I like Mr Obama
Ya gotta love those polls!
What will they think of next - choice of underwear?
If you could ask a poll question about the candidates - what would it be?
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (CNN) — Just hours before the start of the second presidential debate, a new national survey suggests that Sen. Barack Obama is making gains among Americans as a compassionate candidate.
In a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll out Tuesday afternoon, 55 percent of registered voters questioned say that Obama “cares more about people like you” than Sen. John McCain, with 35 percent saying McCain cares more than Obama. That 20-point margin for Obama is up from a 9-point advantage a month ago.
“The all-time champion of town-hall debates was Bill Clinton because he was able to connect with the audience members so well,” said CNN polling director Keating Holland. “Voters nationwide seem to feel some connection with Obama. The question is whether he’ll connect with the people at the debate tonight. John McCain has a pretty good track record at town halls, and it’s possible that he will be the one who looks more compassionate.”
Well worth a giggle.
Will Rhodes
alisonrhodes
Julie P
ReyMac
It could quite possibly be the case that all of the rich folks are pulling their assets out of the banks because they are afraid of Barack Obama becoming president and gaining strength in the polls.
This nation has been hijacked by rich people, and the man is stepping in to tax them and take their money, now they are tucking tail and running… probably China, Canada, or the U.K.
Even tax-shelters are unsafe under an Obama administration. We need to seriously rethink the way business gets done in this country, and how the rich stay rich off of the distitute and unsuspecting poor who perpetually stay poor.
Daniel
7 Oct 08 at 7:26 PM
Where they stand on Universal health care, the Spp, the NAU , the IMF, the World Bank, and NAFTA.
thebeadden
7 Oct 08 at 8:54 PM
We know both of them voted for the bailout. So we know where they stand when it comes to giving a crap about the American people…
thebeadden
7 Oct 08 at 8:55 PM
Yea let’s forget about anything important and let’s go with how a candidate makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!! It’s funnt but i cannot believe that the American people are superficial enough to vote for a candidate just because he “SEEMS” nice. Let’s face it both of these two criminals are ATTEMPTING to seem nice and connect with the voters. What should be happening is simple. McCain, Obama, the media, AND the American people should be talking about the issues and the ISSUES only. I couldn’t care less who looks better or who comes across better on TV. The job of President isn’t to look good on TV. IT’S TO LEAD THIS COUNTRY!!! I, personally, think McCain will do that in a way that is more in line with my views and beliefs but the fact that he and Obama are trying to look good PISSES ME OFF! Again this is the biggest joke of an election that I can remember. There once was a time when we didn’t have a TV to tell us who to vote for. We actually had to think and research and check shit out for ourselves!!! I guess it is what it is. I will vote the way I believe based on what I know and not what some media junky makes up, or how some one came across in a bogus debate that was totally setup by both sides and let the chips fall where they may. Why are there tons of rules on debates? Why can’t people just ask questions of the candidates and let them respond? Let the people ask what they want to know not what will make a candidate look good. Personally I hope the entire thing comes crashing down and we gotta start all over (wouldn’t that be interesting)
SSG T
8 Oct 08 at 5:48 AM
SSG -
Let me say at the out set I like you - I feel that you re a real Republican who wants the best for the USA.
Now I want you to challenge me. I want you to list here what I must find out to make you think about voting for Barack Obama. Just think, not vote, just think about voting for him.
IF it is a matter that you are a Republican and will not ever vote for a Democrat fair enough - but I don’t think you are.
List for me what I have to find out and I will do so.
Will Rhodes
8 Oct 08 at 12:55 PM
thebeadden -
Hi - I admit I have very rudamentary economics knowledge, but I do not understand why so many American people are angry about the bailout. Isn’t the purpose of the bailout to prevent collapse of the banking / credit system? Isn’t that why so many banks in Europe are also being bailed out? And isn’t all this to prevent a spiral into another Great Depression?
If they don’t try to halt the rot, then it is far more likely we could end up with another depression - & then the average Jo on Main St will know about it! The pain will be far more acute than anything you’re experiencing now!
What you ARE right to feel angry about is how this mess was created - and everyone can take some credit for that - from the legistators (or lack of them) to the banks, to the average Jo on Main St looking to make an easy profit. We rejoice in being a capitalist system, but it still needs prudence & that was what was lacking from EVERY quarter in this mess!
You can also feel some anger about the HOW of the bailout - it has to be tough on the banks & big corporations - so hearing about the junketing done on the taxpayers bailout is despicable! There is definitely a place for public humiliation - perhaps we could bring back the stocks & have a bucket of rotten tomatoes available???
pp
8 Oct 08 at 6:30 PM
OK Will here it goes, don’t faint or die from a sudden heart attack but I will tell you what I need to know to even start thinking about Obama. First of all, I as do others, have very serious questions about his past. Why isn’t he taking care of his family in other countries and wha tis the status on that. Never found anything else about it and I know how that HALF status may go so I understand it to point but that is a bit extreme. There is also the relationships with extremeist (spelling) that bothers me. I don’t trust McCain or Obama but I guess you could say I trust Obama less. I have very serious doubts about his views on the military and that he would actually listen to the commanders that know. He is an extremely intelligent guy but in that he is thinks he is even smarter than he is. When it comes to the military, that is a major issue for me and the fact that McCain has served, and served very honorably is a big thing. Obama has made several statements that bother me about the military and the fact that he waited until he was almost forced to go the war zones bothers me. That tells me how little he thinks of us as soldiers. Not to mention his actions at the hospital. I don’t trust his economic plan that I will admit i don’t know too much about but I would rahter see a free market than what seems to be a re-distubution of wealth. I feel that if we continue to tax the rich more and more that tax will be indirectly passed off to us. The rich in this country are the ones who primarily run the companies so taxing the companies and the rich? What’s that lead to? Any company that plans on staying in business will try and recover that some how. Which will then be from me. I can’t stand the fact that he has voted present more than he has actually voted! Take a stand!!!! That could be said about McCain to. but thatis looking at a 20 plus year record VS. 2 years. I think in the end Obama will someday be a great President. YES I SAID IT! BUT THAT DAY IS NOT TODAY OR THIS YEAR OR NEXT!!!!! He needs time to figure things out. He has a JFK type of appeal and that’s great but he also has to have a JFK type of mind and he isn’t there yet and won’t be for sometime. I am a conservative by belief. But I want this country to be free by choice. Being free isn’t telling me that I have to accept a homosexual. It’s saying hey I got it your gay fine go live your life your way and I will live mine. WHO CARES. The freedom of speech is a huge issue that isn’t even being looked at. I fought for nine years to insure that ALL americans had that freedom not just minority groups. Now, since we are in a fairly close race the one thing that has been heard more than anything is RACE!!!! Primarily from the Obama camp. He something to think about… I AM PROUD TO BE A MIDDLE AGED WHITE MALE!!!!! Guess what…that’s not a racist remark but intoday’s world it’s viewed as one. I want to know what in his past makes him QUALIFIED to be President of this country. Don’t hit me with the community organizer crap either cause that shit don’t count and we ALL know it. You can’t really say his time as a Senator because he has been running for office for most of that. So what is it? Why is he saying that we are clinging to guns and religion? but yet trying to tell me how much he cares. I don’t care what your views are just don’t lie about them. Sorry, I know you just asked about obama but it just sort of started pissing me off, the whole system. Can anyone tell me what our founding fathers wanted for this GOVERNMENT? How we have taken the founding ideas and turned it into this monster? Ron Paul has the best idea that I have heard in a while. You should compare him to the ideas laid forth in the constitution and what the original intent was. Well this is just a few thoughts from a broken down soldier that spent years fighting for things (including the right to bear arms) that are slowly being stripped away due to blind political ambition.
SSG T
9 Oct 08 at 10:44 AM
WOW THAT WAS REALLY LONG!!!
SSG T
9 Oct 08 at 10:53 AM
Thanks, SSG - I really do appreciate you writing that down and giving me the opportunity.
Let me say now - I am not going into this answer to change your mind, I only want you to think about it, if then you vote for any of the other candidates at least you have thought about voting for Obama - that is all I can do. It may, may be a long answer so I hope you read it all.
Firstly to his family in Africa. This is a question that has been asked a lot - and seriously, it has been answered. You can find further information here but I will try to explain as much as possible.
What people in the US see is a poor family in Africa and a ‘rich’ family member in the USA - but that is discounting how the family in Africa feel. They are quite happy to be in their situation and have said they don’t want Barack’s money. It is a bit like any family member who refuses charity from the rest and wants to do and live their life as they see fit - not everyone is a money-grabbing monster.
As a conservative - would you just accept money from a relative stranger? His half brother has even refused help from his immediate family because he, not Obama or his family, feels he is a black sheep because he hasn’t done what he should have in his life - self-imposed. Does anyone take that right away from him? Just say to him: “Here, there is 10,000 bucks get out of that shanty!” Yes there are many who would take the cash - but him and the Barack family in Africa have said they do not want any help from Barack Obama - does Obama have to force people to take the help?
OK - you trust Obama less that McCain, and as I know you are a military man - let me add to that I am from a military family, Dad was in the British Army for 28 years. As a qualification to that, he fought in north Africa, Italian campaign, and the far east campaign of WWII, Korea, but that is enough name dropping.
That said - I will use what my father said to me on many occasions when talking politics - Dad, like you, wore his politics on his sleeve and didn’t care who knew them - Dad was a Labour man, that would be seen as a socialist in the USA. But whenever he met with political figures one of the things he did insist on was cameras were there to record it for posterity. He even got involved in election campaigns. The right-wing in the US say that Obama used the military veterans as a photo op - that isn’t the case. Obama went along with what those soldiers wanted. It really is as simple as that.
You know, as I do, if the man in charge of the military is a hot head you are nervous - he HAS to have a cool head, that is what makes me feel that Obama is a better choice. Obama has said that he doesn’t have to get involved on the ground with every decision that generals makes - that isn’t his job - you know that more than me - you have served and I have not. You want your general to make sure you are equipped to do the job, and you want to get on with that job.
Now - I know as a military man you don’t like the career of another to be besmirched. But I would ask, and I don’t do this lightly, to really look into John McCain military past. Fellow flyers and POWs don’t like John McCain - both for his personal life and what he is saying on the campaign trail right now. What he says and is billed as the John McCain so many believe, isn’t the truth - nor is it even near the truth. The Obama camp didn’t give John McCain the “McNasty” nickname - his fellow flyers did - if you would like read John McCain’s own memoirs. McCain picked fights with his own comrades - “because he had a chip on his shoulder because he was short”.
Economics. This is where we go off in complete tangents and yet, surprisingly enough, I cannot see why you would go the opposite direction to me. You are a fiscal conservative and want to follow McCain’s? McCain’s plan would be complete disaster for the US. McCain is offering tax breaks to the highest paid 1% of the US earners. Bill Gates doesn’t need that! YOU need a tax break! Cindy McCain doesn’t need that, YOU need it. IF you earn less than 250k you WILL get a tax break under Obama’s plan. 300 economists have come out and said McCain’s plan is pure fantasy. He cannot afford those tax breaks - and business is business - you can’t expect that business will raise prices to claw back their supposed tax hike - that isn’t the case - if they did that they would go out of business because their prices would go up and people would buy from someone else - that’s the free market.
I don’t know if you now, but you are correct Obama has voted present x number of times - but as you already really know - McCain has voted present more than Obama. That is well known - and not that unusual. Congressmen and women don’t just sit in congress - they do have work to do out in their states - and that is all of them, not just John McCain and Barack Obama. Why elect them if all they are going to do is sit in a talking shop? They have to work for those who elect them.
Freedom. No one is saying, lease of all Barack Obama that you must accept anyone’s sexuality - you can if you want as well as can’t. That is a personal choice.
Guns and religion - good one, but…if you put it in context it loses some of that fear factor. Obama said that people will cling to what they know in times when they are scared. And one of those things is guns and religion - which is understandable because there is no leadership.
Is that so wrong? When the whole of society is in fear like the US is in now, and not from Islamic fundamentalists - but from fear of losing your home and retirement savings - you revert back to what has always been there. We all do. Obama wants to give leadership to the American people - and by God they need it.
In your constitution is says that you have the right to bear arms (we could argue about the terminology any time, but not now) Obama wants things like assault rifles off the streets - what is wrong with that, I KNOW that your ‘founding fathers’ never envisioned that assault rifles would even be invented let alone some punk in LA’s gangs have them to rob old ladies.
He even says that he doesn’t mind that you have hand guns in your home for protection - but why would you want to carry them all over the place? If you want to buy one hand gun a month - buy one - he has stated that. But he wants people who are responsible to have them - and quite quirky as it is, YOU, SSG are one of those people he has said SHOULD have them. Ex-police officers and military/ex-military should be allowed to carry concealed hand guns! Why? Because you KNOW how to use a weapon - you have been trained to use one - and I agree with him. You know how dangerous a weapon is and you have extensive training in their safety and use. Hell I don’t mind that.
As for dear Ron Paul - I have to disagree 100%. He wants government not to be government - he wants the whole free market to deal with everything. As we have seen over the last few weeks that simply doesn’t work and would lead to anarchy. By the way - your founding fathers didn’t want that either. Ron Paul’s idea is a ‘new’ idea. It’s an economic platform that strives on the fittest will survive and the weak will die. Unfortunately that would lead to a lot of human death both inside the USA and the rest of the world.
I hope you have time to read all that and if you want me to expand on any of it please feel free to ask.
Thanks again for putting your thoughts into words.
Will Rhodes
9 Oct 08 at 12:27 PM
Will, I must say those are some interesting points that, as I have said, consider very carefully before making my final choice for President. I understand about the brother. I had not heard anything else about it and hadn’t found anything about it. Thanks for clearing it.
Economics-I guess it’s fair to say that I just don’t know enough about it in general to be swayed one way or the other. I don’t like the idea of spending more and taxing more regardless of who it is. I also don’t think we need to raise taxes on anyone. My view, and my view only, is that there is entirely too much garbage in being paid for by billions of tax dollars. We pay millions of dollars to study everything under the sun. There is now a federal study on hammers. BULLSHIT!! It’s a hammer. It is used to drive nails and break things!!!!! WASTEFUL SPENDING. If we can get rid of the stupid stuff we can lower taxes. I also don’t buy into the tax break for the classes. It should be one set thing across the board period. The result would be the rich paying more but that is because they earned (or were paid) more.
The freedom comment was not directed at a homosexual lifestyle. I was just using that as an example of what some liberals are going with. What I meant was basically what you said. I believe that we should all just be able to live our lives how we believe within the confines of the law, guided by the constitution not some one elses thoughts on it.
i salute your father, and you as well for being a military brat, I served with some of those Brits over in the desert and in Panama. Crazy bastards but totally reliable and good company to have around in a fight. I’m not sure too sure about the comment that he fought with fellow soldiers. I mean, I’m sure that it is true but how much of that is actually “fighting” and how much of it is positioning or guys being guys so to speak. I’m sure that if you asked my platoon, they would all tell you that I was a total ass. (which I was) but they would also tell you that I never failed them and never sold them out and they wished I would come back (that was their statements when I left) So yea I’m sure that he fought with them and some or most didn’t like him but I would guess that there is more there than we will ever know. I will agree that I think Obama is cool under preasure. He is very composed but I just question how he would run it. When the Generals tell you that this plan will work (the surge) and you say hell no because you just want troops home, which I think was for political gains, I have issues there. The guys on the ground know what to do. Granted there must be some oversight or control or whatever, but that has to a major factor in deciding what to do and I am not sure that Obama would go that route. When Obama refused to visit the troops in the hospital after he was denied camera access, that was a huge statement to why he took the trip in the first place.
The guns-I am honestly in-line with ya on that. (I know it’s shocking) I don’t really see a need for people to have some of the weapons that are out on the market right now. The issue comes in when you try and tell people that they can’t have them but all the criminals do. I am very much in favor of concealed carry laws. No the founding fathers didn’t see a weapon that could shoot over 800 rounds a minute. I agree it should be limited and CHECKED before being issued. I am even in favor of arming teachers. Think of how different the school shootings would have went if there was a weapon there.
The voting thing-yea I know they are out doing other things and that’s good, but when you have voted present,guessing but I think it was 50-70% of the time something is wrong. Then you go straight into a political campaign for the presidency. Which leads me to believe he didn’t want to take a stand and then have to back it up, but I could be wrong.
Refering to RonPaul- I believe that we need less government. Much less than we currently have, and much less than either of the two candidates want. i don’t think I would vote for him but I do like some of what he says. Less government, less taxes, abolish certain government groups (IRS) and so on but I think he is no different than some of the quacks in the extreme left. Way too much over the top.
There is a middle that we as Americans must strive to find. The democrats don’t have it and (brace yourself) the Republicans don’t either. At times, our governemtn does great things but for the most part it is full of nothing but crooks and special interest groups that want nothing more than to be re-elected. Did you hear about the Senator that quit? He said that the entire place was too corrupt and he couldn’t take being around it anymore. I would hate to see this whole thing come crashing down but I have an odd feeling that regardless of what happens, this country is going to be set back and have to start over. That wonderful “buyout” plan that just went through. WOW that really helped didn’t it. I know it will take time for it to become fully felt but my god they couldn’t even pass an “emergency” bill without having it laced with BULLSHIT!!!! THAT’S ON BOTH SIDES! It disgusts me anymore to think that we have gotten so far away from the original intent of the founding fathers and our constitiution.
Like the Supreme Court- Since when did the political views of a person become a qualification for the Supreme Court? This is the highest court in our land that is supposed to decide constitutionality!!! Nothing more. Roe VS Wade. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE US CONSTITUTION ABOUT IT!!!!!! But it is a major factor in picking a judge. It should be a state decision set to vote by the people of that state. That’s it!!!! This is just one of the many issues that plague of current system.
Where is Obama at on the abortion issue? For some reason I haven’t heard much about it this time around.
Will, again, thanks for actually discussing something and not just blazing away. We may disagree fundamentally but it’s informative and I guess I will admit that you have at least made me think. Hopefully our discussion will be informative to other as well. I know I am not the only McCain supporter out there that has the same questions and vice/versa. You never know before it’s over Will, you might just vote republican!!! Oh if only Uncle Ronnie were here!
SSG T
9 Oct 08 at 3:33 PM
Hi pp:
I am just copying and pasting my reply to someone else on this.
I am by no means an educated person and know next to nothing about economics. But one thing I can grasp is logic.
Bailing out predators who lend to risky investments will do what? They knew what they were doing and it back-fired on them.
They should have to go bankrupt or liquidate. When you can’t pay your bills, do they step in and cover your behind? Just look at all the people who have lost their homes this year. Who is helping them? Did the government say, gee, you really didn’t think before you bought this home, but here, we’ll pay what is remaining on your mortgage?
No freaking way!
So why bail out the people who did this to the American people?
And to say it will save the economy is just a joke. Maybe for a little while. But in the end? It will do nothing but swipe tax payers money. Mark my words. This economy is going bust whether they get a bailout or not. It will happen. So the American taxpayer will cushion the blow for the big guys and down the road, the market will crash anyway.
How will this lead to jobs? I’d like one example. Has all these handouts to corporate entities ever resulted in bettering your position in life?
Why are so many people working in part-time jobs that don’t provide health coverage? Where are the people getting a break?
They can’t tell you that. Because there are none. Corporations have been getting subsidies, hand outs, tax breaks, and the economy is going bust.
The only thing that has to happen is to let it happen. Get back to reality. The market has been over-bloated and unrealistic and they can’t keep it up. No matter what they do.
The sad thing is, there will be a recession/depression whatever you want to call it. Everyone will hurt. But it will bounce back in time. Maybe lessons will be learned.
Why spend tax money to let the rich continue their lifestyle when it happens? Because it will happen. Why not keep that money for the people? They will need it.
Why? Because they do not care about the American public. If they did, this would never have happened. Ever.
That is what people have to realize. That is why people must involve themselves in what is going on in their government.
No one else is going to look out for average joe.
It is foolish to think we aren’t going to hit rock bottom here, and we will all suffer, but to take that money from you? The taxpayer and give it back to the people who did this? To cushion their blow? That money was a mere drop in a bucket compared to what they will need to fix this. It was not necessary to do it at all.
But they quietly snuck this in this week.
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/DHS_satellite_spy_program_going_forward_1002.html
They have billions for that for that?
What about the people that are about to lose everything? What about the average population? That money should have went to aid the people, not the rich.
thebeadden
9 Oct 08 at 10:40 PM