Politics Politics Politics!

zorzynek said:
That's whole different story. His biography is all about being a president. I'm kinda scared. This dude is power seeker?

All serious politicians are megalomaniacs, every single one from world leaders to town council members.

Do I believe in Obama? His ego is not a disqualifier for me. Hell, I kinda like his confidence. I believe he is right about a number of issues like infrastructure improvement, taxes, raising the cap on payroll taxes, and foreign policy. Additionally, I believe he has better answers on health care, energy, and the environment. He is not perfect, I don't worship the man, but I do believe he is the best choice in the election.

zorzynek said:
Politics is cynical game. Don't be fooled. I'm not so sure about Obama being a messiah. I mean McCain acts and talks like prick. So he must be one. Another republican president would be too much. No doubt about that. But Obama? That's whole different story. His biography is all about being a president. I'm kinda scared. This dude is power seeker? What exactly is his offer? Elect me, cause I'm nice guy? Personally, I find him pretty annoying. He's already acting like he's in charge? There was this magnificent slip of tongue: "People ask me what have I learned since becoming a president?" What a prick. But what I think isn't really important. My view on politics has nothing to do with question I asked. I'm just curious bout Your perspective? Do You believe him? And if so why?

They are both consumed with wanting the presidency, but for McCain, this is his last shot, so he is willing to make a Faustian bargain to achieve the goal. And his biography--his autobiography Faith of My Fathers talks about being consumed by wanting to be president since he arrived back in the US after his POW stint.

They both make slips of the tongue about wanting to be in power and both have super-sized egos, but Obama has worked his whole life to find concensus, to help people find their way out of hopelessness and poverty; McCain has worked much of his political life to "go along to get along" and his campaign has sold out the principled John McCain for a Run-to-the-Right shill. And the thought of Sarah Palin anywhere near the controls of the state frighten me.

So I went in and voted today.

But, Cat, in zorzynek's defense, much of the world is deeply suspicious that America will elect a black man, given our history of racism and oppression, and they mostly believe we will elect another tough minded military man, which has worked pretty often over the last 60 years.

Dude, the Bradley effect is continuing to be debunked left and right. Obama's got a huge lead in Virginia, fer chrissakes, the former seat of the Confederacy. If that doesn't show that there's been a major shift in attitude, I honestly don't know what does.

And if hell freezes over and McPalin really do win, well—I know when I'm going to start studying abroad!

It's not just Georgia, Nicki. You can add Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and South Carolina to the list. I haven't been to Alabama lately, but I'm sure it's there too. Racism, whether directed at blacks or anyone of Middle Eastern descent, is still very prevalent in the South.

A guy that I work with told me that he would have no problem lining up all Arabs into a line, shooting them and burying them in a ditch, Nazi style. He was serious. He's the kind of guy that thinks ALL Muslims (including Barrack Hussein Obama) are going to hell and that they will stop at nothing to kill everyone in the United States because they hate our way of life.

I'm woried people won't vote because they already think it's going to be a landslide.

Oh, I don't doubt racism is all over the country. I just have first hand experience of it down here.

[spam]

Apparently, someone's been leafletting Duval County, FL -- Jacksonville, I think--saying that because of long lines at the polls, the Republicans should vote Tuesday, Nov. 4 and the Dems should come in on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Heh. I hate the dirty tricks, but I have to admire the attempt.

I went in Monday and voted early. I'm not going to put up with the 4 hour or longer lines we had last time.

what makes France that much better? Honestly... President Obama or President McCain it's still gonna just be the same old bullshit anyway. The country isn't gonna change that much with either presidents, sure taxes might be structured differently and gov't spending may change some and blah blah blah but seriously you're still gonna have to wake up every morning and go to work/school just like before.

Just my two cents, I'm sick and tired of hearing this "If McCain/Obama gets elected I'm moving to France, I'm moving to Germany, I'm moving to Canada whine whine whine". Just move already if you feel that way, geesh.

Thats a great video by the way, zorzy

oh you guys! Looks like dat dere bobber be under da water!

the Bush II bar is over half the distance to the Great Depression bar. Goes back a bit further in history than this one i've seen all over the place



anyone else have charts from other parts of the economy? poverty rate, GNP growth, etc.