Why to vote FOR Obama

[funjumper101 15]

I copied this from the Chattanoogan web site at


http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_134883.asp

This man wrote out the reasons to vote FOR someone better than I ever could.

All the recent bullshit from the McSame/Caribou Barbie camp over trivial crap like "lipstick on a pig" only underscores the points made.

begin quoted text >>>

I was recently stimulated by a campaign discussion with my daughter to consider deeply about precisely why I am for Obama - what are the deep seated reasons that bypass all the hype that flies by every day.

International Policy -
The U.S. must change the way it interacts with the world. I am really sympathetic when it is said that U.S. is widely regarded as imperialist. The Iraq war was fought with almost no support from other countries. Saddam was a heinous dictator, but I recall clearly thinking at the time "What does Iraq have to do with 911 and terrorism? Won't this defocus us from addressing Al Qaida and terrorism?" And it did. We need to repair our relationships with other countries and work jointly on international issues that affect all countries.

I have a good friend who is a surgeon, and he verified to me something I had long believed. If you ask a surgeon how to solve a medical problem he will generally recommend a surgical solution even though surgery may not be the best or safest solution for you. People tend to use the tools they are familiar with. Likewise if you ask a seasoned military man how to address a world problem he will tend to favor a military solution.

McCain is a warrior from a military family. He talks just like Bush about good and evil as a black and white issue. And he says openly that what you do about evil is to destroy it. Note how belligerently he has come out against Russia over the Georgia invasion. I am no supporter of Putin; he is a dangerous, power hungry person with dictator envy. However, the Georgian president Saakashvili is an inexperienced leader who is a loose cannon. He triggered this disaster with a very unwise incursion into South Ossetia. The Russia-Georgia conflict is actually a complex issue requiring a thoughtful approach.

McCain never mentions repairing relations with other countries. I worry that as president he not emphasize diplomacy, not make an effective effort at changing our international relations, and he will fall easily into war.

Obama is a person who studies history, and analyzes today's issues in the context of that knowledge. His recent international trip was belittled by Republicans as a celebrity stunt. To me it showed a person who makes an effort to understand others (both people and countries) and to favor diplomacy. Obama's relentless seeking of knowledge from experts is also belittled by the Republicans, and his education and experience are interpreted by many as elitism. Why do so many Americans minimize the importance of being smart on being a great president?

The belligerent approach to the world has failed to contain terrorism, instead it has inflamed it. Bush is lucky there have been no more attacks on American soil. He has actually not done much to prevent it. And terrorism worldwide has increased dramatically under his watch (particularly with the entrenchment and growth of Al-Qaida and the Taliban in NW Pakistan) I see Obama's more diplomatic approach as far more likely to secure our security in the future, and I see McCain's Bush-like simplistic good vs. evil approach as downright scary.

Economy -
I believe in a market economy, but I also believe the wealthy are enormously good at using their power to tilt the playing field in their direction. The deregulation that was started by Reagan has had a lot of good effects, but in many cases it has been taken too far. The mortgage debacle is a good example. It is time to re-assert some government control.

The healthcare industry is another example. The profit motive puts health insurance companies at odds with the objective of good health care for everyone. They are driven by market forces to limit health care in order to increase profits. I feel that quality health care should be provided to every American.

My eyes have really been opened by working with poor blacks in my downtown Chattanooga construction projects. And my wife has similar experiences downtown on her volunteer job at Volunteers in Medicine. We see that very hard working people (we are not talking about lazy, chronically idle types) are unable to pay their utility and rent bills and have no health insurance. These are not isolated incidents; this has become endemic in America. An economy that results in this is out of balance.

To fix these things requires determination to push back against the entrenched interests and the smarts to figure out what to do. This repair effort needs to be guided by intelligent study of the situation, as well as of history to avoid the pitfalls of old mistakes. This is exactly what Obama brings. He is extraordinarily intelligent person with the natural interest to study deeply, consult experts and make informed decisions. He takes a balanced thoughtful view toward everything; he is a strong believer in a market economy; he has studied and understands the benefits and the limitations of the economics of the recent past - Reagan as well as Clinton. I trust Obama to guide us through a rocky economic change to a better economy.

McCain is no deep thinker. He was fifth from the bottom of his class at Annapolis. (... and I thought a C student at Yale was bad). McCain admits that he is an impetuous decision maker (but he feels he always works things out later). McCain avoids talking about the economy; he thinks there is nothing seriously wrong. He avoids talking about healthcare, and when he does he mutters generalizations about how we need to reduce costs without any mention of how that might be done. Look at the RNC convention - there was a complete avoidance of a discussion of issues. I do not trust McCain to provide thoughtful leadership on the economy.

Experience -
It is ironic that the Republicans have argued that Palin has more executive experience than Obama. If you examine the argument, they are just saying that a governor has more executive experience than a senator. That is true. That is probably why very few senators have become president. The weakness in the argument is that it applies equally to McCain. The logical conclusion from this argument is that Palin should make a better president than Obama, Biden or McCain. That (fortunately) is not the choice we are facing.

It is interesting that McCain has tried to capture the 'change' mantle. However, the change he embraces (enthusiastically, I might add) is legislative ethics and integrity, not the economy and international policy. This is personally consistent for him; he has long been an admirable proponent of legislative reform. However, this is not an intelligent choice as a major focus for a president. The executive branch has limited power over the legislature. And, besides, this country has more important fish to fry at the executive level.

Obama admittedly lacks the length of experience which would make us completely comfortable he can pull off what he proposes. There is risk here. But, then again, it takes a fresh perspective to even recognize what the real problems are, and a fresh, non-entrenched view to see innovative solutions. The young do this all the time to their elders. The old see the young as too eager, too unaware of the dangers, too hasty to see that what they propose cannot be done. The young see the old as too entrenched, too careful, and too hesitant to make the changes that are required. In my generation the young prevailed and we ended the Vietnam War and segregation. Once they are energized the young usually prevail. That is one thing that keeps this country vibrant and ahead of everyone else.

Obama represents the new generation. Embraced by the young, he is also, interestingly, supported by many of the old. But not by the entrenched. Not by the business elite. (Isn't it ironic that the Republicans, the home of the wealthy business elite, can successfully label Obama as elite.)

McCain represents old thinking. It is time for a change.

William Johnson
Collegedale

[airdvr 210]

Quote

I copied this from the Chattanoogan web site at


http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_134883.asp

This man wrote out the reasons to vote FOR someone better than I ever could.

All the recent bullshit from the McSame/Caribou Barbie camp over trivial crap like "lipstick on a pig" only underscores the points made.

begin quoted text >>>

I was recently stimulated by a campaign discussion with my daughter to consider deeply about precisely why I am for Obama - what are the deep seated reasons that bypass all the hype that flies by every day.

International Policy -
The U.S. must change the way it interacts with the world. I am really sympathetic when it is said that U.S. is widely regarded as imperialist. The Iraq war was fought with almost no support from other countries. Saddam was a heinous dictator, but I recall clearly thinking at the time "What does Iraq have to do with 911 and terrorism? Won't this defocus us from addressing Al Qaida and terrorism?" And it did. We need to repair our relationships with other countries and work jointly on international issues that affect all countries.

I have a good friend who is a surgeon, and he verified to me something I had long believed. If you ask a surgeon how to solve a medical problem he will generally recommend a surgical solution even though surgery may not be the best or safest solution for you. Bullshit. People tend to use the tools they are familiar with. Likewise if you ask a seasoned military man how to address a world problem he will tend to favor a military solution.

I have a 2 good freinds whose mantra is there's nothing you can't make worse with surgery. Surgeons don't recommend surgery if there's a better way

McCain is a warrior from a military family. He talks just like Bush about good and evil as a black and white issue. And he says openly that what you do about evil is to destroy it. Note how belligerently he has come out against Russia over the Georgia invasion. I am no supporter of Putin; he is a dangerous, power hungry person with dictator envy. However, the Georgian president Saakashvili is an inexperienced leader who is a loose cannon. He triggered this disaster with a very unwise incursion into South Ossetia. The Russia-Georgia conflict is actually a complex issue requiring a thoughtful approach.

Sure...let's just say both are at fault and leave it at that. Sound familiar?

McCain never mentions repairing relations with other countries. I worry that as president he not emphasize diplomacy, not make an effective effort at changing our international relations, and he will fall easily into war.

No president will ever "fall easily into war". How much diplomacy is enough? When do you stop the talking and lay down the smack?

Obama is a person who studies history, and analyzes today's issues in the context of that knowledge. His recent international trip was belittled by Republicans as a celebrity stunt. To me it showed a person who makes an effort to understand others (both people and countries) and to favor diplomacy. Obama's relentless seeking of knowledge from experts is also belittled by the Republicans, and his education and experience are interpreted by many as elitism. Why do so many Americans minimize the importance of being smart on being a great president?

Obama's trip was a media circus, with liberal coverage jacking eachother off over who could get the most positive spin.

The belligerent approach to the world has failed to contain terrorism, instead it has inflamed it. Bush is lucky there have been no more attacks on American soil. He has actually not done much to prevent it. And terrorism worldwide has increased dramatically under his watch (particularly with the entrenchment and growth of Al-Qaida and the Taliban in NW Pakistan) I see Obama's more diplomatic approach as far more likely to secure our security in the future, and I see McCain's Bush-like simplistic good vs. evil approach as downright scary.

Not done much to prevent it? Please

Economy -
I believe in a market economy, but I also believe the wealthy are enormously good at using their power to tilt the playing field in their direction. The deregulation that was started by Reagan has had a lot of good effects, but in many cases it has been taken too far. The mortgage debacle is a good example. It is time to re-assert some government control.

Oh yes...more government control. Social security is but one fine example of government intervention. This guy talks out of both sides of his mouth. During the Clinton admin libs were leaning on the banks to make loans to innercity neighborhoods.

The healthcare industry is another example. The profit motive puts health insurance companies at odds with the objective of good health care for everyone. They are driven by market forces to limit health care in order to increase profits. I feel that quality health care should be provided to every American.

Blah blah blah. Neither candidate's plans do that

My eyes have really been opened by working with poor blacks in my downtown Chattanooga construction projects. And my wife has similar experiences downtown on her volunteer job at Volunteers in Medicine. We see that very hard working people (we are not talking about lazy, chronically idle types) are unable to pay their utility and rent bills and have no health insurance. These are not isolated incidents; this has become endemic in America. An economy that results in this is out of balance.

More of the "it's our fault" newspeak.

To fix these things requires determination to push back against the entrenched interests and the smarts to figure out what to do. This repair effort needs to be guided by intelligent study of the situation, as well as of history to avoid the pitfalls of old mistakes. This is exactly what Obama brings. He is extraordinarily intelligent person with the natural interest to study deeply, consult experts and make informed decisions. He takes a balanced thoughtful view toward everything; he is a strong believer in a market economy; he has studied and understands the benefits and the limitations of the economics of the recent past - Reagan as well as Clinton. I trust Obama to guide us through a rocky economic change to a better economy.

So did Jimmy Carter...that worked out real well

McCain is no deep thinker. He was fifth from the bottom of his class at Annapolis. (... and I thought a C student at Yale was bad). McCain admits that he is an impetuous decision maker (but he feels he always works things out later). McCain avoids talking about the economy; he thinks there is nothing seriously wrong. He avoids talking about healthcare, and when he does he mutters generalizations about how we need to reduce costs without any mention of how that might be done. Look at the RNC convention - there was a complete avoidance of a discussion of issues. I do not trust McCain to provide thoughtful leadership on the economy.

I'd rather have the government tax the shit out of the businesses that create jobs...wow.

Experience -
It is ironic that the Republicans have argued that Palin has more executive experience than Obama. If you examine the argument, they are just saying that a governor has more executive experience than a senator. That is true. That is probably why very few senators have become president. The weakness in the argument is that it applies equally to McCain. The logical conclusion from this argument is that Palin should make a better president than Obama, Biden or McCain. That (fortunately) is not the choice we are facing.

Yawn..a complete miss

It is interesting that McCain has tried to capture the 'change' mantle. However, the change he embraces (enthusiastically, I might add) is legislative ethics and integrity, not the economy and international policy. This is personally consistent for him; he has long been an admirable proponent of legislative reform. However, this is not an intelligent choice as a major focus for a president. The executive branch has limited power over the legislature. And, besides, this country has more important fish to fry at the executive level.

Obama admittedly lacks the length of experience which would make us completely comfortable he can pull off what he proposes. There is risk here. But, then again, it takes a fresh perspective to even recognize what the real problems are, and a fresh, non-entrenched view to see innovative solutions. The young do this all the time to their elders. The old see the young as too eager, too unaware of the dangers, too hasty to see that what they propose cannot be done. The young see the old as too entrenched, too careful, and too hesitant to make the changes that are required. In my generation the young prevailed and we ended the Vietnam War and segregation. Once they are energized the young usually prevail. That is one thing that keeps this country vibrant and ahead of everyone else.

Walter Cronkite ended the Vietnam war

Obama represents the new generation. Embraced by the young, he is also, interestingly, supported by many of the old. But not by the entrenched. Not by the business elite. (Isn't it ironic that the Republicans, the home of the wealthy business elite, can successfully label Obama as elite.)

Republicans are the wealthy business elite? Too bad for all of those poor stupid Dems eh?

McCain represents old thinking. It is time for a change.

William Johnson
Collegedale

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[StreetScooby 5]

Obama will be a disaster for this country.

We are all engines of karma

[jclalor 12]

The GOP told us that everything would be great with bush/Cheny and we all know how that worked out. Now they tell us that McCain is the answer and he wants to change Washington. What the hell does he want to change? The GOP had the president for 8 years and the congress for most of the last 8 years.

[JerryBaumchen 1,376]

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Obama will be a disaster for this country.

And Bush has not been???????

JerryBaumchen

[masterblaster72 0]

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Quote

Obama will be a disaster for this country.

And Bush has not been???????

JerryBaumchen

So you're implying Obama will be a better disaster? :-p

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

[livendive 8]

Quote

The GOP told us that everything would be great with bush/Cheny and we all know how that worked out. Now they tell us that McCain is the answer and he wants to change Washington. What the hell does he want to change? The GOP had the president for 8 years and the congress for most of the last 8 years.

What he said.

The GOP has had the Oval Office for 8 years, and Congress for 6 of them. What have they improved in that time? We have a far bigger government, a far bigger deficit, significant economic concerns, a much smaller dollar, just as much foreign oil dependence, and substantially less respect and goodwill from our international neighbors. The Shrub has made zero progress in restoring honor to the Presidency, despite that being the GOP mantra following Clinton's screw-up with Lewinski. We have more government secrecy, less respect for individual rights, and further erosion of the Constitution.

Good job GOP, you've proven that you're not just ineffective, but downright incompetent. You'll have to forgive those of us who think eight years of going backwards is long enough. It's true that we get the government we deserve, and for the last 8 years, we've apparently deserved crap. You've had enough time, done nothing good with it, and don't deserve four more years.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[rehmwa 2]

1 - because it doesn't matter who is on the ticket as long as Obama is in your party

2 - because it doesn't matter who is on the ticket as long as Obama isn't in 'that' other party - includes stupid people that still think GWB is running

3 - liberal guilt

4 - maybe, just maybe, you might agree with his positions on political topics more than you agree with the other guy's positions

I suspect the breakout of his supporters is something like

1 - 30%
2 - 50%
3 - 15%
4 - 5%

but that's just based on thread content in Speaker's Corner. The real world may vary from this.

Not that I also think the McCain supports have a similar disty for reason 1, 2 and 4

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[skydyvr 0]

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Good job GOP, you've proven that you're not just ineffective, but downright incompetent. You'll have to forgive those of us who think eight years of going backwards is long enough. It's true that we get the government we deserve, and for the last 8 years, we've apparently deserved crap. You've had enough time, done nothing good with it, and don't deserve four more years.

Yea, well, at least there's no illicit head happening in the Oval office.

. . =(_8^(1)

[Andy9o8 2]

Quote

Quote

Good job GOP, you've proven that you're not just ineffective, but downright incompetent. You'll have to forgive those of us who think eight years of going backwards is long enough. It's true that we get the government we deserve, and for the last 8 years, we've apparently deserved crap. You've had enough time, done nothing good with it, and don't deserve four more years.

Yea, well, at least there's no illicit head happening in the Oval office.

Is that really how you order your priorities?

[funjumper101 15]

Very weak bashing, righties.

What is wrong?

Are you staring to get a clue?

I sure hope so.

Eventually common sense has GOT to kick in.

[rhys 0]

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Obama will be a disaster for this country.

HA HA HA HA HA.............

At least he can sting a sentece together.

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

[normiss 806]

I didn't realize that stinging a setece - especially via a teleprompter - was such a crucial skill.

thanks!

[colkikinit 0]

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I didn't realize that stinging a setece - especially via a teleprompter - was such a crucial skill.

Well given the TOTAL absence of skillz in the WH for the last 8 it is a good place to start. The GOP and GWB have been a total disaster, I really dont understand how any reasonable person can act like more of the same is going to fix anything. You dont even have anyone to blame this disaster on, you have had a rubber stamp for the first six years.

Its time you guys take responsibility for you failure.

take a deep breath, relax and don't clinch your teeth together, it will all be over in a couple of minutes...