Comments on: The weekend roundup: foot in mouth disease

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 30 May 2008 07:09:54 +0000

You make very good points, but Obama scares me. I know much of the talk about him being a “socialist” is rightwing propaganda… but he has sad a few things that really rub me the wrong way. I’m afraid that we are going to wind up with a smooth talking man in the oval office who is going to tax the hell out of me… I am a big believer in little government. I don’t like the ideal of socialized medicine. I work my ass off to get a job that has really great health care. I’m “sorry” if others try and fail, or just don’t have what it takes. That may sound cold or caulis on my part, but I believe in survival of the fittest.
I wasn’t always in the position I am now (you know that better than most). I was on the bottom with no health care, no 401k, etc. That was my own fault, but I came back from it through hard work. It just seems to me that Obama wants to take the country a way I don’t want it to go… Sure, I think he will be a good face for our country – make us more popular in the court of world opinion; and that is important. I just don’t want him dipping into my Kool-Aid and I know he will if he gets into office. I just don’t think I will get anything back for it.
I’m not saying I want Mc to be the leader of the free world either. I took a cheesy online test to see which side I am “truly” on. I agree with 33% of McCain’s platform, 30% of Obama’s… so I’m not going to win either way. But, at least with McCain I know what I’m going to get. On the other hand, I do like go gamble and maybe that’s just want we need to do- spin the wheel, let Obama drive for four years and see how it goes. I mean, how much damage could he really do? I’m not as well read as you and I have to rely on “Frank” for a good bit of my party knowledge. I just feel sick about both of these guys and wish we could start over with a new batch of suits to choose from. Unfortunately, wishing doesn’t make it so…

By: chris nelson

chris nelson — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:42:18 +0000

My parents are hardcore right-wingers, read a ton, keep up on news, and have been trying to bring me over to their side for my entire life, but somehow, someway, I still managed to end up where I’m at in terms of belief system.

As much as one can argue policy talking points of all the candidates, once elected, all of their plans have to pass through both houses of Congress. Many of their day-to-day policy decisions will be made by members of their cabinet. Policy statements during a general election run-up tend to reflect more what the American people want to hear than what is actually possible (gas tax anyone?).

So what are we left with, then? For the first time, someone who has the power to inspire is running for political office. Someone I think many individuals would be thrilled to have representing our country to the rest of the world. Someone who is eloquent and thoughtful when speaking. Someone who will be guided by more than his gut. Someone who has a background of diversity and international experience. It’s impossible to say if any of this will actually make Obama a good president until we actually see him in action, but perception is so much when it comes to credibility, and Bush has squandered all credibility the US had with the world with his unilateralism and stubborn attitude toward any country or leader that doesn’t fall in line with his system of beliefs. Because we are the 800 pound gorilla of the world doesn’t exclude us from compromise if the will of an entire region (or the world) stands against us. That is not how I want America to act. As McCain systematically abandons all of his positions contrary to Republican ideology that earned him the maverick label in the first place in order to gain the support of the conservative base, Obama sticks to his guns. Case in point: he was the only one not afraid to voice the same concern many prominent economists had regarding the gas tax pandering offered by McCain and Clinton just for the sake of garnering support among working class voters struggling with gas prices. It may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of policies and politics, but it’s little things like that which reveal a man’s true character, and that alone is enough for Obama to earn my vote over someone who will say whatever it takes to get elected.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:27:32 +0000

You should sit down and talk to Frank about this one dude… 15min with him on his views of this election might change your outlook on Obama-rama. Or; maybe not - but as a man McCain’s age, a GOP supporter, and someone who reads more than even you, it might be an interesting conversation.
I do my best to balance out my Fox and CNN watching. My Newsweek, Time and other news mags. I have also started reading P+P on the regular to get a younger fresher look at the more liberal side of the scope. 15min with Frank (which now that I say it out loud might be a good title for a piece), leaves me feeling filled to the brim with knowledge. And; although I know he leans more to the right than the left, I don’t feel tainted by bis. Just the facts Chris, just the facts.

Anyway, regardless of our contrary political feelings, this was a well written piece. Kudos sukka