Is anyone having trouble getting a bone?

[rasputin1963]

 

I am still totally undecided in this election. I've been a Democrat for 35 years, but just can't get with Obama. McCain will just be another Bush and God help us if Palin were to assume the presidency. She can't put a coherent sentence together; listening to her is like listening to the contestant from South Carolina in the Miss America pageant. This will probably be the first election I vote for a third party candidate.

 

 

 

Americans must choose between sex appeal or substance... Sounds like the Nixon/Kennedy debates of 1960.

 

LBJ once said of JFK: "Senator Kennedy reminds me of one's handsome young nephew, who, at a birthday party, is invited to come out and sing a few numbers... but who cannot be bothered with any aspect of preparing for or cleaning up after the party."

[Lee Flier]

 

I am still totally undecided in this election. I've been a Democrat for 35 years, but just can't get with Obama.

 

 

Just curious why not?

[amplayer]

But many people find this immensely appealing. One thing the Republicans do really well is appeal to the masses and Middle America...and do so in a way that the Democrats can't seem to understand, in my opinion. I missed it, at any rate, because I'm watching the Cubs game. They're losing 0-6 in the 6th inning. Why am I still watching this? Why do I do this to myself? Why?

 

Don't you live in Los Angeles???

[Lucky #9]

 

Palin is the most unqualified VP candidate I can recall, and I've seen many.

 

She essentially knows nothing about anything.

 

And one very short step away from the Presidency, as John Mc. is in his 70s?

 

No thanks.

 

Let her stay on the Soccer Field and coach the Mavericks.

To find the soccer field just follow the Bridge to Nowhere.

 

 

[UstadKhanAli]

 

Don't you live in Los Angeles???

 

 

Yes, but I grew up in Chicago, and something about rooting for the Cubs, everyone's favorite underdogs, gets in your blood. I would have loved nothing better than for the Cubs to win the World Series on the 100th anniversary of their last World Series win.

[Magpel]

 

 

 

That is funny, and as is often said of W, he was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple...but it does bear mentioning that many consider Kennedy one of best briefed presidents ever, or was becoming such at the time of his untimely...

 

There's a strange dissonance on this note with the current guy. On one hand, it is well known that this is the most scripted president since...the Sarah Palin administration. No office has ever pre-filtered press questions as vigorously as Bush's--no president has taken nearly as much vacation as Bush, and in short no president has ever been called on to speak and respond extemporaneously less than Bush has.

 

...And yet he still manages to screw up more than average as well, which, from the very starting gun in '00, has led me to believe that this is all part of his engineered everyman persona, the malaprops and everything. In show business at this level, nothing is accident, not the pretzel nor the Segway...

[FireWithin]

Actually, I think this is going to come down to color. Racism is alive and well so expect everyone to come out and make sure their color is represented. Yeah, its disturbing but thats the reality even though I would like to think we`re past that.

 

I agree. I can't think of a time in my life I have ever seen America so divided. I think most whites have moved forward and can accept a person for their worth, black or white. Proof is right here in the fact that we have a black running for office. But, on the other side, I see more racism than ever. Pretty much every black I have talked to is voting for Obama and can't give me a real reason...so I assume it's due to the simple fact that he is black.

 

I'm also blown away at the Clinton supporters that are going for Plain simply because she is a chick. If you look at the issues, it's just stupid. People are voting for the wrong reasons!

 

We need to get past this bull{censored} and look at the players for what they are, not who they are or what color skin/sex. If we can look past this racism...we can clearly see the dangerous ground we are on if we get that hateful, blind, no experienced fool Obama in office! Palin has more experience....Biden has more experience....Clinton has more experience. Wft is going on?! Stop supporting someone because you think they are cool....or that the other is not cool!

[Tim Mayock]

I like Obama, but think of Nader's vision of how Democracy needs to be improved has to be voiced. I think he has the American people's best interest at hand. He will never win the election, but maybe a New Nader will have more traction down the road.

Ct. is a blue state and Obama will easily win here.

I think Obama has made his pact with the corporate devils and i understand it may be the only way to win at this time.

[Ernest Buckley]

I can't think of a time in my life I have ever seen America so divided. I think most whites have moved forward and can accept a person for their worth, black or white. Proof is right here in the fact that we have a black running for office. But, on the other side, I see more racism than ever. Pretty much every black I have talked to is voting for Obama and can't give me a real reason...so I assume it's due to the simple fact that he is black.

 

What I have observed is that many people are coming out of the wood works to vote and not because of issues. They see a black man and a white woman... My wife tells me about a month ago that she doesn`t trust Obama. I ask her why. She has no reason, she says "its just a feeling". The other day she finds this cool test on the ABC News website that gives you quotes from Obama and McCain but doesn`t tell you who said what... you vote for the quotes you most agree with and after about 20 quotes it tells you who said what and who you agree with more. This way you can vote for the person who you actually agree with and not the color or sex.

 

Very interesting...

 

We both completed the test and Obama won for both of us. Ironically, Obama only won by 1 quote for me whereas my wife actually agreed with him a lot more. She says she is now voting for him but my guy says... I think when shes alone behind that curtain, that fear is going to rear its head... Thats just my feeling.

 

Actually, come to think of it... I think fear is the reason why so many are coming out of nowhere to vote.

 

Fear of the black man.

[Rudolf von Hagenwil]

1. Does any of you white folks really consider to vote for a black president, or are you just saying this when you speak to friends, quasi to show that you have zero prejudices, but when you actually vote, you vote for the white guy? Or is the US today that far that coulor does not matter anymore?

 

2. If Obama will be elected into the highest office, what do you think how long will Obama be president before something horrible will happen to him?

[Ernest Buckley]

 

2. If Obama will be elected into the highest office, what do you think how long will Obama be president before something horrible will happen to him?

 

 

I think the chances are higher that something may happen but you cannot let this "possibility" sway a vote.

[Lee Flier]

1. Does any of you white folks really consider to vote for a black president, or are you just saying this when you speak to friends, quasi to show that you have zero prejudices, but when you actually vote, you vote for the white guy? Or is the US today that far that coulor does not matter anymore?

 

Me personally? I don't care. It wouldn't influence my vote either way - I'm voting for him because I really think he's the right guy for the job at this time. But as a side benefit, I think it's great actually, the idea of having a black President. I think it'd be a tremendous step toward racial healing in this country and I love seeing all the happy black faces in the crowd whenever Obama speaks. They just can't believe it, and sometimes I can't either. But it's great. Says something for the national character I think, that he even got this far. It's a watershed in our history for sure.

 

Unfortunately there are still a lot of people in the U.S. who do think it matters, and would not vote for him because of the color of his skin. I think the number of people who feel that way has gotten smaller over the years and that will gradually continue, but we can't pretend those people don't still exist in pretty large numbers.

 

2. If Obama will be elected into the highest office, what do you think how long will Obama be president before something horrible will happen to him?

 

Well of course we all worry about that, as there are still way too many ignorant people here. But he's not letting that fear stop him, so neither can the rest of us.

[kurdy]

 

1. Does any of you white folks really consider to vote for a black president, or are you just saying this when you speak to friends, quasi to show that you have zero prejudices, but when you actually vote, you vote for the white guy? Or is the US today that far that coulor does not matter anymore? 2. If Obama will be elected into the highest office, what do you think how long will Obama be president before something horrible will happen to him?

 

 

I'm voting for him, no question. There are way more reasons to vote for a candidate other than to demonstrate one's lack of prejudice. Trying to prove such a thing is futile anyway, because there is no such thing as an individual with zero prejudices. Everybody has them, including myself. Maybe his race factors into my decision somewhat, but if it does, it's probably a plus--part of me thinks it would be cool to finally have a black president (and I think this factors into the reason why a lot of younger voters are drawn to Obama, along with his relative youth and charisma). A lot of people are hungry for change at the moment, especially with the condition the country is in. So Obama's race might actually be a plus for some people, because on the surface, a black guy does look more like change. Which is certainly no better a reason to vote for him, but I'm not going to deny that such prejudices exist in me. However, I've been following the candidates quite closely, and the main reason I'm voting for Obama is simply because I think he's the better choice.

 

I think somebody would have to be really insecure to think they have to fake their support for Obama, because they're afraid people will think they're racist. I doubt people are gonna accuse that of someone who believes McCain is the better choice. It's certainly a valid opinion to have.

 

And yes, I am worried that something might happen to Obama if he becomes president. But it seems just as likely that something could happen to McCain too. So if that's the case, then who do we vote for? Should we just stay home? Seems the best approach would be to vote for the candidate who's policies we most agree with.

 

And I admit, if something were to happen, I'd rather have Biden take over than Palin.

[Super 8]

 

That is... are you getting close to deciding who you`re voting for?

 

 

The choice just keeps getting easier and easier for me.

 

[YOUTUBE]XjkCrfylq-E[/YOUTUBE]

[Lee Flier]

 

A lot of people are hungry for change at the moment, especially with the condition the country is in. So Obama's race might actually be a plus for some people, because on the surface, a black guy does look more like change.

 

 

Well I think in his case, the "change" does go below the surface, since he's actually racially mixed. He was raised by his white mother and grandparents, his mom was a cultural anthropologist, he lived in Indonesia for awhile as a child, has been to Kenya and hung out with his dad's family a lot. I think this gives him a somewhat unique perspective compared to what we've typically had in the past - he doesn't see people of different races, cultures or backgrounds as threatening or frightening. He doesn't come from privilege. He seems able to relate to a lot of different types of people with different agendas.

 

I'd call that a real "change," and I think we can really use somebody like that in the White House, consider some of the issues that face us in the 21st century.

[kurdy]

 

Well I think in his case, the "change" does go below the surface, since he's actually racially mixed. He was raised by his white mother and grandparents, his mom was a cultural anthropologist, he lived in Indonesia for awhile as a child, has been to Kenya and hung out with his dad's family a lot. I think this gives him a somewhat unique perspective compared to what we've typically had in the past - he doesn't see people of different races, cultures or backgrounds as threatening or frightening. He doesn't come from privilege. He seems able to relate to a lot of different types of people with different agendas. I'd call that a real "change," and I think we can really use somebody like that in the White House, consider some of the issues that face us in the 21st century.

 

 

I agree. However I try to consider things from the perspective of the average American. And I doubt many people bother to even look below the surface.

[Lee Flier]

I agree. However I try to consider things from the perspective of the average American. And I doubt many people bother to even look below the surface.

 

Too true. I was just pointing out that there actually does seem to be something substantially different under the surface for a change.

[amplayer]

Too true. I was just pointing out that there actually does seem to be something substantially different under the surface for a change.

 

I don't care what color skin he has. The reason I will never vote for Obama is because if he follows through on the change he promises, this country will go bankrupt. Many more people will go from the role of taxpayer to federal entitlement employee and/or recipient, and in this horrible economy, that will ruin the country. Although McCain is only a little better, there is a difference in this regard. With McCain at the helm, there's a chance the country will pull through this without becoming a socialist state. Socialism isn't wrong, but I don't want it.

[Lee Flier]

Ummm... OK.

 

If you really think Obama's gonna turn this country into "a socialist state" (at least, any more of one than it already is with all this corporate welfare we're handing out now), I don't know what to tell ya.

[the stranger]

Craig, I agree that Bush was sincere...

 

I totally disagree...of course. I don't understand how you can know the history of these people and think that. He may have been sincere, but it sure wasn't in the interests of the people. The guy gives an address in response to 9/11 and is fighting back that usual {censored} eating grin of his. He/and his backers were sincere in screwing us over.

 

I think that people are so scared to admit the truth, that they color their own perceptions in order to protect their fragile psyche.

 

Everybody else is throwing in their two cents...let's hope mine is the not the last word.

 

People think me and the others are the extremists, but the fact is the people who deny the obvious truth are the extremists. Look what I've been saying to this audience for a numbers of years. I laid out the facts the day of 9/11 right here in this forum. I was ridiculed and scorned. Now, how many people see the truth? Maybe the majority should start listening to the so called "extremists" in the first place. Extreme conditions demand extreme responses.

 

Obama and McCain are the same. End of story. Game over. The debates were a complete joke and a mockery of our system. Any endorsement is automatic guilt of complicity. Pragmatism=failure.

 

I will not personally tolerate any more of this pragmatic compromise as a political stance bull{censored}. Anybody that votes for either of the two party candidates is either a sell-out, a person with nefarious intent, or just a moron.

 

Sorry, but it's true. Check back here in 8 years and we'll see that the extremists are right. Gentleman's bet.

 

How much more proof do people need until they demand an end to the charade? How many more implications of guilt do we need before we start bringing up charges? Why are politicians above the law?

 

If you tolerate the actions of the two party monopoly, you are part of the problem. I'm sorry this has to reach a level of offense, but I'm offended at decades of government corruption that only gets worse, with no response on the part of the American people.

 

You cannot blame a politician, or a party, or a corporation, or any other convenient scapegoat for any problem this country faces...the people are to blame. You and me, man. We're guilty of the greatest crimes against humanity and we do nothing.

 

We sit and accept the lesser of two evils because it's convenient. We sit back while our tax dollars fund endless unknowns. You have no clue where your tax money goes. You accepted a substandard education for yourself and your children, because it was convenient to do so. You fund and cheer mediocrity as we descend into chaos. Tax=? How many people did your tax dollars kill today? How many lies did your taxes pay for today? How many back-room deals did your tax dollars pay for today?

 

People are scared. The government kills people. It's what they do. And they do it well. Look at last cultural revolution that ended with bullets. Bullets for students, bullets for presidents. Tear gas and militarized police to keep you in the "free speech" zone. And people should be scared. Look what happened when people backed down.

 

Authoritarianism.

 

Vote out the tyranny and evil that plague the minds of men with lies and manipulation. Violent coercion. We sleep in complacent and docile subservience. We submit to the leash of authority. Now that we gave our power to authority, we have no choice but to submit or fight.

 

Refuse to submit. I want freedom, that's what I want. And that's what you should want.

 

I'm voting Ralph Nader. He didn't pay for this message, but he's a good guy. And far more qualified for the job than these jokers we see offered up this round.

 

If you cherish real issues and real solutions and truth in general, find a real candidate that will actually represent your ideals, not some compromise. Don't listen to me, do your own research. Draw your own conclusions. For God's sake, don't vote for somebody because of a sign in somebody's yard!

 

CIVIC LESSON: A sign in somebody's yard is propaganda, and just might demonstrate how stupid you are. Avoid prefab, puppet show signs. Make stuff like my neighbor does: "I'm a bitter gun owner and I vote."

 

Now, regardless of whether you agree with him or not (and I think he may be victim of some partisan mindsnare), I admire his zeal. He takes his rights seriously. And he exercises his right to dissent. He's like 80 years old or something! He had a sign about aides killing fags one year! Yeah.

 

But, he rocks because he acts. He may be wrong, but at least he's doing something. He's challenging the system. He doesn't just accept the status quo. And most importantly, he votes. And past elections have shown that low dem/liberal turnout to the polls will allow the fundamentalist bloc to win.

Not some third party helped elect a Republican nonsense. If the liberal/socialist bloc in this country voted in full numbers, imagine the change you would see.

 

I'm voting for Ralph Nader, because JFK would have voted for Nader 08. We are way overdue for a great populist candidate and we have one in Nader.

Ron Paul is a great guy. And if the Dem Party had any sense at all, they would have nominated Dennis Kunich. He should have went on CNN with Ralph and Ron.

 

[YOUTUBE]eEw0qKjP7hk[/YOUTUBE]

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEw0qKjP7hk

 

CIVIC LESSON 2: A politician is just that. A representative is what you need, not a politician. Political parties are like religions. A system built on ideals that manifests the opposite of those ideals.

 

Anyway, I'm trying to ease down from the subversion earlier. Hope I didn't offend anybody. But, maybe you needed offended. I'm offended by partisan bull{censored}, as should be expected.

 

|This message was paid for by the men who gave their lives to protect The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights.|

 

Yeah, I like that...

 

Who would JFK vote for? It wouldn't be Obama.

 

WWJFKD? VOTE NADER 08

 

Thank you for tolerating this "was coherent to start, but drifted into mayhem" message from our sponsers.

[UstadKhanAli]

Good and interesting post.

 

I also agree with one of your points about people voting within a two-party system because it's convenient. And to add to that, there's this really odd "them vs.us" mentality in politics (and life in general), where decisions are frequently viewed as a binary choice, and politics is viewed as a sporting event.

[UstadKhanAli]

And I cannot tell you how many times people have said, "I'm not voting for Nader because he has no chance of winning." He has no chance of winning because you don't vote for him. At any rate, if the Green Party can get 5% they can be institutionalized as a third party and will, if I recall correctly, receive double the amount of federal funds. So...there's another reason to consider voting for the Green Party or another party that is not Republican or Democrat.

 

And because there's this tendency to perceive someone as being either Democrat or Republican, I'll again state that I do not belong to a political party. This is because I feel none of the parties speak for me or are completely representative of me. I vote for candidates, not parties; I consider each topic, not just simply buy what a political party says about it. Pretty radical, huh?

[the stranger]

Yeah. Common sense is quite radical these days. And the whole party thing is just one big compromise.

 

They drowned the baby in the bathwater.

 

Wow, is that new? I think we have a winner. I posted something about having too much coffee in some other thread. It wasn't radical new slang, though.

[the stranger]

 

In show business at this level, nothing is accident, not the pretzel nor the Segway...

 

 

And in a world of subterfuge and espionage, there is no truth.

[boxorox]

Old school Democrat here. For the first time in many years we have a man with the judgement, experiance and integrety to be presidant. That man is John McCain.

My apologies to the Grants, Willoughbys and Akins and McNutts gone on. But I choose to vote for content over balloon juice. I prefer to vote for a man who has legislative experience, who can cross party lines to form alliances to pass substantive legislation in the face of partisan gridlock. John McCain is that man.

I would prefer to vote for a man of proven character. A man who passed tests far more demanding than the "Blue Books" given at your Ivy League schools. A man who passed through the crucible with his humility and integrity intact. A man who was not diminished by his trials, but elevated in conciousness. That man is John McCain.

May God have mercy on my eternal soul, but this year, I'm voting Republican.