If you have known me for a considerable length of time then you know I used to be quite liberal. I have probably done more volunteering, service and protests to aid the Democratic Party than most democrats I know. (This was before the advent of social networking sites and a time when posting bulletins was considered doing ones part.) I write the above to say that I understand the intention, idealism and good will behind the democratic agenda, or at the very least it’s supporters. I do not understand the name-calling and harsh treatment toward those with whom they disagree, but do understand that no one with any amount of intelligence would partake in that immature behavior which just shows a lack of knowledge anyhow.
It wasn’t until Sept 11 that I made the complete switch, kind of like David Mamet and Zucker. So that’s the history behind what I’m about to say…
The media has a job to serve as a watchdog over congress and politicians in general. As far as I can tell they have done a terrible job. When rumors from the Internet spread as fact, this does not remotely resemble respectable reporting. Even when they decide to retract initial “reports” the damage has already been done. There are so many examples of this, so I’m sure no further explanation is necessary.
I naively believe that the attack ads from both parties would have very little relevance if the media were doing its job. As of now I see them as a necessity when information I have known for at least a year has finally come to surface about both candidates only within the past two weeks. Lucky for most people they don’t have the passion for news, politics and economics as I do. This means you don’t have to spend 4-6 hours a night reading as a hobby. I write all this to preface what I’m about to ask.
I will be sending in my ballot next week and am fully open to voting for Obama if someone would take the time to answer some concerns I have. So far there is only one person who has had anything remotely valid to say over the past year. Who’s up for the task? There are some requirements.
1. You must write it yourself. No links to articles please. I assume if you are passionate about your candidate you will take the time to write something in your own words.
2. Your argument in favor of Obama must be rational. Emotionally charged arguments hold very little relevance; neither does name-calling. Calling someone an idiot is hardly a well thought out argument. It’s an argument for people that have nothing substantial to say. Adults should behave like adults, no?
3. I want to know specifically what you support about Obama/Biden, not specifically what you dislike about McCain/Palin. Basically I need to know why Obama is the better choice not what you believe the faults of McCain to be, because I get that every night on the news
4. Please no propaganda 101 phrases like “hope”, “change”, “heartbeat away” or “another George Bush” (can’t stand “Maverick” either) The only reason I don’t want to hear the ‘another Bush’ argument is because that is a historically inaccurate statement. Almost anyone with a fair mind knows that is false no matter how much they know saying so is effective propaganda.
5. How does Obama justify being the second highest recipient of money from Fannie and Freddie?
6. Curious to know how people favor a healthcare system with even more government involvement than our current one, seeing as government agencies show a complete lack of running anything with the slightest amount of efficiency: public school system, social security, unemployment, etc? If you might not know there are many governmental reasons attributed to how crappy our insurance system is in the U.S. and many of those involve such things as a restriction on the number of students allowed in medical school each year (thank the American Medical Association for that one). I want to know how the supply and demand issues will be solved and most importantly I’d really like to know how we wouldn’t be waiting for a government agency to approve an x ray that will take 6 months + to get. Basically, how will it differ from the English and Canadian systems where people need to leave the country to get medical care quickly? I think Doctor’s should post their prices for everyone to see like how restaurants and stores do it therefore we can choose if we want to spend that much. You might have noticed that the cost of laser eye surgery, boob jobs and other cosmetic procedures have greatly decreased in cost. Few, if any, of these are covered by insurance. Competition and supply has forced the price down. I’d like to see our medical system work in a similar fashion, but if you can squelch my concerns I’d love to hear it, sincerely.
7. ACORN and voter fraud?
8. ACORN’s involvement with sub prime loans?
9. How does Obama justify receiving “guidance” from Brzezinski (Carter’s National Security Advisor)?
10. Since history clearly shows that showing weakness or appeasement with tyrants is dangerous (Munich Agreement, Kennedy after the Bay of Pigs, and then there is the famous Carter quote, “I can’t believe he lied to me.”) How will Obama be different? This one is the most important to me.
11. The level at which Obama has taken to suppress speech against him are pretty shocking, don’t you think? Does he not believe in the 1st Amendment? Can someone explain this?
12. How does he insult McCain and the Keating Scandal yet has John Glenn helping with his campaign?
13. How is it possible that one person can have such a large number of “guilt by associations” a.k.a. alliances? Frank Marshall Davis (granted he was young, but a member of the Communist Party USA shaped many of his ideals. This isn’t partisan, Obama admits to this in his books, though he never gives his mentor Frank’s last name), Renzi, Ayers (Obama in charge of the 50 million Ayers’ organization received from Walter Annenberg’s foundation which is more than “just a guy from my neighborhood”), Resko (huge financial supporter, helped him buy a house, on his way to the slammer), Emil Jones, Wright, Khalidi…
14. Do you know whom Alinsky is and what do you think of his methods?
15. How does Obama explain his support for allowing babies that have miraculously survived abortion to die by refusing to give them medical care, classifying them as temporarily alive?
16. Has Obama ever thanked a member of the ever-changing class of “rich” folk for paying for the majority of the schools, roads, military, welfare, etc? Does he understand what percentage of the population pays what percentage of the taxes and if so does he appreciate how they fund almost the entire country, including his paycheck? And while I’m on that topic, why should they pay more in taxes when our congress refuses to be responsible with it. I hope you all have seen the pork attached to the bailout. Wooden arrows and NASCAR tracks; good job congress. I’m not rich, but I am for limited government. I do not expect government to handle any program with anything remotely close to efficiency because they have yet to prove they can, so why support more government programs and power? If money solved problems in bureaucracy and efficiency how come the quality of our schools go down even though they get increasingly more funds?
17. Are you aware that 30% of the population pay zero taxes, the top 5% of income earners (over $153,542 a year) pay 60% of all federal income taxes, with the top 1% (over $388,806 a year) paying 40%? If it’s “fair” and “patriotic” for the “rich” to pay more taxes for the greater good how come Obama (until recently) and Biden have donated less to charity than the average American (The average American donates 2% of their income)? As an aside, in 2007 The Evil George Bush donated 18% of his income to charity, the Cheney’s 5.5%, Biden .3%, and Obama 5% in 2007 but less than 1% prior to his book income. “As a whole Liberal families earn about 6 percent more than conservative families, yet conservative households donate about 30 percent more to charity than do liberal households.” (Elder)
18. Do you really think a government run by Obama, Pelosi and Reid would be at all bi-partisan? How does Obama account for his lack of working across the aisles and against the status quo in Chicago? Please recall Pelosi’s comments prior to the initial bailout vote, then answer.
19. Do you believe that in most cases people should take responsibility for their actions?
20. Why did so many liberals support McCain until the presidential race?
21. How is Obama good for education? Considering, not only that our college system receives billions of dollars in grants and refuses to budget responsibly (which is the cause of “increasing tuition costs”) and seeing as Chicago is one of the worst states for education with the average salary for a teacher being $83,000 a year for 6 hours a day, regardless of production, and over $10,000 being spent per child is “I owe these unions” a statement by someone that will be effective in helping education in America?
So let’s start there. If anyone can intelligently answer these questions I will vote for Obama. I am not being divisive as much as I do not understand how a human has been elevated to iconic levels with photos of his face everywhere. It kind of creeps me out. I assume no one is going to put an Obama sticker on their property without being able to answer these questions, so I’m hoping for a whole lotta emails ☺ And I’m not being sarcastic. Answer these questions with intellect and rationality to squelch my concerns and I will vote for Obama.
However, I won’t vote for any bond measures no matter how well intended they are seeing the financial troubles California is in.
But his anger is astonishing considering what his job is.
Posted by Shotgun James 
Posted by Shotgun James 
Posted by Shotgun James 