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This year in American Politics, we face some huge challenges as voters.
I’ve been rather quiet during these last few months on this subject, but it’s not because I’ve no interest in it.
It’s because the more these candidates talk (and I’m referring to the two majors), the worse feelings I have about them both.
On the one hand, we have Mr. Obama who is unapologetically for socialization of the US.
I’ve lived my entire life in the US and it’s always been a democracy. Socialism SOUNDS good, but as Gerald Ford pointed out, “If the Government is big enough to give you everything you want, it is big enough to take away everything you have.”
I just have a problem giving a bunch of people who have proven time and time again that they are subject to the faults of man that much power over my life.
Perhaps I’m fooling myself that they don’t already have it.
Look at what strictures Mr. Bush has been able to get away with; many of which are in direct violation of the Constitution which he swore (twice!) to honor and uphold. I’ve already seen my personal freedoms shrink under his command and all in the name of fighting terrorism. Only a crystal ball or time machine would tell me if it’s been worth it or not.
On the other hand we have Mr. McCain who gave up a lot of his personal freedoms for this country. I do honor him for that sacrifice.
But I’ve watched him change from the “maverick” he was at the beginning of his campaign — a man who I thought might just be the middle-of-the-road kind of person like I am — who fights for what makes sense rather than what the party line dictates — change into a party puppet. And all in the name of getting the Republican base voters to vote for him and contribute to his campaign. Will he change back to that maverick once he’s in office? I don’t know. If he is elected he may owe too much to those Party Powers to be able to act independently.
Mr. Obama is a brilliant statesman. But speeches alone won’t bring this country out of the trouble it’s in. His own party cannot agree on things. This Democratic Majority congress has failed to bring to the country the reforms it promised two years ago when it came into power. It has continued to earmark every single bill brought before it, “bring home the pork” even on such bills as crucial and important as the bail out that was supposed to bring us out of the economic wasteland THEY got us into (NOT the Republicans, but the DEMOCRATIC led finance committee and the DEMOCRATIC run Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) and lie, cheat and steal from the people it is representing, so why would I want another one in an even higher office?
The elections are 6 days away and I’m still on the fence. If there were an independent candidate who the media would acknowledge (because we all know that without media acknowledgment you are dead meat politically speaking) and who could galvanize this country and pull support from both the major parties, I would vote for him or her in a heartbeat. It would not matter to me the color of his skin, his religion or his upbringing.
Voice of Reason where are you?
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Hi there!
Not sure yet which way to go myself at this time. Almost hate even facing it because I don’t know and with time running out.
But I really wonder about Obama. Obama once made a statement “I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.”
Now sure, I guess that could be taken anyway you want it. But I’m not sure I trust those words to be good and almost to a point of scared of putting him in. Can the USA take that chance. We will see in a few days I guess.
But still thinking on both sides.
chilly´s last blog post..25th Annual Barbecue Festival.
I’ve been a lifelong democrat my entire life. I voted Monday in early voting in North Carolina. I voted straight Republican except for the House of Reps…I voted democratic because Congressman Heath Shuler voted NO on the bailout, which is what 93% of his constituents asked him to do, including me.
Politicians have to be accountable to the people. Do you believe that if Congress passed the bailout bill despite overwhelming opposition from the largest mass of phone calls and emails they have ever received from their constituents (the American people were 9-1 against the bailout), that Congress will ever be responsive to the will of the American people?
Of course not. And what do you think Congress will do with a Democratic President, a Democratic controlled house, and a Democratic controlled Senate? It’s supreme power that scares the hell out of me.
For no other reason, Barack Obama MUST NOT be elected President with a completely democratic-controlled congress–that is almost completely not responsive to the will of the people who elected them.
It’s a horrible reason to vote for or against a President, but both our presidential candidates are sorely lacking. But this I do know: John McCain served our country and sacrificed more than the majority of us ever will. Barack Obama knows no such sacrifice or honor.
Given the choice of who I want in the White House speaking on behalf of this country, I want a man of honor. Not someone who began his political career in the home of William Ayers with the funding of a man like Tony Rezko.
In addition to all the other arguments out there, all my red lights and warning bells just keep going off at the thought of Barack Obama in the White House.
The man gives a great speech. But so did Adolph Hitler. And we all know what Hitler brought on Germany and the rest of the world. Beware of men that control people with their speeches rather than their records. Obama has no record other than a quick rise to power based on questionable associations and great speeches with promises he can not keep. John McCain’s record is clear.
At the end of the day, with our economy, no one is talking about balancing our budget or dealing with our national debt. If either candidate tries to fulfill just one of his promises, he will spend more money and have to tax the American People more to make it happen or sink our country into even greater debt that may bankrupt us.
given a choice between John McCain, who may not spend more, and Barack Obama who certainly will spend more, vote for McCain. Obama will bankrupt our country. Obama will socialize our country. Obama will complete George Orwell’s vision of 1984 and have government control every aspect of our lives.
@Chilly — both choices make my hands sweat… it’s sad to choose the lesser of two evils…
@Matt — WOW! You certainly give a persuasive argument! I think you can tell from my post that I’m already leaning the same way and for all of the reasons you so eloquently cited here, but I’m still looking for someone who supports MY values which I think are pretty middle-of-the-road and not some extremist view. I’m totally disgusted with the morals of the entire House and Senate as there are very, VERY few who are what I would consider honorable in thought and deed in those two places where honor and fairness are touted as keywords on a daily basis. I believe they are all being paid too much; are elevated in the minds of the people solely by virtue of the office they hold and are not being held accountable for their actions on behalf of the people they serve. I don’t know how to go about improving the morals of our elected officials. It’s a disgrace that we joke about politicians being equated with criminals and do nothing to get that image changed.
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Margaret, all I can hope for is that you have none of the morals and beliefs of our elected officials.
The only hope I have for the future of Congress and the future of our country is the response the American People delivered to congress after the Bailout was announced. A record number of phone calls and emails.
The American People are Angry. I don’t think as a people, Americans are going to take much more. After this election–which is likely to be contested because of rampant voter fraud in Ohio, Florida, and elsewhere, if our economy and quality of life doesn’t get any better and the “CHANGE” Americans are demanding doesn’t happen quickly, and after America gets tested soon by another terrorist attack–as Joe Biden promised would happen in Obama’s first six months in office; I think you’re going to see Americans start besieging Congress with emails and phone calls and this will translate to votes.
Nothing will CHANGE until the American people demand it. A presidential election is not the change of business as usual in Washington. CHANGE is our politicians becoming responsive to what the constituents want. Congress ignored all of its constituents by voting for the Bailout. After Obama’s election, when things start getting worse, Congress will ignore us again only at their own peril.
I called both my senators and my rep. Heath Shuler got my vote because he voted no on the bailout. Elizabeth Dole, ranked 93rd in effectiveness in the Senate, got by vote because she voted no on the bailout. When Senator Burr comes up for reelection, I will remind his office that he lost my vote by ignoring my wishes on the bailout. When all Americans start paying attention again to Congress and communicating with our Congressmen in this manner, we will take back control of our country. And not one day before then.
Vote for McCain. It’s the only right decision you can make–even if we are screwed either way by an Obama or McCain presidency.
I got something for you over at On The Bricks.
chilly´s last blog post..Superior Scribbler Award
It’s hard to believe that these 2 were the best we could come up with to support and represent us. Had Hilliary been nominated I would have voted Democratic as it stands I have to choose the lesser of the 2 evils and may the force be with us.
@Matt – Well, I hope I don’t!
@Chilly — thanks!
@Jude — You’ve said it all.
@Jude…I’m with you 100%. I was so excited about the prospect of Hillary being elected President. I can’t believe the way Obama came out of nowhere with no skills, no experience, no record and is duping everyone.
I’m afraid November 4 will end up to be a national day of mourning.