Barack Obama and What He Means for Us All
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Warning: partisian -ship has hit an iceberg. Consequently, Ideology is going to make a massive shift from far right and far left to center, where it should be. See, we have three wars going on right now-the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, and the war at home. And while we're waging these wars, people can't afford modest provisions, gasoline, or their very homes (especially veterans...which is a travesty because they made the ultimate, selfless sacrifice to our nation and we pay them back with homelessness and starvation). We only have the emotional capital for one war and it shouldn't be wasted on a war between right-wing ideology and mainstream beliefs.In plain English, we've got our priorities messed up, but with the election of Obama, we'll have the financial crisis straightened out and, more importantly, the end of at least two of the wars. As a result, health and prosperity will return to our nation and the world at large which depends on the U.S., the democratic counterbalance and center of commerce.
Obama will not raise your taxes if you're middle class. Repeat, Obama will not raise you're taxes if you're middle class. In fact, for a while it seems he won't raise anyone's taxes at all (for a year, maybe two then he'll raise taxes on the top 2% or people earning $250,000 plus a year but that tax will be lower than it was during Clinton's administration). With no wiggle room in this current economic climate, he can't even afford to raise anyone's taxes. However, according to various new sites I've read, he will give a small tax break, a stimulus package to the middle class effective immediately once he takes office, and he'll help families prevent foreclosure. When the economy is more healthy he'll give the middle-class a tax break of $1000 per family and raise taxes on the top 2%. Personally, I think he has a lot of wiggle room to finance the tax break including closing corporate tax loopholes which he plans to do (we don't need companies exporting jobs for cheap, slave labor).He'll also finance a portion of the tax cut through innovation, something totally lacking these last eight years. It's a simple concept, really, and should work well because it creates jobs and brings money into the economy. Then there are other nuts and bolts including raising the 15% tax on capital gains and dividends...I'm sure the list of what he could scrounge is endless. Just know that if you're middle class or a small business owner you won't suffer under Obama.
Ladies and gentlemen, you can put your guns back into your holsters. I see an ennoblement of America on the horizon. Instead of wagging fingers and tongues people will be discussing their different opinions. This is very much akin to the 90s when people discussed opposing points of view in a dispassionate manner, but I see it as more pronounced in the Obama administration. Yes, political correctness will be dead and good riddance! And while some conservatives are throwing eggs at his administration before they're in control of Washington, some will inevitably be satisfied that he'll want to listen to them nonetheless and consider their points view. No one else can do it better in my opinion. When a child moves to another country, like he did when he moved to Indonesia in his formative years, he or she learns to adapt to a culture and points of view that differ greatly from the ones he or she was risen on in order to swim rather than sink in an unfamiliar ocean. In other words, he's a pro at working both sides of the aisle and it's his second nature to work both sides of the aisle.
Of course, you know that this will improve America's image abroad. No longer will America's image be that of domineering war mongers, how ever fair or unfair that might be (you be the judge). Obama has an innate understanding that foreign countries want to be, and deserve to be, treated with diplomatic professionalism. My mother taught me you'll catch more bees with honey rather than vinegar anyway, and that's certainly applies to foreign government. It shows them that we respect them and are worth their good will. In turn, they'll be more cooperative (though there are no guarantees) and bestow their favor on us. It's the best way to both end and prevent wars.
Lastly, but very importantly, we'll see the beginning of the end of racism in our country. Different minority groups will begin to move up the economic later and Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of judging each other based on content of character rather than insignificant little things such as skin color will begin to be realized. This is truly a historic moment that won't come around again (or until we have a female president such as Clinton). I suggest you enjoy it. God is-he made it possible.
Reinvigorating the U.S Brand
- Obama poised to rebrand America, experts say - CNN.com
President-elect Barack Obama is poised to restore the United States' image in the international community, but experts say the president-elect must show the world that his actions will live up to his rhetoric.
Juice from the Grapevine
This is gossip but if you ask me where I learned it from, I'll have no idea.
1. In 48 hours congress is going to vote on equal pay. 06/01/09
2. Congress voted against the environmental bill. Why are senators in control?
White House Crashers: Talk about Lax Security!
- Secret Service: officers didn\'t verify crashers - Yahoo! News
The Virginia couple who crashed a presidential dinner met President Barack Obama in the receiving line, the White House said Friday, as a
Sting's Opinion of Obama
- Sting: Obama best person to handle world\'s \'mess\' - Yahoo! News
Sting isn't a religious man, but he says President Barack Obama might be a divine answer to the world's problems.
Obama the Pragmatist
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Comments
Thanks Lita. Yeah, that other hub sure sounds reasonable. "Obama is the Anti-Christ"- talk about sour grapes. I'm surprised by the vitriol, really, considering the fact he ran a very clean campaign.
Obama didn't just win this election-- the people won. There is now a chance that the middle class won't become extinct. I am always amazed by how many people imagine themselves to be middle class, when they are actually below the poverty line. There is a lot of fear and ignorance in this world, and sound decisions are never made out of either. I like the way you put words together, and hope that you will visit my Obama-related hubs or current events blog at http://earthlyhappenings.blogspot.com.
Thanks Citizen. Yes, all it takes is some research to find the real answers rather than relying on what people say. Plus, and this is no offense to anyone who is middle-class or poor, it's a reflection on how we need to improve education so people won't be so easily duped. I'll definitely read your blog.
we'll see. I would suggest that you read Justice John Jay's papers to George Washington before the constitution was written, as he warns very heavily against foreign influence. I believe you can find it in the Federalist papers.http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/
I'm not so sure about his financial plans either. there were a lot of numbers being thrown around there and the facct is, that in order to support his $845 billion Global poverty act and socialized medicine, he will have to tax more people than just the top 2%. Plus, like Chuck Norris says, the top 2% know all the loopholes or have accountants who know all the loopholes. otherwise, why would they have voted for him? Do you really think Hilton, spears and the rest of the hollywood gang is going to give their money away? No way.
also, the Clinton administration said that they actually got more revenue when they lowered the capital gains tax. If you would like to see what a current dream socialistic state looks like I suggest that you check this out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg9D4uHjCXI
His economic team is staffed by intellectuals and bureaucrats, but not one has been a business owner. His paltry projection of a mere 2.5 million job increase is also pathetic.
With all due respect Vraj, the forefather's couldn't predict the advent of the airplane nor the internet which makes the world even more connected then it was back then. Furthermore, choosing to be isolated and ignorant of other cultures is just wrong. All that does is foster prejudice rather than promote enlightenment. It makes absolutely no sense at all.
His economic team has experience with Wallstreet and Washington, that's all I'm going to say. I think you're wrong and look forward to being proven right. Thanks for commenting.
Plus, some of his plans are obviously going to be put on the back burner as he tries to revive this economy. The plans your talking about-they're future plans and I'm sure someone as clever as Obama will know where to increase and where to cut when the economy is out of this recession/depression. The oil companies' excess profits looks promising...to me. I'm sure he'll tap into that.
Man,when I read Vrajavala’s stuff It Dizzy. Anyway, I'm glad to see Obama In office. Great Hub, I'm going to keep it simple "MY HEad is still spinning. Take a look at my Obama Hub. http://hubpages.com/hub/NoMoreBarackObamaJokesPlea
And Vrajavala. If you read it and you decide to comment Please Keep it simple. And No spam.. OK?
Thanks Joseph.
Hi Writer Rider
It's good to read a more optimistic hub after spending faaaar too much time on the AC hub! Mr O has one heck of a mountain to climb, but I am also very glad to see him in the top job, and I anticipate some sweeping changes from next year on.
Thanks Amanda. That AC hub has a negative life of its own...who would have thought. I'm certainly glad to have Mr.O as president though, your right, he certainly has a mountain to climb with the terrible economic mess he's inheriting and people from the right wing wanting to intent on destroying his reputation before he takes office or even trying prevent him from taking office. However, I suspect he's very strong and will bring some sanity back into America after these tumultous 8 years. I mean...whew! That's why we hired him, to undo the last 8 years and progress us further.
In fact, it's so sadistic it make me cry. Read what some so called Americans are doing to Obama!:
if the supreme court should actually try and sucessfully evoporate yet another democratic victory for u.s. president...there would be no stopping the inevitable revolution to follow...failed economy or not!!!
Let's just hope it doesn't reach that level.
ohhh...and i enjoyed reading your hub writer rider...sometimes i do get a little 'carried away'...pylos
Well, I don't blame you. Our rights were basically ignored and changes were made that sent our country down a downward spiral which we couldn't control. Hell, I'll join the revolution if they ignore our rights one more time. However, I know they'll find nothing on Obama.
WR,
Do I take this to mean that you believe that, with Obama at the helm, the ship of American Capitalist Globalization will resume its course and all will be well with the world? WR, the amerikan capitalist system is the problem, not the solution.
I enjoyed your Hub and appreciate your optimism. Such an attitude, if applied in a useful manner, can be a great asset to you and those you touch with your spirit.
I believe that Obama may restore a temporary measure of calm to the troubled waters we are currently navigating. He may provide a moment for us to catch our collective breath and try to figure out what really needs to happen to snatch the human race back from the brink of extinction.
I suppose we should be grateful for even that small improvement. To expect an overnight return to the halcyon days of the great american empire is not only misguided but delusional.
As far as financing worthwhile social programs is concerned, all that is required is the cessation of our ill considered military misadventures all over Earth and the slashing of our “defense” budget by at least 60 to 75 percent. When we become a nation striving for peace rather than conquest we will finally be able to take real pride in America.
I don’t know where the quote came from but I won’t soon forget it: When the power of love is greater than the love of power, the world will know peace.
At this time the lust for power and dominance is all that motivates capitalist amerika. I don’t think poor Barak Obama, however good his intentions may be, can be expected to overcome the momentum of several centuries of oppressive empire building in, at most, eight years.
That's no what I mean, no. What I mean is that the U.S, due to it's international business dealing and commercial power, is the natural center of commerce. As such, the health of our economy automatically affects the worlds' economies so how we do business at home has national and international consequences (including war). Which is why I'm glad Obama's at the helm because McCain, though I like a lot of his traits, would be a puppet to the republican party which believes in that flawed reganomic, free-market philosophy which could bring us to, potentially, nuclear war with other countries and closer to extinction because of global warming. At least with Obama we have some sort of hope. Good quote, I like it a lot.
I still see some rumblings about Birth certificate and court cases I guess some people will never get over the fact that the reality is Obama is the President Elect. I hope he does a good job(but looking at the unemployment rates, credit crisis and so on he will have a tough time turning things around in 4 years).
I rather doubt that amerikas' economic clout will last much longer. I believe and fervently hope that capitalism in general and "free market" capitalism in particular are on their last legs.
In any case I don't think any of it will make much difference in the long term. Nature will take her course and money will be of no consequence in the face of the forces that Gaia has at her disposal.
Oh I enjoyed a lot reaidng your hub. Wow, back in sanity-land again, after spending some time over at that "Obama is the Anti-Christ Hub." Thanks--hope those who haven't thought much on these things will stop and read.
CWB- I didn't get it what do you mean by "forces that Gaia has at her disposal"?
Yes, who is "Gaia?"
@ countrywomen
The Gaia hypothesis contends that Earth and all it's systems and components is a single living organism. It takes its name from a Greek goddess. It makes a good deal of sense to me.
http://erg.ucd.ie/arupa/references/gaia.html
http://www.kheper.net/topics/Gaia/Gaia_Hypothesis.
CWB- Is Gaia a Scientific approach or Greek Historical approach?
Scientific. Check out the links above or Google Gaia hypothesis.
It shows as Hypothesis and usually hypothesis aren't to be taken with the same authority as facts/laws which are universally accepted by all the scientific community. Anyway I will check those links in detail and thanks for providing that info.
CWB-All empires must fall, but I hope it's after my time because I want to enjoy the fruits of its success.
Countrywomen, he won fair and square and by a large margin. I hope people will realize that.
sandhyap, thanks, I hope they stop by as well and consider a different point of view.
WR- Iam with you too and maybe a little more selfish than you that (I would like even my future born children to enjoy the fruits of its success)...hehe
Of course, I do want my offspring to enjoy the fruit of a prosperous America more than I do.
Amen to that. May the gaia just be a hypothesis and not a fact anytime soon.
Earth was flat until we realized that it wasn't.
Hypothesis, theory, whatever you like. I simply find the concept of Gaia, Earth as a living entity, completely logical and reasonable.
Gaia being a reality is not a bad thing. Why would you see it as such?
I tend to lean towards these guys take on Obama, they put his politics to the Center right, if you look at his Cabinet, and watched his interview with Tom Brokaw, he isn't turning out to be much of a lefty at all. In fact he looks more right than McCain how is that for a laugh.
http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn12052008.html
TMG
CWB- I have read it and feel their is some element of truth in it. The reason behind me and WR worrying about Gaia is your own conclusion which sort of predicts a doomsday scenario "Nature will take her course and money will be of no consequence in the face of the forces that Gaia has at her disposal."
Not doomsday countrywomen, change day. People will not change until they are forced to do so. The threat to human existence posed by the extinction event we have entered, which has been triggered by human contributions to global climate change, will provide the impetus for humanity to adapt. We will be forced abandon our greed and addictive consumption and find balance with the natural world. That will be a good thing. Not doomsday. It won’t be fast and it won’t be pretty but, in the long term, it will be better.
I have to admit, there was a time when I used to use hairspray without a second thought because I thought conservationists were over dramatizing the danger to the ozone layer. Now, with the tsunami in Southeast Asia, the fires in California, the flood in New Orleans, and the melting of the polar ice-caps, I'm absolutely convinced they were right. I do hope this doesn't lead us to a doomsday scenerio.
TMG, in fact, a lot of us liberals are hoping he'll still keep his promises http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/08/politics .I'm sure he will with time.
What are you smoking. If Obama does not keep the Bush tax cuts, which runs out in 2010, your taxes will increase. I wasn't born yesterday. Been around this track a few times...Rode this mule down the trail before.
Obama said he would fix the ecomonic problem, now he says it will get worse before it gets better. I thought he was voted in to fix it?
He says change for America...It appears most of his staff came from Clinton staff, this is not change, it is some of the same old grap. Each time a Democrat is elected president, he puts out a statement for the new america. This has been going on since F. Roosevelt...more of the same.
He is wants to tighten up CO2 emissions...more of the same since big Al Core.
Where is the newness?
I have to say one think, he has pick a lot better staff than I thought he would. I don't think Dingy Harry and Mrs (Pope believes in Abortion) lier Pulosi is not happy with his picks. This is comical. Government is funnier now than any sit-com on TV could ever be.
Oh yeah, all those things Obama said about Bush and ending the war in Iraq. Well Obama kept the same Defense Secretary, and it appears Bush's stragegy on war has now become Obama strategy, too.
So all of you who thought you know Obama during the election, appears not to know Obama, because he ran on an empty slate, and everyone filled in the slate on what they thought he was. Only think I every heard him say, Is change, and spreading Joe the Plumber's wealth around.
He was going to raise the taxes on Exxon, but now that gas is down and Exxon may actual lose money next year, to average the high years, with the loss years, Obama can't tax them, because they will not have any profit to tax. Or if Exxon is heavily taxed on years of great profits, do they get bail-out money on the years they have losses?
You guys are hoping that he keeps his promises. What promises? He did not make any promises. Prove to me a promise...besides bankrupting the coal business, so your electric bill will increase ten fold. Tax the big oil companies so your gas and natural gas bills, along with food, will rise. Tax big business so that they cannot stay profitable so they will need to cut jobs to stay a float. Oh yeah, this promise is already fulfilled for the companies are already losing money and laying people off.
You guys will say I am wrong. Well, for all of our benefit, I hope I am, too.
Writer Rider,
He will only do things on the liberal agenda that are on par with the Fascist Agenda. Which for modern liberals there are several things that are compatible.
http://www.rationalrevolution.net/articles/underst
http://www.rationalrevolution.net/articles/rise_of
At least enough to keep liberals happy with their pick. The only problem is liberals are supposed to be the ones that vehemently oppose all things to do with the marriage of Corporation and state. (The Staunch Defenders of the Faith if you will)
Or anything that looks like Church and state. They often don't realize how simple things like a service corps are exactly that. Service Corps and the Military are the Ultimate fascist training tools as they inculcate the worship of the state.(Patriotism in the Modern sense I prefer the term blind loyalty as that is what it really is.)
Don't worry I am not a republican by any stretch of the imagination as they are just as fiercely Fascist, they just lean more to the Marriage of Church and state, and like to burn books, and spy on everyone, and flagrantly grab your liberties in the name of security.(Although you can't really wholly bag republicans with that one, as Clinton turned out to be a master of agency and Bureau use in keeping tabs and disrupting the plans of his domestic enemies, can you say IRS audit)
I believe that anyone that trades liberty for security ends up with neither. Just like anyone that isn't wealthy who thinks a wealthy person will take care of them and have the same values as them. It is just one of those Fairy Tale Prince Charming things, it may have happened once upon a time. But, it is nothing a prudent person would put any faith in. But, hey it is that forever optimism that is the mystique of Americana.
TMG
President-elect Barack Obama is poised to restore the United States' image in the international community, but experts say the president-elect must show the world that his actions will live up to his rhetoric.
This is a wonderful hub. I believe that president-elect Obama will help this country move forward, if it gets a little worse before it gets better, that will okay. After all, isn't it our hope that our generation will provide a better future for the next? We have to look at things on a broader scale. We are not going to get immediate change. If it comes that swiflty, it will not last. Obama is out to change things so that once tis great nation of ours is back on the right track, it will stay its course. I am holding on to the hope that he will be the one that takes us forward and keep us from turning the US into just an over-rated continent full of people wishing for change and not willing to work for it.
By the way, did I tell you....? This is a wonderful hub.
Tootles!!
By the way, I took the IQ test to ee if my IQ was higher than Obama's. Mine was higher! I could not believe it! I'm going to take it again. lol
Tootles!!
Nayberry, I agree that with Obama we have a better chance of getting back some of the individual prosperity & international respect that seems to have evaporated under president Bush. I also applaud the return to the center.
I also agree with ColdWarBaby that we have to be careful how hard we tread on this Earth, because others view us as the 800 pound hammer and we can certainly forge for the better, or the worse. I als see Earth as a living organism, and we but a few billion cells in that organism. Still, we have the power to do great harm if we are not careful.
Great hub and I hope to read more about you views, Writer Rider!
Cheers!
Chef Jeff T.
I wish him good luck for future of US. I think he is very slippry roads
Eoevery, thanks for your opinion. Are you telling us he's breaking all his promises before he's been in office? Before he's had a chance to even enact a new law? Yes, he's going down a centrist road at the moment but I highly doubt with the present condition of the economy that he has much of a choice. I trust that he's cautious and will eventually keep his promises, like Bill Clinton who kept almost all his promises and the 90s were a blast as a result. I disagree, the tax on Joe the Pumber's small business will be lowered and only the top 2% will have a tax increase if Obama's platform is to be believed. Even if I become part of the top 2% and they tax my income, so what? There's a limit to how much happiness money can buy anyway.
Ok, let's just say we don't tighten the CO2 emissions. Shall we all just die from global warming? A huge tsunami here in the U.S which is possible because of California's active earthquakes and the melting of the ice caps in Alaska as well the South Pole? That gives us and even larger body of water...very dangerous. Plus there's an actual blue cloud floating around. Al Gore was right to bring the problem to our attention before the sharks have a feast on our dead carcuses. The oil companies still have a future if they're smart enough to invest in renewable resources rather than fossil fuels.
TMG,
Some people are not as fortunate as you and I to have a college education and must therefore rely on their employment or pay for their own insurance. We should help people be independent, but we shouldn't abandon them entirely. We are one huge human family after all, none better than the other, and some needing our help more than others. It doesn't matter what party you belong to, really, party shmarty. Just another ism. How about this ism, Americanism? A combination of the positive qualities of both, or even all, parties.
You know communism is not socialism nor fascim...completely different isms. Any pure ism is a joke because it just doesn't work. Extremeism never works.
Sandhy, thank you. I agree with your, nicely stated. Yes, his words must live up to his rhetoric...but I believe he will.
Nayberry, very well stated. That's why I gave him my vote, because he's a new voice with new ideas. He can't be perfect, but all issues has its time sooner or later. You know, he has an IQ of 177 according to his kindergarten guidance counselor who leaked the info.
Jeff, we need the world's cooperation. We're mistaken to believe we can defend our country by ourselves. Shoot, we don't give our allies enough credit for helping us with the war in Afghanistan. Furthermore, we can't do business abroad and remain ethnocentric, just doesn't work.
Lgali,I totally agree. These times are very fragile. One wrong decision will have major consequences, but I believe he'll make the right decisions.
Writer Rider,
You are very optimistic indeed. Let's give the guy a chance and see what he can do. I will withhold my accolades and my criticisms till I see what happens. Nevertheless, I hope for the best.
sschilke
Amen, sschlike. But after several years of America having a bad reputation overseas, I'm so happy that we're finally setting an example for the world to follow once again.
Write Rider,
I agree with you on extremism, and we should very much help each other, but in this case I am often reminded of the Robber Baron Jay Gould. "When I was in a Republican district I was a Republican, When I was in Democratic district I was a Democrat, but I was always for Eerie" Eerie being his railroad company.
I think Barack Obama is shrewd and brilliant, anyone that watches him must realize that. He knew what he had to do, and say, to get elected. He did it very well and very clean. No one can take that away from him.
Where I stray from the pack is here, I believe Obama is a right wing politician who keeps his public opinions to the center. He has to do that to keep everyone playing nice (I attribute this to his brilliance and adept ability to read a crowd), but I do believe you will see a very Fascist agenda, you will see more nationalization of industry, more infrastructure projects funded by the government to stimulate and create jobs, and you will see things to benefit the middle class.
The problem with the middle class is it is a creation to keep people divided, and just enough people happy, that there will not be a peoples revolt.
Yes, more people will be better off in this country, but I liken to treating symptoms versus finding a cure. You don't feel bad, but you're still sick.
I am not a communist, nor a socialist, nor a capitalist. I find there are lots of good Ideas in all three and lots of misery in all three. I guess the best way to define my views if they must be defined, I would call myself a simpleist.
I would like to see things return to a very simple world. The problem with that is we are so out of balance at this point the only way to restore balance will be by something terrible. The interest of Capital will not allow population to return to a sustainable level without a natural catastrophe.
For this I am sad, This is also why I know Obama will not do the things necessary to achieve the Utopian Ideals, whether you believe the bible to be the infallible word of God, or look at like me, as a book of timeless human foibles, in either case you cannot discount the value of this statement "It is easier for a Camel to pass through the Eye of a needle"
Obama is a rich man, History is rock solid on the actions of rich men.
Thank you for writing such a thought provoking hub and comment:-) The brain must be exercised as much as the body.
TMG
The Money Guy,
Some very interesting ideas.
Political correctness leads to intolerance of others' views and stunts people from developiing further. I'm not saying people should change their views, I'm saying that people should recognize that other people have different views and accept it. If I was to be democrat in a democrat neighborhood and republican in a republican neighborhood I would be, and I'm not trying to insult you, dishonest and insincere. Personally, I prefer to be a person in a neighborhood rather than any other superficial labels society likes to stick on me. And being just for Eerie is like actors saying that parents should change the channel or turn off the television set if they don't want their kids to watch certain programs (though I believe in freedom of speech)-that's good for their televison series but not good for a certain faction of the population. I believe prevention is better than a cure as far as health insurance goes. It's better for people's medical problems to be treated before they become more serious and even more of a financial liability to themselves and the government, thus the tax payer. Plus, with universal health insurance I'm certain there will be less sick days and better productivity which would make businesses more profitable.
Utopia will never ever exist unless we look within ourselves for our own happiness. Frankly, humankind is so flawed, I seriously doubt that it could ever be achieved...but we can come close. It doesn't matter how many dollars a person has, what matters is their actions here on Earth, that will pass them through the eye of the needle. After all, what's evil about having goals and fulfilling them?
As for Obama, I personally think, based on his platform, that he's a lefty and far from fascist, though he'll be taking executive priveledge in passing a few laws when he takes control of Washington. When things settle down, I'm sure he'll fulfill his pledges. These times calls for such actions. As for being rich, he went to a rich kid's private school but if you know anything about private school, you know you're often judged by how much money your parents have and since he was a literal charity case, I'm certain he wasn't accept by everyone and reminded of his circumstance.
Writer,
Eloquently written, someday I will write like you. The coolest thing about this is, we get to follow along and compare notes. Look forward to seeing this play out, and look forward to your commentary as we go.
TMG
Thanks TMG,
I appreciate that comment very much. Yes, I like comparing notes because I like to consider all points of view before making to a decision and it's fun to read opposing arguments. You have fantastic input yourself.
WR
Thank You as well.
TMG
I look forward to seeing how your new president works out! Thanks for the insights.
Thanks for your comment, Ken. Yes, this one will do well, I believe.
We all have high hopes from him. Hope that he can bring change. peace and tranquility to the world.
Thanks Rudra for commenting. Wow, I don't envy the job ahead for him but he's already preparing to make changes first day in office. He's going to close Guantanamo, for example, on first first day in office and he's going to reallocate the $350 billion dollars left of the bank bailout money on regular citizens and small businesses.
If those of us who are not convinced about too-good-to-be-true Obama should wait until we see what he does in office before passing judgment, then those of you who practically worship him should also wait before you sing your praises- until he actually does somethign significant or remotely along the lines of his campaign promises.
Will somebody help me explain why they think this (Obama election) will relieve racism when 95% of blacks voted for Obama. Are we blind to reverse racism?
I think the point about not seeing his birth certificate or school transcripts, etc is that we really don't know Obama. I keep hearing how great he is from star-gazed supporters, but who is he really?
Keep in mind, Hitler was very charasmatic.
I am very optimistic that hopefully people will hold him accountable to his word.Yes, we'll give him time to turn things around- I'm on that bandwagon. But So far he smokes, yet is concerned about air quality. He's been riding in a bulletproof limo (9 miles to the gallon) for years(do as I say not as I do). You don't find anything odd about Obama's demands through the EPA at a time when the Big Three automakers are on the verge of bankruptcy and their best sales results are from larger gas-guzzling products such as SUVs and pickup trucks? Things that make you go hmmm....
There are two sides to to all of this of course, but it is almost taboo to talk about the pragmatic view because somehow it strikes a personal cord with his supporters. I've never seen such a personalized campaign before and my guess is that doesn't help racism when those that don't fully support him may be viewed as racist.
Opinions are not taboo with me izettl, only insults. But you're certainly entitled to your opinion and I'll respond to both is just a bit.
I hope my opinion is not viewed as insults I just feel strongly about what he says versus what he does, which is a wait-and-see situation. I am forever a devil's advocate and want to make people think before they fall head-over-heals. I do believe we will either see great things from this man or we will be utterly dismayed. I am more than convinced our country was/is ready for a woman or African American president, but hopefully we didn't settle for the first one that ran a good game.
izettl I'm far, far, far from one to fall head over heals with someone easily nor to be easily fooled whatsoever. To suggest that implies that I didn't thoroughly researched my choice which, in fact, I did. And, frankly, he's proving me right already since he's already working to enact some of his promises and even did so on inauguration day. Have you thoroughly researched your choice or are you listening to people within your own party? Look around you the country is in shambles and it's not the fault of the democratic party. I've been alive long enough to notice that America is always a shambles under republican rule, even under the beloved Regan. He left us a huge deficit but republicans are all about class and stature crap so they'll do whatever it takes to widen the gap between rich and poor-including brainwashing people that they should seek less intellectual pursuits so they can consolidate power with a select few. Personally, since Republicans are making more of a deal out of the fact that he's an African American and suggesting that people voted for him based on that reason alone, I'm wondering if, in fact, they're the ones that are racist. He's a handsome man and I appreciate beauty, but by no means would I vote for someone on that basis.
Izettl, noone's perfect. He smokes because he has a nicotine addiction. He has to ride in a bullet proof limo because he's life would be endanger if he didn't though I'm sure if hybrid limos were available he'd use them. Also, it seem racially insensitive to ask to see his birthcertificate....why not John McCain's? Why not George W. Bush's? Why not Kerry's? Are you getting where I'm going? No other presidential candidate has been asked to produce a birth certificate let alone school transcripts. His kindergarden leaked his IQ which is above Einstein's so we should take comfort that our country in the hands of someone very intelligent.
I think President Obama wants American to be Americans without regard to political parties or far right or far left what ever that means. When gas went up to 4.16 a gallon I did not see any political parties, left or right whatever get a discount. Americans all paid the same price and just went with the flow and limited and really thought out whenever the gas guzzlers had to be used.
"Racially insensitve"- See what I mean about everything turning to some racial point concerning Obama. Would some of us like to see his birth certificate because he is black? no, maybe more because of his name and background, ex-religion, etc but we shouldn't request his birth certificate because he is black. So the act of not requesting it is based more on race than the act of requesting it. Interesting...
Smoking is just an addiction, but if Obama is so intelligent, doesn't he know that smoking is not good for the environment and especially his two daughters? Do as I say and not as I do- he is imposing that on his daughters (unless he wants them to smoke) and he is imposing that pattern of thought on America.
Yes "racially insensitive." It's blatant racial profiling. Why don't we see McCain's birthcertificate to make sure that he wasn't born in Scotland? Ex-religion? I didn't know atheism was a disqualifier. If you mean because his muslim father who abandoned him when he was two years old raised him to be Muslim...that's completely impossible. He was born and raised in Hawaii by his mother and grand parents so he is and always has been a US citizen. He could have had duel citizenship with Kenya but that is "not" a disqualifier by any stretch of the word as long as he was born in the U.S.
Addiction by its very nature cannot be willed out of existence. It needs intervention. However, I doubt the country will ever be in trouble because our president needs a nicotine patch. Or at least I've never meet a person whose smoking impeded their job performance...enhanced it, yes. Smoking tends to calm people down (not that I recommend it).
Any tax increase over the few years will be detrimental. Hoover, FDR, and local governments raised taxed during unsure times. It made matters worse. Ever hear of the Great Depression. We obviously didn’t learn from history.
History has proven when government intercedes it fails. Look at Europe, its in shambles. The so called stimulus package won’t do a thing. The first package failed, the first bank bailout failed, and the third one will fail. To pay for these packages, the Fed is printing more and more money. Do you know what happens every time you put a new dollar in the system without taking one out? The value (just like anything else) goes down. Thus tomorrow it will cost more for the goods and services. This has been part of the problem.
You don’t hire two men who failed to pay taxes (defined as a criminal act by law) for cabinet positions. If it were you or me the IRS would take our assets and paychecks and put us in jail. These men won’t even be made to pay a penalty as everyone else is made to. What’s wrong with that picture? Has the dignity of the President been set aside?
This is the least (by far) racist country in the world. There are way too many successful ethnic people here compared to other countries for the USA to even be considered racist.
Our past may not have been stellar but compared to other countries and civilizations the USA couldn’t hold a candle to those. But again we don’t see (or want to see) the big picture of the historical past.
Obama said he would talk to Iran without preconditions. Iran said they will talk with preconditions only. Does Obama realize that preconditions ensure that something will be accomplished? His expert Bided should have advised him on this. If Obama is going to appease those who don’t like us then we need to take a look at what happened to France, Poland, and the rest of Europe. These countries thought it was a good idea at the time. In fact it showed weakness and Germany took advantage of it quickly.
My outlook isn’t as rosy as yours. If this is the change he was talking about (and he never defined what he meant by change) it is so obvious it’s the same old politics.
If Obama’s policies fail, I won’t be angry with him at all. After all it’s what most people wanted. But when that time comes you (the people) will be. The proof is now before your eyes with rioting in England, France, and Greece. They’re very upset because government didn’t keep its promise or save them.
Geez, I could have wrote my own hub! LOL!
Nicely done and easily to read!
joer4x4- great comments, not the same old points. YEs our country is the least racist and I still maintain that many people voted to ease their white guilt.
Writer rider- addictions, such as smoking, can be willed out of existence (cold turkey), but the person needs to want to quit. I believe chldren are the best reason to quit, but our president doesn't share the same values. For every 5 cigarettes he smokes, his kids smoke one. What a role model he is to all of us.
Find me one company that doesn't report employees who smoke have more absences from work (by far) than non-smokers. When they need a cigarette, they get agitated and impatient and take more breaks from work also- have you not had smokers as co-workers. Then they come back from break spreading the smell of their chemicals to all the rest of us. They have more health problems as well- or haven't you heard? Name one organ in the body that isn't stimulated by smoking- nothing is calmed by smoking (did you ever take health class in school?). Google "effects of smoking".
Obama the genius- yeah yeah my dad was tested genius all through school and belongs to Mensa, but he lacks serious common sense.
joer4x4 Thanks for your comments and compliments but whatever the reason is I'm just looking at recent history...Regan failed, Bush senior fail, and George W. Bush failed. We had a huge deficit under Regan, a recession under Bush senior, and the collapse of the entire economy under George W. Bush (we're most likely in a depression, though your party claims its a recession, because we've had more than two periods of negative economic growth and the banks are begging for handouts).
Talking to Iran without preconditions is the smartest thing any American official has ever conceived of, in my opinion. Do you really expect people to be cooperative when their honor is being challenged? Show them some respect "then" they'll be willing to listen to what you have to say.You can't simply go into different cultures and dictate to them. Would we be cooperative if Europe dictated to us? No. If they suggested a different path, more likely, probably no, but much more likely.
It may not be rosy to you, but it just might work, after all, something must be done. Investments can only help us create a better future by producing more jobs and ensuring our children as a collective have the education to prosper without government assistance.
izettl-You can live in your dream world all you want. Noone can quit cold turkey. They may want to and be determined to do so but they'll relapse...if it's an addiction. If it's not an addiction they can quit cold turkey.
Actually the economy was in worse condition when Reagan took office. After reducing taxes the economy got much better. How is that failure?
Iran has no honor - they hate us because of our life style. They (the government not the people) despise the fact that we are able to reap the benefits of our own hard work. Its all about control.
Writer rider- plenty of white people have been asked to prove they were natural born citizens. Candidate Lowell Weicker dropped out of the presidential race in the last century because he was discovered to have been born in Paris, France. The 21st President, Chester Arthur, was checked out to see where he was born. George Romney, Barry Goldwater, and even John McCain (born in Panama on a US military base) all provided their birth certificates to prove their birthplace. Obama must know there are many people who are honestly curious and why not just put forth a good faith effort (like those mentioned above) to shut those of us (with suspicions) up once and for all.
I'm willing to bet more people this election voted out of ignorance (skin color preferance- over 95% blacks voted for him) than any other election in history. Reason I'm saying this is who is dumb enough to believe all his false promises- that is politics at it's best (I'll give him credit for that). You have all these ignorant folk who never pay attention to elections of the past until a black man shows up and they actually believe every word. Let's chat at the end of this 4 year joke.
My uncle and husband quit smoking after their children were born, but they must not have been addicted- maybe they were smoking the non-chemical non-addictive cigarettes.
Well, actually Joer4x4 the economy did recover under Regan but there was also a deficit explosion just like there's was a deficit explosion under George W. Bush (though Regan was a by far much more effective leader than Bush) because trickle-down economics just doesn't work, in my opinion.
WR, you're pretty much on target here. Reaganomics is a joke. Noblesse Oblige is a myth and the invisible hand of the market is only really effective at strangling those who actually work for a living while handing those who lie, cheat and steal unlimited unearned income. The only things that trickle down are abuse, exploitation and oppression.
On another note, I quit smoking cold turkey over twenty years ago.
Everybody get a grip. Obama is just a politician. He probably doesn't know what he's going to do himself at this point. In any case, "restoring" our usurious economy isn't a great way to start.
Obama is just another Chicago politician. Did anyone know what he did to win his first election. He is cut from the same cloth as Blago and Burris, George Bush and Karl Rove. He promised everything to get elected and received nearly a billion dollars in campaign contributions to which he has started to repay with taxpayer dollars via the "stimulus" package. If he was white, Hillary would have wiped the floor with him. Biden would have done better in the primarys.
It is amazing to me that so many people mistakenly believe that the President can turn water to wine, when the reality is that Congress writes the laws and passes the budget. So if you want real change, elect responsible people to Congress, not just the ones that get earmarks for their constituents. Now is the time to start searching for real statesmen to represent us. If we want to turn the country around, elect people who go to Congress to truly serve the people of the country along with those of their state. We are on the cusp of disaster of historic proportions and the only one that can really make the difference is an informed, realistic, caring, unselfish voter.
Do your homework, ask the hard questions, say the difficult truths, and accept no superficiality. Start today.
Thanks CWB And LC, I'll respond to these later when I'm on a computer not affected by a trogan. I hope the webadministrators go to get great lenghths to ensure the safety of the hubbers.
CWB, that's true. After all, there are not enough rich people in the U.S for it to work anyway. I know Obama's a politician, but he seems to be a hardworking, wise one. And I trust someone who follows through on his promises like he is doing. Plus he thinks out of the box, I like that.
It's not about the substance being the problem is about the person have a physical (or mental in this case) disposition to addiction (or a mental or physical illness). I have a hub coming up that addresses this issue.
When I landed on this article I was preparing to defend Obama, but what I recieved was a positive article pointing out the positives and our direction, that is something that is needed. About the taxation well someone has to pay it and of course Obama is not going to make everyone happy, however the bottom line is I am looking forward to our Country becoming grounded again and I am hopeful that many will not lose their homes like a majority of us have and yes we did as well. Husband with a heart attack and job loss came the demise of a foreclosure and Chase did nothing , but in fact took our last bit if savings for a loan modification and let someone snatch it up. Were we notified nope , but have we overcome yes and we still have one another and yet another dream to move forward with. We are not alone and many walk in our shoes, we dream that again we will be homeowners and Obama Will and is striving to give our Country back to us. Great article and what an enlightment. :)
LC, You're forgetting that Obama is not the first black man running for the presidential office and insulting all the people who vote for him without any factual proof to back up your claim. Why didn't Jesse Jackson win? Why didn't Al Sharpton? We voted for Barack Obama because he's intelligent, represented change, and thought outside of the box more than any other candidate in our history. Plus he showed a predilection towards honesty which was entirely lacking in the Bush administration and McCain campaign. Plus, the majority of people who voted for him had a college degree and those who have college degrees make informed decisions.
Thanks AEvans,
No, I'm a lefty. I'm sorry that you lost you're house and your husband had a heart attack. I'm certain you'll find another dream house and that everything will be ok. It's egregious what the banks were/are doing to homes and the cost of healthcare in our wealthy country! And, frankly, foreclosing on people makes no sense at all. They're not selling the houses which sit there and deteriorate so they're not making a profit whereas they could earn a profit if they made the payments more affordable. Actually, I'm not afraid of being melodramatic when I call it stupid. On the other hand, we tax payers lent them a hand and they pay us back through fraud! I'm glad Obama is at the helm, he's our last hope to restore our country's promise, that is I believe he has what it takes to do so and you're right, he will. Plus, I hope he fires those bankers.
Well we certainly have better hopes for Obama than we ever did with Bush-Cheney, war criminals in my opinion. In Spain we were set to prosecute them but word has it that the US sent some threatening warnings and Spain backed down. Too bad. Cheney behind bars would be a nice start to cleaning up the mess he and his trained monkey Bush caused in the world.
Oh, and get that dangerous clown Rove behind bars while you're at it.
Ivan it's more like the Cheney-Bush wars if you know what I mean. They are war criminals unless Sadam was a threat to our security which it definitely doesn't look like at all. Of course the Cheney administration would suggest that they had weapons of mass destruction but no one found these imaginary weapons. In fact, I'm certain that a whistle blower informed the public that Sadam possessed no weapons of mass destruction before Cheney executed the war so, yes, they are criminals. They're responsible for the blood bath of our young soldiers the majority of whom are in their late teens and for the killings of innocent women and children in Iraq. I mean, talk about the value of life! I hope they do get their time in jail if only to serve as a reminder to future politicians that there's a limit to what they can do.
Excuse me if I seem very zealous. The wars stirs up so much emotion sometimes.
Hi writer, I see why you say stay away from sharks, they might actully pick you up on facts.
You have to many numerous errors to address here so let me just say this: Bush saw to it that the Homeland, and American institutions around the world were never hit again following 9/11. You didn't like his approach? Well maybe some people didn't like our approach in handling the Nazi's or the Japanese, but it worked and our country survived.
Perhaps you would have liked the Chamberlin approach better:
"I have a paper in my hand that bears Heir Hitler's signature as well as mine..... and that's about all it was worth, the price of the piece of paper---typical liberal
While your "centrist"--lol--has been around the globe apologizing on our behalf for being Americans, two US hotels have been blown up. I didn't hear him even mention that during his speech two nights ago, did you? Ohh I guess that's because he was to busy speaking about the horrible attrocities that our captured soldier has had to endure. Oh, oh, wait a minute, he wasn't talking about our soldier?---ohh it was his liberal Professor friend he was defending. You know, the one that he said he didn't have all the facts on, but still managed to get the word stupidly out there about the Cambridge PD.
The Shark---taking a bite out of liberalism
LOl Sharky. I'll respond tommorow.
You're entitled to your opinion Shark, but I personally believe that a war in a country that did nothing to us is unnecessary and wrong. That is no weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq so what was the purpose of invading Iraq? Suspicions that they have weapons of mass destruction? What if Jordan was suspected of having weapons of mass destruction along with Lebanon and Egypt? Should we wage a war against them all? Funny that Iran wasn’t invaded yet we know for a fact that they were enriching uranium while Saddam was ruling his country with an iron fist (smells oily to me if you get my drift). You know, if a little Indian man named Gandhi can peacefully bring independence to his country and solve a conflict between the Hindu and Muslim factions in his country without resorting to war, well, we’re a first world nation, why can’t we? We’re not the only country on the planet by the way. War has and will always mess things up.
By the way, you're beloved Ronald Reagan was probably turning in his grave in 2004.
Overall a very good post but I don't believe that "black America" is able to unite. Why, you might ask. Because they, Black Dems, are vicious and eat the flesh off of their own simply because they are fiscal conservatives or truly value life as is the case with the honorable Alan Keyes.
I hope that they can bridge their gap -- I can even pray that they do so because together they are far stronger than apart.
Tackle, bother parties truly value life and if the right attempted to understand the left's point of view, they would see that. That's all I'm going to say, anything else will stir the pot. That is I can definitely point fingers but it ultimately comes down to whether or not we're American anymore rather than Democrat and Republican (the new nationalities it seems). We've got a broken economy and two wars...we should be together like we were on 9/11.
My comment is brief, as far as the economy well he hasn't done what so many blindly believed that he could. He wrote more checks that we couldn't cash and unemployment is up to 10.5% higher than it was with Clinton in office or Bush. China is our bank and they even informed your so called savior of all our problems that we cannot afford the trillion dollar deficit he wants to set us in with the healthcare reform. I am sorry but common sense tells you in order to get out of debt you do not make more debt as his administration has done. The only thing I can really agree with you on is the fact that our Veterans have been severly mistreated by the people they protect! That needs to change!
It's increasing at a decreasing rate. And while it's a very scary period right now, foreclosures have waned, people have stopped burning their cars because they can't afford to pay their car bills, and big business has stopped asking for help. There's no coincedence about that. You have to invest productively in order for the unemployment rate to decrease. These wars only drain us financially, and more importantly, but service men and women, most who are younger than myself, in harms way. I hired Obama to do a job and refuse to put any leader on such a high pedestal that they're called savior. McCain, who I'm certain you voted for, would have ultimately taken us to war with Iran and caused us trillions more.
Plus McCains agenda wasn't at all different from the Bush administration's and theirs crippled us.
Investing in these big businesses who did not know how to make proper cuts to help their company without any restrictions is ridiculous. Part of the free market is the risk your company may not succeed. Ford has not taken a bailout and is still in the positive, luck or good business management? The government has no right sticking their noses in the private business sector. I do not like war and I do not honestly believe anybody particularly does, sometimes unfortunately it is necessary.. As far as McCain, I did not agree with all of his policies, but to me he was the lesser of two evils. Atlest under Bush and even Clinton we were not being undersold to other countries. Our leaders were not bad mouthing this great country to other countries. Giving terrorists rights to a trial in our civilian judicial system is outrageous, signing the treaty in Copenhagen is selling out a portion of our Country and making portions of our Constitution knull and void. The list of corruptness in this administration is endless and as you put it, crippling us as americans and all of our rights as citizens. Political correctness has taken a new low. No it is not increasing at a decreasing rate. It has been climbing slowly but surely. The government is so busy writing checks we cannot cash, we have nothing to back the paper anymore and businesses are scared to take risk and try to grow because our money is now worth half of its face value. Until they restabilize the economy by backing our paper money with gold, people will continue to lose faith in the money system.
I will answer this later but I basically disagree. If the private sector wants to operate in this country they have to follow rules like everyone else...you know this is not the United Business of America, this is the United States of America. Under Bush we were sold out to China and India where our companies took their business in order to exploit the cheap labor over there including little kids (and they were exploiting ours as well...remember all the products from China that were poisoned?) Under Bush our reputation overseas was tarnished because he arrogantly went around shoving his agenda down their throats so his successor has the difficult task of making amends in order to garner respect and cooperation from the world wide community. And whatever these prisoners may or may not have done, they deserve a chance to a fair judicial hearing and we should be proud to hold them in the United States...it's positive indication about our character I think.
What ever they did was the fact that they blew up the twin towers and killed thousands that day, or have you forgotten. By the way one has confessed and was the master mind behind it. What rights do they deserve? Make sure you tell the families of 9/11 the same thing tho and get their response. They are not United States citizens and should be tried in a military court for that reason. Like you said we should all be made to follow the rules, lets not forget the Constitutional rights are for US citizens not immigrants or illegals or terrorist who are not citizens. I do not agree with our business going to China to sweat shops. It should have all stayed home based in our Country, feeding the starving families of our nation.
Our borrowing from China started a long time ago. Unfortunately... this should have never started or continued under any administration.
I'll respond more later, but I must say that Bush shipped the jobs to China and before then they were so economically weak that they were an international afterthought. Now, we're borrowing from them (and that started during the Bush era) and they just might become a superpower.
Lita Sorensen says:
13 months ago
Hi, Writer Rider, :)
Wow, back in sanity-land again, after spending some time over at that "Obama is the Anti-Christ Hub." Thanks--hope those who haven't thought much on these things will stop and read.