America, Please Don't Make Me Move to Canada
74
McCain Gaining on Obama? Seriously?
OK, everybody in the U.S. who has been having tons of fun for the past eight years, raise your hand!
Hello? Anyone?
I didn't think so. So, that being the case, what is this crap I keep hearing and reading about John McCain sneaking up on Barack Obama in the polls? One poll even has McCain leading among voters 'most likely to vote' whatever that means. Now, thanks to these stupid polls, I'm starting to have PTSD nightmares about the John Kerry campaign.
Let me explain.
In 2004 I was not only confident John Kerry would win the election easily, I was confident he would win by a landslide. I wasn't the only person in the U.S. who was feeling that kind of confidence. After only four years of George Bush, the U.S. was already a mess: we were mired in a horrifying unnecessary war that was bleeding billions each month from the already overstretched U.S. budget, the economy was on its way down, and wealth was being transferred from poor and middle class people to rich people at a rate unseen since the days of the Great Robber Barons.
Kerry wasn't my first choice. I thought he was a bit of a stiff and would have preferred to see John Edwards as the Democratic candidate because of his committment to wiping out poverty and his experience fighting big corporations and winning, but next to George Bush, even John Kerry looked like a shoe-in. He was a war hero, and even better, he was a war hero critical of our involvement in Iraq. After the horrors of four years with 'W' I thought his win was a no-brainer.
I wasn't about to take any chances however. For the first time in my life I volunteered to get out the vote. I campaigned for the Democratic candidate running for Congress against the Republican incumbant in my red state. He got in, and Congress turned blue, thanks to lots of people just like me who had had enough and put their time and money behind change. (The Senate still needs some work, but we have another shot this November.) I figured once Kerry was elected President, the country could finally begin to extricate itself from Republimuck.
We all know how that turned out.
I spent the several months after the 2004 election in a deep depression, and I am not exaggerating. I was also not the only one. It slowly became apparent to me that I had grossly overestimated the intelligence and decency of my fellow Ameripersons. In retrospect, what is most striking to me now is how badly I underestimated the damage that could be done during a second Bush term in office. I was dramatic and dire about what could happen, and yet, what has actually come to pass has far, far exceeded my most melodramatic, most apocalyptic expectations.
These guys are hands down the most evil crew of rat bastards in the history of our nation. We are now approaching yet another chance to collectively give them the boot. Can we talk? I mean, seriously, can we just try for once to pull our heads out of our collective asses and get it right this time?
Media Darling? I Don't Think So
It's true that the media find Barack Obama a lot more interesting than John McCain. There's a reason for that. The reason is: Barack Obama is a lot more interesting than John McCain.
But is it true that the media portray Obama more favorably?
I don't think so.
A recent, in-depth article in the New York Times about Obama's years as a law professor picked apart every last detail of his ancient history only to uncover that 1) his students loved him because he provoked debate, 2) he was a great listener, and 3) he withheld his own opinions on most topics and shied away from the partisan gabfests the tenured professors enjoyed. The article tried hard to make this look like a fault, but in fact, none of these tenured professors had a simulaneous political career. They were, hello, tenured law professors. In other words, no matter what they said to whom, they could not be fired from their jobs, and having no political aspirations, they could not destroy them by with an ill-considered phrase.
Watching the press dissect Obama in search of a wart, a cuss word, anything for Chrissakes, it is obvious that they want to find a problem with the guy and they can't. The most devastating rap on him is that he is poised and intelligent. Oooh. A polished, intelligent black guy--he must be REALLY dangerous! Meanwhile, John McCain forgets what decade it is, thinks Iraq borders Pakistan, can't remember who is fighting who in Bagdhad without Joe Lieberman by his side to correct him, and shows photos of Obama sinking baskets WHILE VISITING U.S. TROOPS as proof that Obama is ignoring the troops. In spite of all this bumbling and nastiness, McCain continues to get mostly positive press coverage anyway, all the while whining about the attention he thinks he missing while the press looks for a way to hang Obama.
I think the country is so much harder on Obama than on any other candidate in recent memory. Occasionally he is lambasted for being a shrewd politician. He is skewered for being well-dressed, well-spoken, and being highly educated. He is condemned for being rational and cool-headed. These are criticisms? I guess what America is really looking for is a big, poorly-dressed, hot-headed white guy who doesn't finish his sentences and couldn't graduate from a junior college even if his Daddy owned it. See, I thought we already had that guy for President. So I'm confused. Enlighten me, America. I don't get it.
And here's the really bad part: It will be SOOOO hard for me to move to Canada this fall. I still can't sell the house I left in Indiana last year to move to Michigan, and now the house in Michigan isn't going to sell either. (Seriously, Michigan? It will be here twenty years from now with a 'For Sale' sign in the yard, ESPECIALLY if we have another Republican President). I've been to Toronto, and it's a wonderful, wonderful city, but it's damned expensive.
Bill and I will have to live in a basement efficiency apartment 45 minutes out. Where will our dog live? Where will we work? We'll be dishing up pasties at some roadside stand and living off the leftovers.
It won't be pretty.
So please, please don't let McNasty win. And if you have some compelling reason for national self-destruction, or some flash of insight into why Americans aren't leaning 90/10 toward a Democratic administration in 2008, do explain.
Like Obama, I'm all ears.
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Comments
Why don't you ask Audacious why he won't vote for Obama? Check out his hub here: http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Audacity-of-Common-Sen
While I am a fervent Obama supporter, I have been saddened in recent months by the bickering coming in on both sides. Our friend Audacious here wrote a petty, sniveling little hub dissing Obama on very minor points which he then fancied to be wonderful, penetrating insights, and it disappoints me that a guy like him never gave a guy like Obama a chance.
HOWEVER, GRUNDY, I found your hub to be no better in its attacks on McCain, and your basic assumption that if you don't "get it" and vote Democratic this year makes you an idiot struck me as something a guy like Audacious would read and think to himself, "See, I TOLD you they were elitists!"
It's like Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. He's no less of an a**hole than Bill O'Reilly on Fox, I just happen to agree with Olbermann a lot more. That doesn't make him any better than O'Reilly.
And that, I think, is the really troubling thing about the era of Rovian politics. Democrats got their butts beat by Rove-style divide-and-conquer, and now we've decided to beat them at their own game, sending our own brand of petty politics out across every airwave we can find.
Maybe I'm too much of an idealist, but this time around I really thought people could really come together, discuss the big issues, and pick a candidate after a spirited, deeply engaging debate. Alas, it's not to be, and I blame both sides for this failure. Once again we, the American people, have been cheated out of an intelligent discussion on the direction of our country.
One of my big worries is that one of the two leading candidates for POTUS will be elected. In MHO, neither is fit to run a government administration over 300,000,000 people. But then, is anyone?!
My feeling is that small is beautiful and the USA is not small. Further, the debt based economy is non-humane, but that's what we have.
Either way one votes will merely extend the pain of centralized government. To paraphase Marx, "voting is the opiant for those who think that they can make a difference".
Incidentally, as I write this, I am in Nanaimo, B.C., looking for a place to live.
Love the term "republimuck." Will confess right here that I was a registered Republican for years and years, until Newt Gingrich created all the hoopla that he created (don't even want to go into it!) but believe that NG's tactics were adopted by our current unmentionable. WHOEVER is elected, our republimuck 8 years have gotten USA into soooo much trouble...my mind is already disenchanted, and no one's even been elected yet!
Thanks for your comments Sharp Shooter, Bud, and Desert Blondie!
I don't pretend to be writing a thoughtful, political piece here debating the nuances of McCain's policy positions versus Obamas. I'm venting. I don't doubt it will offend some people but it's my hub, so I can vent if I want to. I don't think anyone is ever persuaded politically. People think what they think, and usually not too deeply either. I am hoping the current administration CHANGES and McCain is not offering any kind of change. Since I'm not Barack Obama, I don't have to tiptoe around things, I'm sick of Bush & his friends and McCain is one of his friends.
I think voting does matter, or it once did. But if people decide to abdicate their civic responsibilities and just throw med, they will. I spent a lot of hours working to ge Democrats into Congress in 2004, and I've spent a lot of time and what cash I have supporting Obama, but I'm already disgusted an the campaign has barely started. I do think if you don't 'get it' and you vote Republican this year AGAIN, then yes, you are an idiot. I don't expect to be thanked for saying so.
Sharpshooter, we are only cheated out of a proper discussion if we let the media distract us. The media has one thing on their mine. SELLING their stories. As writers, we can understand that inclination, but we can hold them to a higher standard, one of REPORTING, not CHOOSING the subject and stuffing it down our throats. Let's concentrate on bringing them back to the point they too easily forget.
They spoon feed us and we don't need to let them. While I don't think moving to Canada is the answer -- they've got their own set of problems and hundreds and thousands spend many months here either as dual citizens or as long visitors. Canada is way too neutral for my comfort zone, letting the rest of the world settle serious problems.
Not that I haven't entertained the idea of rest and recuperation, but fellow Americans, if we don't make it better...there will be no safe place to go. America is that important. What other country do you see taking on the painful fight against terrorism, or even trying to help third world countries but US. We may not get it right all the time, but we are often way ahead of what's next.
America needs our intellect, our drive, and our demands for truth, justice and the American Way. (Wasn't that Superman? what a great quote haahha)
Personally, when one investigates McCain, I don't think it's elitism to state ones opinion about voting for the man. He's got a dangerous background of inadequacy and we've got to be strong enough to point that out.
Politcis invoke strong feelings. We are at a critical time and. as Pam states, I'm not sure anyone has had this much criticism as Obama, since maybe Goldwater. (my comment, not Pam's).
I'd like to think that a mild "Please engage the brain" would suffice this election, but some strong expression of thoughts might be more in order.
My parents and grandparents said their vote gave them griping rights. Let's vote and let's gripe, somewhere in there, lies the solution!
go get 'em Pam!
Hi mariesue,
I was trying in my owh lame way to be funny--but I like the way you put that:If we don't make it better, there will be no safe place to go. That's true. I like that.
I don't think Sharpshooter has anything substantial to say or he'd say it. There are people on the internet who get some kind of weird kick out attacking other people just to attack. Trolldom seems to have come to Hubpages. I guess it was only a matter of time.
What especially bothers me about the McCain attack ads is that he was a victim of this tactic when the Bush campaign ruined his chances at getting the nomination by spreading the rumor that he had fathered a black child. The child was adopted from overseas. Now here he is spreading toxic waste. Incredible.
"These guys are hands down the most evil crew of rat bastards in the history of our nation." Eloquent hub to say the least. I think you're in my boat and that's the S.S. Please don't let the electoral college vote for McCain.
Thanks talented_ink. It's a certainty that there was election tampering in 2000 and 2004, but even with that, an awful lot of people voted for George Bush. We can't afford to see a repeat of that insanity. This campaign is shaping up to be one ugly battle and I do believe McCain is setting the bar for ugly with his recent attack ads showing Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears and also the one blaming Obama for high gas prices. The troops ad was just nuts--I mean, it shows Obama shooting hoops WITH THE TROOPS.
Ironically, there was a time I personally would have voted for McCain, or thought I would have voted for him. That was before he sucked up to Jerry Falwell and hugged W after being crucified by him over the 'black baby' smear campaign. The Falwell endorsement was the last straw for me, and after this latest series of attack ads I have no respect left for the man as a candidate.
As I have said previously American politics is just confusing. BTW there is avery interesting book called "freakonomics" by Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt where there is a quite interesting take on voting "the incentives to vote (or not vote)".
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/06/magazine/06freak which you may interested in.
Interesting Hub.
Hi sixtyorso,
I read through the NYT article you posted. Did you like it? I thought it was cynical and kind of snotty. Economists are interest in the dynamics of money. So are politicians. But the logic in the article is suspect.
I think the trick of the 'freakonomics' argument is to focus exclusively on the relative importance of the individual. True, neither you nor I are likely to be the deciding factor in who becomes President in any given election. However, to take that single fact and expand it to mean "voting isn't worth it" strikes me as a bit egomanical. Like, OK, if I don't personally matter enough to maybe sway the entire election I'll just stay home and suck my thumb.
Why would anyone need to matter that much? Wouldn't people take an interest in who governs purely out of their own enlightened self-interest? It is possible, and I think desirable, to do so. I care about the outcome of the election because I need decent health care and I would like to have a job that pays a living wage (after getting two college degrees and working my entire life). It would also be nice if I could retire, ever. Those are purely selfish interests, but there you have it.
It's in the interest of big business to convince you that your participation in national politics doesn't matter. Then they can continue to do whatever they want. Alan Greenspan, who many regard as one of the most brilliant economists of our age, got us into the subprime debacle that is still threatening to tank the world financial system. So just because some economist says don't bother voting, I'm not going to just go stock up on more chocolate bars and popcorn and rental movies and forget the whole thing. I think you really do have to consider the source.
On the other hand, if it really is that cynically hopeless, time to take up arms. We still do have that right as well.
Pam! I agree with so much of what you've said...It is the whole desire of the powerful greedy few, to take the desire for change out of the average person on the ground. If "they" - meaning powerful corporations - can make the individual feel powerless and unimportant, they have won.
In my America, we're not spoiled, rant... my motivation was the indignancy I feel towards those who try to say because we "want" we are spoiled. The greedy powers of rulers endeavor to take the "want" away from the individual by brainwashing them into thinking it's wrong to "want." Only the hungry government can want. Many other countries are already in that ring of life and we are heading there.
Americans want and create and produce because of those wants. To want is natural to progress. Man wanted to cook, to feel warmth, here came fire. Man wanted help with carrying burdens, here came the wheel. We want to understand space, communications, faster work, here came progress.
Progress costs, and we have to be "cautious" but that doesn't mean giving up wants. Americans don't give up. If we have to take away what corporations have stolen, we will. With Exxon Mobile's huge $1267 a day profit in 2007, we should make them vomit it back up into the economy. Their last quarter profits were something around 12 Billion??? while we sweat at the pumps and die in Iraq, Afghanistan and fuss with Iran, they pocket billions?? It's not right, that's the "want" to end. Not our drive to work or liveable wage you earned the right to earn!
Come on, America! uh o I feel another hub coming on...
excuse me, that was $1287 of every SECOND of every day in 2007. my bad, No, THEIR BAD. LOL
referance: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/5918750
and http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/business/01cnd-e
thanks for allowing these links...we can all fall in love with Exxon now...they're just doing what any cold blooded corporation would do, after all.
Hey Pam,
Ever thought of emigrating to Australia?
Hi mariesue & Eric,
Yes, all hail Exxon, New World God. Yuck! That 2nd quarter profit was so far beyond disgusting I'm speechless--and that NEVER happens!
Eric, Australia could definitely work. I would miss my kids though. If move to Toronto, they're still only 7 hours away by car. Australia--a bit more of a trek I think! They're all grown, but I do have a grandson and two kids who may soon be making more grandbabies for me, so it's a consideration. Maybe I'll just take them all with me!
Seriously, I hope it doesn't come to that. This is the worst I've ever seen the U.S. both economically and morally. We're bankrupt on both counts now. We really do need some kind of miracle.
South Africa is not quite as far as Australia and we have call centres.
LOL! Thanks sixtyorso! It's great to have choices. But... NO MORE CALL CENTRES! Ack!
I'm a second vote for Australia. My friends thought over the past couple years I'm joking, I'm trying to figure out how to emigrate, lol. Great title for the Hub, and I agree about the news coverage. "Terrorist Fist Bump?" Really? Unbelievable. Good hub, though. Loved the comics.
I was just thinking the same thing. I don't think I can stand any more of the rerevolting tricks, lies, bumbling, and dividing political cheese masquerading as Christians and leaders. From what I have read canada welcomes Yanks, especially with skills, such as writing. I was attracted to your interest in paranormal. I had an nde three years ago and it changed my life. I really believe now, in a positive way and have given up the old bad, habits and negative thinking. I will be reading more of your hubs. thanks
I figured I would jump into the frey and please don't hang me for my opinions here! There was a very interesting post I read earlier today: http://hubpages.com/hub/With-the-presidental-elect It was in response to one of my requests and was VERY interesting to me. Personally I am an independent contractor which puts me under the same tax bracket as a business which means if Obama were to get elected I am pretty much in BIG trouble with the tax changes he wants to make. There is no way I can afford to pay as much in taxes (he wants to more than double the tax percenage I am in), which would literally put me where I would be on the streets. While McCain scares the absolute bejesus out of me, Obama does more. There are so many issues that are not even being talked about, because the media is running this whole thing that is is absoluetly terrifying! There is a large part of me that would really like to know what happened to hiring someone who was prepared, experienced, and knew how to fulfil a position? It really doesn't seem either of the "canidates" can do either... Of course I live in FL so we know how much my vote counted for!
I have been taking the polls in AOL to see which canditate has the most votes, and its disheartening to see McCain leading the polls... To me MCcain would be another like another Bush, and worse with a very bad temper!
Hi Jerry and solarcaptain! Maybe we can all meet in Australia and watch the U.S. tank on TV. The thing is, if we tank, we probably willd drag lots of other countries down with us, so like mariesue says, there may be no escape, but I'm with both of you, I cna't take another four years of Republicans,
Violetsun, we are on the same page with this. It's scary and disappointing to see that half the country is currently willing to maintain this terrible administration plus pump up the violence and hawkish attitudes. It gets uglier every day.
blogging2, I did read the piece at the link you posted. Have you checked any of this out for yourself or do you just assume all this info is true? I mean, it's pretty 'out there' and its clearly intended to scare people off Obama. George Saros is a pretty wealthy guy but he's not Satan and he's no dummy either. I will have to do some research on the claims about your tax situation, I don't know off the top of my head if that's true or not. I do know that if this economy isn't turned around no one will be spending money anyway, and that's not good for business. I will lool into that and come back with an answer and a link. Dick Cheney is a billionaire former CEO of Halliburton. There are rich, rich people duking it out right now. What we have to decide is which of these devils are worse, and I think right now the devil we know is worse, lots worse.
This is from http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesme
The truth about Barack's birth certificate Lie: Obama Is Not a Natural Born Citizen
Truth: Senator Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961, after it became a state on August 21st, 1959. Obama became a citizen at birth under the first section of the 14th Amendment
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Here's a rebuttal of the scare-mongering on increased business taxes from the Annenburg Foundation at http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/mccains_sm
McCain's Small-Business BunkJuly 14, 2008He claims 23 million small-business owners would pay higher tax rates under Obama. He's wrong. The vast majority would see no change, and many would get a cut.
SummaryMcCain has repeatedly claimed that Obama would raise tax rates for 23 million small-business owners. It's a false and preposterously inflated figure. We find that the overwhelming majority of those small-business owners would see no increase, because they earn too little to be affected.
Obama's tax proposal would raise rates only on couples making more than $250,000 or singles earning more than $200,000. McCain argues that Obama's proposed increase is a job-killer. He has a point. It's true that increasing taxes on those at the top would leave them less money for other purposes, including investment and hiring in the case of business owners. But the number of business owners who would see their rates go up would be only a small fraction of what McCain says. Many would see their taxes go down.
John McCain has been making this false claim over and over, starting with a July 7 speech announcing his "jobs for America" plan: McCain, July 7: Senator Obama's tax increases will hurt the economy even more, and destroy jobs across this country. If you are one of the 23 million small-business owners in America who files as an individual rate payer, Senator Obama is going to raise your tax rates.
He repeated it in an address to the League of United Latin American Citizens the next day: McCain, July 8: Keeping individual rates low isn't intended as a favor to wealthy Americans. 23 million small-business owners pay those rates, and taking more money from them deprives them of the capital they need to invest and grow and hire. He said it again at a campaign event July 9: McCain, July 9: If you are one of the 23 million small-business owners in America who files as an individual rate payer, Senator Obama is willing to raise your tax rates. And he repeated it in the first of a planned series of radio addresses July 12: McCain, July 12: If you are one of the 23 million small-business owners who files as an individual rate payer, watch out – because as your business grows, my opponent proposes to raise your taxes.
But repeating a falsehood doesn't make it true. McCain's 23 million claim is a bogus figure. Outdated, Inflated, Inapplicable To justify the 23 million figure, McCain spokesman Brian Rogers referred us to a press release by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which refers to "23 million small business owners" without citing a source. That is actually an outdated count of all the businesses in the United States, produced by the U.S. Census for 2002, when the Economic Census counted a total of 23,343,821 business firms of all sizes. Of those, 16,845 firms employed 500 persons or more, which still leaves just over 23.3 million classified as "small" by the widely accepted definition that we will use here.
That figure is six years out of date. The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy estimates the total number of "small" firms with fewer than 500 workers reached 26.8 million in 2006. That's the most recent estimate. But it is also inflated. Since the total U.S. population was just under 300 million in 2006, it would mean that one in every 11 Americans – men, women and children – is a "small-business owner." It turns out, SBA's estimate includes more than 20 million "nonemployer" firms, an unknown number of them sideline or hobby businesses run by persons who actually make their living some other way.
Census and SBA count as a "small business" anyone who reported as little as $1,000 of business receipts. By that very broad definition, John McCain himself is a "small-business owner," because his tax return shows Schedule C income from book royalties. For that matter, Barack Obama would also be a small-business owner, by virtue of his book income. As would President Bush and Vice President Cheney, as we pointed out in 2004. Of the 26.8 million that SBA counts as "small businesses," fewer than 6 million are actually "employer firms" with any payroll.
From this, we must conclude that to arrive at his 23 million figure, McCain is counting mostly "business owners" with no workers, including those who simply report small amounts of income from sideline or freelance work. McCain is arguing that Obama's tax increase would "destroy jobs," but he's counting mostly firms that don't produce any. That in itself is seriously misleading. If McCain wants to focus on the effects of Obama's plan on employment, he would do better to confine his count to employers – the just under 6 million firms that actually have workers. And even that figure wouldn't be applicable because Obama's tax increase wouldn't fall on all employers, only on those in the top two income tax brackets.
McCain Campaign's Statement 1. These small businesses are subject to Sen. Obama's pay or play health care plan: The tax will either be in the form of health insurance to workers or cash to the government. 2. Further, even giving Obama the benefit of the doubt, if they make over $250,000 and file as individuals or have capital gain or dividends, their taxes go up, as Obama has promised. Note US Chamber cites 23 million figure: "The U.S. Chamber is proud to pay special tribute to some of its most valued constituents: America's 23 million small business owners" McCain's Non-explanation McCain cannot justify his 23 million claim. We asked McCain spokesman Brian Rogers for substantiation and received the statement that we reprint here. We find it simply won't do. Rogers starts by saying that Obama's health care proposal to provide coverage for uninsured workers would amount to a "tax," either in the form of higher costs for covering employees or "cash to the government." But McCain was talking about income tax rates, not higher business costs. That's not justifying McCain's claim; that's trying to change the subject. Furthermore – as we've just seen – the vast majority of those that McCain is counting as small-business owners have no employees and wouldn't encounter any added costs for covering workers. Obama's plan wouldn't apply to every small employer, either. It says: "Small employers that meet certain revenue thresholds will be exempt." Also, after Rogers sent his message, Obama announced July 13 that he is proposing to grant $6 billion per year in tax credits for small businesses that provide health insurance plans, covering up to half the cost of premiums paid to cover employees. As for actual income tax rates, which is what McCain keeps talking about, Rogers says "if they make over $250,000 and file as individuals ... their taxes go up." But this leaves out all but a very small fraction of those McCain counts as small-business owners. Rogers also says taxes will go up if small-business owners "have capital gains or dividends," but Obama's proposal would not increase rates on capital gains or dividends for couples making under $250,000, or singles making under about $200,000, regardless of whether they are classified as small-business owners or not.
How Many Would Actually Pay More?
McCain is right about one thing. Many small-business owners would indeed see their taxes go up if Obama is elected and raises the top income-tax rates. According to a survey from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, about eight out of 10 small-business owners responding to the poll report that they are organized legally in a way that would require them to pay taxes on their business income as individuals, rather than as a corporation. But since Obama's plan wouldn't affect those making less than $250,000 for couples,
I couldn't copy the entire article on small business taxes, but you can read it at the link. What it boils down to is, if you are a sole proprietor and make over $200,000 a year or $250,000 if you are married, your taxes could go up. That applies to 2 out of 10 small businesspeople. It strikes me that if you are at the upper end of earnings as a sole proprietor you could gix this with a trip to an accountant---I mean if you are earning a quarter of a million dollars all by yourself, it's time for you to get some professional accounting advice anyway. Most sole proprietors don't make anywhere near that much money. 8 out of 10 small business owners will pay the same or LESS under Obama.
Obama also is proprosing dropping the double taxation on sole proprietors, so right off that bat, that lifts a tax burden, not adds one.
So it appears the tax rumors are just scare tactics.
Thank you for the information you found, personally I don't fall in the highest bracket you posted but I have many (most) of our friends who would be severely impacted. Our accountant has also told us that if Obama's plans go through that it would severely affect myself and my husband. How I really can't understand, but I don't think most of us understand the tax system as it stands. I do trust my accountant much more than I trust the media though. That is why I pay him.
Let me clarify though! As I said previously I am NOT for McCain either! I believe as you do that he would be another Bush and even worse with a bad temper. The problems go throughout our political community though. Our entire country was based on a premise of Democracy and the regultions were set for a simpler time, it has since become it's own monster.
The biggest issues I have is that personally I don't believe any one person can handle everything that the title of "President" entails today, and it is the belief system and who they surround themselves with who will do a majority of the work. Bush has already proven himself to not surround himself with the best people. As you said with Chenny the ties to corporate America are just too high to be ignored.
Personally I am considering moving either way, it has been a serious topic of discussion since the birth of our daughter, but I do still believe that we are lucky to live in a place where reguardless of our personal beliefs about our government we are lucky enough to be able to say what we want, and if we work hard enough we can succeed.
I disagree with what the whole political system has become. Democratic I think is too far towards Affirimitive Action/Welfare where I make just enough to keep afloat, but can't get ahead helping everyone who "needs assistance." While the Republican party has proven itself with Bush (enough said there I think). The golden parachutes that our political leaders have when they leave office are beyond anything we as normal citizens could imagine. Where the posts (all of them) used to be hardship postings for people, now the people running for political office spend big bucks to get elected and having worked in the government before I can assure you the practices are sickening.
Lobiests and groups "assist" our decision makers so the choices being made more often than not are not the ones that are best for our city, county, state, country, etc, it is based on who gives the most money. I doubt there is any article evidence on this one since either side can be made to look good in print. But I saw it personally many many times.
The problem I see happening is that our entire government was set up on the premise that the President/Senate/and Congress which is what makes this country great. But the system has been corrupted over time, and with the media it is next to impossible to get the "facts" to the majority of the public, and there is always the Electoral College to "correct our mistake if we as people vote the wrong person into office" ... Scary all the way around!
Let me make it clear though that I am no more for McCain than I am Obama! They both scare me immensely! I truly feel it is a lesser of 2 evils situation at this point!
Hi blogging2,
I think lots of people feel very much like you do--it's been a disillusioning time to live through, and to raise kids during all this sickening political and corporate greed and graft has to be just terrifying.
Sometimes it does seem like the best thing to do is just pray. Not that that helps, but at least it doesn't hurt.
Hang in there, and thank you for your thoughtful comments.
As America insists on 'policing' the rest of the world (a.k.a. misguided and misdirected military action abroad), it seems only fair that they should extend the suffrage wherever they export suffering. Let Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran have a say in who's invading them. I'm pretty sure McCain wouldn't fair too well.
Seriously, I think I'm onto something here - any self-styled Leader of the Free World is surely morally bound to seek election by the Free World (wherever that is) or else keep the fingers out of the pie.
Hi Paraglider,
I like your thinking. By those criteria Obama would win by a landslide. I do think he is by far the best candidate. The fact that the McCain campaign is starting so early spreadings uch poisonous false crap about his personal character is, to my mind, proof that McCain by no means wants to address issues. He has nothing to offer except more of the same. I don't think we can take more of the same.
On a down note, I think it is almost certain this crew will find a reason to bomb Iran long about September or October so that come November 11 McCain can start talking about what military hero he is and how only he can handle this new 'crisis'. I don't trust this administration at all. I think they will do whatever they need to do to stay in power.
I don't want to think about that 'down note', or at least the consequences of it. I hope you're wrong, but I'm not confident.
You're already aware of my belief regarding the next election Pam. I still don’t think it’s even going to happen. That being said, if it does happen and Obama wins the only benefit will be that most folks will be lulled into feeling less assaulted as the assault continues unabated. Cynthia McKinney for president. Write her in.
Hi ColdWarBaby. I have a $100 bet on with Bill that Obama will win by 10 points. Now I'm starting to feel less confident about it. If fact, I'm starting to think you may be right. I've noticed how the Iran rhetoric has been really heating up this week, I'd say Armageddon is not that far off.
You life well in USA, why you need moving to Canada. Sorry I life outside USA and interesting with this article. because many people want to life in USA with many effort, and getting job in USA. by legal or illegal to entry USA.
pgrundy says:
16 months ago
Hi SJ.
I don't know for sure how to become a Canadian citizen, but that would make a good hub--I think I'll research it and put up a hub on how to become an American ex-pat should McNasty win. Ugh. It makes me so sick. It's like Bambo versus Godzilla--except Obama is way smarter than Bambi. I'm not giving up hope yet, but I do fear the worst could happen. I've been disappointed before.
Thanks for the Canada hub idea. That'll be my next one for sure.