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Which is why I most likely won't be voting for him in the general election. I like his ideals of changing the way we do business in Washington and the general philosophy he puts forth in his book. I like his open mindedness. I don't like his feelings on taxes.
I don't like any of the Republicans, save Paul, and their position on the government and spending though.
It's a really crappy election, IMO. I wish there was a more electable person in the Ron Paul mode.
I also like Ron Paul, nice to see a Repub telling the truth on Iraq.
Well, since most of the dough Barack is raising is from people like me, and it keeps rolling in, I damn well hope my investment gets payback. I have got a laundry list for the man.
Believe it or not, I have come around to agree that as long as earmarks and similar things can be cut out totally, and judicious cuts elsewhere, AND reinstate capital gains on all liquid and investment assets at death (thus preserving family business and farms, etc), I'd leave the other tax cuts -- for now. The reason is that the dollar is in big trouble, and one of the three things that actually keeps it afloat is our insane consumer spending. I'd like to see huge tax incentives for increasing lower and middle class savings built in, however, that would phase in over maybe a 4 year period, as part of trying to reverse our declining global economic clout.
As to earmarks -- the guys who is head of the congressional appropriations committee was on NPR yesterday. He said so far this year, 56,000 requests for earmarks to be added to the appropriations bill have been submitted to his committee by congressmen.
56,000.
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oderint dum metuant (Latin for 'let them hate, so long as they fear').
Well, in truth I'm actually not a total hawk, but I'm not a dove either -- I'm more like an angry pigeon flying over the political arena after a really big meal. -Abba Gav
As to earmarks -- the guys who is head of the congressional appropriations committee was on NPR yesterday. He said so far this year, 56,000 requests for earmarks to be added to the appropriations bill have been submitted to his committee by congressmen.
56,000.
Last figures I looked at were about 16K earmarks in the budget....and that amounted to 20some billion.
56K? Good god.
Politicians should be lined up and shot.
Again, my plan.
MAXIMUM 4 years as a congressman. Two terms, that's it.
ONLY ONE SENATE TERM. 6 years, that's it.
8 years of presidency.
Thus, the REALLY good ones will move from house to senate. Two house terms max, one senate term. Most good politicians would last ten years. The great ones would get 18 with two presidential terms.
The douchebags would be run out after the first house term. or never see the senate.
But NO more than one six year senate term and two house terms of two years. That is IT.
Gives the assbags more reason to try and actually DO SOMETHING in office other than trying to KEEP office.
Tell me it isn't better...
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I'm the anti-TNT. I don't do drama.
June 21, 2007 11:17 AM
ABC News' Nik Bonovich Reports: Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., used his star power to attract donations as small as $5 and a chance to have dinner with the Senator turned Democratic presidential contender.
Thousands of Americans made donations and submitted their own stories about why they are supporting Obama and four people with diverse backgrounds from different corners of the country were selected to have dinner with Obama in Washington, DC in July, all expenses paid by the campaign.
"I am looking forward to sitting down with this group of four people who are representative of the millions of voices that have been drowned out by the special interests in Washington," said Senator Barack Obama. "This dinner is about hearing from the everyday experts on how we can work together to change the problems facing this country today."
Haile Rivera, Bronx, NY, works with the Food Bank of New York City and founded a non-profit organization that gets young people involved in civics. He is concerned about minorities, young people and education. Michael Griffith, is a miner in the town of Fernley, NV, near Reno who is troubled about his family’s rising health care costs. Margaret Thomas-Jordan from Gonzales, LA is also concerned about rising health care costs for herself and two children while she is a nursing student. Her husband was deployed in Iraq last month. Jennifer Lasko is a former Republican activist from south Florida. She is a firefighter and paramedic who is concerned about the war in Iraq.
Dinner for Five Guests: Margaret Thomas-Jordan, Gonzales LA
Margaret is a working mother of two boys, age nineteen months and eleven years, and she is attending school to become a nurse. Margaret's husband was shipped to Iraq last month and he is currently serving a fifteen-month tour. Health care costs have grown especially difficult for Margaret, and she is struggling with access to health care because she does not qualify as a traditional student. She writes, "I have not always been where I am today. I encountered a lot of struggles when I was a single mother with one child on my own trying to finish college." She supports Barack in part because "he has faced some of the everyday struggles that a lot of Americans have faced. He's looking at the whole picture."
Haile Rivera, Bronx NY
Haile works as a community program specialist with the Food Bank for New York City, which includes work with food pantries, youth programs and soup kitchens. In his spare time, he founded "Hands on New York," a non-profit organization getting school-age kids involved in civics. As someone who works with poor and underprivileged people, he is chiefly concerned with unemployment and the pressing need to revitalize inner-city schools. Barack's message -- particularly his position that we need to reform No Child Left Behind -- resonates deeply with Haile. He has followed politics for a long time, but never felt that a candidate was "as fresh or as real as Obama." That's why he donated for the first time in his life to a Presidential candidate. "I believe in Barack's vision for the American people," he says.
Jennifer Lasko, Lake Worth FL
Jennifer Lasko is a firefighter and paramedic whose "political views have changed dramatically over the years." She's grown fed up with "conservatives who treat politics like a game they're trying to win, instead of worrying about whether the policies are right or wrong." Back in college, she volunteered with the College Republicans on behalf of Ronald Reagan, but now says that she "wasn't mature enough to understand the consequences of politics -- and unfortunately many others haven't grown up since then." As a Veteran, she's very concerned about the effect of the Iraq war on our military, and frustrated by a sense that some politicians defend the war "just so they don't have to admit that they were wrong." She likes Barack Obama because "he brings a non-divisive approach to politics, trying to find the right answer -- not picking an ideological answer and defending that right or wrong."
Michael Griffith, Fernley NV
Michael is a miner in western Nevada. Michael operates heavy machinery and his health care costs have tripled over recent years. This is Michael's first time participating in politics, and he feels that as his family grew, so did his concern with the direction of the country. "I used to not follow politics as much," says Michael, "but once I had a family I started to care because I realized that politics affects my children's future." Michael read Barack's latest book and was inspired by his "honesty and openness." He thinks "people who stay in Washington too long seem to get corrupted," and he wants a leader who can clean up politics and represent working people.
He comes from out of nowhere, just look at that hair...he's got the world spinning with tales from his lair...I got a crush on Obantichristama.
Catchy.
I remember being a bit freaked out when I found out that Ronald Wilson Reagan's name had 6 letters in each initial. But your argument is really persuasive.
Margaret Thomas-Jordan, Gonzales LA
Haile Rivera, Bronx NY
Jennifer Lasko, Lake Worth FL
Michael Griffith, Fernley NV
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