Am I the only one? this guy alway seems like he is going to explode any second! Him personally, I am not frightened of. What I am frightened of is him wielding the power of the Presidency!
Again, am I the only one?
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Am I the only one? this guy alway seems like he is going to explode any second! Him personally, I am not frightened of. What I am frightened of is him wielding the power of the Presidency!
Again, am I the only one?
Surviving so far the ongoing demonstration of that wielding I'm not scared anymore.
Plus he's not going to win anyways ;)
No, I think he's our best bet to keep Hillary/Obama out of the White House. What scares you?:shrug: I don't agree with every position he holds, but I think he has more integrity and metal than any candidate of either party.
Jordan
He makes good oven chips though.
Amen...except for Huckabee, who is my favorite, but who won't get the nominations.Quote:
Originally Posted by jnich67
Think about our President confronting Al Quaeda, or the Russians...I like the idea of having a hard guy with simmering rage! I don't want some pushover wallflower pussy-footing glad-handing waffle-waffle liberal-in-moderate's clothing! We need to show our enemies that we mean business. Serious business!
I'll tell you what scares me:
A LITTLE HISTORY QUIZ
It's just a short one, only 6 questions.If you don't know the answer
make your best guess. You don't need paper or anything. Answer all the
questions before looking at the answers.
Who said it?
1) "We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common
good."
A . Karl Marx
B. Adolph Hitler
C. Joseph Stalin
D. None of the above
2) "It's time for a new beginning, for an end to government of the
few, by the few, and for the few...and to replace it with shared
responsibility for shared prosperity."
A. Lenin
B. Mussolini
C. Idi Amin
D. None of the Above
3) "(We)...can't just let business as usual go on, and that means
something has to be taken away from some people."
A. Nikita Khrushev
B. Josef Goebbels
C. Boris Yeltsin
D. None of the above
4) "We have to build a political consensus and that requires people to
give up a little bit of their own...in order to create this common
ground."
A. Mao Tse Dong
B. Hugo Chavez
C. Kim Jong Il
D. None of the above
5) "I certainly think the free-market has failed."
A.Karl Marx
B. Lenin
C. Molotov
D. None of the above
6) "I think it's time to send a clear message to what has become the
most profitable sector in (the) entire economy that they are being watched."
A. Pinochet
B. Milosevic
C.Saddam Hussein
D. None of the above
Answers:
(1) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton
6/29/2004
(2) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton
5/29/2007
(3) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton
6/4/2007
(4) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton
6/4/2007
(5) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton
6/4/2007
(6 ) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton
9/2/2005
You scared yet?
I would agree except my view of McCain is that he is an angry liberal in conservative clothing, I mean after all, he was responsible and co-auther of a bill that is considered the largest abridgment of our first ammendment rights and he was all for the amnesty for illegal aliens and to this day he insists that it had nothing to do with amnesty!Quote:
Originally Posted by YesSheDoes!
I submit that a vote for McCain is a vote for an angrier, slightly more conservative Hillary! I don't relish the thought of either of them in the oval office!
Yes, I am. My point was that I'm scared enough of Hillary to overlook my differences with McCain (including those pointed out by JMS). I think he's the only choice we have if we want to beat the Dems. Even though I disagree with McCain on those few issues, I do think he's a genuinely good man and I trust him to gather wise people around him. I can't say the same for the others.Quote:
Originally Posted by jockeys
Jordan
I usually don't get into these postings. I'm just too old for the stress.
But, some of us on this board are democrats. And, brace yourselves: I'm also a former union officer. It was a teachers' union, sort of union light, but a union non the less.
I highly respect John McCain. He's truly a hero. Yet his projected policies of never ending war, and renewed tax cutting will do nothing to dig us out of the deep hole the present administration has created. And, without a military draft, it's just to easy to send other people's kids off to war when yours are at no risk.
Our country has crumbling infrastructure, an imploding medical system, and is basically financially bankrupt. It was Eisenhower, a republican, who prophetically warned of this type of scenario. The old McCain, a budget hawk, would have heeded this.
This old union guy has one more parting thought for you. The decline of the American middle class correlates almost perfectly with the decline of the American labor movement.
I appreciate your opinions and the thoughtful way you presented them. I am a moderate Republican. Our country has a number of problems, and I fear many of them have more fundamental causes than this policy or that policy - election finance reform, is an example. If I thought any of the Democrats would address these problems in a meaningful way, I would consider voting for them. I don't think that is the case. I like McCain's willingness to cut against the grain (note the shaving reference here :roflmao ) and if there is anyone I trust with the lives of our young men and women, it’s him.Quote:
Originally Posted by uofi1963
Jordan
Agreed. I feel like if it comes down to McCain vs Obama or Hillary, McCain is our best bet and the lesser evil. Honestly, I'm not a big McCain guy. I agree with JMS almost 100%- McCain makes me feel weird and always seems like he's stewing about something. But, my dislike for him pales in comparison to Hillary.Quote:
Originally Posted by YesSheDoes!
Sorry to butt in on something I know nothing about, but how likely do you think it is that McCain and Clinton will end up the candidates for their respective parties? From the Democrat perspective, for example, our news reported a few days ago that Obama received the Kennedy nod - is that important enough for Clinton to drop off the running?
I honestly don't know how you guys cope with all the information - several hopefuls for each party spruking their policies and campaigning against each other - it's all I can do to keep track of our guys, and there's only two of them!
James.
McCain makes me think about George W Bush.Quote:
Originally Posted by YesSheDoes!
EDIT2: Only from the way he talks during his speeches. I don't know his viewpoints.
Now about that simmering rage thing...
If the USA wants to stabilize international politics, the John Wayne approach is not going to work.
It is possible to be a tough and honest man (or woman) and still thinking about the long term.
Simmering rage implies being unstable and unreliable, and easily provoked.
EDIT: It is also very unlikely that the US will have a military conflict with the Russians any time soon. If there will be conflict, it will be economic and politic. And those conflicts are not resolved by shouting and rethoric. They are resolved by diplomacy and intelligence.
As for Al Qaeda: The hardball approach of Bush seems to miss its goal.
The war in Iraq is a huge and expensive mess, and hasn't had any net positive result.
The 'war' against al qaeda cannot be won with military actions. Invading other countries without real cause will only make the situation worse. Not better.
I don't really care who wins, as long it is someone who is able to think about long term results of what he/she does.
I really don't think McCain is the cowboy type. His views on foreign policy, from what I've seen, are well thought out, measured and realistic. He is a bit opposite W. Bush in this respect. I tend to think that someone who faced torture and death everyday for years, and survives- and then goes on to lead a constructive life probably has a pretty healthy perspective on things. That's my perception anyway.
Jordan
I agree, McCain seems like a trustworthy man that can make wise decisions with an outlook beyond narrow political interest.
I am not scared of Romney, I just don't trust him. He's smart enough to accomplish whatever goals he sets himself, in a cold business-like way of smart. However I do not trust his human judgment - to me he seems like a guy for whom a goal can justify the means. It may be the best thing for the country, but I don't think americans vote that way. As somebody alluded, you wouldn't trust him with your children.
I don't care whether you think Hillary Clinton is the devil incarnated, to me she is a highly skilled and competent politician and I think she will make a fairly strong president if she gets elected. Yes, she doesn't have governing experience, but it doesn't seem like this matters that much.
Disclosure: I'm a left leaning centrist
I personally am terrified of McCain, of course the whole batch of folks in the running frightens me.
About a year and a half ago I was telling people that my biggest fear was that Romney would run and win. Sadly, that's now something I hope for.
McCain is certainly not a scary character. I feel he is more trustworthy than any other Republican candidate, so maybe he has a better chance with independents.
Frankly who ever is the nominee from the GOP is an underdog in the 08 election.
The reputation of this country has been dragged in the mud over the past 8 years in the internationally, and this is a fact that many Americans are not willing to accept this fact.
This fall of our reputation has been an direct result because of the failure of diplomacy because as our current administration only wants to deal in absolutes (cowboy mentality, good vs. evil, etc..).
The fact is that we simply do not understand the mind, the culture, the politics or the history beyond our own borders. We need to change that for our own self interest.
Funny, about 10 years ago, my greatest fear was the Hillary would run and win:cry:
That's one of my biggest current ones as well. I hope the DNC sticks to their guns and doesn't let Florida have any delegates.Quote:
Originally Posted by Quick Orange
Mccain, Hillary, Romney, Obama is in my opion all scary canidates. Bought and paid for by the highest bidder. Kucinich and Paul were about the only fresh air in this election cycle. All the others are allready indebted and entrenched in to a system that commands their obedience and to be good little puppets. I think there all being manipulated into the same direction regardless of party afflilation. So pick your poison.
No --- I don't think so. I really don't know how important Kennedy's backing is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo
Most don't or can't. Most of us just glide along until the weeding out process is complete. Personally, I really think the media plays too big of an influential role in all of this. Layers upon layers of stinking onion ----
Justin
McCain's got my vote if he gets the nomination, because he seems pretty trustworthy and level headed. Plus, he actually has a brain and isn't afraid to vote across party lines on issues that he feels strongly on.
I am neither Democrat nor Republican, and I have no idea how I'll vote this year. I do respect McCain for his military service and POW status. I like how he stood up for the Geneva Conventions when few others would. He has guts and conviction, but I do find myself disagreeing with him a lot.
Norm
I'm one who respects McCain greatly for his military service and what he endured as a POW. What I don't like is when such things carry someone through an election. What I mean is sometimes people are almost deemed untouchable or not-questionable --- every time McCain is confronted --people say "yes but remember he was a POW and a war hero". As great as this was , it is what he stands for now ---- the man he is now --- his policies now -- that is important.
Personally, I want to like McCain because I know his history but I try to force myself beyond it. I like mavericks but I'm trying to force myself beyond this as well. I think the media likes him because he's their type of conservative --- just like Huckabee (sounds like someone you meet at the fishing hole) was their darling not too long ago --- compassionate conservatives so compassionate that they might as well be liberals and democrats. But I'm not sure if I trust him or not.
Justin
True in many cases...and "W" has done so much for the country....I mean the deficit is so much less than when he started and the US is so much more respected globally...oh, wait, I got that backwards....the deficit was ZERO when he came into office......Quote:
Originally Posted by uofi1963
I wonder what the National Archives treats the Constitution with to keep it clean...I mean it still looks good and given how often Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Gonzales used it as toilet paper, you'd think there would be some staining. I want to know what they use and see if it comes in a car wax!
;)
Just a couple of thoughts. I normally will stay out of this as I am right on the fence in the middle. I just saw a couple things I wanted to comment on.
I don't care if McCain is a hero or not. It isn't what he went through, but the man he became because of it. I do like his humility and how he doesn't try to talk about his POW past until pressed. When pressed he talks but it and then, mostly about the others he was with.
Second and I don't disagree with the gentleman whom brought this up but in the interest of truth. McCain is the only member of Congress who's Son was on the front line. Though others have children in the military, the younger McCain was the only one on the front, in harms way.
Now all of that being said, I also find myself respectively disagreeing with him on many issues.
What country are you talking about? Can't be the U.S. Longterm thinking and either politics or business are mutually exclusive traits not to be found in this country anymore. Its all about short term rewards, gratification, profits. Let the next generation worry about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
McCain scares me, but not as much as any of the Democratic runners.
Interesting. I agree that military service alone would not decide my vote. But I am annoyed by all the hawks in Washington who have never worn a uniform. At least McCain knows something about whereof he speaks.Quote:
Originally Posted by valhson
Norm
That's only funny because it seems to be true.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
It saddens me that a country that thinks of itself so highly (ie the greates nation on earth, God's land etc) presents itself so poorly to others. There indeed WAS a time when America was looked up to by most of the world. At least in my surrounding that doesn't seem to be true anymore.
We've recently had a lot of grumbling in our own country because of economic measures and such. Taxes higher, cars more expensive and other such things. Thing is though....the Nationwide economic (and I'll agree it's not very big because we're a small country) has grown a lot.
But what saddens me most is that out of all the characteristics that we get about the different candidates in the Us is that:
1 is a woman
1 is black
1 is a mormon
and 1 is a Vietnam veteran.
I sure hope that's not what the american people vote like.......but I'm affraid that they do.
There was an article on CNN a few days ago about how this was a unique election, because for the first time female african-american voters had to decide whether to vote for their race or their sex.Quote:
Originally Posted by LX_Emergency
The article has since been pulled after several complaints that it was racist and sexist. But sadly that is how many people vote. My aunt, whom I consider a well thought person, said there was no way she could vote for someone who was a mormon.
I think that is just the media acknowledging the fact that most people have these prejudices inside them and whether they acknowledge them or not they are decisive factors. Yes, US has never had a woman president, neither a black one, neither a nonchristian one. I seem to recall JFK's Catolicism was thought of as a possible liability.Quote:
Originally Posted by LX_Emergency
And I'm sure you know that the US society is quite conservative by European standards. It's got a lot more racist, sexist, and religious issues than Europe.
But if you remember the immigrant Muslim minister in Europe was a big issue too. I don't think US will be ready for a muslim president for at least another generation or two.
I think most people do - you'll notice how often 'trust' and 'scare' has been mentioned in this thread - people evaluate the candidates with their brain, but then they rely on 'gut feeling' to make up their mind before casting a vote.Quote:
I sure hope that's not what the american people vote like.......but I'm affraid that they do.
I have often voted for people I don't like because I thought that they will actually be the better choice. I'm trying to make as rational decisions as possible, but I don't think I can ignore emotions.
A lot of the politicising is just that - figuring out a way to appeal to people's emotions so that they are made to be scared or not trust somebody. I find this thinking in US that the government is always looking to take something from me and should never be trusted a bit odd.
I've been thinking that it's just a normal symptom of a federacy - other federations seem to also have more issues with the central government than the local ones, regardless of their respective performance.
But yeah to get back on topic, the arguments revolve around the role of the government. I think it's better for a country to 'tax and spend' on things like infrastructure, health care and education of the citizens, than 'tax and spend' on waging expensive and purposeless wars or even worse 'borrow and spend' and let somebody else worry about the payback.
Actually...the big stink wasn't about that she was a muslim immigrant.....the big stink was that she lied to get into the country and WASN"T a muslim anymore. In fact the was the biggest anti muslim that could be found.Quote:
Originally Posted by gugi
But I agree with what you're saying. That that IS one of the major factors that people let themselves be influenced by.
It's not a big thing here though. In fact.....I don't know about ANY of my government's religious orientations. (Apart from those that are in a Christian Party like the SGP (Sociale Gristelijke Partij).
I've heard that before.....mostly fro people that don't know any mormons......Quote:
Originally Posted by Nickelking
(I'm Mormon bytheway although that in no way means I automatically like Romney....I just don't know enough about the guy.)
Yeah, I'm not in Europe, so I just had a vague memory about that lady. But in my opinion Germany will have Ethnic turk for a chancelor long before US has ethnic mexican president :)
Romney is a successful businessman who's turned into politics and he seems to be treating it the same way he'd do a business. Figure out what is going to get him elected and do that. So I'm not sure he has any specific policies he wants to see implemented. He has enough business experience to know that it's impossible (even politically) to do most of the stuff people believe he may be doing. He's very careful to state things in a way that people will automatically infer something, without actually saying it. That's a very smart business practice - as he can never be held accountable to any firm commitments might make. You may even notice how he dresses up his past - there's some remotely related kernel of truth, which is then spun completely out of control to make it the most appealing thing a person would like to hear.
Yes, he may be good for the country but at least for me it's impossible to tell what he stands for. He'll tell anything to anybody, like most politicians. I think he's just looking to make a name for himself and leave a legacy of achieving the most powerful position in the world. Not sure what else drives him, but I doubt it's a deep care for others.
Hard to say huh...don't know. Don't know the man. I'll reserve any opnions for if I ever meet him kind of thing.
Well put Justin. I was instilled with a respect for the military at a young age (which sadly goes counter to the rest of the locals here) and that would be one of the things that I'd fall to as well. I can't give more input, though. This is the first race in my short existance that I haven't kept too close a watch on.:(Quote:
Originally Posted by jaegerhund
Scared but not surprised. A woman who believes or ignores all the BS hubbie Bill told her and the world about himself and Lewinski has lost the power to surprise me. Even scarier is that she needs old Bill to get her into the White House. Scariest of all: that puts him in the White House again! Which should scare Hillary: all those young attractive interns within Bill's reach. Watching Bill will leave her with little time to run the country!:roflmao :roflmao
Quote:
Originally Posted by jockeys
One being a mormon, how many are moron?
Quote:
Originally Posted by LX_Emergency