doesn’t have a problem with eliminating secret elections in union certifications, even though you’d think he would be out there championing the little guy’s right not to be intimidated in open elections.
9. He chose to side with the Cherokee Nation against the Cherokee Freedmen in a situation where you’d think he would have just “voted present” instead of basically failing to support the Cherokee Freedmen (http://thehill.com/op-eds/sen.-barack-obama-and-the-cherokee-freedmen-politics-as-usual-2008-05-13.html) . I think this is a particularly interesting case, because I’m guessing most African Americans haven’t even heard about it (the media doing it’s job again).
I’m sure someone else can come up with item #10.
On top of all that, Senator Obama may have a filibuster-proof Congress and there’s already pressure on him from the left (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122576065024095511.html?mod=article-outset-box). I’d much rather take my chances with John McCain.
Item #1 should have stated “more taxes” not “more takes”. It must have been a Freudian slip.
Yes Bush was a big spender – on a war people – on a war. Of course he had to spend or do what the liberals did during Vietnam – and Obama wants to do in Iraq which is to cut funding which will leave our soldiers in harms way.
This spreading the money around thing is awful. I work hard for my money and I deserve to keep it. I really do not want some elected stooge giving my money to a lazy welfare case who won’t get a job.
The dude that talked about the Debt – WHATEVER – that could be easily reduced after the IRAQ draw down starts and we stop all the earmarks built into every bill on the Hill. Maybe term-limits is the answer so something will get done on the Hill – a 10% approval rating..10% doesn’t anyone else think there is a fundamental problem???
Bob — Medicare Part D.
It troubles me that many americans are so blind to Obama’s “CHANGE” IDEALS.
Perhaps many should think in these lines
“HISTORY REPEATS IT’S SELF” time and time again humanity fails to remember this.
Obama’s change for me spells socialism as Hitler used the same idea’s. Better medical, school’s and so forth.
The damage Obama will do if he wins will take years to correct.
But maybe the planes will run on time.
One thing that consistently surprises me is that the Obama campaign has made such hay over the McCain’s “taxing your health benefits for the first time.”
It took me 5 minutes to figure out that I’d come out over $1300 ahead under McCain’s plan, hardly something to accuse him over.
I think most people, when you examine the tax break Obama promises vs. McCains healthcare tax credit + tax plan, would come out ahead with McCain’s plan.
Obama’s been able to carpet-bomb the American people with his ads (I estimate I’ve seen 50 Obama ads to every McCain ad), most of which are, at best, misleading. The McCain campaign could’ve ripped the majority of these claims to shreds — but instead, almost naively, used public financing, and so has been drowned. Not to mention, his ads have been frustratingly off-point (in my opinion.)
There’s no doubt in my mind that Obama, if he wins, will have bought this election. And the big question in my mind is, using whose money? Soros? Hamas? China? Russia? Iran?
I’m sure he doesn’t care if the money’s dirty, after all, he’s using for a “good cause” (himself), so it doesn’t matter where it came from, or how ‘dirty’ it was.
It does to me — I want to know who paid for our election, and why?
Jack – yea…that too.
Majorie and jack
Your insinuations that liken Obama to Hitler are unconscionable to say the least. Slimy slander is putting it nicely. For shame!
And, Marjorie, who put this country on a downward trend; made friendly nations less friendly; paid no attention to international concerns, etc.?
President Obama will NOT damage the US. If that happens, it will be because of those who decide to work AGAINST him at every turn rather than try to work WITH him and his administration to make this country strong
and admired again.
lovisa,
the only thing slimy here is you. The comparison is apt as Obama is calling for a new bill of rights. Hitler came to power promising the same crap. Free medicine, housing, education. A four year plan etc. I have seen you twist the words of others time and again. Being a Democrat comes natural to you because you are a total jackass.
fedup sure has a way with words!
Creative writing at its best ~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry, I’m not prepared to in any way equate Obama with Hitler, that’s just over-the-top. His musings about altering the Constitution and the Bill of Rights should scare *anyone*, but not on the order of Hitler. Pol Pot, maybe …
(j/k)
Gotta say, though, when I see crowd shots of some of his ardent, devoted followers, with a crazed look in their eyes that suggests they’d do anything necessary, up to suicide bombings, for their candidate, I confess to being more than a little unnerved. When I hear them chanting “O-Bam-A!”, I have little difficulty imagining them chanting “Sieg Heil!” instead.
I don’t think his campaign has done anything to tone it down, either.
This “Cult of Personality” gives me a deep sense of foreboding …
“Cult of Personality”
We have a prime example in gov. Palin.
SA -rah – SA-rah
Her chant:
Drill, baby, drill.
Mine, baby, mine.
Ya betcha!
gives ME a sense of foreboding.
Actually, squiddy (does that mean that you have your tentacles out everywhere?
), whenever I see crowds churned up about ANYthing. And I don’t go to places like that.
I fail to see the possibility of Obama changing the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Doesn’t Congress have something to say about that? And, don’t WE have something to say about who gets into Congress? That’s Democracy, isn’t it? No ONE person can upend the Constitution in a four year term, I don’t think.
Left out: “…squiddy, I get very uneasy, whenever…”
Lovisa,
I bet you don’t duck when something comes flying at you,
What is your problem?
If one cannot see the coralation between Obama, Hitler and socialism than many as the one are blind, deaf and well stupid for not seeing it.
Since research seems to be a problem for you I really don’t think you will be doing any to understand the sameness that Obama, Hitler and socialism SHARE. Too bad, it just may “CHANGE’ YOUR MIND.
btw lovisa,
if obama wins and gets a democratic congress and senate, than they can change the bill of rights and the constitution.
and they will under neath the american peoples noses.
if you think I’m wrong, ask yourself how may bills were passed without americans knowing about them.
Marjorie
How do you KNOW that “they” will?
Do you feel that Democrats are anti-American?
As for hitlerism – which group of the population do you suppose Obama would target for his concentration camps?
Marjorie, I love when you call other people stupid.
Not only that, zimzo, Marjorie seems to connect blind, deaf with stupid. Hitler didn’t abide non-perfect people either!
Lovisa and Zimzo,
word play, what a trip you two are.
Lovisa, before you shake a reproving finger at Marjorie and Jack, think back to how many times in the past eight years you have heard those on the American Left compare George Bush and/or Dick Cheney to Adolph Hitler. It would be very nice to see that reproving finger shake in the opposite direction as well.
So I assume you refrained from calling these liberals idiots since you are refraining from calling Jack and Marjorie idiots.
Zimzo, I think Lovisa can answer for herself.
Zimzo, it is my personal policy to refrain from calling anyone an “idiot”…unless they happen to be a politician. Try it once. It helps to lower the blood pressure and keep dialogue alive.
It has been my experience on this blog that when I write in a direct manner other bloggers find a way to single out words and twist it out of context or at least try too.
WHAT they fail to do is answer direct questions.
So I ask, why is that?
Why is what?
Mr. Whiskers, Obama or no Obama, the coyotes are still out there and waiting for you. Don’t venture too far from your keyboard or you may wind up as a dinner entree.
Wolverine -
I can’t recall anyone comparing Bush/Cheney with Hitler. Can you? It certainly wasn’t I.
I refrain from calling anyone a Hitler, just as I wouldn’t call anyone Idi Amin or any other totally evil human being. I also refrain from calling other bloggers idiots, jackasses, stupid, etc. etc. Somehow that doesn’t add much to the discussion.
Disagreements and airing of different outlooks on life and situations are fine and sometimes even enjoyable, but name calling doesn’t add one iota to the intercourse IMHO.
However, to those of you who DO name calling, go ahead! If it makes you feel good – JUST DO IT! It really doesn’t bother me, because I know who and what I am.
Ed
Voting for Gore would have been a sure thing large spend. It also would have been voting for the greater evil. If you read all my posts, there are no Presidents that I have voted “for” only candidates that I have voted against.
I voted against Mac Mathias in Maryland (he was a Republican) because he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Very liberal, and when I had the chance I voted for a conservative Dem rather than a liberal Republican. One of the very few times I have voted against the Republican as the greater evil — but any time I see the greater evil, I vote against that.
This race is over. The people will get the President they deserve … God help us.
Yes, Lovisa, I do recall that unfortunate type of name-calling (not by you) aimed against Bush/Cheny, particularly over the issue of the Iraq war. I do not have the time to go back and research it, but it has happened. I also recall the absolutely inane commentary of a similar nature aimed at, of all people, our troops in the field by John Murtha and Richard Durbin.
I’m with you on this one. The personal epithets get us absolutely nowhere when trying to make a connective dialogue. Neither do the snide insinuations and disrespectful ripostes favored by too many on the internet when responding to the honest thoughts of other bloggers. This blog has had its aggravating moments; but, I can tell you, I have seen posts elsewhere which ought to be addressed with a large chunk of carbolic soap and possibly even a visit from the guys in white coats.
This has been in general a vicious two years of verbal abuse — worse than anything I’ve seen since the Vietnam War controversy. Perhaps it is a good thing that the internet keeps us all separated and generally anonymous. Otherwise there might be a few fists flying.
Lovisa,
Madonna had a video with images of McCain juxtaposed next to Hitler. Plenty of people compared Bush to much worse. What makes me laugh is now that the left has trashed and demonized Bush for 8 years, they want us to make nice and forget all of our disagreements…. don’t think so…
I also refrain from calling other bloggers idiots, jackasses, stupid, etc. etc. Somehow that doesn’t add much to the discussion.
kill Joy