After the collapse of WaMu last week, I decided to support the amended Wall Street bailout because like the Democrats, led by Pelosi, Reid and Obama, maintained--now is not the time to play the blame game, that can be done at the polls on November 4th.
The socialization of Wall Street, places the American taxpayer--specifically home owner--in a very tricky position. What the past two weeks of politicking has demonstrated, no one really knows how this deal will affect average Jane Doe American. So it's a gamble, and a twenty-four-sided Rubik's cube for the next POTUS to deconstruct.
Who wins/who loses? Like the war in Iraq, we cannot talk in terms of winning and losing. Who knows what all this means in the long run???
But there are two things I take from this moment in American history:
1) Although I disagree fiercely with the new generation of young House Republicans' view on most social, mostly all economic, and ALL foreign policy issues, I must give them credit for going against their central tenet of laissez faire economics and vote for the bill. However, we must be reminded that it is this ethos that got us all into this mess.
In recent weeks, Representative Cantor (R-Va) has been on my all time shit list of pricks for his empty pro-McCain Palin rhetoric; today I actually saw a man who put his country before his beliefs--and that most likely one time look of compassion on his face was refreshing.
These representatives understood the immediacy of the economic crisis and this moment, and for that they should be applauded. But I wish the bi-partisan spirit of the weekend would translate into the reality of the candidate they support--John McCain did nothing but shake things up and halt the process. This is not what should be expected from a president in such a crisis. His gamble stymied the progress that was already reached in the Senate. His imposition of politics into this serious moment was not only selfish, but an example of his ineptness and how much he wants the Presidency for himself, not for the greater good. He should be ashamed.
2) The idea that the government and the American people have to bail out greed is fundamentally repulsive. Regulation is a must in a multifaceted and global economy. The fact that we got into this mess because the Bush-Gramm-McCain approach to the economy should be a referendum on how wrong headed, stubborn and unrealistic the Republican candidate is.
He IS out of touch and this economic mess is only one example. His stance on diplomacy, out of touch. His willingness to stay in Iraq, out of touch (anyone hear about the bomb in Baghdad today where 32 people were killed and over 100 injured--anyone hear about how the surge has allowed for complicit murder/possible genocide with impunity and the dislocation of many Iraqi's from their home in Darfur-like fashion--and I'm not even a peacenik). His stubbornness to stick with a VP candidate that is completely unqualified for the job, especially because of his age and medical history, is extremely out of touch. The way his campaign is shaped, is completely out of touch. Why would you run a campaign of secrecy when the guys we are trying to boot out as quickly as possible spent 8 years under the cloud of secrecy? OUT OF TOUCH
What we need is change and faith in our civic culture. We need good, smart people to represent us and we need some sort of honesty, accessibility, transparency, accountability and trustworthiness restored in the White House.
We live in a new age; and as a historian this election has helped clear my lens on how different things are AND how some things are the same. McCain's out of touch philosophy supports the same stagnate state we are currently living. Barack Obama's message of change brings a breathe of fresh air, pointed directly into the future.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Who won, who cares?
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/26/fact-check-does-mccain-almost-always-agree-with-bush/
As we hear the right claim MAC is back; and the left is praising Obama for his tact and thorough knowledge on this issues at play; this debate fundamentally proved one point. Those who support McCain will think he did well, those who support Obama will say he won hands down. Those on the fence will probably prefer the gentleman approach of Obama over the gruntness and distance of McCain (Bush looks like Santa Claus compared to Mc's ice freeze). Those on the fence, tonight probably did not help McCain, and probably did not hurt Obama.
I have to be honest. I really want Obama to get aggressive and attack McCain for the lies he spews each day. I want Obama to ask McCain why he had to "suspend" his campaign to save Washington, while he still fund raised, his surrogates continued to go on TV, his ads ran, and he avoided the press while talking to some house Republicans then prepared for the debates ? No deal yet, if anything, as been reported McCain ruffled some calm feathers in Washington and screwed up the progress the Congress and administration had on immediate relief.
How did he put his country first? He put McCain first!
Why did Obama mention his vice president nominee twice, and all McCain could do is wink and state "I have another Maverick along with me on this ticket." A Maverick who is continuously being debunked and made an absolute fool of herself in a recent interview with Katie Couric. A VP candidate who's lack of knowledge and deer caught in headlights answers to question is pulling the McCain campaign down--to the point where it will become a historical joke if he does not win.
Yet, John McCain appeals to people, it bewilders me but it is true. He's right, he did not win Miss Congeniality in the Senate the past 25 years but his record shows that he has supported the failed policies of the failed Bush administration 90% of the time. Because of this support, Americans are not in a good place, from Wall Street to Main Street, from Pakistan, Russia to China. There are alot of issues at hand that the next president will have to undertake, it's a job no one should fight this hard for...a mess. But the one sided "must win in Iraq" message is only one of many reasons that we are in this financial and global crisis.
McCain could not look at Obama once. He sneered and snided his way through one dimensional answers and tried to use his charisma to charm the crowd and American people, and frankly issues are too important for this to be another Miss Congeniality pageant. Bush won with that card in 2000 and 2004. And in fact, McCain is known to be a hard man to deal with, that obviously showed in his body language during the debate tonight. But as always, Obama is only another man in the room. McCain first!
Foreign policy is Obama's weakness, but tonight he proved to be knowledgeable and he showed willingness to promote a future that is more in line with the world as it is, not as it was. McCain, and many older conservatives are still practicing old style politics while our competing nations are reshaping the dynamics of global world. In essence, the world is flipping Bush's dangerous bifrucated challenge, "you either with us, or without us." Well, McCain would like to take that as a challenge to assert military might. Obama is willing to look toward the future, with an understanding it can't be America only and all the time. That lessens our own national security. Iraq has diminished our national security. And how we are perceived throughout the world has declined dramatically in a short period of time. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION THAT MCCAIN WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORTS!
The global community is hoping that we make a vote for change. Across the globe, people are hoping that we make the right decision to elect a president who has professional acumen, who is in touch with the current reality of the world, someone who is willing to look eye to eye with his opponent and say ENOUGH!
John McCain supports Bush's policies and believes they should remain as is. However, he would like to cut spending on localized projects and infrastructure developments that are essential to our everyday needs. Why bother checking to make sure the Williamsburg Bridge is in tact, as with the economy as in Iraq, just let it roll until disaster! And if these current Bush policies continue AND if McCain cuts all new spending bills then we are headed for such disaster.
Vote for change!
As we hear the right claim MAC is back; and the left is praising Obama for his tact and thorough knowledge on this issues at play; this debate fundamentally proved one point. Those who support McCain will think he did well, those who support Obama will say he won hands down. Those on the fence will probably prefer the gentleman approach of Obama over the gruntness and distance of McCain (Bush looks like Santa Claus compared to Mc's ice freeze). Those on the fence, tonight probably did not help McCain, and probably did not hurt Obama.
I have to be honest. I really want Obama to get aggressive and attack McCain for the lies he spews each day. I want Obama to ask McCain why he had to "suspend" his campaign to save Washington, while he still fund raised, his surrogates continued to go on TV, his ads ran, and he avoided the press while talking to some house Republicans then prepared for the debates ? No deal yet, if anything, as been reported McCain ruffled some calm feathers in Washington and screwed up the progress the Congress and administration had on immediate relief.
How did he put his country first? He put McCain first!
Why did Obama mention his vice president nominee twice, and all McCain could do is wink and state "I have another Maverick along with me on this ticket." A Maverick who is continuously being debunked and made an absolute fool of herself in a recent interview with Katie Couric. A VP candidate who's lack of knowledge and deer caught in headlights answers to question is pulling the McCain campaign down--to the point where it will become a historical joke if he does not win.
Yet, John McCain appeals to people, it bewilders me but it is true. He's right, he did not win Miss Congeniality in the Senate the past 25 years but his record shows that he has supported the failed policies of the failed Bush administration 90% of the time. Because of this support, Americans are not in a good place, from Wall Street to Main Street, from Pakistan, Russia to China. There are alot of issues at hand that the next president will have to undertake, it's a job no one should fight this hard for...a mess. But the one sided "must win in Iraq" message is only one of many reasons that we are in this financial and global crisis.
McCain could not look at Obama once. He sneered and snided his way through one dimensional answers and tried to use his charisma to charm the crowd and American people, and frankly issues are too important for this to be another Miss Congeniality pageant. Bush won with that card in 2000 and 2004. And in fact, McCain is known to be a hard man to deal with, that obviously showed in his body language during the debate tonight. But as always, Obama is only another man in the room. McCain first!
Foreign policy is Obama's weakness, but tonight he proved to be knowledgeable and he showed willingness to promote a future that is more in line with the world as it is, not as it was. McCain, and many older conservatives are still practicing old style politics while our competing nations are reshaping the dynamics of global world. In essence, the world is flipping Bush's dangerous bifrucated challenge, "you either with us, or without us." Well, McCain would like to take that as a challenge to assert military might. Obama is willing to look toward the future, with an understanding it can't be America only and all the time. That lessens our own national security. Iraq has diminished our national security. And how we are perceived throughout the world has declined dramatically in a short period of time. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION THAT MCCAIN WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORTS!
The global community is hoping that we make a vote for change. Across the globe, people are hoping that we make the right decision to elect a president who has professional acumen, who is in touch with the current reality of the world, someone who is willing to look eye to eye with his opponent and say ENOUGH!
John McCain supports Bush's policies and believes they should remain as is. However, he would like to cut spending on localized projects and infrastructure developments that are essential to our everyday needs. Why bother checking to make sure the Williamsburg Bridge is in tact, as with the economy as in Iraq, just let it roll until disaster! And if these current Bush policies continue AND if McCain cuts all new spending bills then we are headed for such disaster.
Vote for change!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
A Sticky Web We Weave
Who is to blame for the need to "bail"out Wall Street in order to save Main Street?
Who has managed the immediacy of this economic crisis by pure faulty oversight and an outdated and dismissive philosophy of "trickle down" economics?
Who is damning the media for telling the truth?
These are all questions we are asking. A main theme of this election is the issue of accountability. With accountability comes ownership. For example, if you oversleep on a day you have a final exam, do you blame yourself, or the university for scheduling the exam during your "nap" time? Or even better, and this comes from experience, do you blame the professor for teaching a class you signed up and paid for?
Owning up to what you did is an important model for authenticity, and authenticity should be a goal for most. Making yourself accountable and owning up to past mistakes is the ultimate marker for respect.
So instead of blogging about the political train wreck of these past days, I leave with rhetorical questions.
Who is to blame?
Who is in charge?
Who supports those in charge?
Who promotes change?
Who do you trust MOST to promote change and derail the disastrous future the past 8 years has made us vulnerable to?
Register and vote!
And remind yourself, and all others, that Moscow is almost 5,000 miles away from Alaska.
Who has managed the immediacy of this economic crisis by pure faulty oversight and an outdated and dismissive philosophy of "trickle down" economics?
Who is damning the media for telling the truth?
These are all questions we are asking. A main theme of this election is the issue of accountability. With accountability comes ownership. For example, if you oversleep on a day you have a final exam, do you blame yourself, or the university for scheduling the exam during your "nap" time? Or even better, and this comes from experience, do you blame the professor for teaching a class you signed up and paid for?
Owning up to what you did is an important model for authenticity, and authenticity should be a goal for most. Making yourself accountable and owning up to past mistakes is the ultimate marker for respect.
So instead of blogging about the political train wreck of these past days, I leave with rhetorical questions.
Who is to blame?
Who is in charge?
Who supports those in charge?
Who promotes change?
Who do you trust MOST to promote change and derail the disastrous future the past 8 years has made us vulnerable to?
Register and vote!
And remind yourself, and all others, that Moscow is almost 5,000 miles away from Alaska.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Country first? DEBATE
The process of debate is crucial in any campaign. And we need a debate between the candidates now more than ever.
The Congress will not support a plan giving authoritative power to the Secretary of the Treasury.
The Congress will not support a plan that has no oversight and no benefit for the American taxpayers who are on the hook for this deal.
In the age of email, video cast, conference call; it would be foolish to think a debate will stop the political process from brewing. Yes, the candidates should be informed and informing Washington, but our future is at stake and a lot of it depends on this election. Campaigning must be done, in times of prosperity and in times of crisis. This is a time when leadership will show. Leadership can only be clearly guided by vision and transparency. The beginning of such is through the process of debate.
Homework is due on the date it's due.
The Congress will not support a plan giving authoritative power to the Secretary of the Treasury.
The Congress will not support a plan that has no oversight and no benefit for the American taxpayers who are on the hook for this deal.
In the age of email, video cast, conference call; it would be foolish to think a debate will stop the political process from brewing. Yes, the candidates should be informed and informing Washington, but our future is at stake and a lot of it depends on this election. Campaigning must be done, in times of prosperity and in times of crisis. This is a time when leadership will show. Leadership can only be clearly guided by vision and transparency. The beginning of such is through the process of debate.
Homework is due on the date it's due.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Speechless...
I am starting to get used to this...
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/mccain-on-banking-and-health/
McCain agreed on Bush's plan to invest social security in the market, now he wants to invest healthcare. So--meaning, with a deregulated economy, if a crisis like this happens again, not only would we be paying for greed, but we would be fearing loss of healthcare and old age benefits which are age old.
Could you imagine the "trickle down" effect then?
As we are now part owners of major investment firms and banks, and as the Secretary of the Treasury is now running the show, we must be proud of what wild capitalism, no oversight and greed gives us. Dare I say it, THE BIGGEST REPUBLICAN FEAR AND OBAMA SCARE TACTIC--SOCIALISM!!!
I am in love with democracy. I accept and espoused to capitalist ideals. That is why I support Barack Obama so much more...
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/mccain-on-banking-and-health/
McCain agreed on Bush's plan to invest social security in the market, now he wants to invest healthcare. So--meaning, with a deregulated economy, if a crisis like this happens again, not only would we be paying for greed, but we would be fearing loss of healthcare and old age benefits which are age old.
Could you imagine the "trickle down" effect then?
As we are now part owners of major investment firms and banks, and as the Secretary of the Treasury is now running the show, we must be proud of what wild capitalism, no oversight and greed gives us. Dare I say it, THE BIGGEST REPUBLICAN FEAR AND OBAMA SCARE TACTIC--SOCIALISM!!!
I am in love with democracy. I accept and espoused to capitalist ideals. That is why I support Barack Obama so much more...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Hypocritically wrong! We're broke and we have to bail out greed...
The following is a transcript of the latest Obama ad. Sometimes the people you surround yourself with say alot about the person you are:
"John McCain admits he doesn’t understand the economy
So who advises him?
Carly Fiorina, the fired CEO who got a $42 million golden parachute.
Phil Gramm, the ex-Senator who pushed through deregulation, and called Americans hurt by this economy "whiners."
Then there’s George Bush, whose disastrous policies McCain wants to continue.
They think the economy is fundamentally strong.
We know they’re fundamentally wrong." 9/18 Obama supported...
Anyway, on that note, let's first begin with John McCain's vice presidential pick. This is not ageism, it's reality. John McCain, a man who courageously battled cancer 3 times, and if elected will be the oldest man ever elected president, picked a Washington outsider who (to put it lightly) has little to no experience on major foreign or domestic issues, replaced the good ol' boy Republican network in her own state with half of her high school friends, is currently trying her best to cover up an "abuse of power" investigation that was launched by her own party AND has been tip toeing around major questions on major issues and will speak at "invitation only" events as well as choose who she is interviewed by, what questions she is asked, and when she can be available to do an interview....ok too many ands and to risk the cruelty of all grammar run on no- no-s....
Sarah Palin is literally closer to the presidency than any other vice presidential candidate in history. An avowed extreme right-winger who makes our current VP look good, is that close to deciding what to do on the economy and handle the global crises involving countries like Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iran, IRAQ, now Spain (McCain's bad, he did not know the name of the president and thought the interviewer was questioning him on a leader in Latin America, it's more complex but you can read about it OR it may come up again in another post), Columbia, Bolivia, let alone all the loss of American economic independence and peddling for money from countries we are economically competitive with. Is she prepared?
Look at John McCain's inner circle and surrogates (supporters who go on TV to support him). Carly Fiorina has finally been told to stop talking after her gaffe the other day. The Republican congressional leaders who dare to talk in support of JMc try to distant him and their own selves from the failed policies of the current REPUBLICAN president--all who supported the President and McCain's policies...until Monday. He has over 150 lobbyists working in his campaign, yet he says he needs to change how Washington does it's business with lobbyists. He has supported deregulating the big corporations--throughout his life as a "fundamental de-regulator," yet now he blames the regulators for this quagmire on Wall Street. This is a crisis that even some of the best economists can't seem to figure out. He asked for a committee to investigate a crisis that needs to be solved immediately. On Tuesday he said that he would not suggests any kind of regulatory agency to help with the crisis, then on Thursday he announced a grand plan entitled M.F.I. and it don't even want to make a joke about what that stands for but I could use the first two initials to describe how I feel about the economic future of this country. The ultimate flip-flopper who said he is not a big fan of email, yet his economic advisor suggested on Tuesday that he invented the Blackberry ( a Canadian invention).
Eh???
Barack Obama and John McCain are only individuals. They cannot solely have the answer, and truly no one can figure this thing out. But instead of making up ABC organizations (after only the day before saying he wouldn't go all depression style with FDR-like ABC organizations), McCain has not said a damn thing on the economy. Barack Obama has summoned a group of economic experts, not fired HP directors, but academics, insiders and outsiders, financial advisers etc, to come up with a solution that can help quell the tensions now. The finality of this plan will be announced on Friday. Meanwhile, Barry is not yet the president, must we remind ourselves. The REAL? president addressed the media for the first time today (Katrina, anyone?) and stated that he is working on the solution in a 86 second speech. I am sure the solution involves a special potion that can make him jump into the future...destined date, January 19, 2009.
Meanwhile, must we be reminded, the REAL John McCain has voted with the president 91% of the time, ON ALL ISSUES, including the issues that led to the financial breakdown, the worst since (as predicted by ME only days ago--on this site) THE DEPRESSION.
John McCain, post-lipstick on a pig attempt, is at a loss. And there is a why....real issues do matter, my friend.
Finally, while taxpayers are paying for greed, JM demands the firing of the SEC chair. How much he knows about Europe (i.e. Spain andCzechoslovakia) is about how much he knows about the Constitution. NO PRESIDENT CAN FIRE AN APPOINTEE HIRED BY THE PRESIDENT. Another check in the balance....and you're running for what?
"John McCain admits he doesn’t understand the economy
So who advises him?
Carly Fiorina, the fired CEO who got a $42 million golden parachute.
Phil Gramm, the ex-Senator who pushed through deregulation, and called Americans hurt by this economy "whiners."
Then there’s George Bush, whose disastrous policies McCain wants to continue.
They think the economy is fundamentally strong.
We know they’re fundamentally wrong." 9/18 Obama supported...
Anyway, on that note, let's first begin with John McCain's vice presidential pick. This is not ageism, it's reality. John McCain, a man who courageously battled cancer 3 times, and if elected will be the oldest man ever elected president, picked a Washington outsider who (to put it lightly) has little to no experience on major foreign or domestic issues, replaced the good ol' boy Republican network in her own state with half of her high school friends, is currently trying her best to cover up an "abuse of power" investigation that was launched by her own party AND has been tip toeing around major questions on major issues and will speak at "invitation only" events as well as choose who she is interviewed by, what questions she is asked, and when she can be available to do an interview....ok too many ands and to risk the cruelty of all grammar run on no- no-s....
Sarah Palin is literally closer to the presidency than any other vice presidential candidate in history. An avowed extreme right-winger who makes our current VP look good, is that close to deciding what to do on the economy and handle the global crises involving countries like Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iran, IRAQ, now Spain (McCain's bad, he did not know the name of the president and thought the interviewer was questioning him on a leader in Latin America, it's more complex but you can read about it OR it may come up again in another post), Columbia, Bolivia, let alone all the loss of American economic independence and peddling for money from countries we are economically competitive with. Is she prepared?
Look at John McCain's inner circle and surrogates (supporters who go on TV to support him). Carly Fiorina has finally been told to stop talking after her gaffe the other day. The Republican congressional leaders who dare to talk in support of JMc try to distant him and their own selves from the failed policies of the current REPUBLICAN president--all who supported the President and McCain's policies...until Monday. He has over 150 lobbyists working in his campaign, yet he says he needs to change how Washington does it's business with lobbyists. He has supported deregulating the big corporations--throughout his life as a "fundamental de-regulator," yet now he blames the regulators for this quagmire on Wall Street. This is a crisis that even some of the best economists can't seem to figure out. He asked for a committee to investigate a crisis that needs to be solved immediately. On Tuesday he said that he would not suggests any kind of regulatory agency to help with the crisis, then on Thursday he announced a grand plan entitled M.F.I. and it don't even want to make a joke about what that stands for but I could use the first two initials to describe how I feel about the economic future of this country. The ultimate flip-flopper who said he is not a big fan of email, yet his economic advisor suggested on Tuesday that he invented the Blackberry ( a Canadian invention).
Eh???
Barack Obama and John McCain are only individuals. They cannot solely have the answer, and truly no one can figure this thing out. But instead of making up ABC organizations (after only the day before saying he wouldn't go all depression style with FDR-like ABC organizations), McCain has not said a damn thing on the economy. Barack Obama has summoned a group of economic experts, not fired HP directors, but academics, insiders and outsiders, financial advisers etc, to come up with a solution that can help quell the tensions now. The finality of this plan will be announced on Friday. Meanwhile, Barry is not yet the president, must we remind ourselves. The REAL? president addressed the media for the first time today (Katrina, anyone?) and stated that he is working on the solution in a 86 second speech. I am sure the solution involves a special potion that can make him jump into the future...destined date, January 19, 2009.
Meanwhile, must we be reminded, the REAL John McCain has voted with the president 91% of the time, ON ALL ISSUES, including the issues that led to the financial breakdown, the worst since (as predicted by ME only days ago--on this site) THE DEPRESSION.
John McCain, post-lipstick on a pig attempt, is at a loss. And there is a why....real issues do matter, my friend.
Finally, while taxpayers are paying for greed, JM demands the firing of the SEC chair. How much he knows about Europe (i.e. Spain andCzechoslovakia) is about how much he knows about the Constitution. NO PRESIDENT CAN FIRE AN APPOINTEE HIRED BY THE PRESIDENT. Another check in the balance....and you're running for what?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Into the realm of insanity...
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1842097,00.html
OK: breaking news from the far out reaches of absurdity. A "nameless" group broke into Gov. Palin's private email account. Calling it a violation of the law, the Republican camp is trying to suppress the emails from becoming public. The emails show that she indeed used her yahoo account to conduct government business. The fact that the McCain camp wants them to be suppressed AND why they want to literally halt the "Troopgate" investigation, proves that there is something to hide. The fun thing is, although I have yet to see them, they have been leaked. (I like how serious political issues can be compared to an update from TMZ...oh the absurdity!)
What we learned from Watergate in the early 1970s, and maybe even a bit from Clinton in the 1990s, it's not necessarily the deed that will "shock the pants off you," it is the cover up, and the lying and abuse of power that is involved in the cover up.
Truth supports credibility. Lies and politics mix as well as mentos and soda
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
I have noticed that while we have had a serious financial crisis here, that has reach the status level of EMERGENCY: RED ALERT-- the president that supported "alerts" in the name of safety and terror (Orange, Blue Green, Chartreuse) is NO WHERE TO BE FOUND TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE AND GIVES US, IF ANYTHING, DISCUSS THIS WITH US, TELL US WHAT'S UP?. AT LEAST PRETEND TO BE WORKING!
It's befuddling, it takes a political candidate to support on and give us the confidence that we will make it through this. A candidate that has based his campaign on the ideology of "hope" and "change."
YES. Out of three major political figures, the president and the two presidential candidates, only one is talking about the issues and making Americans feel like there is a plan to change what is going on. And what is going on is really really bad--next up, WashMutual (looking grim), Morgan Stanley (yougottabekiddingme) and the government loans that are bailing out companies like AIG (85 BILLION DOLLARS) are not backed with "real" money (i.e. making it really hard for the government, the American dollar, the people--especially the middle and lower classes, to withstand financial ruin).
The Republicans say that by making this look like a crisis, Obama is exploiting the issues on Wall and Main Streets to his advantage. Yet, while pointing that sophomoric finger at Senator Obama, the Republicans have no other plan to attack the ruination of the American economy.
Meanwhile, Senator Obama is stating his plans. ANSWERING QUESTIONS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE ECONOMY AND MAKING A STANCE ON THE ENORMITY OF THIS ISSUE. He is not running the same lines over and over again, ad-naseum, in a pathetic attempt to numb the American psyche.
The Republicans refuse to take ownership of the issues of today and possibly the next few months. They want to say it's the Democrat congress, which took office last January AFTER 6 YEARS OF SOLE REPUBLICAN AND DE-REGULATORY AND DISINGENUOUS RULE.
Incredible. The McCain campaign based itself on the "straight talk;" his fundamentals were based on his ability to shake things up, Maverick-style, and promote transparency, accountability, and honesty. What happened?
OK: breaking news from the far out reaches of absurdity. A "nameless" group broke into Gov. Palin's private email account. Calling it a violation of the law, the Republican camp is trying to suppress the emails from becoming public. The emails show that she indeed used her yahoo account to conduct government business. The fact that the McCain camp wants them to be suppressed AND why they want to literally halt the "Troopgate" investigation, proves that there is something to hide. The fun thing is, although I have yet to see them, they have been leaked. (I like how serious political issues can be compared to an update from TMZ...oh the absurdity!)
What we learned from Watergate in the early 1970s, and maybe even a bit from Clinton in the 1990s, it's not necessarily the deed that will "shock the pants off you," it is the cover up, and the lying and abuse of power that is involved in the cover up.
Truth supports credibility. Lies and politics mix as well as mentos and soda
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
I have noticed that while we have had a serious financial crisis here, that has reach the status level of EMERGENCY: RED ALERT-- the president that supported "alerts" in the name of safety and terror (Orange, Blue Green, Chartreuse) is NO WHERE TO BE FOUND TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE AND GIVES US, IF ANYTHING, DISCUSS THIS WITH US, TELL US WHAT'S UP?. AT LEAST PRETEND TO BE WORKING!
It's befuddling, it takes a political candidate to support on and give us the confidence that we will make it through this. A candidate that has based his campaign on the ideology of "hope" and "change."
YES. Out of three major political figures, the president and the two presidential candidates, only one is talking about the issues and making Americans feel like there is a plan to change what is going on. And what is going on is really really bad--next up, WashMutual (looking grim), Morgan Stanley (yougottabekiddingme) and the government loans that are bailing out companies like AIG (85 BILLION DOLLARS) are not backed with "real" money (i.e. making it really hard for the government, the American dollar, the people--especially the middle and lower classes, to withstand financial ruin).
The Republicans say that by making this look like a crisis, Obama is exploiting the issues on Wall and Main Streets to his advantage. Yet, while pointing that sophomoric finger at Senator Obama, the Republicans have no other plan to attack the ruination of the American economy.
Meanwhile, Senator Obama is stating his plans. ANSWERING QUESTIONS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE ECONOMY AND MAKING A STANCE ON THE ENORMITY OF THIS ISSUE. He is not running the same lines over and over again, ad-naseum, in a pathetic attempt to numb the American psyche.
The Republicans refuse to take ownership of the issues of today and possibly the next few months. They want to say it's the Democrat congress, which took office last January AFTER 6 YEARS OF SOLE REPUBLICAN AND DE-REGULATORY AND DISINGENUOUS RULE.
Incredible. The McCain campaign based itself on the "straight talk;" his fundamentals were based on his ability to shake things up, Maverick-style, and promote transparency, accountability, and honesty. What happened?
Speechless, again
VOTERS WHO'S HOMES HAVE BEEN FORECLOSED ON ARE LOSING THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE IN COUNTIES IN MICHIGAN AND OHIO!
THAT IS DISENFRANCHISEMENT, WHICH STANDS AGAINST ONE OF THE "INALIENABLE" RIGHTS GRANTED BY THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THIS NATION. ENFRANCHISEMENT, OR THE RIGHT TO VOTE, EXTENDS TO EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN AND THIS EXTENSION WAS CREATED THROUGH LAWS AND LIBERAL MEASURES INTRODUCED AND SUPPORTED BY LIBERAL LEADERS THROUGHOUT AMERICAN HISTORY.
YES, disenfranchisement happened in the last two elections. However, the media did not catch on to it until after the President had "won." If you hear people talk about how Bush was never "really" elected in 2000, they point to voting fraud and "ballot issues" in states like Florida, Ohio, and throughout the south....
Here's the historian's perspective Cliff Notes:
1789--the Constitution supported that all men (of European descent) with PROPERTY would be the voters of the new Republic.
1820s--Jacksonian Democracy opened the vote for non-property owners. You still had to be a white male however.
1865--end of Civil War. Reconstruction (1865-1877) produces three Civil Rights amendments to the Constitution (13-15th). The 15th Amendment stated that ALL male citizens, regardless of race, would be allowed to vote.
1877-1965--the Jim Crow era in the South. This system of apartheid disenfranchised blacks from voting below the Mason-Dixon line. (YES, almost a century)
1920--the hard battled was won with the passing of the 19th Amendment, which enfranchised ALL WOMEN (yes, ladies it'll be a century soon)
1965--Voting Rights Act. Blood was shed and lives were lost over the passing of this historic measure that guaranteed all citizens, regardless of color or region, the right to vote.
1974--I was born (just to add perspective to the fact that all American citizens were not guaranteed a right to vote until 9 years before I was born)
34 years later, I often tell my students stories how common Americans fought diligently for the right to vote--I use it to point out how our history can be viewed as a process of inclusion.
Now, once again we have a new crisis on our hand (no, not only the economy)--the vote.
So far, this election shows how easy it is for America and Americans to regress and follow dated (and wrong) social and political habits--THE VOTE IS NOT SOMETHING TO MESS WITH!!!
We already see how old politics and old politicians can bring up cultural issues of the past. We've witnessed an attempt to re-launch the culture wars. The economy is in this shape because of old habits of deregulation and greed that dates back to the industrial revolution in the 19th century (Anyone ever play that game, um what's it called.....MONOPOLY). Remember, greed is good (right?). And to put what is probably not even the cherry on top, we are catching REPUBLICAN OFFICIALS TRYING TO TAKE AWAY THE RIGHT TO VOTE FROM FOLKS WHO LOST THEIR HOMES BECAUSE OF A FAILED REPUBLICAN PARTY STANCE--laissez faire economics and market risks.
I CALL FOUL AND I ASK YOU TO CALL FOUL TOO!!! Make sure you are registered, your friends are registered, your neighborhood is registered, your class is registered, your office is registered:
http://www.voteforchange.com/index_obama.php
for more on this current and blatant attempt at disenfranching:
http://www.michiganmessenger.com/4076/lose-your-house-lose-your-vote
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/senators_seek_doj_for_help_in.php
Voting Registration Deadlines:
http://www.rockthevote.com/voting-is-easy/important-dates/
If on Nov. 4th you plan to sleep in or you cannot fit "going to vote" into your schedule (or, of course if you live far away from home) find out more about ABSENTEE ballots here:
http://www.longdistancevoter.org/voter_guides
American pride glows with the vote and in this election YOUR VOTE WILL COUNT!!!
THAT IS DISENFRANCHISEMENT, WHICH STANDS AGAINST ONE OF THE "INALIENABLE" RIGHTS GRANTED BY THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THIS NATION. ENFRANCHISEMENT, OR THE RIGHT TO VOTE, EXTENDS TO EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN AND THIS EXTENSION WAS CREATED THROUGH LAWS AND LIBERAL MEASURES INTRODUCED AND SUPPORTED BY LIBERAL LEADERS THROUGHOUT AMERICAN HISTORY.
YES, disenfranchisement happened in the last two elections. However, the media did not catch on to it until after the President had "won." If you hear people talk about how Bush was never "really" elected in 2000, they point to voting fraud and "ballot issues" in states like Florida, Ohio, and throughout the south....
Here's the historian's perspective Cliff Notes:
1789--the Constitution supported that all men (of European descent) with PROPERTY would be the voters of the new Republic.
1820s--Jacksonian Democracy opened the vote for non-property owners. You still had to be a white male however.
1865--end of Civil War. Reconstruction (1865-1877) produces three Civil Rights amendments to the Constitution (13-15th). The 15th Amendment stated that ALL male citizens, regardless of race, would be allowed to vote.
1877-1965--the Jim Crow era in the South. This system of apartheid disenfranchised blacks from voting below the Mason-Dixon line. (YES, almost a century)
1920--the hard battled was won with the passing of the 19th Amendment, which enfranchised ALL WOMEN (yes, ladies it'll be a century soon)
1965--Voting Rights Act. Blood was shed and lives were lost over the passing of this historic measure that guaranteed all citizens, regardless of color or region, the right to vote.
1974--I was born (just to add perspective to the fact that all American citizens were not guaranteed a right to vote until 9 years before I was born)
34 years later, I often tell my students stories how common Americans fought diligently for the right to vote--I use it to point out how our history can be viewed as a process of inclusion.
Now, once again we have a new crisis on our hand (no, not only the economy)--the vote.
So far, this election shows how easy it is for America and Americans to regress and follow dated (and wrong) social and political habits--THE VOTE IS NOT SOMETHING TO MESS WITH!!!
We already see how old politics and old politicians can bring up cultural issues of the past. We've witnessed an attempt to re-launch the culture wars. The economy is in this shape because of old habits of deregulation and greed that dates back to the industrial revolution in the 19th century (Anyone ever play that game, um what's it called.....MONOPOLY). Remember, greed is good (right?). And to put what is probably not even the cherry on top, we are catching REPUBLICAN OFFICIALS TRYING TO TAKE AWAY THE RIGHT TO VOTE FROM FOLKS WHO LOST THEIR HOMES BECAUSE OF A FAILED REPUBLICAN PARTY STANCE--laissez faire economics and market risks.
I CALL FOUL AND I ASK YOU TO CALL FOUL TOO!!! Make sure you are registered, your friends are registered, your neighborhood is registered, your class is registered, your office is registered:
http://www.voteforchange.com/index_obama.php
for more on this current and blatant attempt at disenfranching:
http://www.michiganmessenger.com/4076/lose-your-house-lose-your-vote
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/senators_seek_doj_for_help_in.php
Voting Registration Deadlines:
http://www.rockthevote.com/voting-is-easy/important-dates/
If on Nov. 4th you plan to sleep in or you cannot fit "going to vote" into your schedule (or, of course if you live far away from home) find out more about ABSENTEE ballots here:
http://www.longdistancevoter.org/voter_guides
American pride glows with the vote and in this election YOUR VOTE WILL COUNT!!!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Keating 5 is so 1989--but Wall Street is NOW!
The whole S&L scandal of the late 1980s has been in the news a whole lot lately. It detonated an investigation of something now known as the Keating 5 scandal. For more on the Keating 5,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keating_5
In 1989, I was a Freshman in high school. I was more concerned with getting money to buy a Tribe Called Quest album, than what was going on in the scandalous political arena.
Over the haze of age, a funny thing happened. The same market is in trouble again, and there is one member of this 19 year-old (thought to be buried) group which ultimately was accused of forcing the deregulation that caused a bank to fail, but then made money on that same bank..... IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.
Make NO doubt about it, McCain has admitted, as recent as today, he is a friend of deregulation--all the while companies are blowing up, left-right-all over the place. He calls for a committee to investigate this; while the Republicans are trying to squash the investigation of "Troopergate" der en Alaskee (which I still have so much to say but no time to write on...a wasted breath at this point). A committee to investigate many of my neighbors struggling to pay their mortgage? A committee and bureaucracy to investigate the fact that the price of gas has risen 3 dollars over the past 5 years? Really, an investigation!
NO!
We need action and to make it happen now. We need it immediately. The best we can get is a government that would get off it's tail and handle this economic downfall. And if history is a measure of reality, George Bush will not address these issues the way they need to be addressed....IMMEDIATELY.
When you say the "economy is fundamentally sound" when the unemployment rate is up and climbing, when banks, the government (thus, us) are bailing out other banks, when the price of everything is skyrocketing, while people are losing their homes, while this utter spin of a FUNDAMENTALLY UNSOUND economy is destined to proverbial "trickle down" to the proverbial American pocket book.
Get ready to write the check now.
Fact: McCain's economic plan is the same as George Bush, there should be as little regulation as possible and you must run on the ebb and flow of the global economy.
Fact: That will not work, it hasn't worked, and it's not good enough!
Fact: We are paying for a war that has cost us almost 500 billion dollars thus far. Over 4,000 American MEN AND WOMEN have died and no one can even estimate the total damage to the Iraqi citizens, including the death toll--innocent people losing life for a cause we can't even get straight.
Fact: We have an enormous deficit--in everyday terms, that means to fund this war we borrow from other countries
Fact: Borrowing money from other countries, while banks are failing and the country you are "at war" with is running on a surplus....bad!
Fact: In March of this year, with the looming of the Bears Stearns collapse, Senator Barack Obama urged the government to look into (i.e. REGULATE) the fundamentals of the Banking and Loan system which is fundamental to our economy.
Fact: Major banks and inverstment companies are not doing so good
Fact: The economy is not so "fundamentally sound"...my friend.
Or we live in two different countries!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keating_5
In 1989, I was a Freshman in high school. I was more concerned with getting money to buy a Tribe Called Quest album, than what was going on in the scandalous political arena.
Over the haze of age, a funny thing happened. The same market is in trouble again, and there is one member of this 19 year-old (thought to be buried) group which ultimately was accused of forcing the deregulation that caused a bank to fail, but then made money on that same bank..... IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.
Make NO doubt about it, McCain has admitted, as recent as today, he is a friend of deregulation--all the while companies are blowing up, left-right-all over the place. He calls for a committee to investigate this; while the Republicans are trying to squash the investigation of "Troopergate" der en Alaskee (which I still have so much to say but no time to write on...a wasted breath at this point). A committee to investigate many of my neighbors struggling to pay their mortgage? A committee and bureaucracy to investigate the fact that the price of gas has risen 3 dollars over the past 5 years? Really, an investigation!
NO!
We need action and to make it happen now. We need it immediately. The best we can get is a government that would get off it's tail and handle this economic downfall. And if history is a measure of reality, George Bush will not address these issues the way they need to be addressed....IMMEDIATELY.
When you say the "economy is fundamentally sound" when the unemployment rate is up and climbing, when banks, the government (thus, us) are bailing out other banks, when the price of everything is skyrocketing, while people are losing their homes, while this utter spin of a FUNDAMENTALLY UNSOUND economy is destined to proverbial "trickle down" to the proverbial American pocket book.
Get ready to write the check now.
Fact: McCain's economic plan is the same as George Bush, there should be as little regulation as possible and you must run on the ebb and flow of the global economy.
Fact: That will not work, it hasn't worked, and it's not good enough!
Fact: We are paying for a war that has cost us almost 500 billion dollars thus far. Over 4,000 American MEN AND WOMEN have died and no one can even estimate the total damage to the Iraqi citizens, including the death toll--innocent people losing life for a cause we can't even get straight.
Fact: We have an enormous deficit--in everyday terms, that means to fund this war we borrow from other countries
Fact: Borrowing money from other countries, while banks are failing and the country you are "at war" with is running on a surplus....bad!
Fact: In March of this year, with the looming of the Bears Stearns collapse, Senator Barack Obama urged the government to look into (i.e. REGULATE) the fundamentals of the Banking and Loan system which is fundamental to our economy.
Fact: Major banks and inverstment companies are not doing so good
Fact: The economy is not so "fundamentally sound"...my friend.
Or we live in two different countries!
Coming soon...breaking news, my intellectual outburst, and more visuals...
Those of you who check here regularly here's what coming soon (read as: next time I allow for "Blog time
:*"
A couple new cool videos and why Alan Greenspan said McCain's plan is weak (I actually watched CNBC and...um, ordered a pocket protector) and HOW Ben Bernanke will be a name you know for quite some time (yea, I'm going there...the economy with economics and Federal Reserve Chairmen: Why the Hell Do They Matter?".
(PS: McCain's campaign manager said the economy is fine Americans are overreacting, just fyi...)
:*"
A couple new cool videos and why Alan Greenspan said McCain's plan is weak (I actually watched CNBC and...um, ordered a pocket protector) and HOW Ben Bernanke will be a name you know for quite some time (yea, I'm going there...the economy with economics and Federal Reserve Chairmen: Why the Hell Do They Matter?".
(PS: McCain's campaign manager said the economy is fine Americans are overreacting, just fyi...)
For Barack Obama plan on economic messures to stymie the undertow the economic slip (fall, doom, ah!) please go to http://www.barackobama.com/
Tonight's guest speaker
I've decided to let the candidate speak for himself. This is politics, so obviously what follows is political, but it does have a message. Barack Obama spent almost 15 years as a Constitutional Law professor at University of Chicago. As a professor, I understand how important it is to lay out your plans and make sure you have action or substance behind your words. I am no politician, but if I were, I would do my best to make this country the greatest country in the world. I have already dedicated my life to make my community a better place to live. But my lens is focused on the enormity of what change means for America and proud Amerians and the global world and our future. So I present, Barack Obama (i.e. total quote)
"We have a different way of measuring the fundamentals of our economy. We know that the fundamentals that we use to measure economic strength are whether we are living up to that fundamental promise that has made this country great –that America is a place where you can make it if you try. Americans have always pursued our dreams within a free market that has been the engine of our progress.
It’s a market that has created a prosperity that is the envy of the world, and rewarded the innovators and risk-takers who have made America a beacon of science, and technology, and discovery. But the American economy has worked in large part because we have guided the market’s invisible hand with a higher principle – that America prospers when all Americans can prosper. That is why we have put in place rules of the road to make competition fair, and open, and honest.
Too often, over the last quarter century, we have lost this sense of shared prosperity. And this has not happened by accident. It’s because of decisions made in boardrooms, on trading floors and in Washington. We failed to guard against practices that all too often rewarded financial manipulation instead of productivity and sound business practices. We let the special interests put their thumbs on the economic scales. The result has been a distorted market that creates bubbles instead of steady, sustainable growth; a market that favors Wall Street over Main Street, but ends up hurting both.
Let me be clear: the American economy does not stand still, and neither should the rules that govern it. The evolution of industries often warrants regulatory reform - to foster competition, lower prices, or replace outdated oversight structures. Old institutions cannot adequately oversee new practices. Old rules may not fit the roads where our economy is leading.
But instead of sensible reform that rewarded success and freed the creative forces of the market, too often we’ve excused an ethic of greed, corner-cutting and inside dealing that threatens the long-term stability of our economic system. It happened in the 1980s, when we loosened restrictions on Savings and Loans and appointed regulators who ignored even these weaker rules. Too many S&Ls took advantage of the lax rules set by Washington to gamble that they could make big money in speculative real estate.
Confident of their clout in Washington, they made hundreds of billions in bad loans, knowing that if they lost money, the government would bail them out. And they were right. The gambles did not pay off, our economy went into recession, and the taxpayers ended up footing the bill. Sound familiar? And it has happened again during this decade, in part because of how we deregulated the financial services sector. After we repealed outmoded rules instead of updating them, we were left overseeing 21st century innovation with 20th century regulations.
When subprime mortgage lending took a reckless and unsustainable turn, a patchwork of regulators systematically and deliberately eliminated the regulations protecting the American people and failed to raise warning flags that could have protected investors and the pensions American workers count on.
This was not the invisible hand of the market at work. These cycles of bubble and bust were symptoms of the ideology that my opponent is running to continue. John McCain has spent decades in Washington supporting financial institutions instead of their customers. In fact, one of the biggest proponents of deregulation in the financial sector is Phil Gramm – the same man who helped write John McCain’s economic plan; the same man who said that we’re going through a ‘mental recession’; and the same man who called the United States of America a “nation of whiners.” So it’s hard to understand how Senator McCain is going to get us out of this crisis by doing the same things with the same old players.
Make no mistake: my opponent is running for four more years of policies that will throw the economy further out of balance. His outrage at Wall Street would be more convincing if he wasn’t offering them more tax cuts. His call for fiscal responsibility would be believable if he wasn’t for more tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, and more of a trillion dollar war in Iraq paid for with deficit spending and borrowing from foreign creditors like China. His newfound support for regulation bears no resemblance to his scornful attitude towards oversight and enforcement.
John McCain cannot be trusted to reestablish proper oversight of our financial markets for one simple reason: he has shown time and again that he does not believe in it. What has happened these last eight years is not some historical anomaly, so we know what to expect if we try these policies for another four. When lobbyists run your campaign, the special interests end up gaming the system. When the White House is hostile to any kind of oversight, corporations cut corners and consumers pay the price. When regulators are chosen for their disdain for regulation and we gut their ability to enforce the law, then the interests of the American people are not protected. It’s an ideology that intentionally breeds incompetence in Washington and irresponsibility on Wall Street, and it’s time to turn the page."
and it's not just "talk" as many of the negative pundits say, substance matters as well; therefore, there is a plan (me.)
"Change means a tax code that doesn’t reward the lobbyists who wrote it, but the American workers and small businesses who deserve it. I will stop giving tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America. I will eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses and start-ups – that’s how we’ll grow our economy and create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow.
I will cut taxes – cut taxes – for 95% of all working families. My opponent doesn’t want you to know this, but under my plan, tax rates will actually be less than they were under Ronald Reagan. If you make less than $250,000 a year, you will not see your taxes increase one single dime. In fact, I offer three times the tax relief for middle-class families as Senator McCain does – because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class. I will finally keep the promise of affordable, accessible health care for every single American. If you have health care, my plan will lower your premiums. If you don’t, you’ll be able to get the same kind of coverage that members of Congress give themselves. And I will stop insurance companies from discriminating against those who are sick and need care the most I will create the jobs of the future by transforming our energy economy.
We’ll tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I’ll help our auto companies re-tool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here in America. I’ll make it easier for the American people to afford these new cars. And I’ll invest 150 billion dollars over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy – wind power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels; an investment that will lead to new industries and five million new jobs that pay well and can’t ever be outsourced And now is the time to finally meet our moral obligation to provide every child a world-class education, because it will take nothing less to compete in the global economy.
I’ll recruit an army of new teachers, and pay them higher salaries and give them more support. But in exchange, I will ask for higher standards and more accountability. And we will keep our promise to every young American – if you commit to serving your community or your country, we will make sure you can afford a college education. This is the change we need – the kind of bottom up growth and innovation that will advance the American economy by advancing the dreams of all Americans.
Times are hard. I will not pretend that the changes we need will come without cost – though I have presented ways we can achieve these changes in a fiscally responsible way. I know that we'll have to overcome our doubts and divisions and the determined opposition of powerful special interests before we can truly reform a broken economy and advance opportunity.
But I am running for President because we simply cannot afford four more years of an economic philosophy that works for Wall Street instead of Main Street, and ends up devastating both. I don’t want to wake up in four years to find that more Americans fell out of the middle-class, and more families lost their savings. I don’t want to see that our country failed to invest in our ability to compete, our children’s future was mortgaged on another mountain of debt, and our financial markets failed to find a firmer footing.
This time – this election – is our chance to stand up and say: enough is enough!
We can do this because Americans have done this before. Time and again, we’ve battled back from adversity by recognizing that common stake that we have in each other’s success. That’s why our economy hasn’t just been the world’s greatest wealth generator – it’s bound America together, it’s created jobs, and it’s made the dream of opportunity a reality for generation after generation of Americans."
Barack Obama
9/16/08 (i.e.TODAY)
"We have a different way of measuring the fundamentals of our economy. We know that the fundamentals that we use to measure economic strength are whether we are living up to that fundamental promise that has made this country great –that America is a place where you can make it if you try. Americans have always pursued our dreams within a free market that has been the engine of our progress.
It’s a market that has created a prosperity that is the envy of the world, and rewarded the innovators and risk-takers who have made America a beacon of science, and technology, and discovery. But the American economy has worked in large part because we have guided the market’s invisible hand with a higher principle – that America prospers when all Americans can prosper. That is why we have put in place rules of the road to make competition fair, and open, and honest.
Too often, over the last quarter century, we have lost this sense of shared prosperity. And this has not happened by accident. It’s because of decisions made in boardrooms, on trading floors and in Washington. We failed to guard against practices that all too often rewarded financial manipulation instead of productivity and sound business practices. We let the special interests put their thumbs on the economic scales. The result has been a distorted market that creates bubbles instead of steady, sustainable growth; a market that favors Wall Street over Main Street, but ends up hurting both.
Let me be clear: the American economy does not stand still, and neither should the rules that govern it. The evolution of industries often warrants regulatory reform - to foster competition, lower prices, or replace outdated oversight structures. Old institutions cannot adequately oversee new practices. Old rules may not fit the roads where our economy is leading.
But instead of sensible reform that rewarded success and freed the creative forces of the market, too often we’ve excused an ethic of greed, corner-cutting and inside dealing that threatens the long-term stability of our economic system. It happened in the 1980s, when we loosened restrictions on Savings and Loans and appointed regulators who ignored even these weaker rules. Too many S&Ls took advantage of the lax rules set by Washington to gamble that they could make big money in speculative real estate.
Confident of their clout in Washington, they made hundreds of billions in bad loans, knowing that if they lost money, the government would bail them out. And they were right. The gambles did not pay off, our economy went into recession, and the taxpayers ended up footing the bill. Sound familiar? And it has happened again during this decade, in part because of how we deregulated the financial services sector. After we repealed outmoded rules instead of updating them, we were left overseeing 21st century innovation with 20th century regulations.
When subprime mortgage lending took a reckless and unsustainable turn, a patchwork of regulators systematically and deliberately eliminated the regulations protecting the American people and failed to raise warning flags that could have protected investors and the pensions American workers count on.
This was not the invisible hand of the market at work. These cycles of bubble and bust were symptoms of the ideology that my opponent is running to continue. John McCain has spent decades in Washington supporting financial institutions instead of their customers. In fact, one of the biggest proponents of deregulation in the financial sector is Phil Gramm – the same man who helped write John McCain’s economic plan; the same man who said that we’re going through a ‘mental recession’; and the same man who called the United States of America a “nation of whiners.” So it’s hard to understand how Senator McCain is going to get us out of this crisis by doing the same things with the same old players.
Make no mistake: my opponent is running for four more years of policies that will throw the economy further out of balance. His outrage at Wall Street would be more convincing if he wasn’t offering them more tax cuts. His call for fiscal responsibility would be believable if he wasn’t for more tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, and more of a trillion dollar war in Iraq paid for with deficit spending and borrowing from foreign creditors like China. His newfound support for regulation bears no resemblance to his scornful attitude towards oversight and enforcement.
John McCain cannot be trusted to reestablish proper oversight of our financial markets for one simple reason: he has shown time and again that he does not believe in it. What has happened these last eight years is not some historical anomaly, so we know what to expect if we try these policies for another four. When lobbyists run your campaign, the special interests end up gaming the system. When the White House is hostile to any kind of oversight, corporations cut corners and consumers pay the price. When regulators are chosen for their disdain for regulation and we gut their ability to enforce the law, then the interests of the American people are not protected. It’s an ideology that intentionally breeds incompetence in Washington and irresponsibility on Wall Street, and it’s time to turn the page."
and it's not just "talk" as many of the negative pundits say, substance matters as well; therefore, there is a plan (me.)
"Change means a tax code that doesn’t reward the lobbyists who wrote it, but the American workers and small businesses who deserve it. I will stop giving tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America. I will eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses and start-ups – that’s how we’ll grow our economy and create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow.
I will cut taxes – cut taxes – for 95% of all working families. My opponent doesn’t want you to know this, but under my plan, tax rates will actually be less than they were under Ronald Reagan. If you make less than $250,000 a year, you will not see your taxes increase one single dime. In fact, I offer three times the tax relief for middle-class families as Senator McCain does – because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class. I will finally keep the promise of affordable, accessible health care for every single American. If you have health care, my plan will lower your premiums. If you don’t, you’ll be able to get the same kind of coverage that members of Congress give themselves. And I will stop insurance companies from discriminating against those who are sick and need care the most I will create the jobs of the future by transforming our energy economy.
We’ll tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I’ll help our auto companies re-tool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here in America. I’ll make it easier for the American people to afford these new cars. And I’ll invest 150 billion dollars over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy – wind power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels; an investment that will lead to new industries and five million new jobs that pay well and can’t ever be outsourced And now is the time to finally meet our moral obligation to provide every child a world-class education, because it will take nothing less to compete in the global economy.
I’ll recruit an army of new teachers, and pay them higher salaries and give them more support. But in exchange, I will ask for higher standards and more accountability. And we will keep our promise to every young American – if you commit to serving your community or your country, we will make sure you can afford a college education. This is the change we need – the kind of bottom up growth and innovation that will advance the American economy by advancing the dreams of all Americans.
Times are hard. I will not pretend that the changes we need will come without cost – though I have presented ways we can achieve these changes in a fiscally responsible way. I know that we'll have to overcome our doubts and divisions and the determined opposition of powerful special interests before we can truly reform a broken economy and advance opportunity.
But I am running for President because we simply cannot afford four more years of an economic philosophy that works for Wall Street instead of Main Street, and ends up devastating both. I don’t want to wake up in four years to find that more Americans fell out of the middle-class, and more families lost their savings. I don’t want to see that our country failed to invest in our ability to compete, our children’s future was mortgaged on another mountain of debt, and our financial markets failed to find a firmer footing.
This time – this election – is our chance to stand up and say: enough is enough!
We can do this because Americans have done this before. Time and again, we’ve battled back from adversity by recognizing that common stake that we have in each other’s success. That’s why our economy hasn’t just been the world’s greatest wealth generator – it’s bound America together, it’s created jobs, and it’s made the dream of opportunity a reality for generation after generation of Americans."
Barack Obama
9/16/08 (i.e.TODAY)
Speechless
I'm speechless, so I will make this brief, but expect a cerebral hemorrhage of a blog within the next few days:
John McCain: today he promised to get back at the "fat cats" who made the economy a mess
His campaign manager:
Rick Davies--former lobbyist for Fannie Mae
Largest corporate donor
Merrill Lynch
The economy, in some interviews he says, is fundamentally sound. Meanwhile, banks are closing. He says he wants to change how things are done in Washington; yet he has been in Washington since 1982? How does that send the message of change my friend?
One of the major spokeswomen for the McCain campaign, his economic strategist, and former head of Hewlett Packard(she was fired by the Board of Directors after she merged HP with Compaq) Carly Fiorina, told a radio program today that she does not think Sarah Palin could run a major 1.2 billion corporation (HP was the example) but she is ready to be Vice-President or President if the opportunity is presented to her?
I'm sorry, I have to let the facts speak for themselves.
I wanted to write on the MYTH that an Obama Presidency would raise taxes (it won't for folks making 250,000 or less), but now I am speechless.
Barack Obama does not need to approve this message because the McCain campaign is doing the job for him...
(for more on Carly Fiorina: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carly_Fiorina)
And I did this without even mentioning the "Troopergate" fiasco....
John McCain: today he promised to get back at the "fat cats" who made the economy a mess
His campaign manager:
Rick Davies--former lobbyist for Fannie Mae
Largest corporate donor
Merrill Lynch
The economy, in some interviews he says, is fundamentally sound. Meanwhile, banks are closing. He says he wants to change how things are done in Washington; yet he has been in Washington since 1982? How does that send the message of change my friend?
One of the major spokeswomen for the McCain campaign, his economic strategist, and former head of Hewlett Packard(she was fired by the Board of Directors after she merged HP with Compaq) Carly Fiorina, told a radio program today that she does not think Sarah Palin could run a major 1.2 billion corporation (HP was the example) but she is ready to be Vice-President or President if the opportunity is presented to her?
I'm sorry, I have to let the facts speak for themselves.
I wanted to write on the MYTH that an Obama Presidency would raise taxes (it won't for folks making 250,000 or less), but now I am speechless.
Barack Obama does not need to approve this message because the McCain campaign is doing the job for him...
(for more on Carly Fiorina: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carly_Fiorina)
And I did this without even mentioning the "Troopergate" fiasco....
Monday, September 15, 2008
It's the economy, is such an UNDERSTATEMENT...
As usual, on my way to bed last night, I double-checked the online news out there to see what the American societal and political outlook will be like when the morning papers are dropped on our doorsteps.
That must have been why my dreams were actually nightmares, and I hardly got a wink of sleep.
Why?
It's not my Palin obsession, nor my MUST DO EVERYTHING TO GET BARACK ELECTED, surge of the past few weeks. That will continue. But what I read last night and confirmed this morning is that we are headed down a very tenuous and possible detrimental economic path and it is getting scarier and scarier each day...
Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, Lehman, Merrill Lynch, and expect more while the stock market plummets, means bail out! bail out! BAIL OUT! And who will that hurt??? Um...those of us who pay taxes of course!
The Neo-Republican message, with Bush/Cheney and McCain/Palin as messengers, has been support privatization because if you screw up the taxpayers got your back. And what makes it even more troubling is that the CEOs and higher ups in these companies are still getting rich, all while people suffer. Common people bail out the top1% richest folks in the world. You don't need to read or be Paul Krugman to figure this out.
THIS IS LASSIEZ FAIRE ECONOMICS GONE ABSOLUTELY WILD--AND WRONG! We will not come out of the Bush presidency knowing what the Bush Doctrine is but we will know what the Bush Economy was....
Most Republicans believe in less government. I agree with them on some levels. However, the government in recent years have blended the lines of government and corporate wealth. We all know that the Bush world is surrounded with former CEOs, major stock holders and some of the richest folks in the land, with many interests overseas. Therefore, the idea of laissez faire-status quo economy (explained simply as leave it go and let it work itself out), is a farce in this administration. AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, the current lame duck administration does not have the tools to handle what is going on with our economic crisis, which as numbers are plummeting and unemployment is rising could lead us down the path to Depression. Yes, Depression, as in the economic crisis that happened nearly every other decade during the 19th Century and the hit the world hard in 1930.
I worry of a time when we will return to Hoovervilles and we will be (rightfully so) blaming our leaders for putting the Iraq War first, and let the economy go into utter turmoil. FDR and his New Deal Liberalism (the same liberalism that is dammed now...hmmm wonder why) stepped in to quell the tensions that hit the pockets of American people throughout the land. Classic case of government interference, the antithesis of laissez fair. The constant message that historians write about in 20th century history is how the battle between the Democrat and Republican party has been a tug of war over New Deal liberalism--which was initially expanded by LBJ in the 1960s but was dismantled throughout the 1980s-up until now. And here we are....
New Deal liberalism is over. But maybe it should be reinvented and reshaped to fit the ideal of America today, a 21st century New Deal, for I feel this economic crisis will be with us for sometime. Action needs to happen now, yet our Administration is unfit to handle it. They just are, by the lameness of their "duck" status and by ignoring 8 years of the horrific realities and implications of laissez faire in the new Global economy. Of course, we can't forget (nor forgive)their support of the "fat cats" who are to blame. 2008 will go into history as privitization gone awry.
McCain is going to be addressing the people momentarily to discuss how he plans on changing things. He has been equally in line with the laissez fair status quo policies of the FAILED Administration. He has even stated, then recanted, then stated again, that he does not know much about the "economy," foreign policy is his expertise. Then, John McCain, first, how are YOU going to fix the economy? Secondly, how are you going to thwart the threat of War with Pakistan, esp. since you and your partner Palin are avowed and proud HAWKS?
We need an FDR. We may not get one...but ask yourself. Are you truly better off than you were 8-7-6-5-4- years ago? In the campaign, we have a choice: the record stands between one who supports the Bush economic policy and one who ABSOLUTELY does not. It's too early to call or even pretend to equate Barack Obama to FDR. But knowing McCain, could you even try? I would rather take a chance and go with something different, a new ideal and an economic policy that is laid out in detail on http://www.barackobama.com/ than stick with the lassiez faire economics of the 20th century. We need new terms and new ways of thinking about this new economy. We need to hold those who plundered these corporations and institutions into the mud accountable.
I am no economist. I am a historian, who has a PhD level grasp on 20th century American history. So, this alarms me.
Must give a shout out to a close friend of mine who is a lawyer out there in the corporate world, a voice of the reason, who IMO has a great grasp of the American political and economic landscape. I asked him to "Talk Me Down" to borrow the phrase from Rachel Maddow. It helped, so thanks TB.
BUT I AM STILL REALLY SCARED!
That must have been why my dreams were actually nightmares, and I hardly got a wink of sleep.
Why?
It's not my Palin obsession, nor my MUST DO EVERYTHING TO GET BARACK ELECTED, surge of the past few weeks. That will continue. But what I read last night and confirmed this morning is that we are headed down a very tenuous and possible detrimental economic path and it is getting scarier and scarier each day...
Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, Lehman, Merrill Lynch, and expect more while the stock market plummets, means bail out! bail out! BAIL OUT! And who will that hurt??? Um...those of us who pay taxes of course!
The Neo-Republican message, with Bush/Cheney and McCain/Palin as messengers, has been support privatization because if you screw up the taxpayers got your back. And what makes it even more troubling is that the CEOs and higher ups in these companies are still getting rich, all while people suffer. Common people bail out the top1% richest folks in the world. You don't need to read or be Paul Krugman to figure this out.
THIS IS LASSIEZ FAIRE ECONOMICS GONE ABSOLUTELY WILD--AND WRONG! We will not come out of the Bush presidency knowing what the Bush Doctrine is but we will know what the Bush Economy was....
Most Republicans believe in less government. I agree with them on some levels. However, the government in recent years have blended the lines of government and corporate wealth. We all know that the Bush world is surrounded with former CEOs, major stock holders and some of the richest folks in the land, with many interests overseas. Therefore, the idea of laissez faire-status quo economy (explained simply as leave it go and let it work itself out), is a farce in this administration. AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, the current lame duck administration does not have the tools to handle what is going on with our economic crisis, which as numbers are plummeting and unemployment is rising could lead us down the path to Depression. Yes, Depression, as in the economic crisis that happened nearly every other decade during the 19th Century and the hit the world hard in 1930.
I worry of a time when we will return to Hoovervilles and we will be (rightfully so) blaming our leaders for putting the Iraq War first, and let the economy go into utter turmoil. FDR and his New Deal Liberalism (the same liberalism that is dammed now...hmmm wonder why) stepped in to quell the tensions that hit the pockets of American people throughout the land. Classic case of government interference, the antithesis of laissez fair. The constant message that historians write about in 20th century history is how the battle between the Democrat and Republican party has been a tug of war over New Deal liberalism--which was initially expanded by LBJ in the 1960s but was dismantled throughout the 1980s-up until now. And here we are....
New Deal liberalism is over. But maybe it should be reinvented and reshaped to fit the ideal of America today, a 21st century New Deal, for I feel this economic crisis will be with us for sometime. Action needs to happen now, yet our Administration is unfit to handle it. They just are, by the lameness of their "duck" status and by ignoring 8 years of the horrific realities and implications of laissez faire in the new Global economy. Of course, we can't forget (nor forgive)their support of the "fat cats" who are to blame. 2008 will go into history as privitization gone awry.
McCain is going to be addressing the people momentarily to discuss how he plans on changing things. He has been equally in line with the laissez fair status quo policies of the FAILED Administration. He has even stated, then recanted, then stated again, that he does not know much about the "economy," foreign policy is his expertise. Then, John McCain, first, how are YOU going to fix the economy? Secondly, how are you going to thwart the threat of War with Pakistan, esp. since you and your partner Palin are avowed and proud HAWKS?
We need an FDR. We may not get one...but ask yourself. Are you truly better off than you were 8-7-6-5-4- years ago? In the campaign, we have a choice: the record stands between one who supports the Bush economic policy and one who ABSOLUTELY does not. It's too early to call or even pretend to equate Barack Obama to FDR. But knowing McCain, could you even try? I would rather take a chance and go with something different, a new ideal and an economic policy that is laid out in detail on http://www.barackobama.com/ than stick with the lassiez faire economics of the 20th century. We need new terms and new ways of thinking about this new economy. We need to hold those who plundered these corporations and institutions into the mud accountable.
I am no economist. I am a historian, who has a PhD level grasp on 20th century American history. So, this alarms me.
Must give a shout out to a close friend of mine who is a lawyer out there in the corporate world, a voice of the reason, who IMO has a great grasp of the American political and economic landscape. I asked him to "Talk Me Down" to borrow the phrase from Rachel Maddow. It helped, so thanks TB.
BUT I AM STILL REALLY SCARED!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Make a call, email a friend or donate....whatever you want!
People, it is time to get mobilized. Get out there or stay home in your pjs. It doesn't matter, as long as you spread the word. If you have a friend's dog's cousin that lives in MI, CO, VA, FL (or anyone below the Mason Dixon), NH, VT, MT...talk to their owners. Engage in dialogue, send a button, spread the word via links etc. Let's shock them, who believe in this premise of the Republican ticket, if there is one right now. IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!!! And that is no insult to Republicans, who many I know is supporting the Dem ticket for the first time ever! All Republicans are good people! This Republican ticket this time around WILL NOT make good leaders, that is what matters. And this Dem ticket, YES, this time around, will--those looking for the Obama smears..don't you think the wolves have been sent when he battled HILLARY (?), did we just learn about Barack last week?
Those who just can't vote for a Dem or a man with 50 percent of African (that is sooooo 1789) blood, should vote for McCain but please register in a class on ethics, culture, American history, The Great Depression, The 1960s, etc. You can sign up for mine!!
Those who just can't vote for a Dem or a man with 50 percent of African (that is sooooo 1789) blood, should vote for McCain but please register in a class on ethics, culture, American history, The Great Depression, The 1960s, etc. You can sign up for mine!!
Damned if ya do, damned if ya don't--on NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/politics/14palin.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin
I read the above article late last night when it first went public. After reading it, shortly before going to bed, circles of ideas ran through my head on how this will be termed "Liberal New York Times" fodder. I knew the RIGHT was going to attack it hard, compare it to People Mag or even worse, the National Enquirer (who, if we remembered is credited with "breaking" the whole John Edwards' affair dealy). I knew all across the land accusations of double-standards, sexism, and misleading journalism would be heard. And they will be....wait...
Damned if ya do, Damned if ya dont...
Many in the media, and even more Obama supporters, have attacked the media for tip-toeing around Ms. Palin's executive experience and personal background. And now, a major public media outlet has published an investigative (their job) report on Pailin's political background and the experience of Alaska since she became a PUBLIC figure. THEY DID IT! But now, after reading quite a few of online responses, I read attacks on the paper that range from "No wonder why you are going bankrupt" to "once again, New York Times panders to the pinkos."
DAMNED IF YA DO, DAMNED IF YOU DON'T.
You will hear it from the McPalin campaign next week, New York Times reporters (who were the actual wolves unleashed in Alaska, this article is proof) are pandering to the left, loosing subscribers, OBAMABOTS, (you know the rest). And this will be for doing it's job, sending investigators in to do research, and cite that research by use of personal interviews, to actual records--i.e. journalism. Journalism is about facts and the Bush III campaign is not; so of course they would disagree. This, to them, is smearing Sarah Palin, the untouchable of all vice president candidates in US history. This who campaign has been about the side of facts (the issues: economy, foriegn policy, health care, support of our military, better education, facing the morgage and energy crises....I could go on....) comprable to LIES, SECRECY, and ULTIMATELY PREDICATED ON THE FACT THAT THE ISSUES DON'T MATTER--NYTimes reporting the turth of "lies" does.
Damned if ya do, Damned if ya don't.
Well listen folks. After reading responses to said article, people from all over the country and out in our global community are coming out and saying FINALLY, SOMEONE DARED TO TOUCH THE UNTOUCHABLE. More people are saying, "Yikes, I thought Cheney was bad," to "Thank you NYTimes for shedding light on the real Palin, her interview disturbed me, but now I know she is not a good choice for the job." Yes, this article will turn more people to the Obama side because all you will hear next week is about the awful reporters from the NYTimes from the Republicans...in the meantime, those who read actual investigative journalism will be on to the party politics and devisive nature of Rovian politics and the McPlain campaign.
Damned if ya do! Damned YOU DID!
So thank you New York Times for daring to "go there." Thank you American people, for not letting the lying take you away from the people. And REPUBLICANS WAKE UP! I watch so many of you defend her and McCain and I wonder if you believe your own spin. (I told my mother I heard so much spin from Rudy Gulianni on MTP this morning that I vomitted.) How can this be supported? How can this be explained? How can this be good for America, all America and Americans, proud of the red, white and true blue? How can you offer us the same politics of the last 8 years and spin it for us to beg for more?
From the 120 comments I read, maybe ten of them slandered the Times on their "Marxist" reporting. More and more people are catching on.
For more on double standards and the "damned if ya do, NOT THIS TIME!" aspect of this campaign, please see my post from Sept. 12 on Spin is Dangerous to Democracy on maderaedwards.blogspot.com
Change is a necessity and as more and more is unconvered there is only one option for change.
I knew that all along....
And now, back to football!!!
I read the above article late last night when it first went public. After reading it, shortly before going to bed, circles of ideas ran through my head on how this will be termed "Liberal New York Times" fodder. I knew the RIGHT was going to attack it hard, compare it to People Mag or even worse, the National Enquirer (who, if we remembered is credited with "breaking" the whole John Edwards' affair dealy). I knew all across the land accusations of double-standards, sexism, and misleading journalism would be heard. And they will be....wait...
Damned if ya do, Damned if ya dont...
Many in the media, and even more Obama supporters, have attacked the media for tip-toeing around Ms. Palin's executive experience and personal background. And now, a major public media outlet has published an investigative (their job) report on Pailin's political background and the experience of Alaska since she became a PUBLIC figure. THEY DID IT! But now, after reading quite a few of online responses, I read attacks on the paper that range from "No wonder why you are going bankrupt" to "once again, New York Times panders to the pinkos."
DAMNED IF YA DO, DAMNED IF YOU DON'T.
You will hear it from the McPalin campaign next week, New York Times reporters (who were the actual wolves unleashed in Alaska, this article is proof) are pandering to the left, loosing subscribers, OBAMABOTS, (you know the rest). And this will be for doing it's job, sending investigators in to do research, and cite that research by use of personal interviews, to actual records--i.e. journalism. Journalism is about facts and the Bush III campaign is not; so of course they would disagree. This, to them, is smearing Sarah Palin, the untouchable of all vice president candidates in US history. This who campaign has been about the side of facts (the issues: economy, foriegn policy, health care, support of our military, better education, facing the morgage and energy crises....I could go on....) comprable to LIES, SECRECY, and ULTIMATELY PREDICATED ON THE FACT THAT THE ISSUES DON'T MATTER--NYTimes reporting the turth of "lies" does.
Damned if ya do, Damned if ya don't.
Well listen folks. After reading responses to said article, people from all over the country and out in our global community are coming out and saying FINALLY, SOMEONE DARED TO TOUCH THE UNTOUCHABLE. More people are saying, "Yikes, I thought Cheney was bad," to "Thank you NYTimes for shedding light on the real Palin, her interview disturbed me, but now I know she is not a good choice for the job." Yes, this article will turn more people to the Obama side because all you will hear next week is about the awful reporters from the NYTimes from the Republicans...in the meantime, those who read actual investigative journalism will be on to the party politics and devisive nature of Rovian politics and the McPlain campaign.
Damned if ya do! Damned YOU DID!
So thank you New York Times for daring to "go there." Thank you American people, for not letting the lying take you away from the people. And REPUBLICANS WAKE UP! I watch so many of you defend her and McCain and I wonder if you believe your own spin. (I told my mother I heard so much spin from Rudy Gulianni on MTP this morning that I vomitted.) How can this be supported? How can this be explained? How can this be good for America, all America and Americans, proud of the red, white and true blue? How can you offer us the same politics of the last 8 years and spin it for us to beg for more?
From the 120 comments I read, maybe ten of them slandered the Times on their "Marxist" reporting. More and more people are catching on.
For more on double standards and the "damned if ya do, NOT THIS TIME!" aspect of this campaign, please see my post from Sept. 12 on Spin is Dangerous to Democracy on maderaedwards.blogspot.com
Change is a necessity and as more and more is unconvered there is only one option for change.
I knew that all along....
And now, back to football!!!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Plan of Change--
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/ObamaBlueprintForChange.pdf
This is Barack Obama's plan for America. Another source that may be useful for the folks who are still in doubt.
This is Barack Obama's plan for America. Another source that may be useful for the folks who are still in doubt.
For the more visual inclined....straight talk?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0xzsogzAk
http://therealmccain.com/squad/?utm_source=rgemail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-T2iGkLJY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioy90nF2anI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFeimMY8hoo
Send these out of do what you want but this election is about winning the Presidency and it is John McCain, the Presidential nominee, who bases his campaign on "straight talk." NO! It's pure double sideways stripped down reinvented unbelievable hypocritical TALK.
This is not sport, it's politics.
Enjoy....
http://therealmccain.com/squad/?utm_source=rgemail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-T2iGkLJY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioy90nF2anI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFeimMY8hoo
Send these out of do what you want but this election is about winning the Presidency and it is John McCain, the Presidential nominee, who bases his campaign on "straight talk." NO! It's pure double sideways stripped down reinvented unbelievable hypocritical TALK.
This is not sport, it's politics.
Enjoy....
Culture War 2008
A Culture War fundatmental:
Pit individual groups of people, based on their race, religion or gender, against each other. Use that tension to distract people away from issues.
Are you a soldier in this war?
Pit individual groups of people, based on their race, religion or gender, against each other. Use that tension to distract people away from issues.
Are you a soldier in this war?
Friday, September 12, 2008
The personal is political when you run for public office!
I've been watching (maybe too much) of the political hankering on television these past two weeks. I have noticed how careful and PC the media has been about sheltering the personal issues on both sides, in both campaigns. I hear everyone say and agree, the personal lives of the candidate should stay out of the campaign and campaign coverage.BULLSHIT!
We do not live in the days of the media covering up Presidential misdeeds--a la JFK--we live in the days where there are special counsels set up using tax payers money to plug, push and shove into the personal lives of our public figures, from President to sports figures. While in the limelight, your personal lives will be under scrutiny (that's how magazines and such make their money). But one would especially be highlighted by the media when they run on issues that are just not refelcted in their personal lives...and they expect YOU to espouse the issues even when they can't.
Two examples:
1) Bill Clinton was impeached by the House because he lied about a BJ in the oval office PURE MEDIA SENSATION! (personal)
2) Our current president, lied and misled the public into a quagmire that it will take a miracle to get out of...lives are lost, young lives..proud and courageous Americans who could have made their mark on this world....not only has there not been a trial to question the President's misdeeds and the underhanded nature and judegement of this quagmire and our failures to live up to the values of what our great country stands for but he gets a pass and his party can dismiss him as a mistaken president and clamor for us to vote for them because they have "changed" (political)HUH???
I end with this, if Sasha Obama was 16 years old and preggers and a "f-ing" thugged out football player was the baby's daddy, not only would he not be invited to sit with a potential White House family, he would be on the stage with his soon to be father in law, because that father in law would NOT be a nominee for President. There's no way in hell that if the tables were turned we would say "family off limits."America....gotta love it!
We do not live in the days of the media covering up Presidential misdeeds--a la JFK--we live in the days where there are special counsels set up using tax payers money to plug, push and shove into the personal lives of our public figures, from President to sports figures. While in the limelight, your personal lives will be under scrutiny (that's how magazines and such make their money). But one would especially be highlighted by the media when they run on issues that are just not refelcted in their personal lives...and they expect YOU to espouse the issues even when they can't.
Two examples:
1) Bill Clinton was impeached by the House because he lied about a BJ in the oval office PURE MEDIA SENSATION! (personal)
2) Our current president, lied and misled the public into a quagmire that it will take a miracle to get out of...lives are lost, young lives..proud and courageous Americans who could have made their mark on this world....not only has there not been a trial to question the President's misdeeds and the underhanded nature and judegement of this quagmire and our failures to live up to the values of what our great country stands for but he gets a pass and his party can dismiss him as a mistaken president and clamor for us to vote for them because they have "changed" (political)HUH???
I end with this, if Sasha Obama was 16 years old and preggers and a "f-ing" thugged out football player was the baby's daddy, not only would he not be invited to sit with a potential White House family, he would be on the stage with his soon to be father in law, because that father in law would NOT be a nominee for President. There's no way in hell that if the tables were turned we would say "family off limits."America....gotta love it!
Spin and the L word
As usual, and of course after sitting home today with a wisdom tooth extraction blues (I missed my students!), I watched and read all of the flitter and fodder over the presidential election and the tornado of a cultural war the nomination of the Republican Veep has wrought over this beautiful land of inclusion.
I am struck by two things: the amount of tip-toeing around the gender issue implicit within this nomination and the idea that liberal-thinking people are evil people. Therefore, I have two things to say:
1) Every political candidate in every election is under scrutiny. That is what comes with the proverbial "throwing your hat into a race." And when one is confronted with that scrutiny, there are two options: ignore it or confront it. Ignoring the scrutiny is a wise move, especially regarding the short term effect and affect of the issue at hand. In other words, more often than not news will blow over and the issue will become so "last week." In our fast pace yet informatively rich and diverse country, shifts, twists and terms are always encountered and reshape in sensational stories that are (quote/unquote) newsworthy. "Jamie Lynn's pregnacy was sooooo last year." Those who ignore the scrutiny of the public eye, via ANY media outlet, hope that the scrutiny will pass like a quick thunderstorm (and we are all inside so we didn't even know it rained).Now, confronting scrutiny is difficult. The reason is more complex than we may first think. It is human to feel embarrassed or awkward over a public faux pas that was caught in the media. But at the heart of confronting this scrutiny is a very important notion, a notion that by name has been talked about a lot but not by issue: ACCOUNTABILITY.
When in the limelight, especially as a political figure where you are asking us to have faith and vote for you, you must be held accountable for your actions. You must confront the issue dead on; quell the tensions and if you f-ed up just admit it. It's simple, but uncommon. If people are spreading lies about you, confront the lies. If the public is getting mis-information, inform us. Answer questions. Engage in dialogue. DON'T TRY TO STOP IT BY SAYING IT IS OFFENSIVE OR DEMEANING. Although it is a clever (short term) tactic to claim BIAS, the "bias" is only going to get worse if not confronted. The media is called the fourth estate for that reason. It was meant to scrutinize the public actions of public citizens--and scrutinize it will; the pendulum will swing one way to the next with each passing day and each poll, with each breath...CAUTION....this is not an never ending pendulum. Without confrontation or accountability, the issues themselves will become it's own tornado wielding mess. Silence is the politician's deadliest foe.
This verbose thought comes from watching about 4 hours of news programming on different networks. From the political campaigns, I saw one side engage in dialouge with the media, answering questions in Dayton and Missouri, discussing the facts, issues and some mis-information about their camp. On the other side, I heard the same speech, with the same talking points (that have been disproved by both the right and left media outlets) and the same political zings that are frankly as tired as Marge Simpson's Channel suit in that Simpsons episode from over a decade ago. And when it is not the Channel suit, it is the claim of BIAS, LIBERAL NEWS, POLITICAL INCORRECTNESS...ENOUGH!
What we want to know is more about stance and substance not about how the Democrats via Obama want to destroy this nation. AND HERE IT IS: Barack Obama fights against the divisions that some Americans just want to hold so dear. When he is under scrutiny he attacks what is being said about him. He is accountable by answering questions, going on news programs, sticking to the issues at hand, making himself as wide known as possible and as available and accessible any person running for this EXTREMELY IMPORTANT POSITION should be with some pretty big issues at stake! Issues much bigger than lipstick and where it is applied.
As for accountability I will leave this thought with a "what do you think about this?"Anna Quindlen's Newsweek "Last Word" from this week: "[McCain] when asked during the primaries, on the subject of Senator Clinton 'How do we beat the bitch?' he responded 'Excellent question."IS THAT BIAS? POLITICALLY INCORRECT? Should our leaders be held accountable for their actions and what they say? It's for you to decide.
2) much shorterI do not consider myself a "liberal" as connotated these past few years i.e the folks who want to raise taxes, reduce the military, allow for political machines to keep their influence inside and outside of Washington, and leave Americans and all global citizens vulnerable to attacks from fanatics, despots and terrorists. Matter of fact, in the terms of this campaign I consider myself rather conservative. That is, A CONSERVATIVE READER OF THE CONSTITUTION AND LAW OF THIS LAND. So now the tables have turned, the Dems are the sexists and liberals want to abort teenagers....So all that I studied and write about is untrue...liberals are not only evil, they are do-nothings that do (and know) too much.
FACT: If liberals were evil:
Barack Obama would not be a nominee for a major political party (race)
Joe Biden would not be the nominee for a major political party (religion)
Sarah Palin would never get the chance to be the "uber-woman" she is proported to be, let alone the next President of the US. (gender)
THE SPIN ON CHANGE WILL NOT END UNTIL WE ALL SAY **ENOUGH!** seriously....
I am struck by two things: the amount of tip-toeing around the gender issue implicit within this nomination and the idea that liberal-thinking people are evil people. Therefore, I have two things to say:
1) Every political candidate in every election is under scrutiny. That is what comes with the proverbial "throwing your hat into a race." And when one is confronted with that scrutiny, there are two options: ignore it or confront it. Ignoring the scrutiny is a wise move, especially regarding the short term effect and affect of the issue at hand. In other words, more often than not news will blow over and the issue will become so "last week." In our fast pace yet informatively rich and diverse country, shifts, twists and terms are always encountered and reshape in sensational stories that are (quote/unquote) newsworthy. "Jamie Lynn's pregnacy was sooooo last year." Those who ignore the scrutiny of the public eye, via ANY media outlet, hope that the scrutiny will pass like a quick thunderstorm (and we are all inside so we didn't even know it rained).Now, confronting scrutiny is difficult. The reason is more complex than we may first think. It is human to feel embarrassed or awkward over a public faux pas that was caught in the media. But at the heart of confronting this scrutiny is a very important notion, a notion that by name has been talked about a lot but not by issue: ACCOUNTABILITY.
When in the limelight, especially as a political figure where you are asking us to have faith and vote for you, you must be held accountable for your actions. You must confront the issue dead on; quell the tensions and if you f-ed up just admit it. It's simple, but uncommon. If people are spreading lies about you, confront the lies. If the public is getting mis-information, inform us. Answer questions. Engage in dialogue. DON'T TRY TO STOP IT BY SAYING IT IS OFFENSIVE OR DEMEANING. Although it is a clever (short term) tactic to claim BIAS, the "bias" is only going to get worse if not confronted. The media is called the fourth estate for that reason. It was meant to scrutinize the public actions of public citizens--and scrutinize it will; the pendulum will swing one way to the next with each passing day and each poll, with each breath...CAUTION....this is not an never ending pendulum. Without confrontation or accountability, the issues themselves will become it's own tornado wielding mess. Silence is the politician's deadliest foe.
This verbose thought comes from watching about 4 hours of news programming on different networks. From the political campaigns, I saw one side engage in dialouge with the media, answering questions in Dayton and Missouri, discussing the facts, issues and some mis-information about their camp. On the other side, I heard the same speech, with the same talking points (that have been disproved by both the right and left media outlets) and the same political zings that are frankly as tired as Marge Simpson's Channel suit in that Simpsons episode from over a decade ago. And when it is not the Channel suit, it is the claim of BIAS, LIBERAL NEWS, POLITICAL INCORRECTNESS...ENOUGH!
What we want to know is more about stance and substance not about how the Democrats via Obama want to destroy this nation. AND HERE IT IS: Barack Obama fights against the divisions that some Americans just want to hold so dear. When he is under scrutiny he attacks what is being said about him. He is accountable by answering questions, going on news programs, sticking to the issues at hand, making himself as wide known as possible and as available and accessible any person running for this EXTREMELY IMPORTANT POSITION should be with some pretty big issues at stake! Issues much bigger than lipstick and where it is applied.
As for accountability I will leave this thought with a "what do you think about this?"Anna Quindlen's Newsweek "Last Word" from this week: "[McCain] when asked during the primaries, on the subject of Senator Clinton 'How do we beat the bitch?' he responded 'Excellent question."IS THAT BIAS? POLITICALLY INCORRECT? Should our leaders be held accountable for their actions and what they say? It's for you to decide.
2) much shorterI do not consider myself a "liberal" as connotated these past few years i.e the folks who want to raise taxes, reduce the military, allow for political machines to keep their influence inside and outside of Washington, and leave Americans and all global citizens vulnerable to attacks from fanatics, despots and terrorists. Matter of fact, in the terms of this campaign I consider myself rather conservative. That is, A CONSERVATIVE READER OF THE CONSTITUTION AND LAW OF THIS LAND. So now the tables have turned, the Dems are the sexists and liberals want to abort teenagers....So all that I studied and write about is untrue...liberals are not only evil, they are do-nothings that do (and know) too much.
FACT: If liberals were evil:
Barack Obama would not be a nominee for a major political party (race)
Joe Biden would not be the nominee for a major political party (religion)
Sarah Palin would never get the chance to be the "uber-woman" she is proported to be, let alone the next President of the US. (gender)
THE SPIN ON CHANGE WILL NOT END UNTIL WE ALL SAY **ENOUGH!** seriously....
A historical perspective of Palin's interview
Wow...I just read a post comment that suggested Palin's interview was better than any of Obama's.Her 1 interview with EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONNOTATIONS that shows absolutely no comprehensive knowledge of the history of the 20th century (and comprehensive understanding of 20th century history should be expected by any of these candidates) against the thousands given by Obama. His accessability has been so impressive for almost two years.
WOW!!!I'm really scared, not that we will lose, because of these next few days I am clear we won't. It's just scary that the direction of regression and war is what the R (for Rove) campaign and the Republican party wants us to support. As a Dem, I always respected the Reps, although I fiercely disagree with them on many issues.
But the past eight years, I KNOW there must be some Reps who are embarassed by this, this NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY has undermined their party and distorted their ideals. GWB really messed you guys up.But most of all I am disappointed in J McCain. I thought he could do better and be better than this, THE MAVERICK, a shame he decided to run with the Bush card. It's embarrassing. Look at what the foreign press is saying about us.
Making passing comments about pressuring nuclear powers is NOT A GOOD MOVE. Let's fight terrorism and the Cold War, but make it HOT this time. Fairly unfair to the military AND the American people.Country first? Then PLEASE vote Obama.
WOW!!!I'm really scared, not that we will lose, because of these next few days I am clear we won't. It's just scary that the direction of regression and war is what the R (for Rove) campaign and the Republican party wants us to support. As a Dem, I always respected the Reps, although I fiercely disagree with them on many issues.
But the past eight years, I KNOW there must be some Reps who are embarassed by this, this NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY has undermined their party and distorted their ideals. GWB really messed you guys up.But most of all I am disappointed in J McCain. I thought he could do better and be better than this, THE MAVERICK, a shame he decided to run with the Bush card. It's embarrassing. Look at what the foreign press is saying about us.
Making passing comments about pressuring nuclear powers is NOT A GOOD MOVE. Let's fight terrorism and the Cold War, but make it HOT this time. Fairly unfair to the military AND the American people.Country first? Then PLEASE vote Obama.
Fact check!!!
I get really concerned when people who cannot construct a decent sentence or spell correctly are more than willing to chime in on why they support a given candidate. I get even more concerned when these same people point to forwarded emails as "proof" of a person's belief systems.
Obama is a racist? REALLY? A man who grew up with a white family, is white himself, is racist. Michelle Obama is un-American because she stated that she was proud of her country for the first time in a long time...more pride does not mean she has NEVER BEEN PROUD. For someone who was born in 1964 she missed out on some really good moments and frankly the way politics have been the past two decades there has not been much to be proud of. Moments, but nothing consistent, fresh or new. Read people, research people!!!
John McCain, a hero and possible military icon was born in 1936. He represents the way things have been and many people are not happy with that. His experience lies in the support of failed foreign policies and the success in the politics of fear. He put his life on the line, honorably, in support for a war that was flawed. He now supports another. Preemptive war and offensive tactics are part of his lexicon. If you feel safer and believe that the state and welfare of our great nation is good--economically sound, militarily in the right place and socially connected, then McCain is definitely your man.
Barrack Obama was born in 1961. He had the privilege of a good education which placed him in some very diverse areas of this country--HI, CA, NYC, Boston, and his job led him to Illinois. The racist card is pretty hard to play with his diverse background and work with working class people across the country. But I think the anti-Obama spin-masters out there are freaking out because they really can't find anything to pockmark his character. (His wife being a racist is just incredibly absurd; is she racist against her husband and children too?) Twisted logic will not work because most of us are more educated than that, we can see the facts and we know where to research such facts.
Fact: Obama talks about the things most politicians try to hide in his 1995 book "Dreams of my Father." Yes, published in 1995 when he had little to no experience. If you support McCain, I suggest you read this book. He comes clean on all his issues in an honest and profound way. By nature, all human beings are flawed; most politicians would not dare admit it. Obama does.
Fact. In his first year in Congress he authored and/or sponsored over 600 bills.
Fact. Since day one in Congress he has worked toward changing the way of politics--smear tactics, the power of lobbyist and the support of those who make more money than they can spend--that is politics people, and that is what he wants to change. For more, you can begin with the 2006 Coburn Obama Government Transparency Act.
Fact. Since he entered the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096. This supports the FACT that he has a large legislative record.
Fact. Obama does not only "talk the talk" he came into Congress on a mission, fed up with power being in the hands of the few. He believes not matter what you are, Dem/Rep, black/white, male/female, we all have a stake in our future. Coalition politics is his goal, not just the good ole' boys but a plethora of people who represent what our country IS and HAS BEEN for quite some time.
It is time for change, don't you think?
Military experience is McCain's strength and our recent military policies he has supported and he will probably support more in the name of preemptiveness or fear and terror. Haven't we learned from Iraq? Furthermore, his nomination is fracturing his party. This new allegation in the Times is only the beginning, there will be more.
Social, economic and political fairness is Barrack Obama's strength, as is his coalition politics and his foresight in not only seeing Iraq as a quagmire early on, but also in writing his memoirs so he could get all his demons and challenges out in the open to share with those of us who are willing to admit their flaws and limits. He represents a breath of fresh air. His constituency transcends the normal boundaries of gender, race, class and status. His message touches Americans of all types, shapes and hues. There is a reason for that. Only those who still have issue with race will bring in race, and that will be rather foolish; he is just as much white as he is black right?
So the choice is stay where we are and support a candidate who will "recapture the American Dream" for many of us do feel it is beginning to become a nightmare
Obama is a racist? REALLY? A man who grew up with a white family, is white himself, is racist. Michelle Obama is un-American because she stated that she was proud of her country for the first time in a long time...more pride does not mean she has NEVER BEEN PROUD. For someone who was born in 1964 she missed out on some really good moments and frankly the way politics have been the past two decades there has not been much to be proud of. Moments, but nothing consistent, fresh or new. Read people, research people!!!
John McCain, a hero and possible military icon was born in 1936. He represents the way things have been and many people are not happy with that. His experience lies in the support of failed foreign policies and the success in the politics of fear. He put his life on the line, honorably, in support for a war that was flawed. He now supports another. Preemptive war and offensive tactics are part of his lexicon. If you feel safer and believe that the state and welfare of our great nation is good--economically sound, militarily in the right place and socially connected, then McCain is definitely your man.
Barrack Obama was born in 1961. He had the privilege of a good education which placed him in some very diverse areas of this country--HI, CA, NYC, Boston, and his job led him to Illinois. The racist card is pretty hard to play with his diverse background and work with working class people across the country. But I think the anti-Obama spin-masters out there are freaking out because they really can't find anything to pockmark his character. (His wife being a racist is just incredibly absurd; is she racist against her husband and children too?) Twisted logic will not work because most of us are more educated than that, we can see the facts and we know where to research such facts.
Fact: Obama talks about the things most politicians try to hide in his 1995 book "Dreams of my Father." Yes, published in 1995 when he had little to no experience. If you support McCain, I suggest you read this book. He comes clean on all his issues in an honest and profound way. By nature, all human beings are flawed; most politicians would not dare admit it. Obama does.
Fact. In his first year in Congress he authored and/or sponsored over 600 bills.
Fact. Since day one in Congress he has worked toward changing the way of politics--smear tactics, the power of lobbyist and the support of those who make more money than they can spend--that is politics people, and that is what he wants to change. For more, you can begin with the 2006 Coburn Obama Government Transparency Act.
Fact. Since he entered the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096. This supports the FACT that he has a large legislative record.
Fact. Obama does not only "talk the talk" he came into Congress on a mission, fed up with power being in the hands of the few. He believes not matter what you are, Dem/Rep, black/white, male/female, we all have a stake in our future. Coalition politics is his goal, not just the good ole' boys but a plethora of people who represent what our country IS and HAS BEEN for quite some time.
It is time for change, don't you think?
Military experience is McCain's strength and our recent military policies he has supported and he will probably support more in the name of preemptiveness or fear and terror. Haven't we learned from Iraq? Furthermore, his nomination is fracturing his party. This new allegation in the Times is only the beginning, there will be more.
Social, economic and political fairness is Barrack Obama's strength, as is his coalition politics and his foresight in not only seeing Iraq as a quagmire early on, but also in writing his memoirs so he could get all his demons and challenges out in the open to share with those of us who are willing to admit their flaws and limits. He represents a breath of fresh air. His constituency transcends the normal boundaries of gender, race, class and status. His message touches Americans of all types, shapes and hues. There is a reason for that. Only those who still have issue with race will bring in race, and that will be rather foolish; he is just as much white as he is black right?
So the choice is stay where we are and support a candidate who will "recapture the American Dream" for many of us do feel it is beginning to become a nightmare
An Absolute Horrid Double Standard. Democracy at RISK!
I am witnessing a horrible double standard that has been apparent in this political season and I am really struggling with it.
McCain supporters tell Obama supporters to be careful about attacking Sarah Palin. "It may come back to hurt you!" Then, McCain can base his campaign on attacking and absolute LYING about Barack Obama and that is "politics."
If Barack Obama or any of his supporters go out and tell the TRUTH about the McCain/Palin ticket, they are ridiculed for their lack of sensitivity, sexism, smears yada yada.
ENOUGH OF THIS!
Obama is running a campaign based on issues and is trying to keep the tenor of this VERY IMPORTANT ELECTION at a respectful, and as fair as possible, level. I agree with him on keeping this as toned down as possible, but come on!
Some O supporters feel that if he were to go off and get down and dirty (I don't think anyone can stoop to the level of the awful smears the McCain campaign has recently put out) he would be labeled as the "angry black man," a label and connotation that dates back to before Obama was even born. Angry black man, for some, is much more dangerous than war with Russia for some. Simplistic reasoning it may seem for 2008--but they way the McPalin's have initiated the culture wars of past eras point to the fact that they want Americans to regress in that ways we think about cultural and ethnic diversity.
It's clear--Obama is on thin ice and has to be perfect to be selected as the right person for the most powerful position in the world. The number 2 on the other ticket, doesn't need a passport(she got her's last year and went out of North America for the first time in 2007, so endearing), doesn't know foriegn policy, has questionable political ethics, doesn't believe in reproductive rights (which were achieved before she was 10 years old), has no clue about urban problems (but that makes her likeable), feels that options of nuclear war are open, believes that church and state cannot be separate because a person's belief is what should guide their decision making....I could go on but Americans know... but we cannot criticize her or else it's sexism, and you know the Republicans and how they feel about sexism...
Barack Obama has been vetted by the media and the American public for almost two years. We have known the potential next President of the US for two weeks, and she gets to pick who she talks to or pull out that same ol speech and that's ok? She brings crowds. The polls (which I think are a sham) have the two parties in a dead heat. THERE IS SERIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG HERE--A DOUBLE STANDARD THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DEMOCRACY!!!
Vote for McCain/Palin, because they have proven that they know how to dig up major issues from the past. They have proven they could restart the Culture Wars and would be willing to restart the Cold War as well. AND PEOPLE ARE BUYING THIS.
With much respect to the party of Lincoln, COUNTRY FIRST? No, since the doomsday of the 2000 election it has been WIN ELECTION FIRST...what you do after...ah what-ever.
WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS. I love my country way too much to fall for the crap that has been thrown to us by the Republican ticket. I love my country way too much to accept regression and the roll backs of all the gains this country has made since 1865. I love my country so much and now I am freightened to death. I am freightened to find out the only reason a VERY WEAK AND VERY SCARY Bush III-Republican ticket could take office is because the right man for the job is half-black. His story is the absolute rags to riches American Dream tale. His vision is to put that ideal back into the American lexicon. He wants US to be proud of US again. But, go ahead culture war--vote McCain---cold war HOT--vote McCain.
We are better than this, and if you REALLY think you should vote for McCain/Palin because they are the people you would have a drink with, then you are skewed in politics and we are screwed for the future. We are not electing friends---our future is at stake!
McCain supporters tell Obama supporters to be careful about attacking Sarah Palin. "It may come back to hurt you!" Then, McCain can base his campaign on attacking and absolute LYING about Barack Obama and that is "politics."
If Barack Obama or any of his supporters go out and tell the TRUTH about the McCain/Palin ticket, they are ridiculed for their lack of sensitivity, sexism, smears yada yada.
ENOUGH OF THIS!
Obama is running a campaign based on issues and is trying to keep the tenor of this VERY IMPORTANT ELECTION at a respectful, and as fair as possible, level. I agree with him on keeping this as toned down as possible, but come on!
Some O supporters feel that if he were to go off and get down and dirty (I don't think anyone can stoop to the level of the awful smears the McCain campaign has recently put out) he would be labeled as the "angry black man," a label and connotation that dates back to before Obama was even born. Angry black man, for some, is much more dangerous than war with Russia for some. Simplistic reasoning it may seem for 2008--but they way the McPalin's have initiated the culture wars of past eras point to the fact that they want Americans to regress in that ways we think about cultural and ethnic diversity.
It's clear--Obama is on thin ice and has to be perfect to be selected as the right person for the most powerful position in the world. The number 2 on the other ticket, doesn't need a passport(she got her's last year and went out of North America for the first time in 2007, so endearing), doesn't know foriegn policy, has questionable political ethics, doesn't believe in reproductive rights (which were achieved before she was 10 years old), has no clue about urban problems (but that makes her likeable), feels that options of nuclear war are open, believes that church and state cannot be separate because a person's belief is what should guide their decision making....I could go on but Americans know... but we cannot criticize her or else it's sexism, and you know the Republicans and how they feel about sexism...
Barack Obama has been vetted by the media and the American public for almost two years. We have known the potential next President of the US for two weeks, and she gets to pick who she talks to or pull out that same ol speech and that's ok? She brings crowds. The polls (which I think are a sham) have the two parties in a dead heat. THERE IS SERIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG HERE--A DOUBLE STANDARD THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DEMOCRACY!!!
Vote for McCain/Palin, because they have proven that they know how to dig up major issues from the past. They have proven they could restart the Culture Wars and would be willing to restart the Cold War as well. AND PEOPLE ARE BUYING THIS.
With much respect to the party of Lincoln, COUNTRY FIRST? No, since the doomsday of the 2000 election it has been WIN ELECTION FIRST...what you do after...ah what-ever.
WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS. I love my country way too much to fall for the crap that has been thrown to us by the Republican ticket. I love my country way too much to accept regression and the roll backs of all the gains this country has made since 1865. I love my country so much and now I am freightened to death. I am freightened to find out the only reason a VERY WEAK AND VERY SCARY Bush III-Republican ticket could take office is because the right man for the job is half-black. His story is the absolute rags to riches American Dream tale. His vision is to put that ideal back into the American lexicon. He wants US to be proud of US again. But, go ahead culture war--vote McCain---cold war HOT--vote McCain.
We are better than this, and if you REALLY think you should vote for McCain/Palin because they are the people you would have a drink with, then you are skewed in politics and we are screwed for the future. We are not electing friends---our future is at stake!
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