Politics

[Bluto]

Hey Irish Bounty wouldn't a nationalized healthcare system have solved the problem of Vets paying high healthcare premiums? Wouldn't universal access to free quality education also solve some of these problems Vets face? Anyhow, cutting the defense budget is bad for the current military by default. When you consider however, that we spend more on defense than just about the rest of the world combined maybe shifting some of those resources to say fund public works projects on infrastructure that would create jobs that would be a natural fit for most vets might be a good idea.

Anyhow, going to war with Iran would probably be bad for the current military. Given how bananas the GOP is at this point in history it is not beyond the realm of reason to think that under a Romney Presidency that war with Iran could be a real possibility.

 

[magogian]

War with Iran probably happens irrespective of who wins the White House..

 

[enrico514]

This is a tough call considering the current state of economic health/illness and the political intransigence that currently dominates in America.

As is the case these days, Obama campaigned on "Change We Can Believe In" but ran headlong into opposition that can quash any plans. The same will undoubtedly be true should Romney prevail.

I have no doubt that Obama faced international and domestic political realities upon election that he was not privy to in terms of things within his immediate control. I would have preferred that Guantanamo were shut down immediately, that troops were withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan within a month and that Wall Street free-wheeling trading in bullshyte financial science fiction derivatives, and the banking industry's inexplicable and unsustainable collusion (that's a different rant) be severely reined in. It was not in the cards.

I have the feeling that much the same gauntlet/reality would be true for Mr. Romney. Ours
is a diverse and increasingly divided and contentious political society. Rarely, barring extreme circumstances, does our political system perform uber admirably. Our strength at times becomes our weakness.

Obama was faced with incredibly poor conditions and then faced with incredibly partisan opposition to possible solutions. Romney, in my estimation, represents a few steps backwards.

From an outsider looking in...

Obama inherited a bad situation and managed to make it significantly worse while breaking a number of the promises he made.

Romney seems totally disconnected from the average person and has already shown a willingness to manipulate facts/situations to gain political leverage. Add to that the fact that he will not release more than one year's of returns and it seems clear this man will just continue what has been going on for the last 20-30 years.

Is the evil you know better than the evil you don't know??? Hard to say in this case. What is certain is that the average american cannot afford to see the current trend continue another 4 years.

 

[BobD]

War with Iran probably happens irrespective of who wins the White House..

I doubt we end up at war with Iran, unless the Iranians are successful at antagonizing the Israelis into acting on their desire to bomb Iran. If that happens, it will be all bad.

 

[NDFan4Life]

From an outsider looking in...

Obama inherited a bad situation and managed to make it significantly worse while breaking a number of the promises he made.

Romney seems totally disconnected from the average person and has already shown a willingness to manipulate facts/situations to gain political leverage. Add to that the fact that he will not release more than one year's of returns and it seems clear this man will just continue what has been going on for the last 20-30 years.

Is the evil you know better than the evil you don't know??? Hard to say in this case. What is certain is that the average american cannot afford to see the current trend continue another 4 years.

I agree that Obama did inherit a bad situation, but he promised that he would turn things around. He ran on a campaign of transparency, but he also lied about that. The GM bailout has cost taxpayers billions, and he wants to use the same strategy on other industries. How much will the taxpayers lose in that situation?

All politicians manipulate facts to their advantage. That's just the way things go. Harry Reid stated that Romney hasn't paid taxes in over ten years. When confronted, he wouldn't say where he got his information. Obama has never released his college transcripts. Harry Reid has never released his tax records. The MSM has never asked for these things from Obama or Reid, but they want Romney to release everything? Doesn't make any sense if you ask me.

Anyway, I agree that we can't go on the way we have been. Something needs to change. It's not going to be easy, and it more than likely may **** off some people. But it still has to get done. Obviously, throwing money at the situation won't work.

IMO, when politicians get to DC, they forget who they're working for. They all need to be held accountable. And that starts at the voting booth.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

...
I don't think there's ever been a Republican Ticket without a WASP.
..

My memory doesn't go too far back, but as early as 68' would be a pretty close call: Nixon was a Quaker and Agnew was the son of a Greek immigrant who was raised Greek Orthodox (although he later converted to Episcipalianism). I guess you can make the case that Quakers are Protestants, but they would disagree, and might even non-violently punch you in your inner light.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

War with Iran probably happens irrespective of who wins the White House..

I hope not. Because if we incite another war, no one will support us, and Russia and China will back Iran to cause our government to topple and crash, much like we did with the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 80's. The staggering losses that we will experience would require draft reinstatement.

My father talked about how for all of his early years that he remembers being dragged to such events, his mother and the women she socialized with would get together in their parlors and wail and lament the lost husbands, and fathers, brothers and sons from the First World War; Queen Victoria's war. My father sneered all his life at the revisionists that described America as an "isolationist" country. If we start a war with Iran, and reap our "rewards" there will be assasinations of political operatives in the streets. You have no idea for what you wish.

Thinks I learned or saw in this thread:

Most people worry about calling themselves Christian, rather than being Christian. If only those that were Christian, (you will be known by your actions), were called Christians, we wouldn't have a problem.

I had to laugh at some quoted sources of those who decried "Comedy Central shows" as being "biased." You should see how you look to anyone with a relatively unbiased perspective.

Most people are not original thinkers, they just regurgitate what makes them comfortable. (Original thinkers as being distinct from the concept of original thoughts which live in the realm of unicorns.)

Ayn Rand is fine. There is a major flaw in codifying her philosophy as many want; she totally misses the social nature of human beings.* So the pieces of her philosophy that work are great, but I again find dark humor in the surpreme irony of those that would suscribe to "social media", even this board, promoting her philosopy as any more than a brilliant mind's musings! (* Let alone any concept of anything intangible being of import, like a soul.)

The concept of Christians not regecting any political philosophy as dogma, is great and it works both ways: after all laissez-faire capitalism was outlawed by the church for most of the churchs existance, and only gained popularity with the rising of presbyterian doctrines of the counter catholic reformations. It intrigues me with how so much of the Irish diaspora has in the long run converted to the philosophy of their ancestors murderers, (Oliver Cromwell was responsible for the butcher of over a third of the Irish population at the hands of his soldiers alone).

The culmination of the presbyterian teachings in America were the successes of Henry Ford and his peers. But even Henry Ford built his whole industry on the idea that his fortunes rested on the welfare of the common man. He put so much money in the common mans pocket that the wealthy Ohio industrialists, stopped him at the state line cold. Most people have forgotten about this whole part of our history.

You make your economy about every man being able to buy a car, he needs to be able to pay for it. You make the economy about every man being able to buy a house he needs to pay for it. You take away his job or benefits, and extend his terms, don't complain when your default rate goes through the roof. I have not seen one arguement to justify the record profits corporate America is reaping.

Gore Vidal was right: America has one political party, property; which has two wings, the left and right. This is recognized by true Irishmen, like my father. They voted for either party, but were suspect of both. The would have been screaming if one had to put out poster boys of its deception and so blatanly lie about their actions, backgrounds and qualifications to make them look palatable. The other party is much better at disguising its agenda at this point.

I am now convinced womens rights and anti-abortionists being at odds is a modern American contrivance. I think it is easy to be both for women's rights and eliminating abortion as a bad disease. Jesus would have focused on the women who saw themselves as having no choice to abort and started the healing there. It is so easy that even we could do it if we wanted to.

Most of us enjoy calling each other names in these pointless arguements, maintaining our own sometimes ignorant views, then making up and talking football. Some of us are very proud of how big we can be in getting along with others of differnt views after some of these stormy conversations.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I think people generally like the idea of cutting spending, lowering budget deficits and reducing debt. When people confront the specifics of what that means, however, they are decidedly less enthusiastic about it. It is almost the exact opposite of the public sentiment regarding healthcare reform (people say they are against it, but overwhelmingly support each of the component parts of the law when polled on them individually).

Let's be honest: this is not a particularly bright or informed electorate, generally speaking. People get caught up on wedge issues, sound bites and rhetoric that oversimplifies the problems and potential solutions. Very little attention is paid to nuance, and a lot of the people who have the capacity to understand the issues in any meaningful way do not have the patience or the intellectual curiosity (or the time) to do so.

I don't think the Ryan approach to dealing with the debt problem is economically sound or socially responsible. The only people that view him as some sort of policy whiz-kid are the hardcore right wingers, because he is really their only option for that role. The people will get to decide for themselves; that is the point of elections. I certainly have nothing to gain by coming here and saying that I don't think it will work out well if that isn't my honest opinion.

I agree with you on the bolded part. The voting public does not understand the potential financial calamity that lies ahead. If they did, Washington would behave much differently then they are right now. We simply cannot sustain this level of spending and have NO WAY to pay back the promises made to all Americans for Medicare and Social Security.

Just because I am curious, if you believe Ryan's approach isn't economically sound or socially responsible, what will save us from collapse in 20 years?

 

[irishog77]

I agree with you on the bolded part. The voting public does not understand the potential financial calamity that lies ahead. If they did, Washington would behave much differently then they are right now. We simply cannot sustain this level of spending and have NO WAY to pay back the promises made to all Americans for Medicare and Social Security.

Just because I am curious, if you believe Ryan's approach isn't economically sound or socially responsible, what will save us from collapse in 20 years?[/QUOTE]

Raising taxes. At some point, we can hopefully tax the people 100% of their income to pay for social programs. Then, hopefully, the government has a say and regulates everything our ignorant society does.

 

[magogian]

I doubt we end up at war with Iran, unless the Iranians are successful at antagonizing the Israelis into acting on their desire to bomb Iran. If that happens, it will be all bad.

I should have been more clear. IMO, it seems a war with Iran is more likely than not because of Israeli, not US, action (hence my comment that who the President is may not matter). Assuming Israel attacks Iran, it is hard to imagine how we are not drawn into it in some form.

 

[magogian]

I hope not. Because if we incite another war, no one will support us, and Russia and China will back Iran to cause our government to topple and crash, much like we did with the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 80's. The staggering losses that we will experience would require draft reinstatement.

My father talked about how for all of his early years that he remembers being dragged to such events, his mother and the women she socialized with would get together in their parlors and wail and lament the lost husbands, and fathers, brothers and sons from the First World War; Queen Victoria's war. My father sneered all his life at the revisionists that described America as an "isolationist" country. If we start a war with Iran, and reap our "rewards" there will be assasinations of political operatives in the streets. You have no idea for what you wish.

.

Pretty funny stuff.

I don't think you have a good understanding of the domestic politics or geopolitics of a war with Iran. Russian and Chinese support for Iran will cause the US government to fall? Seriously, the US government will fall over this? Asassinations of political operatives in the streets? Wow. I think I'll just leave this alone.

 

[enrico514]

I agree with you on the bolded part. The voting public does not understand the potential financial calamity that lies ahead. If they did, Washington would behave much differently then they are right now. We simply cannot sustain this level of spending and have NO WAY to pay back the promises made to all Americans for Medicare and Social Security.

Just because I am curious, if you believe Ryan's approach isn't economically sound or socially responsible, what will save us from collapse in 20 years?[/QUOTE]

Raising taxes. At some point, we can hopefully tax the people 100% of their income to pay for social programs. Then, hopefully, the government has a say and regulates everything our ignorant society does.

"what will save us from collapse in 20 years?"

Given current trend... no way the can can be pushed 20 more years down the road... unless someone repeals the laws of mathematics.

 

[enrico514]

I agree that Obama did inherit a bad situation, but he promised that he would turn things around. He ran on a campaign of transparency, but he also lied about that. The GM bailout has cost taxpayers billions, and he wants to use the same strategy on other industries. How much will the taxpayers lose in that situation?

All politicians manipulate facts to their advantage. That's just the way things go. Harry Reid stated that Romney hasn't paid taxes in over ten years. When confronted, he wouldn't say where he got his information. Obama has never released his college transcripts. Harry Reid has never released his tax records. The MSM has never asked for these things from Obama or Reid, but they want Romney to release everything? Doesn't make any sense if you ask me.

Anyway, I agree that we can't go on the way we have been. Something needs to change. It's not going to be easy, and it more than likely may **** off some people. But it still has to get done. Obviously, throwing money at the situation won't work.

IMO, when politicians get to DC, they forget who they're working for. They all need to be held accountable. And that starts at the voting booth.

It would seem to me that they know exactly who they are working for and once they get to DC... they work even harder for them...

 

[Ndaccountant]

"what will save us from collapse in 20 years?"

Given current trend... no way the can can be pushed 20 more years down the road... unless someone repeals the laws of mathematics.

That is the point. It has to be addressed now. Something is going to have to give.

 

[Rizzophil]

1) Do we want to be an entitlement society? That is the main question at this point in our country's history. Check out Marco Rubio. Great speech:

Sen. Rubio: "Save the Whole House or It Will All Burn Down" - YouTube

2) The liberal media does a great job slamming the Tea Party. For everyone that gets their information from ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and Yahoo.com, Chris Mathews even acknowledges that the media is liberal.

Do your own research and get educated.

3) The Tea Party is all about local and state government control. Cutting waste. Increasing personal responsibility. Getting rid of the special interests that control DC.

4) Obama has never released his college transcripts. Admitted to using hardcore drugs in his own book. Admitted to eating dog. Reduced our nuclear weapons so we are no longer feared. And he hasn't passed one piece of legislation to increase jobs.

Yet, the mainstream media harps on Bain, Romney's net worth, and that Bain killed a woman two years after she found a different job.

The mainstream news has a huge impact. It's incredible if you think about how much power they have.

5) Over-regulation is killing jobs in this country. If there is no incentive because Obama gets re-elected, expect much worse unemployment numbers and more government dependency.

6) Nancy Pelosi said that for every $1 spent in food stamps, the economy is stimulated $1.45. This is the most insane thinking ever. If that were true everyone should go on food stamps and no one should work.

7) The best way to reduce the deficit is to encourage by loosening government control and by free enterprise. Get people off of relying on the government.

8) Socialism and communism do not work. Never have and never will. Check any of the other countries. Our government was made to give power to the people.

9) The free enterprise system isn't perfect but it's the best system available for people that want to work hard and take control of their own destiny. Christians should have this mentality.

10) The government doesn't produce anything. The only thing they can do is regulate and take money from one group and give it to another. Cash redistribution.

11) The whole country agrees that there is a major void of leadership in DC. Including executive and legislative branches. 90% of Americans disapprove of Congress (both parties).

12) The Senate's number one objective is to pass a budget every year. Harry Reid hasn't even proposed a budget since Obama won the election. Not one Senator voted for President Obama's budget for 209, 2010, and 2011.

However, you will not hear this anywhere on the nightly news. In fact, you will hear VP Paul Ryan get blasted because he actually wanted to deal with the issues. Democrats don't get called out by the media and blame the Republicans.

13) I find it intriguing that Fannie Mae and Freddic Mac are still bleeding cash but still donate to Senator Dodd and President Obama.

14) In the words of Paul Ryan, We are facing the most predictable major crisis that the US has ever seen. However, Obama has never provided an honest attempt to deal with the issues. This is not true leadership and it's either being done by ignorance or incompetence (or worse).

15) President Obama blames other people and our country believes him. The rest of the world laughs at us.

16) DC has a spending problem. Get it correct first. Take the lead. Take the initiative. I don't see how our federal can continue to spend 53% of our annual budget on entitlements and have a healthy balance. That percentage is only going to go up with Obamacare.

17) 47% of American's don't pay federal taxes. It seems astronomically large.

18) The American symbol for freedom is the Bald Eagle. We need both the left wing and right wing to fly straight. We have always been a center-right nation. Class warfare hurts the whole country.

Respectfully

 

[Redbar]

I should have been more clear. IMO, it seems a war with Iran is more likely than not because of Israeli, not US, action (hence my comment that who the President is may not matter). Assuming Israel attacks Iran, it is hard to imagine how we are not drawn into it in some form.

If we must follow every "friendly" nation to war with their enemies then who is the superpower, who holds the cards, who is calling the shots and what does that mean to the future of OUR country.

 

[Bubba]

Obama cuts military health care benefits, leaves unionized civilians untouched | Conservative News, Views & Books


There are many other instances that could be delved into on a larger scale, but for the most part Republicans are more Pro-military, i.e. veterans. This has been shown with the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which was overhauled by President Obama, without consideration for the benefits of our veterans. if you are asking me about substantial claims about past Presidents, I have no information in regards to this, but President Bush pushed many aspects that enhanced the issues faced by veterans today. There has been little to no talk about the unemployment rate of veterans in their mid twenties, which is in fault of both parties. Currently the unemployment rate of veterans in this age group more than doubles that of all other Americans, which is certainly disconcerting to say the least. I feel that there are many things that candidates of the Democratic party feel that do not benefit those that are veterans, or current military. I can delve deeper into the issue if you would like, as I have done extensive research for many college term papers in regards to these issues. I really just don't believe there is any substantial evidence that the Democratic party has done anything substantial to benefit the current society of veterans living in the United States. This in fact is a rather large issue, considering that many individuals have, or will be, returning home from deployments or being discharged from the military in the near future.

IB28,

That article is alarming and I don't doubt it's validity, but it is from an admittedly conservative news source so of course they are writing against a Democrat. My recollection of military support over my 20 years in the USAF was that most military members supported the Republicans. In part because they (Repubs) spent the most money on technology and new "toys."

But I also recall that we had our largest draw-down (1992) under President G.H.W. Bush. A lot of military men and women were asked to leave or risk being kicked out.

President Clinton's regime gave us the largest raises in our history.

And, most recently, I have seen (personally) my GI Bill benefits INCREASE. The original bill did not give on-line students a monthly stipend to help with expenses while in school. This changed just this year.

I'm sure there is a list of similar examples that support the Republicans as well. You are probably more aware of them since you spent time researching them. But, the Democrats have supported the military as well.

In your response to dshans, you mentioned that you will vote Republican because it benefits you personally. I can understand that, especially when there are so many of us that don't have the proverbial silver spoon in our mouths.

With that said, I hope there is a portion of our country who can afford to vote for what is best for America instead of what is best for them as individuals. Politicians certainly have a responsibility to do this and they are failing on both sides. However, I'm not sure I know what the answer is to fix the problem.

 

[pumpdog20]

From an outsider looking in...

Obama inherited a bad situation and managed to make it significantly worse while breaking a number of the promises he made.

Romney seems totally disconnected from the average person and has already shown a willingness to manipulate facts/situations to gain political leverage. Add to that the fact that he will not release more than one year's of returns and it seems clear this man will just continue what has been going on for the last 20-30 years.

Is the evil you know better than the evil you don't know??? Hard to say in this case. What is certain is that the average american cannot afford to see the current trend continue another 4 years.

The time you vote for an "average person" to be POTUS, that's when America's awesomeness ends.

 

[loomis41973]

I hope not. Because if we incite another war, no one will support us, and Russia and China will back Iran to cause our government to topple and crash, much like we did with the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 80's. The staggering losses that we will experience would require draft reinstatement.

Thanks for the laughs this morning.

 

[ColinKSU]

I'm not voting for Romney or Obama this cycle.

Romney seems like a fantastically terrible human being and Obama has proven himself to be little more than a fraud during this first term.

No thanks, big two parties. There are major problems in America right now and neither of these stooges are up to the task of fixing them. Better luck next time.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Romney seems like a fantastically terrible human being

Huh?!

 

[DSully1995]

Huh?!

I think hes relating to his out of touch-ness, its like voting for a machine, a machine that makes alot of speaking faux pas'

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Pretty funny stuff.

I don't think you have a good understanding of the domestic politics or geopolitics of a war with Iran. Russian and Chinese support for Iran will cause the US government to fall? Seriously, the US government will fall over this? Asassinations of political operatives in the streets? Wow. I think I'll just leave this alone.

Please do me a favor. Restrain yourself from commenting on my posts, as I am not a comedian, and you have not shown the maturity on this board, time and again to post in a respectful fashon.

Yes, we have almost spent ourselves into oblivion conduting two imoral wars, while China produced poisionous junk that all Americans wanted and could not get from American manufacturers. And anyone who wants to attribute the fall of comunism in the Soviet Union to anything we did and said over here is sorely mistaken. Finally, Americans are bend over wimps. No one here fights for what is being taken from them. Finally, after a point there will be revolt in the streets. Look at what happened in Ireland; for years the English had more soldiers in Ireland guarding the removal of foodstuffs than it did for any "provencial skirmish." After 75 years look how that ended!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I agree with you on the bolded part. The voting public does not understand the potential financial calamity that lies ahead. If they did, Washington would behave much differently then they are right now. We simply cannot sustain this level of spending and have NO WAY to pay back the promises made to all Americans for Medicare and Social Security.

Just because I am curious, if you believe Ryan's approach isn't economically sound or socially responsible, what will save us from collapse in 20 years?[/QUOTE]

Raising taxes. At some point, we can hopefully tax the people 100% of their income to pay for social programs. Then, hopefully, the government has a say and regulates everything our ignorant society does.

How about producing more, and sharing the wealth so taxes don't have to go up?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Thanks for the laughs this morning.

You are welcome, what part exactly did you find funny?

 

[Redbar]

I think hes relating to his out of touch-ness, its like voting for a machine, a machine that makes alot of speaking faux pas'

And can change it's opinion on ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING depending on the audience. Pssst. Not the stuff of leaders. Probably why the establishment loves him, he will march to their beat.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I think hes relating to his out of touch-ness, its like voting for a machine, a machine that makes alot of speaking faux pas'

And people think Obama is in touch? His policies' impacts have a direct negative impact on the middle class. You think politically

I can get how Romney looks out of touch, and certainly like a "machine." He's not a very charismatic person; he's just a straight-shooting Mormon gentleman....and that's awkward-looking no doubt.

But a horrible human being? WTF? It's so sad how the media can write 5,000-word front page stories about someone being a bully in high school--and not care to print the part where the family of the "victim" says that the story is untrue. Or how we can twist "I like being able to fire people" from a conversation about being able to get rid of (i.e. fire) insurance plans that you don't like for your family/situation. Or how people can make ads about how Romney deliberately closes plants and ends up killing a woman of cancer despite nearly every statement in said ad being false.

You never hear how, when Romney's colleague had a missing child, Romney completely shut down operations at Bain and personally lead an effort in in New York to find said kid (and succeeded).

You don't hear so often about how he and his wife lived in a cheap basement apartment with their one-year old while he went to school at BYU. Not exactly millionaire/billionaire lifestyles--of course you wouldn't know that Romney's dad went out of his way to make sure that his children didn't grew up in a spoiled environment.

You probably don't read too much about how his social life at Harvard consisted solely of organizing study groups after which he earned his JD and MBA, simultaneously, while graduating top 5% in his class. Without coffee, mind you (since he's Mormon and all). So you don't hear how people who graduate from the world's finest law and business schools have the ability to found management firms and end up being worth ~$250mil.

Of course no one points out either that the Kennedy's were one of the richest families in America when he was President--worth roughly $1,000,000,000, or 4x when Romney's family is worth. And no out points out that Franklin Roosevelt was worth like $160mil. Or that Teddy Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson were both worth in excess of one hundred million. Or the Democratic candidate in 2004, John Kerry, is worth like $170mil. But no only Romney is out of touch. Get the f*ck out of here with that b*llshit.

 

[Buster Bluth]

And can change it's opinion on ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING depending on the audience. Pssst. Not the stuff of leaders. Probably why the establishment loves him, he will march to their beat.

Everything? Care to list it? It's not nearly as excessive as you obviously think. And if you were a Republican running in Massachusetts, you'd say a lot of bullshit too--especially when you had to turn around and convince people that you were more conservative than (barf) Rick Santorum. It's all useless rhetoric.

Of course, you hear about Romney flip-flopping and say he lacks leadership.....but we don't care when Obama flips on gay marriage, raising the debt limit, closing Guantanamo, taking public financing for campaigns, airing health care negotiations on TV, ending the Patriot Act, withdrawing troops from Iraq immediately, immigration enforcement, and ending Bush tax-cuts.

But yeah, Romney isn't about to change his mind and "evolve" like other people. Uh huh.

 

[Bluto]

1) Do we want to be an entitlement society? That is the main question at this point in our country's history. Check out Marco Rubio. Great speech:

Sen. Rubio: "Save the Whole House or It Will All Burn Down" - YouTube

2) The liberal media does a great job slamming the Tea Party. For everyone that gets their information from ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and Yahoo.com, Chris Mathews even acknowledges that the media is liberal.

Actually the mainstream media seems to push what could have once been considered a moderate Republican agenda.

The Myth of the Liberal Media: The Propaganda Model of News - YouTube

Do your own research and get educated.

Amen to that.


3) The Tea Party is all about local and state government control. Cutting waste. Increasing personal responsibility. Getting rid of the special interests that control DC.

It also seems to be the tool for a couple of rich jerk offs use to push their own agenda.


The Billionaire Koch Brothers’ War Against Obama : The New Yorker

4) Obama has never released his college transcripts. Admitted to using hardcore drugs in his own book. Admitted to eating dog. Reduced our nuclear weapons so we are no longer feared. And he hasn't passed one piece of legislation to increase jobs.

If you're dying to know what classes he took in college go look at a course catalog for the years he was enrolled. I've heard this one a couple of times now along with his thesis being "sealed". Give me a break. Oh no he ate a dog! You're cultural bias is breathtaking. Lol. I'm sure plenty of people still fear America. We could still blow up the world several times over. Sleep easy. I've actually worked on a job funded by the Stimulus Act, so you're wrong on the jobs thing from my perspective.


Yet, the mainstream media harps on Bain, Romney's net worth, and that Bain killed a woman two years after she found a different job.

The mainstream news has a huge impact. It's incredible if you think about how much power they have.

For what it is worth the GOP invented the do and say anything scorched earth campaign (the names Lee Atwater and Carl Rove should ring a bell). One reaps what one sows.


The Lee Atwater Story | Boogie Man | FRONTLINE | PBS

5) Over-regulation is killing jobs in this country. If there is no incentive because Obama gets re-elected, expect much worse unemployment numbers and more government dependency.

6) Nancy Pelosi said that for every $1 spent in food stamps, the economy is stimulated $1.45. This is the most insane thinking ever. If that were true everyone should go on food stamps and no one should work.

Actually to me it means that providing kids and seniors (the main beneficiaries of most remaining welfare programs) with food to eat is a good thing all around.

7) The best way to reduce the deficit is to encourage by loosening government control and by free enterprise. Get people off of relying on the government.

Cutting taxes and going to war twice in the span of four years, along with not regulating derivative trading in the housing market is what put us in the hole we now sit. On that last issue I think Clinton and Geithner blew it big time.

The Warning | FRONTLINE | PBS

8) Socialism and communism do not work. Never have and never will. Check any of the other countries. Our government was made to give power to the people.

See below. Also, isn 't China quickly becoming an economic super-power?


9) The free enterprise system isn't perfect but it's the best system available for people that want to work hard and take control of their own destiny. Christians should have this mentality.

I would argue that a blend of Socialism and Capitalism when done in a semi responsible manner is far superior to what we have here in the US in terms of providing equal opportunity for all.

Social Immobility: Climbing The Economic Ladder Is Harder In The U.S. Than In Most European Countries


10) The government doesn't produce anything. The only thing they can do is regulate and take money from one group and give it to another. Cash redistribution.

That's patently false. The government built in the inner state highway system and most of the energy infrastructure for this country. All those satellites your GPS use say USGS on them. Military and space program R&D has created a staggering number of new technologies including the one we are currently using to debate each other on.

11) The whole country agrees that there is a major void of leadership in DC. Including executive and legislative branches. 90% of Americans disapprove of Congress (both parties).

Why are you not taking the GOP to task on their role in creating this situation?


12) The Senate's number one objective is to pass a budget every year. Harry Reid hasn't even proposed a budget since Obama won the election. Not one Senator voted for President Obama's budget for 209, 2010, and 2011.

However, you will not hear this anywhere on the nightly news. In fact, you will hear VP Paul Ryan get blasted because he actually wanted to deal with the issues. Democrats don't get called out by the media and blame the Republicans.

That's funny I thought the GOP's stated goal was to make President Obama a one term president.

Republican leader says GOP's number one goal is defeating Obama in 2012 - National Political Buzz | Examiner.com

13) I find it intriguing that Fannie Mae and Freddic Mac are still bleeding cash but still donate to Senator Dodd and President Obama.

You're wrong on this one it would seem.

The Associated Press: Fannie Mae posts $2.2B net gain for Q2

14) In the words of Paul Ryan, We are facing the most predictable major crisis that the US has ever seen. However, Obama has never provided an honest attempt to deal with the issues. This is not true leadership and it's either being done by ignorance or incompetence (or worse).

That's funny because one could just as easily say that it is Republicans and their no tax pledge to an outside third party (Grover Norquist) that has derailed several budget conversations. That strikes me as a lack of leadership as well.

15) President Obama blames other people and our country believes him. The rest of the world laughs at us.

I'm sure they found the Bush Presidency hilarious. Anyhow, who is he blaming? Congress?


16) DC has a spending problem. Get it correct first. Take the lead. Take the initiative. I don't see how our federal can continue to spend 53% of our annual budget on entitlements and have a healthy balance. That percentage is only going to go up with Obamacare.

We simply need to return tax rates to something closer to what they were before the Bush tax cuts. We could also cut military spending dramatically without risking our security. Remember, it was a bunch of dudes with box cutters who pulled off the most dramatic attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor. Not some dude in a fighter plane or a missle

17) 47% of American's don't pay federal taxes. It seems astronomically large.

Tax rates are also at historic lows


18) The American symbol for freedom is the Bald Eagle. We need both the left wing and right wing to fly straight. We have always been a center-right nation. Class warfare hurts the whole country.

You need to re-read a some history books. Class warfare is as American as apple pie. The labor strikes of the first half of the previous century helped create the middle class. Italian, Irish and Jewish immigrants all benefited from organized labors rise and the class warfare that ensued.

Respectfully

For what it's worth. See the responses in bold. I might have missed a few.

 

[BobD]

I don't see Romney as a machine or an evil person. I do see him as arrogant and self serving. I wouldn't believe for a second he wants to be President to fix America. I think he wants to be President because of his ego.

I know Obama has an ego too, but I feel deep down he really wants to help fix this country.

Obama the idealist > Romney the egotist

IMHO.

How do you see it?