Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison
The breadth and depth of the US Government involves corruption on a scale completely unheard of in the western countries of the EU and Canada. I've been constantly shocked by what I see coming out of Washington. In Canada we kicked a party out of office and shredded the legacy of a very good PM over a measly $100 million. People like Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Intartubes) have wasted more than five times that per annum in pork. It is very difficult for someone to really understand how prevalent lobbying is in the US Government. The fact is that between 2001 and 2007 it was allowed to go insanely rampant. Now it is just...rampant on a huge scale. It's difficult to understand and dealing with lobbyists and government corruption will be a difficult task for whoever's president in January.
I agree that voting for or against someone because of the colour of their skin is wrong. Even if it favours the candidate I prefer, I would have every voter come out and vote on the issues, even if that meant McCain wins - even if it means Bob Barr wins! An intelligent choice is always the best way to go. I am sure many African-Americans are going to vote for Obama because he is black; just like I am sure many old people will vote for McCain because he is a senior, or many young people will go Obama, and so on. People aren't educated enough to realize platforms are out there.
That, of course, doesn't apply to the members participating in this discussion. I know that all those who are will weigh their vote very carefully. Hence why I am trying to come up somewhat neutral here - I see both sides of the story, even if I know the one I want, I will respect the educated, thought out choices made. It's an affront to democracy if someone votes for Obama because he's black just as it is an affront to democracy if someone votes for McCain because he's white.
There's a lot of time for either candidate to prove or disprove their own abilities and ambitions. Again...I am sure everyone here will make their choice after weighing the options carefully.
Forostar said:Are these rational thoughts? Isn't this just unjustified fear, or something else? What do you know about his "who will work with who" factor? And why is this such a dominant thought? Aren't his ideals and plans more important? This is what I mean with vague. Not that Obama is vague. This kind of motivations seem vague to me or not that important, compared to others.
Faith is important. What's left without it? I personally have ZERO reasons to mistrust Obama's capacities. I refuse to believe Hillary and all other negativo's who say: Someone without experience can't do it. That's imo not the strongest argument.
The breadth and depth of the US Government involves corruption on a scale completely unheard of in the western countries of the EU and Canada. I've been constantly shocked by what I see coming out of Washington. In Canada we kicked a party out of office and shredded the legacy of a very good PM over a measly $100 million. People like Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Intartubes) have wasted more than five times that per annum in pork. It is very difficult for someone to really understand how prevalent lobbying is in the US Government. The fact is that between 2001 and 2007 it was allowed to go insanely rampant. Now it is just...rampant on a huge scale. It's difficult to understand and dealing with lobbyists and government corruption will be a difficult task for whoever's president in January.
Deano said:Since you guys have thrown it out there, let me pose this question: How many African-Americans do you think will vote for Barack Obama just because he is black and without knowing what his platform is? See? The issue and the questions can be manipulated in many different ways.
I agree that voting for or against someone because of the colour of their skin is wrong. Even if it favours the candidate I prefer, I would have every voter come out and vote on the issues, even if that meant McCain wins - even if it means Bob Barr wins! An intelligent choice is always the best way to go. I am sure many African-Americans are going to vote for Obama because he is black; just like I am sure many old people will vote for McCain because he is a senior, or many young people will go Obama, and so on. People aren't educated enough to realize platforms are out there.
That, of course, doesn't apply to the members participating in this discussion. I know that all those who are will weigh their vote very carefully. Hence why I am trying to come up somewhat neutral here - I see both sides of the story, even if I know the one I want, I will respect the educated, thought out choices made. It's an affront to democracy if someone votes for Obama because he's black just as it is an affront to democracy if someone votes for McCain because he's white.
Deano said:My rational thoughts are in the process of being sorted out and will be between now and November. The hunch or fear or unjustified factor comes from being an American citizen for 35 years and an equal amount of experience during those years.
There's a lot of time for either candidate to prove or disprove their own abilities and ambitions. Again...I am sure everyone here will make their choice after weighing the options carefully.
wasted155 said:Ok, maybe I am wrong, but to me, the center is the only thing that matters. A liberal will vote for Obama; a conservative will vote for McCain. I really don't see much there that will change on those sides, its how they (usually) are. Those two groups won't change the election. It will be who can persuade the center of the nation that their course is correct that will win. Maybe I'm not so clear in words what I see in my head. In my opinion, there is a rock-- call it the conservatives, and a hard place-- call it the liberals. Its what is inbetween that will make the difference, not what is on the edges. And, what I mean by that, is that is how I would judge my country. Not on what the liberals or the conservatives think, but what the center thinks.[.quote]
What he means is that the swing vote wins elections. Except for the 2000 election. In that case, the Supreme Court chose.