Obama The New President - About Time Commonsense Hits the US

[void]

10 563 000 000 000 dollars in US federal gov't debt.

This translates into 455 000 dollars of debt per US household.

BTW these numbers do not include the 700 000 000 000 dollar bailout and the US gov'ts other recent fiscal provisions which will easily add another 300+ billion unless of course the economy gets even worse.

8 years of a President who is less articulate than a chimp. Eg. " Most of our imports come from other countries" No sh#t, Sherlock!

The song should be changed to "God help America" instead of "God bless America" because help is more acutely needed.

Palin- A female G.W. Bush but much better looking.

Obama- a Harvard educated lawyer
- Wow! an IQ higher than an eggplant

Biden- experience

And Sen. John McCain the third-
Sir, I hope that you will finally admit that 5.5 years as a POW has negatively affected you. For 5.5 years you were tortured and they broke you. Everyone would have been broken under those circumstances. It would help those with PTSD(combat or otherwise) if you would come clean. 90% of all POW's have PTSD acc. to the US gov't.

Void

 

[TLight]

Wow...this is kind of a cool thread. Get a glimpse into where people are coming from.

Although, like Nicolette, talking politics can be very divisive. I remember one of my older sister's visiting 'home' when Nixon was elected....They had voted for him and my father punched her husband during hours and hours of downright vicious screaming about politics and the cops were called. So unneccessary. I often think of the way people treat each other over money, politics, and religion.........do I want to lye on my deathbed and look back at how lives and relationships were destroyed because of opinions? Gosh no..........peace, I just want good.

Extremism in any form is very dangerous and nonproductive. I hope we now have someone who realizes that and can bring us together.

 

[Dylan]

Oh, god that was funny Void :rofl:

The song should be changed to "God help America" instead of "God bless America"

Even if I were a Republican, that'd be funny. Some of the Clinton jokes were hilarious. Yeah, TLight, perspective! :wink:

-D

 

[Auburngirl]

It's such a contrast to the election we just had here (in Canada), ours was short relatively uneventful and the world was definitely not watching. In fact our English-language leadership debate was on tv at the same time as the US VP debate and the headline in the papers was "which did you watch"? I am glad Obama's in, though I'm not always so sure what his policy ideas are, he's definitely a nice change from Bush and hopefully a saner neighbour to live next to.

 

[Robyn]

I'm probably the least political of anyone I know. My opinions are based on gut feeling when I look at the candidates.

None of them evoked much of a gut response except Obama. I can't put my finger (or thoughts) on the why...but he scares me. It's not race, or sex, or anything tangible...it's just there. I got the feeling the first time I ever saw him before his hat was even in the ring.

From Palin, I get no reaction whatsoever. From McCain, I didn't feel much either although more than with Palin. I got more of a positive feeling with McCain than I got from Bush. With Bush, I go a childlike feeling almost...definately not strength but more of a feeling that the US was a big fun toy to him.

From Hillary, I got a feeling that she was wanting control. To be heard and have the power to make people listen to her, but not much action. I felt she wanted to be the boss and was expecting to give orders.

From Bill Clinton, I got the feeling that he was childlike too. He wanted a party atmosphere. Wanted to be liked and liked everyone. More wishy-washy than leader material.

I don't know...I guess I look at the personalities more than the "what can they do" aspect. I guess you'd call it judgmental, I haven't a clue. In my personal life, I get feelings about people in my life, then wait to see what pans out. I don't always trust my first instincts.

Hence why I say that I hope I'm wrong about our new President. But, now that he's going to be there, I'll say what I've always said when asked about my political viewpoints...I support the Oval Office and whoever is in it.

I hope I don't sound too weird!

Hugs!
Robyn

 

[kers]

I am thrilled by the decision. Admittedly, I am quite the political idealist, but do I expect Obama to repair all that ails America? No, of course not. But I share many of his values and hope that under his leadership, the problems I find most grievous with my country will be reduced. I am excited and energized by his leadership, and I have been since the first time I saw him speak several years ago. I think a large reason that he won was because he took a fresh approach to persuading voters. Just look at their election night parties--McCain's was an invite-only event in a fancy hotel, while Obama's was an open-air event welcome to all.


As to Anthony's question about voter breakdowns, that is quite typical in US voting analyses. Other countries do not look at this data? It is interesting to voters, but it also informs future candidates. For example, the growing Latino population was a major target of Obama's campaign, thus it makes sense (to me) to look at what percentage of the Latino vote he captured. We talk quite commonly about voting trends in specific racial, religious, geographic and socioeconomic groups. 70% of first-time voters turned out for Obama--perhaps in part because there was a concerted effort to register young voters by his campaign.

 

[nic]

Today, I can finally say that yes, I am proud to be an American. I am so happy with the election results. I almost feel like writing Bush a letter, thanking him for being such a P.O.S., thus paving the way for a truer, blue-er United States.

Oh, and in MA we got rid of doggie racing...YEA!!!

 

[Frankie]

As a Canadian I am very happy with the results. Bush's policies scared me, Obama seems to be a more "down-to-earth, humane man.

By winning, Obama has already given new faith and hope to Americans and to the rest of the world.

This change was a long time coming. We have to realize though, as he said in his speech, that changes will take time. Do not expect "instant miracles" from him.

Yes, it is true, there is a huge difference in the way elections are seen in Canada. We tend to be more quiet and uneventful. A few months of campaigning and voting day comes without realizing it :)

And we don't look at votes by ethnic origins, that surprised me...I was thinking to myself "hey, they are all Americans !!, black, white, latino, asian...etc" It shouldn't make a difference. Here we simply look at votes by province and the regions in the province.

This will certainly go down in history, the first Black-African president !!! What pride must be felt by all Black Americans !!

And what pride I felt for the Americans when he did win ! Finally, let's put prejudice and racism behind us, once and for all !! Let's look at who can do the most for his country, and not base our votes by colour.

Having said that, I wouldn't want to hear him talked about as the "Black president". He is an American man......white or black has no importance in this. He will be President to all Americans, black or white.

Ok, now us Canadians should vote for the first female Prime-Minister :)

 

[anthony]

The commercials were overwhelming and ridiculous this time! I agree entirely with Claire. There should be a limit set on how much the candidates can spend. PERIOD.

Australia is limited and governed for what each running for Prime Minister can spend. It only equates to a couple of million per candidate... none of this "millions" shit. Each is pretty much capped and limited, and campaign contributions themselves are very much frowned upon. They get to spend x amount of public money for the most part, they only get a small amount of donations from third parties, as all records are public here which means any donations are immediately thrown into the spotlight, then monitored and watched for any relationship or partnership, hence to keep corruption out of politics nearly entirely here.

Shit... our political system has that much scrutiny now and public access that if a politician even takes a trip that is remotely not 100% business, then they have to pay x amount from their own pocket. The days of politicians here taking holidays for a week with one days work thrown in, then writing off most of the expenses to the public are well and truly over here in Australia.

The problem that still remains with America is that the people are scared of their Government. You speak up, you dissappear type stuff. Most countries have those times, though most are changed so that the Governments are scared of the public... this is how they become effective. Australia achieved that along with many other countries. I would honestly like to see America become more like the European nations, a Government that is scared of the public, a Government where every cent is scrutinized by the public and open.

America has so much potential... and I truly hope Obama is the man to bring that out of the country. America can have a free medical system if they would just listen to logic, instead of the nonsense that comes from policitians who are paid by pharmaceutical companies.... the American public really need to standup and voice their opinions if you ask me... they need to really open their eyes to how other countries are going forward so much faster than America in a social context. Sure... you have the arms issue, however; if people are not poor then often you have less crime. Increasing the wealth of each family often lessens many crime issues within a country, hence why other countries target this aspect at a national level... how to get each person a little wealthier so they don't resort to crime.

Michael Moore truly does have his shit in one sock... that man gets out and views the world... finds what is working in other countries compared to his own, America. I avidly believe more Americans need to listen to that man, because he speaks the truth. America could become a social icon for other countries, as presently all it has is the threat of war to others. Interesting, the country doesn't even have enough money to do that though... as each bomb now is just more ownership to China, as China is the one lending the US all the money to continue wars.

I want to see the USA become what it can be... because its currently not the social beacon many believe it is....

 

[FlameTachiku]

Anthony,

Have you spent time in the USA if so where? I have not been to your county but have spent time in others. I think being here and being there and making the comparison is more valid.

We are not going through a good time now. But there are things that are much appreciated about our medical system, technology, and success. We work to find a balance and are working toward solutions.

As is we have many people risking their lives to have a chance to be here from socialist countries, I am not encourage to become on of them. If they are so fab. why are they running to us? I say welcome and lets work together to create a system that is not Europe. No thanks. Don't really want to go South. And the medical professionals that I work with from Canada are not so gun ho with what they are dealing with at home, for sure.

We all have work to do to improve the lives we live. I hope we all can be successfull. Many of us have options to live elsewhere, also. There is a lot of good to being an American. Ask the Cuban's who swim here.

We can improve our system of with how money in spent. We are a very young country. But it is not so bad. Have you been here?

Flame

 

[TLight]

I love Michael Moore; I hate the corruption in our govt. Many people suffer here and we are supposedly (or at least were) the richest country in the world. I just am baffled as to how that can be.....insurance companies killing people, etc.

As an American though, I thank God I have the right to criticize this place. ps.....I see nothing wrong with a healthy socialistic society. I see nothing wrong with paying higher taxes so everyone gets a chance to get there BASIC, and I'm talking BASIC needs met.
We live in America? Why is it that something like 60% of the people are the 'working poor' who can't even afford to feed their families or take some time off when they are sick? Ever read the book 'Nickel and Dimed?' This is opportunity? These are hard working people doing everything by the rules. Just because they can't figure out how to be an entrpenuer and opportunist means they don't have the right to health care, housing and food?
I just don't get this attitude......always the same. I once had a woman, never had to work a day in her life say; "there will always be poor people." Now that's 'compassionate conservatism'............Greed is what this country has functioned on for too long. Greed needs to be regulated if you ask me.

I see this thread going on for a long time. Better cut it off Anthony...........

 

[reallydown]

Flame Tachiku,

Just because someone has a more humane way of dealing with social issues does not make them a socialist. In fact, most modern social democracies are very much capitalist states but they understand that unfettered capitalism will eventually lead to the kind of crisis the world is in now. I'm sure there are many great things about being an American, much like there are great things about being from any other national group. Yes, there are many around the world who would love to be American or go to America for a better life....Notice, however, that most of those people come from countries that are devastated by war, poverty etc...I'm not talking about people who work in the US for various reasons (ie. professors etc. from other countries). You don't see too many people from Western Europe running to the States because their systems are not good.

As for the Canadian healthcare system...it's not perfect but I'd take it over the US system any day...Yes, we have long waits for certain things and a shortage of doctors and nurses but at least every single Canadian has basic coverage...meaning that if you suddenly have to have your appendix taken out, you can go and get it done without worrying about how much it'll cost you...Yes, there are great things happening in US healthcare too...great research and world-class doctors...the problem is...only a select few have access to that. Cuba, on the other hand, has one of the best healthcare systems in the world...They also have a great education system...and they manage to turn out world class athletes, despite having nowhere near the resources that a lot of countries have...and remember, they've had that embargo on them for a loooong time. But, of course, it's not all about healthcare, education and sports...I'm not a fan of their regime...just pointing out the facts. Cheers.