A Letter for McCain Supporters' Eyes Only
If you're voting for McCain and you've clicked to read this I promise this will be pain free and fast. First off, I respect you for voting tomorrow. Right away you've set yourself above the apathetic millions and clearly you care about this country.
Before you punch, click or fill in your ballot for John McCain I would like to have a small one sided non-argumentative conversation with you as a person who also cares whether this country continues to grow and flourish or not.
If you're not going to vote for Barack Obama because of the emails and rumors that he is a terrorist or hangs out with criminals or is a Muslim please do not let that be the reason.
This begs the first question: why in the hell should you listen to me? Well my answer would be, why not? I have no tax breaks or corporate interests to be supported by Barack Obama. In fact, as someone who makes over 250k a year I will pay more. So why would I lie or shill for him unless I truly believed he is the right choice?
And remember, there were a lot of us who said very early on that Bush was up to no good and that the Iraq war would be a mistake. If you voted for Bush in the past why not at least listen to another point of view? If you're one of the twenty something percent who still think Bush has done a good job then I'm guessing you aren't reading this anyway.
The bottom line is that I believe no one wants a bad leader on purpose so clearly you were given some bum information if you voted for Bush. That's okay. You were doing the best you could. But don't rely on that very same information all over again. Whether it be FOX news, emails or friends or family.
Which brings me back to the rumors and emails about Obama. They are false. Not only are they false, they're crazy false. They are. And it would be a tragedy for anyone to make a decision based on those kinds of dark ugly lies.
It's also possible you are voting for McCain because he is "pro-life." I ask you to please remember that there is not one person in this country who thinks abortion is a "good" thing. The only reason any of us think that it should be open as an option to women is because if it wasn't, then people would do it anyway and they be hurt and assaulted by creeps offering illegal abortions. That is literally the only reason. The way to stop abortion is to offer sex education and protection. For that reason there were fewer abortions during the Clinton administration then during the Bush tenure.
If by chance your religion is against protection or sex education then I ask you to question that stance and any group that resists educating kids about how easy it is to have a baby. After all, is there anything more precious than a baby? Nope.
I'm almost done. Stay with me (or stay against me but please keep reading).
If you are a person who is voting for McCain because you think Obama is a communist who wants to redistribute the wealth, I know you are smarter than that. Bush already gave obscene tax breaks to people like me and Warren Buffet and we are saying it's not fair. Why would we work against our own interests? The answer is simple: because fair taxation makes the whole country stronger and if the country isn't strong our money ends up disappearing anyway (see massive stock market crash currently in progress). Bush redistributed the wealth and McCain has been very clear that he will continue to give tax breaks to big corporations and the wealthy in the name of trickle down economics. He really truly has. It's a big fat fact.
I also know that from years of Corporatists and fundamentalists turning the word "liberal" into a code word for gays and hippies and commies you think that blue staters all want to corrupt our country and have people marrying dogs and smoking crack and burning Christmas trees. Here's the real truth we're pretty much just like you. We really, truly are.
And finally if you are not voting for Barack because of the color of his skin, then there may be nothing I can say to you. But I just ask that you really consider this decision. Can anything good come of a backward way of thinking like judging someone based on skin color? No way. And I think in your heart of hearts you know that is very true. The world is changing and if we think and act like it's the 1600s then America will slip hard.
That's it. Thank you for reading. Now let's send a message to the world and our children that the United States learns from it's mistakes and can change when necessary. Remember, you're alone in that voting booth. You don't have to tell your McCain loving friends who you voted for. And chances are one or two of them will secretly vote for Obama. And as a reward for reading this a 30% off coupon for Dave & Busters is being sent to your home.
On a separate train: anyone from California looking for help with how to vote on the Props, check this site out. It combines the stances of six different organizations.
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"For that reason there were fewer abortions during the Clinton administration then during the Bush tenure."
Actually, no:
http://www.guttmacher.org/media/nr/2008/01/17/index.html
Guttmacher is a pro-choice institution, so no reason it would fudge the stats. The abortion level is at its lowest rates since 1974. Lower than under Clinton.
yes - because teen pregnancy is higher
. . . and the reason for that is abstinence-only teaching in schools.
My insane mother in law-who reduced my husband to yelling (a rarity)-a Jamaican born naturalized citizen, no less...announced she's voting for McCain (after making her decision this weekend) because of "character."
When her son asked her what she knew about McCain's previous marriage and the circumstances around it, she was clueless; When he asked about McCain's less than honorable behavior in the service, she was clueless...she admitted she "only watches FOX."
She spouted "bill ayers," and Tony Rezko-but couldn't tell WHY they were a bad "association" with Obama.
She is reflective of most Mc-P voters. This is the same woman who was telling me how abortion, gay rights, etc have no place in politics.
Thankfully, she lives in a solidly blue state-and her vote, I guess, won't carry much weight.
Received a letter from her sister today-telling me the family is ready to disavow her LOL.
I'm all for that!
Obama/Biden, '08-for those who can-and DO- THINK.
"McCain's less than honorable behavior in the service..."
That is a lie. And don't cite that Rolling Stone smear piece to me, or that conspiracy nut smear group.
These hits on McCain's service by Obama supporters are the second most disgusting thing that's happened in this campaign, superseded only by the virtual pelvic exam performed on Palin and her family in the press.
I'll admit there have been attacks from some on the left concerning McCain's service. I find the attacks despicable.
But they pale in comparison to the large percentage of McCain supporters who believe that Senator Obama is a Muslim, friend of terrorists, as socialist , a communist, or any of the other vile things thrown his way by the ignorant right.
And it's not just the supporters feeding the ignorance. McCain and especially Palin have made similar claims.
John McCain's legacy could have been as a faithful public servant and war hero. Now it will be that he was a man willing to do whatever was necessary to win an election.
Pelvic examine on Palin? How about a brain examine?
what, the rolling stone "smear piece" that was based in large measure on john mccain's own memoir? what about the veterans groups that are campaigning against him? i guess they're just nut jobs, too?
It is sad to think that the public debate centers not on the men they are, but on the caricatures fed to us. It is really sad to me that our options are "the Muslim terrorist" or "W – Round 3". We are debating the images of the men fed to us by the opposing candidate's political staff whose job is to win the election at any cost. For me, the choice came down to the selection of Supreme Court justices. McCain said he would select the candidate based on their ability to interpret the Constitution and not on their moral beliefs regarding abortion or any other "litmus test". I thought, "Finally. Someone who gets it." Supreme Court justices are supposed to interpret the Constitution, not legislate from the bench. Has anyone read the Constitution lately? I haven't. (Neither has Dick Chenney.) How many of the 10 amendments that form the Bill of Rights can you recall? I can only name 3. I think we all should work on our citizenship skills. So, no. I don't think Obama is a terrorist, or that he is going to take my money away or that he is going to perform random abortions on people. I honestly believe that neither one of these guys will deliver on 10% of what they say they will. I am still however voting for McCain and hoping that his heart can take the excitement if he wins because Palin scares the $#!^ out of me.
You say that you don't believe that either one of them will deliver on even 10% of what they say, yet you're planning to vote for McCain based on what he SAYS he will do regarding Supreme Court judges?
Ultimately, the problem with your voting strategy is that you're assuming that neither one of them is honest and simply hoping that McCain's promise regarding Supreme Court judges falls into that meager 10%. I believe you couldn't be more wrong. McCain has proven time and time again that he is a liar. Obama, on the other hand, has proven time and time again that he is a man of honor and integrity. I'm sure you'll attempt to refute this with propaganda you honestly believe to be valid evidence, so I won't waste time pushing the honor issue. I will, however, make one further suggestion of food for thought before you cast that ballot.
American has lost its standing on the world stage. Granted, we'll always be hated by some no matter what we do. But we used to have allies. Wouldn't it be nice if we were respected again, as a nation? Obama can make that happen. Electing him tomorrow will improve our standing on the world stage a thousand fold. Everyone in the world is watching to see what we do. If McCain wins, nothing changes. We'll still be considered the bullies of the planet. Isn't our global standing a bit more important than the composition of the Supreme Court?
He also said any supreme court nominee will have to be against abortion so he uses a non litmus litmus test. By using bush's advisers and following the party line on torture even though he fought hard against it, I feel he has sold out to the bush gang and has no morals, just political ambition.
And McCain also said that anyone who interprets the constitution as giving women the right to abortions is wrong and he would not appoint them. Is a simple change of phrasing all it takes to fool a person like you? Listen closely...McCain does have a litmus test, because he said anyone who believes a woman has a right to an abortion is wrong and he would not consider them for the Supreme Court.
On the other hand, Obama is a professor of Constitutional Law. I don't think many people understand the Constitution as well as he does, and will make appointments based on his education and understanding of the Constitution. His only litmus test will be a person's ability to make fair and intelligent interpretations of the constitution.
If McCain is elected, his appointments to the Supreme court would set our country back 100 years.
There is a large gap between Understanding the Constitution and Upholding the Constitution. Just because Obama has been taught a great deal about constitutional law doesn't mean that he will be any less biased when he appoints his judges. He will use his own view on how the Court should behave and will pick people that agree with his beliefs. Despite being a Republican, I believe in abortion and don't want to see it outlawed. I also don't want to see corporations destroyed, another round of amnesty, reparations or any other absurd decisions come out of the Court. I'd like to believe that whomever is elected would be fair and balanced, but neither candidate has a snowball's chance of meeting that standard.
I am delighted to hear a rational argument on behalf of McCain. Thank you for not spewing the usual propaganda we have been hearing.
I don't agree with you about Obama appointing legislators to the Supreme Court. In fact, I take the opposite stance. I fear that the neo-conservative evangelicals that McCain has pandered to for the last 6 or so years will influence his decisions greatly and place our country's greatest accomplishment at risk: the separation of church and state. I feel that Obama's extraordinarily advanced understanding of the Constitution (Constitutional Law professor that he is:) ensures that he respects the tenets of that separation and would never appoint a justice that blurs the line.
I am voting for Obama for countless reasons. This is just ONE of the most important ones.
PS. Palin scares me also. And YES, everyone should brush up on thier civics lessons before passing judgement..in general.
Adam McKay, your only argument here is Obama should be considered the lesser of two evils instead of McCain. Why should anyone vote for either evil? I went with my conscience and voted for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution party. If everyone voted their conscience, this would be a better nation.
Chuck Baldwin? Is he related to Alec?
This election will usher in a NEW ACCOUNTABILITY in the US:
1) Everybody making under $250K per year that votes FOR McCain will NOT get the Obama middle-class tax break - why should you? you voted against it.
2) Everybody who voted for GW Bush in 2000 will have to pay a 10% higher "pay back" income tax, and everyone of the 59 million who actually voted for GW Bush in 2004 will have to pay a 20% higher income tax - to help offset the TRILLIONS of dollars in debt piled up by the Bush administration... and seeing as the Bush supporters are such 'super-patriotic' people you won't have any problem ponying up the extra cash... seeing as $500B+ goes to the troops and the defense budget... and is there anything more patriotic than supporting our troops (with something more than just a $2 metallic car ribbon)?
So what you are saying is that if you have a vested economic interest in the outcome of a race, you shouldn't benefit if you don't support the correct candidate. Therefore, everyone who votes for Obama, should not get the McCain health care tax credit or increase in the per child deduction. By the way, the middle class tax break number was lowered to $200,000 by Obama, to $150,000 by Biden, and to $120,000 by Governor Richardson. Who knows what it will be when (if) he takes that oath of office....
You've been watching way too much Fox News.
I wouldn't WANT the McCain health care tax credit...he's offering $5000 and my family's premiums cost about $8000 per year. I don't want to have to start making up the difference.
Your facts are slipping, Tennessean. Bill Richardson spoke here three days ago. He might wonder if you need your hearing checked: the income threshold for tax reduction has NOT been lowered to $120,000.
Just in case that helps you out.
I will drop my insurance if McCain manages to get his gift to insurance companies passed. I am not going to pay more money to insurance companies to get less coverage and more taxes to help Richest pay less.
well since the majority of the troops voted for bush that wouldn't be very patriotic would it? why do you want the troops to pay even more, why do you hate them so much?
Yippee!!!! for me,... I voted for one of the other 'guys' both times Bush won,... And I ain't gonna vote for McCain,....
Looks like I might get me a tax break under your plan,...
I wonder how we might implement such a plan,.... *ponder,... ponder,... ponder,... ponder,...*
Ha, new accountability my foot. You think Obama is going to punish those in his own party who helped bring about the economic problems? You think Barney Frank or Dodd will lose their posts? Pelosi is talking about putting Frank in charge of the investigation to find out what went wrong. Do you really think he is going to start by looking the mirror and reporting that? You have got to be kidding.
Sarcasm, it would seem to me. And very, very funny.
I am one of the 20% who supports President Bush, and one who has read your rationale. I am not pro life, nor do I believe Senator Obama is a communist, terrorist, or Muslim. What I do know is that he has never proven himself a leader. Your asking me to vote for the CEO of the largest enterprise in the world with no experience. He has not served in the armed forces, fought in battle, buried his friends.
I've read the rhetoric, the Cuban Theorists, and Reverend Wright amplifiers. None of this matters. The most salient point that you miss is "Who can handle a crisis better?" What President Bush has done in the past two months with the hard work of Treasury, the Fed and Congress is unprecedented. This is leadership. While Senator Obama is criticizing Senator McCain for declaring that the "Economy is fundamentally Sound", he is criticizing me, the hard working small business owner who provides a living for millions of other hard working Americans. How can I vote for a man who belittles my contribution to the success of this country?
Senator McCain is eminently more qualified to handle a crisis. Senator Obama;'s economic policy will move us back into the hyper inflation experienced in the Johnson administration where it took the severe implementation of wage and price controls to stem the economic downturn. Senator McCain's conservative economic policy will not repeat the mistakes of the late 1960s
He has my vote.
The knock on Obama’s “lack of experience” misses what’s really critical to consider in evaluating a candidate. If experience was key, we’d all be clamoring for 89-year old Robert Byrd of WV to be president. Experience means nothing unless it impacts judgment, or how we make decisions about important issues. (What other impact could it have, except providing fond or bad memories?) But, other factors influence judgment as well, such as intelligence and personality. Obama has superior judgment because of all these qualities: high intelligence and intellectual curiosity, social skills, an even temperament, and an analytical mind. What does it matter whether a politician's judgment stems more from past experience or from intelligence and personality, as long as the judgment is good? Soldiers killed in a stupid war endorsed by a politician with lots of experience are still dead, and an unprepared VP candidate nominated by a politician with lots of experience is still unprepared. Still doubt that judgment, rather than experience, is the key? The president with the least experience in government was Abe Lincoln (a few terms in the Illinois statehouse, one term in Congress. Sound familiar?). The president with the most experience in government was his predecessor, James Buchanan, often considered the worse president in history until W came along. So, Obama is better than McCain on the quality that matters most--judgment.
Does Sarah Palin have your vote? The experience argument is nullified with her on the ticket, Unless you're one of the 38% who support her too. Military service doesn't make someone more qualified to lead, and neither does having been a POW. We can respect John McCain's service to HIS country (because he surely must believe anyone not on his side is not part of his America), without having to buy into his experience "I have the scars to prove it" argument.
Sarah Palin over Joe Biden in a heartbeat but bottom line both are irrelevant. I know you have not been in the military because leadership is what they drill into you day and night.
You're choice in simplistic terms is for a man with no experience over a man with long credentials in the military and public service. With Sen. McCain we know what we're getting. I'm not willing to bet my future nor my children's future on an untested politician.
"I am one of the 20% who supports President Bush, and (no one is paying you any attention from this point on because you have no credibility whatsoever).
Not even McCain is talking about Bush's supposed "leadership" during the economic crisis. Because he may not know much about how to win an election, but he knows better than to make that laughable claim. But not you, apparently!
So you actually bought the pathetic excuse McCain gave for him saying the "fundamentals of the economy are strong," that he meant "the workers?"
Are you kidding me? LOL. That is rich.
Just out of curiosity, how can you say that McCain is more qualified to be a leader
given his demonstrated erratic behavior during the Wall Street meltdown, his poor record in the few leadership roles that he's had, etc.? Compare that behavior to that of Obama's. Merely contrasting the two campaigns ought inform you somewhat as to the strong influence this individual (Obama) has. You say, " Senator McCain is eminently more qualified to handle a crisis." You have your head in the sand, Sir!
Well,... sounds like you have a different definition of what entails 'leadership' than I do dreich8688.
To pick just one of your 'examples',... if Bush had even a modicum of 'leadership' ability he would never have needed to implement the bailouts to begin with.
A good leader acts,.... a good leader is proactive,... a good leader doesn't act late, hastily, and by simply thowing money at the bozos that got us into the financial mess to begin with.
And what has McCain ever 'led' since his military days more than 30 years ago? I respect his military service,... but I don't respect his self-service in the Senate over the last 20+ years/
I'll go with Obama,....
I find your post here offensive.
Please, go back and rewrite this and explain why we SHOULD vote for Obama, rather than trying to INTIMIDATE people into voting your way by ascribing social stigma to them if they don't.
Explain either:
a) how it is exactly that Obama is great and good (and please get beyond the how great it would be to have a black guy in office, if race really doesn't matter, it shouldn't matter, sticking it to whitey does NOT alone constitute change I can believe in)
b) how exactly it is the McCain will damage our nation, or if you prefer, why we should be any more afraid of McCain (and please drop the he is Bush thing, Bush did many many things wrong, working with Teddy on the education bill, prescription drug program, not drilling in Anwar, etc.. I do agree he mishandled the war in Iraq a bit, but I don't think getting involved there was particularly wrong, and was surely more justified than Kosovo.)
Appeal to reason, not emotion. I know it might be hard for you to understand but for the most part conservative's heads tell our hearts how to feel, not the other way about, and until you understand the different temperaments that form the core of each party you will never be able to think of us as equals, get past your hate, or convince us of a damn thing.
Here's a link for you to get the ball rolling on WHY McCain is not a choice to bring about the change this country needs across the board. And, I have yet to hear a "plan" besides continuing Bush's economic plan from him or his running mate. All I hear is offensive rhetoric.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-10/the-conservative-case-for-obama/
If you need more reading material, I will oblige.
Happy reading!
As to b):
McCain would CONTINUE to damage the reputation of the US internationally by not repudiating EVERYTHING that Cheney/Bush have done and/or stood for in the last 8 years. Right now, our international reputation is still salvageable. Why do you think Al Qeada has endorsed McCain?
Well... do you think maybe Al Qaeda endorsed McCain because they want Obama to be president? Or do you think Al Qaeda believes they hold political clout in America and their endorsement will benefit McCain?
While I generally agree that appealing to reason is the best way to go, the people who aren't voting for Obama because they believe he's a Muslim or because of the color of his skin aren't going on reason.
Explain any of the following:
Staggering incompetence in governing the last 8 years
Foreign policy based on deception of the American people
Denial of threats such as global warming (“it’s just a theory”)
Cronyism (“heckuva job Brownie”)
Politicizing the DOJ
Expansion of the Executive Branch Powers (aka “executive overreach”)
Undermining the Constitution (habeas corpus isn’t that important)
Breaking the Geneva Conventions (torture anyone?)
Damaging International Alliances
Rovian-style politics (including that it is somehow OK that an unknown VP candidate does not have to hold a real press conference that includes follow up questions)
The largest expansion of the federal government since the New Deal
And while you're at it, please explain how McCain would not continue these policies.
Addressing (b) alone MC was married when he married again + a gambler... for starters
I'll tell you why I am not voting for Obama and it isn't for any of your reasons. Reason 1 -- his voting record. Like you, I have may issues that I care about. Obama has opposed almost all of them. Reason 2 --- his inexperience. As I've said from the beginning, in this day and age, we need someone more than a community organizer to lead this country. That's it! By the way, I would have voted for Hillary Clinton if she were the candidate.
Your 2 reasons are valid.
BUT, if you look at the race on the whole, there are many, and I do mean many, many more reasons not to vote for McCain. Heck, even if you boil it down to just comparing the lies of the campaigns, McCain loses by a longshot because of the sheer number of lies, not to mention the absurdity of most of them.
Except that's not true:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/us/politics/26ads.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5124&en=ee77cec5c6225e9d&ex=1380168000&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
If you were going to vote for Hillary who by the way had pretty much the same idea's as Obama ,(she lost due to the dirty tactics her campaign ran on her behalf). The country is tired of dirty tricks and lies. McCain has been in Gov. office over 20 years I don't want 4 more years of not caring of the AMERICAN people. Our SOLDIERS are doing triple duty and some more. They come home broken only to fight with the VA offices for treatment. They are fighting WARS with little help from the gov. but yet we are spending 10 million a month. I don't agree that by bring our TROOPS home safe means we gave up in defeat. THE WAR SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN WAGED in the 1st place. The world as it is see's the UNITED STATES as bullies instead of the country who use to be looked as the country who does great things for all IT'S people. not just a selected few. I voted for OBAMA because I WANT CHANGE. I'm willing to put up more of my taxes for a better AMERICA but not for the CEO'S staring with BUSH MCcAIN who's pockets get filled while we MIDDLE CLASS loose everything.
Both fine and valid reasons. I am voting for Obama because he supports the policies that I agree with more than McCain does, but I would have done so much more enthusiasticly had Obama been governor for a term or two.
Hillary was my girl too.
Radical Conservative - aka Pharisee
How can you say you would have voted for Hillary? McCain and Hillary Clinton are polar opposites. There is a huge disconnect with what you are saying!
Obama and Clinton have the same ideals and focus, if you supported her how can you back McCain?
Think about that statement, why are you really supporting McCain? There is no logic in the idea that a supporter of Hillary Clinton agrees and supports McCain. Do you really vote on the issues?
I'm voting for McCain because he's served his country for over 50 years with honor. There are no surprises with McCain. What you see is what you get.
Obama could be a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Sorry to burst your bubble but McCain's whole campaign has been 1 surprise after another and you just never know what may come from day to day so it seems that your rationale is off
I see the scare tactics have worked for you!
Pathetic!
I wonder if his first wife was surprised when he dumped her after she'd waited five years for him.
I wonder if Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson were surprised by his sucking up to them, after (rightly) calling them agents of intolerance in 2000.
I wonder if his own advisers were surprised by the pick of Sarah Palin for VP, after McCain said foreign policy experience was the most important thing he'd seek in a running mate.
Honestly, I wonder if John McCain is surprised by what he's become.
He also said "there is a special place in h.e.l.l. for those people" regarding the smear robocalls used against him in SC in 2000. Then he used the same people and tactics in the last month of his campaign.
Frankly, I was kind of surprised by McCain's campaign after his promises that it would be a "civil" discourse on the nation's issues. I was surprised by his consistant attacks on Obama's patriotism, calling him a socialist, and denigrating voter registration efforts that were dishonorable tactics from a man who claims honor. His choice of Sarah Palin should give everyone pause - even you, MyOwn. The choice was a telling one about McCain. His mixed messages during the campaign, his lack of consistancy on issues like the economy, his poor organization, and the lack of support from numerous respected mainstream Republicans were also a surprise. I think McCain is a political lightweight. So, I respectfully disagree that McCain offers no surprises.
McCain hasn't served his country for over 50 years he has served the 1% of the population who own 95% of everything. Obama was raised by a family with values and he himself has family values, unlike McCain who left his first wife and was a part of the Keating 5. Charles Keating was convicted and he robbed thousands of people of the pensions and McCain aided that. The fact that you say Obama COULD be a wolf in sheep's clothing is 100% percent racist and I am a white woman saying this. McCain is a WOLF in WOLF's clothing. OBAMA COULD be anything, so could any of us. That is the silliest thing I have ever heard. McCain served who he wanted to serve and then when it came time to vote he voted wrong on IRAQ, THE ECONOMY, an economy that he says he doesn't know a lot about!??? If he has been serving our country so well, shouldn't he know the economy of our country??? And if he doesn't should he pick a VP who does???
We all know why you are voting for MCain, myownthoughts. How about having some of your OWN thoughts and stop listening to the BS that that you have been fed about him SERVING his country.
Interesting article...I've enjoyed reading many of the comments, so here are the reasons I will be voting for McCain:
* McCain's overall tax policy is better for the country and will ultimately help to create more jobs. I have a fundamental disagreement with Obama's plan to give those that already don't pay any taxes any kind of rebate.
* I strongly disagree with Obama's plan for health care. First off, it's too costly, and secondly, I don't have any confidence that our government could effectvely manage such a program.
* I strongly disagree with Obama's position of Employee Free Choice. The elimination of election campaigns and secret ballot elections will lead to election fraud.
* I support McCain's plan to secure our borders immediately.
* While the war in Iraq was not managed well from the beginning, McCain took an unpopular stand when he supported the surge. He ended up being right and I respect him for taking that tough stand. Obama has a history of avoiding taking an unpopular or tough stand on an issue....Obama voted "present" 100+ time as a state senator....you can't vote "present" if you want to be our Commander and Chief!
Regardless of what happens tomorrow, I do hope that all our elected leaders will remember they work for us and not the special interest groups!
Thank you for personifying what exactly is wrong with McCain voters.
McCain was not correct about the surge. When he continues to make that claim, he is being intellectually dishonest and so are you. Either that or you're just woefully misinformed.
The surge was NOT a "success." It did not do what it was supposed to. It was nothing more than a band aid.
Why can't Mc Cain and his minions get that through their thick skulls?
Honestly, there is no point for that comment Veronica.
First - thanks Adam - for the first time on this site I haven't felt like I should immediately feel like hateful rhetoric is going to flow in my direction in an article, something Veronica up above personifies pretty well in her comment.
This is an interesting topic you took the above poster to task with. It was actually McCain that implored the Bush administration to send a surge of troops into Iraq to prevent the country from slipping into absolute, 100% chaos (as opposed to the regular chaos). He got railed for it pretty good, and the move ended up being the correct decision at the time.
Was it a band aid? Yes. Was it needed to save lives, both American and Iraqi, at the time? Yes. Does it have an effect on my vote in this campaign - slightly. Just slightly. But that doesn't make me a McCain supporter. At this time, however, I can't get through my thick skull to tell you why.
The "surge," it has been revealed-was helped by the genocide that was taking place. Entire neighborhoods were purged, so there was less fighting...
That story broke about 6 weeks ago......
Veronica:
The surge has worked....Biden is now on record as saying the surge worked, most of our senators and key military leaders have also said the surge has exceeded its stated objectives, and reluctantly, even Obama has stated in his interview with O"Reilly stated that it has worked. Again, the point I was making was McCain's willingness to take a tough or unpopular position on a difficult issue. Obama tends to avoid the tough decisions....that is why I'm supporting McCain.
And thank y ou for personifying exactly what's wrong with Obama voters. I find it truly funny how the pot sits and calls the kettle black!
a band-aid? clearly you are clueless. you don't have to take mccains word on it, even obama said it was worked now (though he gives credit to "unforseen circumstances" instead of the troops.) get a grip
mpc - good comments - except most are wrong.
McCain's tax strategy will NOT create more jobs. Furthermore his proposed spending freeze will plunge us out of recession into depression. A spending freeze is EXACTLY the opposite of what should be done.
Re: Healthcare - it will be a tough road, but it is time to tackle it. McCain's plan has more holes than swiss cheese
Employee Free Choice has to do with unionizing in the workplace. What are you talking about? General elections? C'mon now!
Uh, the Surge has NOT worked. Yes, violence is down, but a political solution, which was part fo the surge is still non existent. BTW, the REAL reason violence is down is because the US is PAYING the Iraqis not to fight (no, that's not a typo). So the surge is partially successful.
Voting "present" in Illinois is equivalent to a soft no, it comes with the individual stating a position in writing. Obviously you are not from Illinois.
FYI, most of McCain's team is lobbyists. If he wins, the gov't will be run by special interests.
Why is a spending freeze going to hurl us into a depression? You can't make an outrageous statement like that without some analysis.
As a small business owner, Obama's tax plan will cost my company more money and potentially the loss of more jobs....that's a simple and basic fact in my case.
As far as healthcare, Obama considers it a "right"....I disagree.
EFCA is about unionizing the workplace....it was written by unions to make it easier to organize by not having any union election campaigns (where the company and union can present their positions) and not requiring any secret ballot....this is a very danagerous road to go down.
And finally, the surge has worked....even Biden, and reluctantly Obama have had to admit to that.
Your right, I'm not from Illnois, I'm from Texas( not nessarily a Bush supporter) but most definitely a person who wants to know where my leaders stand on issues...."soft" votes don't count much in my book!
My comment strictly deals with Employee Free Choice. It's a very bad idea to monitor fellow employees on voting for or against unionization. The unions are looking to pressure people against unionization, hence the democrats support. In the past, I have worked for a union. It was a very ugly experience. The time for unionization has passed. With OSHA and many other labor laws on the books, the employee is not endangered the way they once were. Unions merely exist to leach off their members and ensure that companies have their hands tied in dealing with bad employees.
Wanted to continue with another point regarding labor:
Want to talk about an important issue for labor in this country? The issue is illegal immigration. We allow illegal immigrants here to contend with our own labor force for largely manual labor jobs. Their selling point is lower cost. The employer says "I can pay them under the table, hence no payroll taxes" or they may illegally obtain ID's perhaps with your or my social security number. Basically, what is happening is they are undercutting domestically-supplied manual labor. The brutal facts are not everyone is capable of obtaining a higher education by skill set alone. Yes, I know these are "jobs Americans won't do", right? I don't believe that. The wages to get that job done are just not high enough. Basically, the supply/demand curve between management and labor is skewed because of illegal immigration. If I'm an employer in this country wanting to get a job done I will negotiate with labor to arrive at a cost to get that work done. That's how economics works. Even if I (the employer) choose to mechanize, I will need to buy those machines from someone creating demand for assembly line workers. Now I'm sure someone will label me a racist. If that's true, why aren't they anti-labor? Unfortunately, neither candidate looks at illegal immigration as a problem.
"Regardless of what happens tomorrow, I do hope that all our elected leaders will remember they work for us and not the special interest groups!"
Well, we can remember that our elected leaders are supposed to work for us & not special interest groups, but McCain's campaign is full of lobbyist, so the question becomes...can McCain remember that???? I doubt it!
This "Get Your War On" episode from 23/6 will illustrate (in a VERY funny way) in 1 minute and 46 seconds that anyone who says that "The Surge worked!" probably doesn't know what the Surge is, what it was supposed to do, and just likes to say the word "Surge."
http://www.236.com/video/2008/get_your_war_on_the_surge_8423.php
First, Obama is not giving a tax cut to those who don't pay taxes. He is targeting WORKING families with incomes of less than $250,000.
Second, Obama's health plan doesn't tax health care benefits for the first time, as does McCain. The tax credit McCain wants to give will not cover health care costs for the typical family - and the money goes directly to health insurers.
Third, the war was waged in the wrong place against the wrong people. The surge is a red-herring and most people recognize that. McCain's has never defined what "winning" in Iraq means - do you know what he means?
Fourth, voting "present" isn't the same things as heading for the "duck" pond, as has been suggested by his opponents. It was a tactic utilized in the Illinois legislature to indicate that more debate was needed on an issue.
Fifth, I agree that the next President needs to distance themselves from special interests. A large majority of McCain's campaign staff are federal lobbyists. His campaign manager received $15,000 per month from Fannie Mae up throught August of this year - and his lobbying firm led the fight against reforms that might have mitigated the recent collapse of the financial markets. McCain is the tool of federal lobbyists and this is not disputed.
Vote for Obama.
To this...And finally if you are not voting for Barack because of the color of his skin, then there may be nothing I can say to you.
I say this...
Okay, then vote for the white half.
http://www.cafepress.com/thenvoteobama
i don't think it's good to not vote for obama becuase he's black, but i'm not seeing how it's ok that so many people are voting for him becuause he is.
I'm not voting for Obama for the following reasons:
Raising taxes on big business and corporations in a time of economic hardship is a bad idea, a really bad idea.
I agree that we should not have invaded Iraq, but we did. We now have an obligation not to leave until they are able to stand on their own. I believe they are getting there. Obama was wrong about the surge. If Obama pulls our troops out of Iraq before they are able to stand by themselves, he will be responsible for any major civil war that takes place. We have a moral obligation there. Obama doesn't seem to believe we do.
I think socialized healthcare is a bad idea. I spent two years in London and most people there hate it.
If Obama wins, and he probably will, I think he will do fine; however, I think McCain will do a better job of reigning in spending, which in my opinion, is the biggest problem we face.
I don't think Obama is a communist or a muslim, but he is too liberal for me -- like Kerry was.
Do you have any solid reason for thinking McCain would reign in spending? This guy went along with Bush and his policies time and time again, how will we not just have more of the same?
And you think Obama will??? He just spent $600M on what? I can think of a lot better use for that kind of money than spending it on a campaign. I didn't see him spreading the wealth, did you? I didn't see him controlling his spending, did you? How many people do you suppose he could have provided health care with even a portion of that money? How wasteful and sad!
YOU CAN KEEP YOUR VOTE,OBAMA DOES NOT NEED IT.
THERE WIL BE MANY PEOPLE WHO WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA,SO YOU CAN KEEP YOUR VOTE.
PEOPLE VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN
I don't read post in all caps.
"Obama was wrong about the surge."
Um, sorry, but no. Obama wasn't wrong about the surge. The surge did not accomplish what it set out to do, not even close. A simple reduction in violence was not the purpose of the surge. For you (and McCain of course) to make that claim is completely and utterly disingenuous, and you know it.
keep lying to yourself.
Wrong. There is more and more political reconciliation every day. All the trends are positive.
Remember those bench marks that congress made such a big deal about not having been met? Most of them have been met now--that's why you don't hear Pelosi complaining about that.
The surge worked. It's a fact. Even Obama admits it, although only grudgingly. Anyone who doesn't know this is in extreme denial.
I beg to differ with you, Obama was wrong about the surge and it's very disingenuous of you to belittle what it has accomplished.
The last I read the point of the surge was to provide a unified and democratic Iraq that could govern, defend and take care of itself. We were changing our military focus to help the Iraqis clean up and secure their neighborhoods and establish local constabulary to protect the local people, and to help train and build the Iraqi military forces so they could take care of their own security when we pull out.
In talking with a number of people on the ground in Iraq and listening to the news locally and stateside, this is happening. Tell me, how is the surge not working? What was it supposed to accomplish that it has not or is not in the process of doing, allowing that some things do take time?
To save time and space, I'm going to piggyback on your post, because your reasons are the same as mine.
I would elaborate that McCain was right about the surge and the need for a change in tactics. Obama and Biden were wrong, and the surge worked. Further, McCain showed great courage and sacrifice in advocating a surge when his own son had just entered the Marines.
Also, with a Dem president there is almost no check on the natural impulse of the Dem led legislature to infringe on our rights. The second amendment and first (due to card check, fairness doctrine) amendment are in greater danger with no checks on the Dems' power.
Mr. McKay does not understand the issues that people outside of the the coastal urban counties are concerned about, and neither does Obama.
I find it really interesting that so many repubs rail against tax breaks for "people who aren't paying taxes," but don't seem to have any issues at all with companies like Halliburton and Blackwater, who I read today, are making 40% of all profits coming from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
Those folks also don't seem to find fault with millions of dollars of subsidies and tax breaks to Oil Companies and whatever companies have the best lobbyists in Washington. Instead of railing against the vast landscape of corruption, the repubs want to make sure the poorest amongst us aren't getting welfare from their tax dollars. Corporate Welfare however- no big deal!
who is subsidizing oil? last i checked obama and our government wants to subsidize things that don't work, not the ones that do. and your comparison of tax cuts for people who don't pay taxes and halliburon is ridiculous. the 2 are entirely unrelated.
Obama received much more corporate campaign money than McCain did, especially from sectors like Wall Street. Fannie and Freddie collapsed because the Democrats blocked the reforms that Republicans, including McCain, tried to implement. Fannie execs were huge donors to Dem campaigns, and they all made out with zillion$ golden parachutes as the bubble collapsed.
Adam, great job. Bravo! I just received another "Anti-Obama" email today from a Republican friend of mine. It was one with the picture of Obama on a airport tarmac carrying the book "The Post-American World." The subject line of the email blared that the book was a "Muslim/Islamic view to destroy America from within." Huh? I finished that book a couple of weeks ago. I bought it on Amazon (not a Islamic fundamentalist website). It's a great read about the US/World economy and was written by a Harvard PhD. Maybe the subversive message written by Islamic terrorists is on the inside of the dust cover. I'll check...
I too just finished that book, its an essential read for americans who want to understand how we need to move forward in the 21st century. Fareed is a brilliant man. These people would never read his book simply because of his name. Or because these people dont read. And are afraid of facts. I know a couple of these people.
They drop racial slurs regularly and watch fox news for their info gathering
Good grief McCain voters! Wake up! It's not 1945 and America is not the only big dog on the porch. It is a Post-American World. If you don't think so, remember who holds most of our American debt - not us, but China. We are debtors, and big ones, to China, and Russia, and every other country that we've sold ourselves to. Don't like it? Well, you should have mentioned it to W - he, with McCain's help 90% of the time, put us in this unenviable position. Recognzing the reality of our situation is necessary to function in the world - cleaving to a long lost vision of economic superiority in the name of some sort of goofy patriotism is dangerous and naive.
I'm halfway through that book and have found it to be a valuable insight into where we are headed in a global economy.
I'm starting to think that these people must be learning different definitions of words than the rest of us. They interpret things very differently.
Speaking of color, I would like to say that my deceased wife was Swedish. My son, like Obama was loved by his Swedish grandparents and by my family. I didn't think about color when I married her. I loved her and she loved me. We brought up our son to be an individual, and his color was secondary. As an international sculptor and visual artist some people would want to classify me as a "black artist." This is ridiculous. Art is art. If you are not a so-called fundamentalist, all intelligent people know that we as human beings come from Africa.
Jerry Harris
Chico, California
Jerry-
My bi-racial sons don't identify with EITHER race....they are.....themselves.
;-)
These comments are wonderful. My response to anyone who uses the term "race" in distinguishing among international peoples is this: There is only ONE race. Human.
Peace to all.
0bama/Biden '08, '12
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