Politics
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- TheBlueOne0
"Liberals have an irrational childlike faith in the government. Conservatives have an irrational childlike faith in corporations. Libertarians have an irrational childlike hatred of both."
- who you quoting? should i know this? will my ignorance show for not knowing? do you like turtles?turk_182
- love turtles...DrBombay
- I am quoting the great Kung Fu Monkey:
http://kfmonkey.blog…
TheBlueOne - Dunno. I like the Libertarians, but they seem to want to let Corporations run amuck.********
- Everyone loves turtles.TheBlueOne
- What Libertarians do you hang out with?TheBlueOne
- I know a few. Probably for good reason, there are only a few. Smaller Gov; Lower taxes. I'm good with it.********
- lower taxes? what is this 1986?DrBombay
- ********0
- verbiage?********
- scaryakoni
- sh*t, it copied poorly.
http://www.economist…********
- verbiage?
- ********0
"Befoulers of the Verbiage"
It was an unfair attack on the verbiage
That Senator McCain chose to use,
Because the fundamentals,
As he was having to explain afterwards,
He means our workforce.
He means the ingenuity of the American.
And of course that is strong,
And that is the foundation of our economy.
So that was an unfair attack there,
Again based on verbiage.
(To S. Hannity, Fox News, Sept. 18, 2008)- Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin of Alaska********
- Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin of Alaska
- TheBlueOne0
Hear, hear.
- I see you are back in the game. Missed you.shinpo
- Ha haha!********
- I'm "Ghostriding the Thread"TheBlueOne
- You can't stand to run away. Even I returned after 2 years. I'll leave again thought.********
- If we elect McCain can we see Palin and this chick get it on?locustsloth
- wish it were today.DrBombay
- ukit0
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/ne…
This might explain why McCain's state numbers are not moving even as the polls tighten a bit:
Obama, the first major-party nominee to shun public funding for the general election since the system was put in place, reported taking in $150 million in September, the most ever raised by a presidential candidate in one month and more than twice as much as his previous record of $66 million in August.
He entered September with $95 million in the bank. Along with the money he raised last month, the Democratic National Committee took in $50 million, which can be spent on his behalf. Analysts say Obama and the party likely will at least match those figures in October, giving the Democrat about $500 million for the two-month campaign ending with the Nov. 4 election.
- SigDesign0
Tommyo, you are right that there are certain examples of people who aren't corrupted by money and power. However, they are rare, and the fact of the matter is, if you give corporations incentives and extra money, they will use it to their best advantage.
Most business is about maximizing profit, and nowadays the way to do that is to use some of that extra money to set up factories in China or Mexico where the labor is cheaper. That throws the idea of job creation out the window...
It's nice and easy to say less government is the answer, or more government is the answer... and it is true that the government wastes SO much money on a daily basis, and it's way too convoluted, and filled with incompetents. My wife just started working for the government, and she hates it, because it's impossible to get anything done...people take advantage of the system, and simply try to suck all the milk out of the USA teet. But, there are also good people and good programs in government.
The school system may be complicated, but it's what we've got, and we have to work to make it better. Catholic schools may have less staff and less figures to discuss, but they're also oppressive. All I was saying is that if we're going to have a tax code, how can you say it's more fair to give less tax to people with more money? And, we're talking about 3% here... 3% that corporations did just fine under for many years with Reagan, Bush and Clinton. 39 instead of 36%...
- it's rare to find non-corrupt wealthy folks?
I can't even read past that statement...turk_182 - Your wife is spot on. Which is why when we send $1 to gov, it comes back as .40 or less. I agree there are good programstommyo
- and in no way am I saying they should all be shut down. Our government can run just fine without taxing ANYONE.tommyo
- Like I said a page back or so, eliminating all income tax means they would have the same amount they had in 97.tommyo
- Did we live in the dark ages with crime gone crazy and a shortage of basic infrastructure in 1997??tommyo
- I paid income tax in 97, what am I missing?DrBombay
- Black or white eh? All or nothing. I'm talking about gov spending.tommyo
- you said no income tax...DrBombay
- AHH... I didn't mean that most wealthy people are corrupt...should have worded that differently...SigDesign
- It's not logical for a corporation to do what's best for humanity...it's all just businessSigDesign
- Rick, why do you play stupid? I know you're not. If spending was the same as 97, it would amount in savings to the tax.tommyo
- just reacting to what you said.DrBombay
- No, you're being stupid and combative. Let's cuddle.tommyo
- cuddlesDrBombay
- it's rare to find non-corrupt wealthy folks?
- ********0
This is the kind of shit I get in my inbox. Head explodes.....
Dear Friends:
My name is Joe Porter. I live in Champaign , Illinois . I'm 46 years old, a born-again Christian, a husband, a father, a small business owner, a veteran, and a homeowner. I don't consider myself to be either conservative or liberal, and I vote for the person, not Republican or Democrat. I don't believe there are 'two Americas ' - but that every person in this country can be whomever and whatever they want to be if they'll just work to get there - and nowhere else on earth can they find such opportunities. I believe our government should help those who are legitimately downtrodden, and should always put the interests of America first.
The purpose of this message is that I'm concerned about the future of this great nation. I'm worried that the silent majority of honest, hard-working, tax-paying people in this country have been passive for too long. Most folks I know choose not to involve themselves in politics. They go about their daily lives, paying their bills, raising their kids, and doing what they can to maintain the good life. They vote and consider doing so to be a sacred trust. They shake their heads at the political pundits and so-called 'news', thinking that what they hear is always spun by whomever is reporting it. They can't understand how elected officials can regularly violate the public trust with pork barrel spending
We are in the unique position in this country of electing our leaders. It's a privilege to do so. I've never found a candidate in any election with whom I agreed on everything. I'll wager that most of us don't even agree with our families or spouses 100% of the time. So when I step into that voting booth, I always try to look at the big picture and cast my vote for the man or woman who is best qualified for the job. I've hired a lot of people in my lifetime, and essentially that's what an election is - a hiring process. Who has the credentials? Whom do I want working for me? Whom can I trust to do the job right?
I'm concerned that a growing number of voters in this country simply don't get it. They are caught up in a fervor they can't explain, and calling it 'change'.
'Change what?', I ask.
'Well, we're going to change America ', they say.
'In what way?', I query.
'We want someone new and fresh in the White House', they exclaim..
'So, someone who's not a politician?', I say.
'Uh, well, no, we just want a lot of stuff changed, so we're voting for Obama', they state.
'So the current system, the system of freedom and democracy that has enabled a man to grow up in this great country, get a fine education, raise incredible amounts of money and dominate the news and win his party's nomination for the White House - that system's all wrong?'
'No, no, that part of the system's okay - we just need a lot of change.'
And so it goes. 'Change we can believe in.'
Quite frankly, I don't believe that vague proclamations of change hold any promise for me. In recent months, I've been asking virtually everyone I encounter how they're voting. I live in Illinois , so most folks tell me they're voting for Barack Obama. But no one can really tell me why - only that he's going to change a lot of stuff. 'Change, change, change.' I have yet to find one single person who can tell me distinctly and convincingly why this man is qualified to be President and Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful nation on earth - other than the fact that he claims he's going to implement a lot of change.
We've all seen the emails about Obama's genealogy, his upbringing, his Muslim background, and his church affiliations. Let's ignore this for a moment. Put it all aside. Then ask yourself, 'What qualifies this man to be my president? That he's a brilliant orator and talks about change?'
CHANGE WHAT?
Friends, I'll be forthright with you - I believe the American voters who are supporting Barack Obama don't have a clue what they're doing, as evidenced by the fact that not one of them - NOT ONE of them I've spoken to can spell out his qualifications. Not even the most liberal media can explain why he should be elected. Political experience? Negligible. Foreign relations? Non-existent. Achievements? Name one. Someone who wants to unite the country? If you haven't read his wife's thesis from Princeton , look it up on the web. This is who's lining up to be our next First Lady? The only thing I can glean from Obama's constant harping about change is that we're in for a lot of new taxes.
For me, the choice is clear. I've looked carefully at the two leading applicants for the job, and I've made my choice.
Here's a question - 'Where were you five and a half years ago? Around Christmas, 2002. You've had five or six birthdays in that time. My son has grown from a sixth grade child to a high school graduate. Five and a half years is a good chunk of time. About 2,000 days. 2,000 nights of sleep. 6, 000 meals, give or take.'
John McCain spent that amount of time, from 1967 to 1973, in a North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp.
When offered early release, he refused it. He considered this offer to be a public relations stunt by his captors, and insisted that those held longer than he should be released first Did you get that part? He was offered his freedom, and he turned it down.. A regimen of beatings and torture began.
Do you possess such strength of character? Locked in a filthy cell in a foreign country, would you turn down your own freedom in favor of your fellow man? I submit that's a quality of character that is rarely found, and for me, this singular act defines John McCain.
Unlike several presidential candidates in recent years whose military service is questionable or non-existent, you will not find anyone to denigrate the integrity and moral courage of this man. A graduate of Annapolis, during his Naval service he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. His own son is now serving in the Marine Corps in Iraq Barack Obama is fond of saying 'We honor John McCain's service...BUT...', which to me is condescending and offensive - because what I hear is, 'Let's forget this man's sacrifice for his country and his proven leadership abilities, and talk some more about change.'
I don't agree with John McCain on everything - but I am utterly convinced that he is qualified to be our next President, and I trust him to do what's right. I know in my heart that he has the best interests of our country in mind. He doesn't simply want to be President - he wants to lead America , and there's a huge difference. Factually, there is simply no comparison between the two candidates. A man of questionable background and motives who prattles on about change can't hold a candle to a man who has devoted his life in public service to this nation, retiring from the Navy in1981 and elected to the Senate in1982.
Perhaps Obama's supporters are taking a stance between old and new. Maybe they don't care about McCain's service or his strength of character, or his unblemished qualifications to be President. Maybe 'likeability' is a higher priority for them than 'trust'. Being a prisoner of war is not what qualifies John McCain to be President of the United States of America - but his demonstrated leadership certainly DOES.
Dear friends, it is time for us to stand. It is time for thinking Americans to say, 'Enough.' It is time for people of all parties to stop following the party line. It is time for anyone who wants to keep America first, who wants the right man leading their nation, to start a dialogue with all their friends and neighbors and ask who they're voting for, and why.
There's a lot of evil in this world. That should be readily apparent to all of us by now. And when faced with that evil as we are now, I want a man who knows the cost of war on his troops and on his citizens. I want a man who puts my family's interests before any foreign country.
I want a President who's qualified to lead.
I want my country back, and I'm voting for John McCain.
- So, it took 25 paragraphs to say "Don't vote for the negro"? And they call Obama wordy...TheBlueOne
- "I want my country back" go ask McCain's buddy George W Bush where he took it.********
- you should see the other crap I get sent to me. Unbelievable...********
- Here here morilla. Wordy and verbose, but I take your meaning.d_rek
- "unblemished qualifications" and "character" ...I'm sorry but I've lost all respect for him and think he's a bigot. So, there.monkeyshine
- TheBlueOne0
From my favorite Right of Center ex-Vietnam Vet internet Curmudgeon, Fred:
"I frankly don’t believe John McCain’s medical records, or at any rate the portions released to the New York Times. The man was held in solitary for years, tortured until bones fractured, until he confessed to war crimes, until he tried to hang himself.
That he broke can’t be held against him: Almost anyone would have. (In my view GIs should be told to confess to anything whatever right from the start.) But the assertion that he came through unscathed, warm and humorous and psychically sound, just isn’t plausible. It doesn’t happen that way.
Now, PTSD. A lot of people, including vets, don’t believe that PTSD exists. I didn’t. One reason is that they tend to think of it as something verging on the psychotic, as for example seeing nonexistent snipers in the hedgerows of suburban Philadelphia. The other common notion is that those who have it dive under tables at the sound of a backfire. Vets tend to think, “I don’t know anybody like that. I certainly don’t see snipers in the rafters. This whole PTSD business sounds like a crock.”
So it does. But it isn’t......
Often they seem like fairly normal guys with three divorces who drink too much and their children say, “It was like he was somewhere else.” Perfectly normal guys who have had seventeen jobs because their bosses are always useless bastards. Perfectly normal guys who live out in the desert and do serious scuba or hang glide because they just don’t give a fuck.
Not all. Some manage to hold it together and become things thought to be respectable, such as senators or writers or defense attorneys. A subsurface lode of hostility can be useful in a trial lawyer. Anger is energizing. It can fuel a career.
With PTSD, or whatever you want to call it, the anger is the giveaway. These vets carry a load of subterranean fury that you don’t want to look at. As they would say, I shit you not one pound. I know a lot of these guys. A buddy of mine—two tours in bad places, killed a whole lot of people up close-- now has no tolerance for frustration,. He's ready to spread your teeth over a wide radius if you even seem to think about getting in his face. Admirable? No. But don’t make the experiment.
Sounds like McCain. His explosiveness is notorious.
...How do these vets get this way? Not by anything you want to hear about, anything that you will see on the nightly news. The RPG hits your tank, the cherry juice cooks off, and three of your buddies burn to death screaming because they couldn’t get out fast enough. You lose a leg and half your face to a mortar round. You just see things: A Chicom 122 cuts a cyclo driver in half and you watch him trying to crawl with his guts hanging out. He doesn’t crawl long. You get shot down over Hanoi and spend years being tortured. The military is a fun place. You have all sorts of unusual experiences.
It messes your head up. I promise.
I said anger—yes, but anger at what? At whom? Here I’m on soft ground because vets don’t talk much about this stuff among themselves. At least those I know don’t. But, to the extent that I am competent to judge, they aren’t mad at those who shot them, or shot at them. “The VC were only doing their job.” They hate those who sent them to a pointless war, who exposed them in thousands to Agent Orange, knowing that it was poisonous and carcinogenic, at those posing fat-ass pols who sent them to die for nothing while they ate prime rib in DC.
Or they just hate. Psychologically the verb can be intransitive. They don’t know what they hate, but don’t get in the way of it.
From the New York Times story, “Mr. McCain also learned to control his temper and not to become angry over insignificant things, the doctors said.” I don’t believe it. It doesn’t fit accounts of people who know him. It isn’t how heads work.
McCain is well known for his violent and irrational temper. A friend of mine, Ken Smith, was flack for Governor Mecham of Arizona during a meeting with McCain. The governor somehow irritated McCain. Says Ken, “McCain was leaning forward with a clinched fist. I reached out my left arm, as politely and as non-threatening as I could, and I pushed McCain back. What I remember is how taut and hard his body was, not from working out and lifting weights, but rather from anger and adrenalin. I made an excuse to leave and get them apart.”
For what he went through in Vietnamese jails he deserves sympathy and admiration. It isn’t qualification for the presidency. "
- ********0
My Friends, 12 different speechwriters of my mine wrote this and I think they did a good job. Country Club First.
- ^Dear Friends:
My name is Joe Porter. I live in Champaign , Illinois .********
- ^Dear Friends:
- ********0
For a good laugh (Part Four):
I'm voting Democrat because I would like to see deep cuts in America's nuclear arsenal, even though crazed dictators around the world are desperately working to build up their own arsenals.
I'm voting Democrat because I like the idea of always blaming America first.
I'm voting Democrat because I think Israel can fend for itself and isn't in any danger.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe Israel should just turn the other cheek and let Hamas and Hezbollah bomb its citizens without consequence.
I'm voting Democrat because I don't think America should honor its commitment to NATO and the other nations that signed the agreement.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe America can avoid conflict by negotiating with anyone, including crackpot dictators who have stated their goal is to destroy Western Civilization, and Russian leaders whose KGB backgrounds have left them totally trustworthy.
I'm voting Democrat because I think we need to "restore America's moral standing in the world" among the socialist nations of Europe and dictatorships of Africa, even though that means turning our backs on allies like England, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and other nations that haven't embraced socialism.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe the best way to stop a mad dictator with nuclear weapons is to have the United Nations send him a strongly-worded letter.
I’m voting Democrat because I like the idea of not doing anything to keep more people from entering the country illegally.
I'm voting Democrat because I think we need a much easier "pathway to citizenship" than entering the country legally and following the existing rules that millions of people have followed in the past.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe in irresponsibility, moral equivalence, and government making all my decisions for me.
I'm voting Democrat because I am planning on going on the public dole and letting everyone else pay for what I want.
- It's funny because it's true.d_rek
- Man, you're really going to miss the Bush administration aren't you? The hate is like heroin, isn't it?TheBlueOne
- indeed d_rek********
- d_rek0
I would like for American to crush the socialist insurgency happening right now. C'mon people. Lets use our fucking brains. Big government = big problems.
Ok that's my random political rant.
- Dude, you wouldn't know a socialist if one came up and bit you.TheBlueOne
- By the way, hows those new Nationalized Banks working for you?TheBlueOne
- +1. Libertarianism. Small Gov; Lower taxes. Accountability.********
- I think one just did come and bite me.d_rek
- I agree with JazX here.********
- LOL, d_rek.********
- 300 million americans = big country********
- Voting for McCain won't = smaller government.SigDesign
- Maybe not, but it wont = socialism.d_rek
- I'm Tommy and I approve of this assessment. Nationalized banks are socialism TBO. Gov should not have a personaltommyo
- stake in one bank over another. You should all be wary of this development our gov is shoving down our throats.tommyo
- ********0
"Liberals have an irrational childlike faith in the government. Conservatives have rational confidence in free market capitalism and its proven success. Libertarians have an irrational childlike hatred of both."
Fixed.
- ANd you can suck my dick asshole.TheBlueOne
- Nice one!********
- TheBlueOne0
You know, the only time I use the phrase "My friend(s)..." it's usually because said "friend" is someone I don't know, I am in a drinking establishment, and my "new friend" has just pissed me off - and I'm being just polite enough so he won't suspect I'm about to punch the jackhole in the throat. Most ususally pick up on this and you get the "I am not your friend..." response, and then fisticuffs.
I kinda sense the same usage from McCain...
- hahha_salisae_
- I love the word "fisticuffs". Makes me giggle every time I see it.monkeyshine
- haha so true.tommyo
- robotron3k0
cheer up JazX, at least you can always wank to you're parties VP selection...
- Just think, you almost and should have had Hillary Clinton. if not for Edwards and his sleaziness.********
- Anyway, point being, I'd take Palin over Clinton any day of the week.********
- why?DrBombay
- Well, don't you think if his extramarital affair had been public knowledge, Clinton would have won IA?********
- And if she would have won IA, she would have been on the Dem ticket.********
- no you said you'd take palin over clinton, why?DrBombay
- Just think, you almost and should have had Hillary Clinton. if not for Edwards and his sleaziness.
- ********0
I think that TBO is upset that the dow is in positive territory. What ever will he use to bash capitalism today?
- forced there for exactly this reason_salisae_
- if it were truly capitalism it wouldnt have needed a 700 billion infusion. it would have figured itself out. right?DrBombay
- anything to fool the dummies_salisae_
- The DOW upswing is false. It's going to be volatile until gov meddling ends. It's not representative of capitalism.tommyo
- ********0
"It vexes me...I'm terribly vexed."- All hail caesar... Now lets kill him.d_rek
- If I'm not mistaken Commodus, http://en.wikipedia.…, doesn't get slashed up. Good thinking though...********
- Haha no, he doesn't but i just wanted to utter the sentimentd_rek
- Let's get him with hatches and blunt instruments.********
- scene stolen from frank herberts duneerikjonsson
- joeth0
Liberals... conservatives... libertarians... they're all idealists in their own way. Assuming each has a valid stance, we should seek to find a smart balance. This country has shifted farther and farther to the right and look where it's gotten us. The GOP needs to be taken down a notch.
- I think you're pretty close to being very right. :)tommyo
- ********0
Obama: ‘The race will tighten’
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico…- Smart play on his part. Don't assume anything, Kerry and Gore lost that way.********
- True, but Kerry and Gore were much weaker candidates...McCain has barely led all yearukit
- Kerry and Gore had leads my friend. Do the research. Bush lost the popular vote twice I believe.********
- McCain is also a stronger candidate than W, though. IMOjoeth
- meds do wonders********
- I stand corrected, Bush must have won the popular vote last election.********
- http://en.wikipedia.…********
- Point is, Kerry and Gore swapped leads the whole time...but not Obama/ McCainukit
- Smart play on his part. Don't assume anything, Kerry and Gore lost that way.
- SigDesign0
For a good laugh (Part Four):
"I'm voting Democrat because I would like to see deep cuts in America's nuclear arsenal, even though crazed dictators around the world are desperately working to build up their own arsenals."
America currently has an arsenal of about 5,500 nukes. What in the hell would we do with that many? Even supposing that some crazed dictator uses their nukes on us, the damage will be done, and we will destroy them with only a few of ours.
SOMEBODY's got to take the lead on getting rid of nuclear weapons... cutting at least some of our weapons would not endanger our country but would go a long way towards encouraging other countries to do the same."I'm voting Democrat because I like the idea of always blaming America first."
This is just a ridiculous statement...first of all, nobody blamed America first. Give me an example of how Democrats are ALWAYS blaming America first?
"I'm voting Democrat because I think Israel can fend for itself and isn't in any danger."
Another ridiculous statement, because our government has supported Israel through whatever they have wanted to do, which is wrong, but that's been USA's policy, Democrat or Republican. The western governments CREATED Israel, specifically Britain.
"I'm voting Democrat because I believe Israel should just turn the other cheek and let Hamas and Hezbollah bomb its citizens without consequence."
No basis in fact for the argument that Democrats believe this...
"I'm voting Democrat because I don't think America should honor its commitment to NATO and the other nations that signed the agreement."
NATO is an agreement both parties abide to...it is an agreement that our COUNTRY signed. Democrats ARE and HAVE BEEN a part of the US Government.
"I'm voting Democrat because I believe America can avoid conflict by negotiating with anyone, including crackpot dictators who have stated their goal is to destroy Western Civilization, and Russian leaders whose KGB backgrounds have left them totally trustworthy."
The idea that you would not talk to people to try to resolve conflicts before bombing them is utterly retarded. The fact is, our country has negotiated with dictators and horrible people for many years; it needs to be done. Does that mean we're giving them things or "appeasing them?" NO. Absolutely not. But, it means that we all live on this planet and have to find the best way to work through problems without killing one another.
"I'm voting Democrat because I think we need to "restore America's moral standing in the world" among the socialist nations of Europe and dictatorships of Africa, even though that means turning our backs on allies like England, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and other nations that haven't embraced socialism."
I'm sorry...you've been in a cardboard box with Osama for the past 8 years, so you haven't heard the news. Our standing in the world is diminished, and our power is diminished, because of stupid policy decisions and misguided wars. So, I could easily say that I'm voting Republican, because I want to weaken our
military and kill innocent people with illogical wars that we wage with little help from the rest of the world."I'm voting Democrat because I believe the best way to stop a mad dictator with nuclear weapons is to have the United Nations send him a strongly-worded letter."
I believe Kennedy was a Democrat, and didn't he help defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis?
"I’m voting Democrat because I like the idea of not doing anything to keep more people from entering the country illegally."
John McCain was all about what Republicans called "amnesty" for illegal immigrants. The fact is, both parties want to secure our border.
"I'm voting Democrat because I think we need a much easier "pathway to citizenship" than entering the country legally and following the existing rules that millions of people have followed in the past."
Again, John McCain...
"I'm voting Democrat because I believe in irresponsibility, moral equivalence, and government making all my decisions for me."
This is simply NOT true. You need to open a book, read some history... understand how our government works. If you want to look at it this way... you want the government to make decisions about women's bodies, but not about roads and highways?
"I'm voting Democrat because I am planning on going on the public dole and letting everyone else pay for what I want."
This isn't even possible in most cases. Sure, abuses exist, but the fact is, they have existed despite a Republican or Democrat in office. Why don't you work harder to find a real issue and reason to not vote Democrat. Better yet, find me ONE GOOD REASON TO VOTE REPUBLICAN.
- I love satire.shinpo
- I shouldn't take it seriously, but...SigDesign
- Your retorts are ridiculous. You're only replying because you know they're true.********
- The statements are ridiculous in and of themselves...SigDesign
- The partisanship keeps you all from actually getting to the truth. Seriously.tommyo
- Denial is usually the first symptom.d_rek
- I agree about the partisanship.SigDesign