I’m still amazed that GWB landed a 2nd term. But given his record lows, I’m hoping McCain will have a major uphill battle since he’s already been dubbed McSame and Bush 2.0. Fifty-six percent of his own party is unhappy with the general direction the nation is headed in, so embracing Bush policy might not be best come November. Overall, 76% of voters are ready for a new direction.
Despite the fact that this recession has been coming since at least the (Bill) Clinton administration, Bush is taking the beating. And McCain whole heartedly embraces Bush economics.
Republicans are not upbeat in regards to the economy. When those stimulus checks arrive in mailboxes this summer, and the economy doesn’t see a major upswing, McCain’s going to have a tough time going into the fall campaign.
McCain’s other major platform is the Iraq war. Come hell or highwater, we’re going to stay until we win (even if the government can’t figure out what winning would be). Unfortunately for McCain, Americans want out of Iraq, while he prefers to retain the right to spread our troops even thinner by refusing to preclude another pre-emptive war. (And if you only need the rumor of weapons of mass destruction in your country to earn an attack with Bush, I can only imagine the reasons McCain will provide when sending out the troops.)
In fact, in a recent poll of Americans, getting out of Iraq was the number one proposal to remedy the recession. The last thing McCain needs is to have a permanent stay in Iraq tied to the economic crisis here.
I’d like to believe it would darn near impossible for McCain to win in November, but Bush is wrapping up a second term, and I rejected the notion of that win 4 years ago.
No related posts.
I’m afraid I can’t see anyone BUT Bush, er, I mean McCain winning. Let’s face it. If Obama and Clinton don’t stop eff-in’ it up, they’re going to hand it to him, all tied up in a big red/white/blue bow.
Well, then, Ree; I guess we might as well give up now. It’s idiots like you who are responsible for Kerry losing 4 years ago.
I’m so scared for our country and to be a woman if McCain is elected (the end of reproductive freedom would be just the beginning). McCain would sink this country; would we ever get back out of that hole? And the Democratic party continues to bicker amongst themselves.
America understands that having Obama in the White House now would be a major mistake. His lack of experience and his poor record on international affairs, oh wait he has NO RECORD, would bring great harm and damage to America. Our only hope for the next four years is John McCain anything else we can all bend over and kiss our collective arses goodbye,
McCain in office would probably make the economy worse, unless his cabinet and VP is strong in that category BUT having Clinton or Obama would make things much much worse. With the economy in a recession does it really make sense to raise our taxes with huge billion and trillion dollar programs?
Let’s say the economic stimulas package doesn’t work, that would give McCain a harder time??? How about the fact that Democrats already want a 2nd stimulas package to go through!??? Before the first one has even started. Don’t get me wrong, I think the government shouldn’t even provide these “packages” or be bailing out those that bought into the interest only loans, I would say “too bad, should have educated yourselves a little better”.
As for our troops, stop speaking for them, that goes for anyone here in the US, let’s listen to the troops and see how they feel. Probably a bad idea since they would say we should be there. Especially when pulling out of Vietnam proved to be a bloodbath for those countries.
Why don’t you democrats listen to a democratic President that you all hold so high, JFK. Think about how everyone wants their healthcare paid for, their education paid for, baby bonds and special programs and financial bailouts, then think about what JFK said “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country!”, so now you all want that to be reversed and say “Ask not what you can do for your country but what your country can do for you!”
You people, make those of us that work to earn our lives, sick….
Poli those programs are the things that we need to help Americans during a time of recession. The reason the stimulus package won’t work is because it’s not nearly enough- 1200 dollars for families isn’t going to go very far at all. It will go to paying off the staggering debt that we owe. Your attitude towards people losing their homes is pretty scary. There are a lot of reasons for the mortgage meltdown, you can’t just pin it all on the borrowers.
Most of the civilized world has their healthcare paid for. I don’t see it as a handout, I see it as common sense that nobody should have to go into debt to be healthy. It’s not a crazy liberal idea to have free education- George Washington believed it was one of the most important functions of a healthy democracy.
Kip & PolitJunkie: I appreciate having opposing view points commenting on what I write, but let me make very clear, if you start insulting me or my readers with name calling, your comments will be deleted. Stick to facts and opinions about what you read; we’re better than name calling.
PolitJunkie: Reagans tax cuts that McCain likes to refer to actually tripled the deficit (tax cuts + increased military spending don’t complement each other very well). Frankly, that we’re over $9 billion is debt already is disturbing. This country would be crippled by a $30M deficit. Since Asian nations buy a lot of our debt; we’d potentially be in deep trouble political if that scenario were to compound itself
More than half of our nation’s federal budget is earmarked for the department of defense. MORE THAN HALF. It’s untenable to be the police force of the globe, fight pre-emptive wars, AND provide for the US citizenry.
I’m not sure what above you think is speaking on behalf of the Armed force? The soldiers in Iraq have already spoken for themselves. ABC recently reported that they are mostly split between Obama and Clinton.
Reciprocity is missing in our government. People work harder and harder and get less and less from the government for the money they hand over in taxes. It’s an imbalance that needs to be corrected.
Tim: adding on to paid healthcare. I was just reading this weekend that Australia and the US are the ONLY two developed nations that don’t provide paid maternity leave.
Kip – Call me an idiot if you like. I’m a born and bred Democrat who campaigns actively on my party’s behalf. I voted for Kerry. I voted for Gore. I voted for Clinton (Twice). I voted for Dukakis. Hell, I voted for Mondale. I bet you couldn’t even vote in 1984.
I do contend, though, that as long as the Democratic party has the kind of in-fighting that it has, the Republicans are going to think this is easy as pie. In Michigan, our own state screwed it up. When Hilary was campaigning to have the Michigan delegates seated, she wasn’t interested in them being seated FAIRLY. SHE was the only one on the ballot.
Then, to make matters worse, when Michigan WAS looking at re-running the Primary, but only with the Democrats on the ballot, the Republicans started campaigning for all of their fellow Republicans to go vote for Hilary. Because they believe she’ll be the easier candidate to beat.
It’s obvious that the Democratic party has it’s own problems. If stating that…and the fact that until we get our act together, we may as well hand it over to McCain….makes me an IDIOT in your eyes? So be it. I guess our candidates aren’t the only ones calling each other names.
@Zak- It’s your blog, delete my comments if you want to, I went back to read through what I said and the only thing that remotely talks down to anyone is about those that believe things should be handed to them, in which case I said it makes me “sick”.
Interesting that I find more and more liberals “for” free speech UNLESS of course it is in reference to their party or against their “ideals”. So delete what I have to say if you want to but if you believe in free speech it makes you a hypocrite.
As for how the troops feel, ABC reported it? so we are going to leave that statistic up to a liberally influenced main stream media channel?
And yes, it actually IS proven that when there are tax cuts the economy does better, even under Kennedy whom took a shot at it himself. There are a bunch of reasons why they work and I could list them off but just as fast as I can do that someone goes and digs up a liberal study that proves otherwise.
I mean really, how does an average citizen even think to themselves, hmmm I really want higher taxes I should vote for this person. If you actually had to write a check out to the local, state and federal government along with everything else that is taken out of your paycheck each week, it would make your stomach turn!
As far as other countries having access to Universal Healthcare and the US lagging in that department, all I can say is would you rather live in any other country than the US? Once again, there are a hell of a lot of horror stories regarding universal healthcare out there.
Who cares really, I am USUALLY, not always, arguing with a party of people that would vote in a President based purely on the fact that they are black or a woman, what sense can I really make to those in the end??
Poli, The economy does better due to tax cuts because those tax cuts are for the richest 5 percent of the population. The large majority of the economy is controlled by very few people, and when they’re doing well, they say that the economy is strong. You’ve been roped into believing that economic “growth” is good for everyone, when it only benefits a VERY small number of people. For the middle class, we’ve been in a recession already for about 6 years. Just because I want universal health care doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy living here- that’s patriot-bating. I for one have made it clear I’m not too fond of Obama or Clinton, I want the best person for the job, and nobody working for a giant donkey or an elephant can do it.
Tim, you know very well that I know where you stand on healthcare. I respect your stands to be critical of each side of the aisle. I did not, in any way, say that those who are uncomfortable with universal healthcare are “unpatriotic”, not at all. I simply stated that those who argue that since everyone else is jumping off the bridge we should too kind of applies to the statement that other countries have it.
What people are so afraid to look at is about the wealthiest people benefiting and contributing to the economy. I mean, I am low middle class if not high low class, do I care if the wealthy succeed even more or make more money? Is that such a crime? Should we punish them because we can not reach their level? Why is everyone a rich people basher when it comes to taxes? I understand that shit floats down the river, for many reasons I hope the President of my company does well and has a lot of money, keeps him happy and it keeps me employed. The real question is, if the wealthiest people are taxed more or are subject to tougher bills and laws, does that make you happier or better off than you are right now? To me, it has no effect at all, unless of course those rich are in charge of my business position and they have to cut jobs because they can not afford the overhead, then I am a little more unhappy.
I am a happy person because I choose to be, If I don’t have good healthcare I am going to get a job that offers me better coverage. If I want to get an education I will search for a student loan. Life in American really is what you make it, if you choose to say that the “man” is holding you down, then of course you are going to sit back and say there is nothing you can do and rely on someone else or the government to step in.
As for your critique of me on the housing situation, when you buy a house it is, in most cases, the biggest investment you will ever make. Why wouldn’t you take the time to do your homework, ask professionals, compare plans and educate yourself on the dangers!? Do I feel bad for those that were “duped” into the situation? Yes, should my tax dollars be put to work to bail them out of their own bad decision? I wasn’t duped! leave me and my dollars alone!
Not to mention that there was a good majority of those that got into this mess that had multiple investments in houses to make a bundle of money on them down the road, i’m talking a handful of houses each. Should we have to bail them out for a poor decision on an investment??
Ree, I’m sorry, I went way over the line. I apologize.
I just think it’s important that democrats don’t lose hope and throw in the towel just because things are a little difficult.
Again, I apologize.
Zak, first thank you for stopping by my blog. Secondly, I like your commitment to opposing views. I am still bitter about being banned by Democratic Underground last night because I’m an R-word. Sorry to be the one to tell you, but we will win fairly easily in November. I don’t see anyway that anybody but Obama gets the Democratic nomination and Clinton is going to torpedo him, but good. Did you know there is a Write In Hillary website already up? http://www.writehillaryin.com/
As for questions about universal healthcare, I think its way off base, but if you want a good model look at the best healthcare system in the world–Japan. No long lines, better medical care than we get, and not socialized medicine.
I disagree with him, but I see John Taplin on your Blogroll and he has the best liberal economic blog I’ve seen. His Hollowed Out Economy post is chilling and actually plausible.
Of course for all your conservative news needs check out my blog http://thatsrightnate.wordpress.com/
@ nate,
If you’re hearing your own views parroted back to you all day long, you never really get to challenge your brain, and come up with evidence to support your beliefs. As long as we don’t resort to grade school name calling, I’m fine with you thinking my arguments lack merit or are half-baked. Opinions we all have them. Ideally, we can all find some common ground within our own established and conflicting beliefs.
How would a write-in benefit either party? If you’re not voting for Obama, you might as well go ahead and vote McCain. If you’re not voting McCain, Clinton is too close to McCain to be the next candidate you’d pick. Basically, it’s an option for Dems and Independs who don’t like either candidate and opt to write in v. choose the lesser of 2 evils.
As long as the health care industry is a for-profit enterprise, we’re going to see lobbyists pushing drugs that aren’t ready for human consumption, freelancers being declined by insurance companies, companies looking for reasons to decline treatments that profoundly effect quality of life.
http://zakstar.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/insurance-companies-making-quality-medical-care-affordable-not/
Socializing medicine means we can focus on providing a reasonable standard of care for ALL Americans; I’m fine with the wealthy upgrading their standard of care out-of-pocket. It also means we’d be looking less at ways to cut people off from care they need.
http://zakstar.wordpress.com/2007/11/26/success-paradigms/
There have some amazing threads on Jon’s blog; everyone’s amazingly civil about their varied beliefs. You should be commenting there too!
@politjunkie
It’s more a slippery slope of insults. you start out “you people” and before you know it you’re attacking an individual. . . I’m just waving the warning flag before it gets messy. I only delete comments that are insulting or they are just blatant self-promotion comments that don’t add to the discussion (like buy my book on X)
The very same laws help the rich get richer and the poor get poorer and the middle class get abandoned. In this scenario:
” Today the top 1% of households receives more pretax income than the bottom 40%. And the distribution of wealth is even more lopsided. The top 1% of households owns nearly 40% of total household wealth — more than the bottom 90% of households combined — and earns half of all capital income.”
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_44/b3906038_mz007.htm
I have no problem asking the uber wealthy to pay 40% of the taxes, when they control 40% of the wealth. And seriously, if you’re taking home $60 million, instead of $100 million, how exactly is that a burden. It’s not like you can’t have an extraordinarly lavish life on $60M/year.
The subprime mortgage crisis stems in part from deregulation in the mortgage industry as well as poor handling of personal finances. But with the federal government over $9 trillion in debt, legislators can’t really be the ones to pass judgement on US citizens. I would rather see tax money being spent to bail out home owners on the verge of losing everything, than greedy corporate interests that ignored the warning signs.
Listen the wealthiest 1% in America pay 65% of the total income tax, the wealthiest 5% pay 70% and the bottom 50% of the country (that includes me) pay 3% of the total income tax. It is absolutely ridiculous. A fair tax based on percentage of income would STILL have the rich paying more but at least it would be equal and not discriminate on how “greedy” you must be.
I don’t mean to insult you or anyone with this comment but I find it pretty amusing. I am 25, no kids yet, but this weekend I did babysit my fiance’s best friend’s kids. At one point the 10 month old was curious about the 3 year old’s toy and started playing with it. The 3 year old threw a temper tantrum saying “that’s not his! that’s mine! don’t let him play with that!” Oh my word what a scene. My point here is, when I hear about “what’s a couple million in taxes gonna hurt a millionaire” or “those greedy corporations!” Sorry, but that sounds on par with a 3 year old’s self entitlement temper tantrum. These people (in most cases) didn’t just “fall” into money, they worked their asses off to reach their position and did so by following a business plan to become successful, those that CAN”T do that seem to be the ones that get the most pissy about the situations. They earned their money and should be treated fairly, what’s a couple million? Look at the damn word “million” and you tell me.
kip – it’s over
Have a great week!