Which team will be most effective in changing Washington politics?

I could not have said this better. Most Americans have reached the point where they will vote for the BEST person to be their President -- NOT because of that person's skin color, gender, or religion, but what they will do to LEAD this country....

best thing I've read in a while, take it from a over 40 less than middle class single white mom who is voting for Barack Obama, because he is change, he is a fresh idea, he is what I believe and how I have raised my son to believe in the goodness of the world.

amen brother!

It's ok for the right to vote on a single issue (abortion), why can't blacks do the same? I just hope they do vote. Obama is definitely more qualified of the choices given us.

If Mr. Obama's father is from Kenya and his mother is a white woman from Kansas, how does that make him descended from American slaves? I am confused about that association.

Deemee,

I'm a white guy from Tennessee.....and....God bless you AND that grandson,
I wouldn't mind, at all, the opportunity to cast my vote for him one day. You
tell him that, ok?

Patti=505852.

Look in the mirror, dear....your reflection has a fool looking back it.
May God help you.

I'm sorry but you clearly stated why blacks, no matter if they agree or not are voting for Obama!! Color should mean nothing! Issues are what should count! If you want racism to stop then blacks need to help out also cause I've seen a lot of racism towards whites since this election began!

Lauri-505857
The gentleman's inference is that many simply see Obama as black. They do not seem to have the desire & / or intelligence to note his ancestry, as you do. Therefore, their simply seeing a "black man" brings to their minds the slave metaphor which Deemee was drawing upon when describing what was (?) the black man's plight in our country. I (?)'s was because it is still more prevalent than we care to admit--to ourselves, much less publicly.

Hope this helps.

Have to agree with Laurie on this one. His father is from Kenya, there is no direct connection to the slaves. His wife and children are possibly related to American slaves. Of course this is not to demean the contributions of African Americans or the shameful actions of slave owners in this country. It is merely and observation that Barack Obama is half African, not necessarily what we call African American. i.e. descended from slaves.

I will vote for him because I don't think this nation can take much more of the neocon agenda. They have destroyed the economy, the banks are failing, health care is exorbitant, we are constantly at war, taxpayers are going to be paying this back for generations. This is not an example of small government. This is not responsible government. This is a system designed to break the government to make a point about how bad government is. This is propaganda. This is, very likely, Fascism.

Melissa - PA

Don't lose sight of what brought about the response. The man was asked if he was voting....because he is black. Look at how many are still treated BECAUSE they are black; however do note that beyond the color of Obama's skin, the man does see hope, change, and encouragement for a brighter future (for his grandson).

I'm sure Deemee would agree that many blacks are still discrimated agains because they CHOSE to be; by the same token, many whites are still racist--more closet than guts enough to admit it--because THEY CHOSE to be.

I enjoy discussion, and your ops.

Oh wow how easily people are duped by repetition. Palin has cut 0 dollars in pork from our budget (I'm Alaskan). We love Pork spending, it's our bread and butter. That's why we get more then anyone. Oh yeah, and she also raised taxes by levying the same windfall profits tax on oil companies that Barak Obama has proposed (and John McCain said was naive and irresponsible). So far, it's worked great for alaska. I wonder why John McCain doesn't think it will work?

A Woman who thinks...s..p..rocks!

Ma'am, you've obviously not done ANY homework on you "rock star". Number one: that's just it: you've all got stars in your eyes because your candidate is an attractive individual who can read a speech (that someone else wrote) very well. I want a professional representing me, not somebody who gives me lip-service. You look at at this way. Bush / Cheney doesn't (& never has) gave a damn what YOU think....McCain / Palin will be no different.

That, you can put in the bank.

Well, I want someone in the office that KNOWS we have 50 states NOT 57 states. I wonder if BO is still looking to find the other 7 states to go visit?!!!??? As far as leadership, John McCain AND Sarah Palin have risen to the challenge and challeneged their OWN parties. BO & JB just "go along with" the DNC talking points 100% of the time. IS THAT CHANGE???? It seems to me that it is more of the same old, same old!!!!

Give me a break, Woman Who Thinks SP Rocks. SP can not even enact change in her own family. She preaches abstinence and her own daughter gets pregnant. Now she wants to push that "lesson" on our daughters and lead us to what, more teenage marriages? No thank you.

She is not a breath of fresh air. She is Bush in a dress

Barbara, I guess when you can't argue your viewpoint OR defend your candidate, you choose to attack a person's character. I am still waiting for anybody to tell me what BO has accomplished??????????

It is amazing on how most of you uneducated people keep harping on experience. Bill Clinton had no foreign policy experience, All George Bush did was run Texas...What makes Obama any different. In his campaign alone he has managed to energize millions of people that probably wouldnt even vote. Look at his work in the last 2 yrs. He has raised over $400 million on grass roots efforts. This has to mean something. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF...Please stop using experience as a crutch...YOu know he is going to surround himself with the best people....He cant do any worst than GWB....

But do you know any of his accomplishements? I keep asking for people to tell me JUST ONE of BO's accomplishments!!! McCain and Palin have BOTH stood up to their parties and not just gone along. I have looked at BO's plan. He wants UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE but on his website does NOT give the details of how he will do this OR how it will be PAID FOR!! McCain is very clear on this and give specifics!! Check McCain's website out!! Just for the fact that BO wants BIGGER government and UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE is EXACTLY the reason NOT to vote for him!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you imagine how good the Univerisal Health Care would be run by the same government that runs Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Welfare!!!????!?!?!?!?!???????????????

Is he Black? I hadn't noticed. What I see is an educated well spoken deep thinking man with hopes and dreams similar to mine. I want my country back.

NEVER FORGET THAT ANTI-ABORTIONISTS ARE *ONE ISSUE VOTERS* AND A FORMIDABLE POWER.... they dont vote the economy, they dont vote foreign policy, they dont vote for any social issues BUT ONE- AGAINST ABORTION...

Its not going to be an easy road to victory - make sure your friends and family are aware there is more issues at stake than abortion...

I am Asian, and I think we are being branded too. I totally agree with you, but you know what there are a lot of old white racist out there, that will not care about issues but not vote for Obama because he is black. My personally take is that, USA is doomed for failure as we would never be able to move forward as a nation and improve in our thinking. I voted for Hillary during the CA primaries and I will be voting for Obama, but in CA, he is a sure win, I just hope I live in FL now.

Universal health care - "Socialized health care" - is NOT A BAD THING! I grew up with such a thing... plus socialized child care, education, etc. It is wonderful and provides for a happier, safer society. Why are you so afraid of having people taken care of?!? I think you may need to go visit some places in the world where programs like this are in place and see that it can work and be a good thing, particularly for women and children. Of course, big business would need to pitch in and actually pay some taxes instead of putting the $$ in the executives' pockets to make this kind of program a reality here...
It is hilarious to me that people in this country are so afraid of their elected officials (i.e. "the government") but SOOO TRUSTING of big business!

Too bad that Obama isn't Black. His mother is White, his father is Arab. throw in a minuscule amount of Black from 3 or 4 generations ago, and then consider the legal aspect, you have to be one-eighth Black. Then there is the chance Obama may not be a citizen, see Berg V. Obama. Isn't an African-American a descendant of slaves? Obama is a descendant of slave traders.

Talking about raceism!!!!!

ASA, I guess that is why people from ALL OVER THE WORLD come to the USA for their healthcare needs if they can afford to!!! We have the best health care in the WORLD and BO wants to CHANGE it!! I pray he DOES NOT get voted in because heaven help us!!!! Just the health care alone will be irreparably damaged. On his website he does not put any specific-- it is all ambigous!! He also does not state how he is going to PAY for it!!! That is all we need is BIG BROTHER!!!! BO=Bigger Government.

you are obviously consumed with the color of skin. i further recommend you check your historical facts. mr obama is not a decendent of a slave, nor was his wife, who happens to be white.

SP lover...you're SCREAMING for answers...so here are a couple for you.

When Obama was a state legislator he sponsored laws increasing tax credits for low-income workers, negotiated welfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare. He also enacted death penalty reforms and laws that helped to diminish racial profiling by police. Real problems, real issues, real responses to those issues. Every time a Senator sponsors a bill, they are affecting that cause. He has sponsored HUNDREDS of bills. He expanded an existing legislation that would dismantle WMD in the former USSR into covering conventional weapons. Also introduced an initiative that required full disclosure to the public of all organiztions who received federal funds. see usaspending.gov This act was called the Coburn-Obama Transparency Act. Can't imagine why it would be named after him since Obama has done absolutely nothing - according to you & many other people who are screaming at the tops of their lungs repeating the lies they heard from the RNC. As for Saraccuda, until it seemed unwise for her career to do so, she supported corrupt politicians, backed projects that would be horrible for her state. As soon as it would have been flat out stupid not to flip flip, she turned on the politicians and pulled support of those projects. Instead of attacking Obama, why don't you now offer solid stats on how experienced and accomplished SP is...other than just repeating general themes that you (and millions of other Americans) heard on tv? Other than putting a thriving city's economy in the red, flip flopping on her support of issues and asking "what does a VP actually DO?" What has your candidate actually DONE, pray tell?

Excuse me, but what does slavery have to do with anything? No one voting today was ever a slave. No one voting today ever owned a slave. For your information slavery existed, on every continent and in every country, from the beginning of time. AND the Titantic sank. GET OVER IT.

I want someone in Washington who will do away with welfare not increase it. I want someone who will see an America of many colors not just their's. Barack Obama is the son of a white mother and black (not African-American) father. However, he considers himself a "BLACKMAN", not mixed, not a White and Black man-a BLACKMAN. According to his books he felt had no identity being raised by his WHITE mother and grandparents. Evidently, it took being indoctrinated into the Marxist, anti-white, elements of Chicago politics and churches before he "found" himself.

And by the way, HOW MANY HOUSES DOES OPRAH OWN? AND HOW MANY HAVE THE OBAMA'S STAYED AT? Cindy McCain's father built his business from the ground up and John McCain has the right to enjoy her wealth just as much as John Kerry gets to enjoy his wife's millions.

Obama is not a descendant of slaves. His father was from Kenya in the 20th century.

The USA has a great health care system FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT (as you just wrote) which amounts to very few... is that the kind of country you want to live in?! I want a country where everybody has access to good health care, no matter how much money they make. McCain/Palin will never be on the side of the lower middle class, the elderly and children (or women for that matter). Socialized health care works - I don't see anybody from Sweden coming over here to get health care.

Descendant of a slave? When did we have slaves in Kenya where Obama's dad is from? lol

Obama's father is a descendant of the slave traders. His ancestors are the ones who captured and sold the slaves.

DEEMEE,Obama represents higher taxes, how do you think he is going to pay for all this "Change"???? If you don't mind paying for it that's fine, I'm more concerned about taking care of my family.

First off about health care, I'll be happy to see all those damned commercials go to the way side. Maybe if they put more into RD and less into the pockets of doctors for pedling their pills, we would not have the pill popping society that we have now. Second of all, what has Obama done? Well as I have stated before on another thread, I would rather have someone who has been a community organizer and actually helped people go find jobs, training, and better housing than someone who pretends to know what the lees fortunate have to go through. Now maybe if McCain would put up a couple of his houses up to make them homeless shelters or traing facilities to get peole who's jobs have moved overseas the ablities they need to survive in the new workforce, then maybe I would think about voting for him. Finally you all need a geography lesson, Kenya is in Africa you nimrods. I am not voting for him becuase he is black, infact five years ago I couldn't even stand seeing an interacial couple in a resturant, I would leave. What happened you ask? Simple, education.

Obama has been in the current congress since 2005. They have been the majority during that time. He is a member ofthe congress lowest apporval rating of the nation - because they have not kept their promises and have done nothing to make necessary changes! He personally has not accomplished anything as a senator, and he has not set out any actual ways that he is going to accomplish change. Rhetoric is great - let's see the details of the plan!!! There are none. Look for the details don't buy the rhetoric - let's see some proof that he is able to enact change. He hasn't McCain and Palin have!!!!

Deemee - Sorry - half of what you wrote is bull...t. "This country was built with the sweat and whip on the slaves black back, and now a descendent of those same slaves has a chance to lead the same country. "

YOU NEED TO DO SOME MORE RESEARCH. Obama IS NOT A DESCENDANT OF SLAVES. Good God! you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Secondly... this country (both North and South), was BUILT by the SWEAT of GENERATIONS / THOUSANDS OF EUROPEANS - way before there were slaves. GEEZ! You sure exaggerate!

DEEMEE --- dumb, dumb, dumb. Start reading the history of Africa and the United States.

Barack Obama is not a descendant of former slaves!! His father was from Kenya and not even an American citizen. His mother was white and definitely not a descendant of African slaves. Vote on Information, not on conjecture.

I am a 66 year old white woman and I totally agree with what you have written. It really is time to look at people, not skin color. We are all in this together.

Obama has never done anything positive either in the State or Senate. He has voted 97 percent party line. that is NO change. He hasn't done any "change" and has no experience leading or as an executive. He is a nothing person who will only raise taxes and kill off the middle class.

Barack Obama's father is Kenyan, so how does this make Barack a descendent of U. S. Slaves? Touching story, but the facts needs to be reviewed.

I couldn't agree more with DeeMee. Also I keep hearing that Barack doesn't have enough experience. I think we have seen what too much experience has done for us these past 8 years. Plus we have had our share of Presidents with hardly any experience and don't think they did too bad, (i.e. Abraham Lincoln, JFK) too name a few. I am a republican and am voting for Barack because he is the best for the job and with Biden rounding out the bill it is great. If something happened to Barack and Biden became Pres. is way better than if Palin became Pres. if something happened to McCann. Wouldn't want her to answer the phone ever at 3AM or any other time.

to *a woman who thinks Sarah Palin rocks* - please answer me this... Can you get me health insurance... and how... I own my own business, but since I have *hereditary* high cholesterol (diet does not help me), *hereditary* high blood pressure (again nothing I do helps lower it), I cannot get ANY insurance coverage... NONE, NADA, I am on my own...

See, I live in one of those 33 states that DOESNT HAVE HIGH RISK MEDICAL COVERAGE... I *am* in great health, because I have to take medication for those two items (and mind you they are under control i.e. with medication, low blood pressure and low cholesterol levels) nobody will insure me...

What would you do in my situation except hope for Universal Health Care.. and mind you, I can even pay for High Risk Medical Coverage but still cant get it.... so I am one of those 40 Million shafted americans...

What would YOU DO FOR ME?? woman who thinks Sarah Palin rocks - and I am not alone by any means.... all across this country BUSINESSES ARE CUTTING EMPLOYEES HOURS BACK TO LESS THAN THE MINIMUM FOR HEALTH INSURANCE SO THEY DONT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.... What do they do if some pre-existing condition like high blood pressure or cholesterol or taking some form of anti-depressent (since alot of people also suffer from HEREDITARY low seratonin levels.)

Please let me know what you can do for me - I would LOVE AN ANSWER... OR FROM ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER AS I AM TOTALLY OUT OF LUCK FOR *ANY* MEDICAL COVERAGE WHAT-SO-EVER even though quite fit... 5 feet 8 inches work out and weight 146 pounds....

When was the last time a black person was passed over for a promotion????

"This country was built with the sweat and whip on the slaves black back"

This is A. False, we all built this, irish, italian, asian, black, jewish, etc. B. More to the point of who REALLY perpetuates race in this country. If people continue to make this election about reparations for slavery, which occured HUNDREDS of years ago, and continue to make this a current event, racism will never end. It will always be us and them. I dont want to see that happen. White america will let it die, the questsion is will black america let it die? Black america has BET, Black History month, an entire caucus for itself, UNCF and the NAACP. Tell me, do whites have the same, do we havea college fund for Scottish kids?? How about the ALL WHITE CHANNEL? No, they dont. Do you see whites out there in major cities ( I am not talking about the KKK, here ) in force, asking for more soley predicated on the fact that our irish ancestors were slaves ( look it up) or do you see the Chinese having parades asking for money in reparations? How about the Japanese in the internment camps? NO. So let us all get past these wrongs of the past, so that we can focus on the rights of the future.

HELLO - ANYONE OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP ME OUT??? I cant move to another state because I take care of family here... that is not an option.... anyone have a better idea??

Will ANYONE come up with a suggestion?? No... because you cant - if you dont have group insurance coverage and you have a pre-existing condition, you CANNOT AND WILL NOT get coverage in 33 states that dont have a MANDATORY HIGH RISK HEALTH INSURANCE...

How would you like to pay $500 and up for a month of health insurance IF YOU COULD EVEN GET ANY with low coverage to boot...

People need help in this country!!! GO OBAMA/BIDEN

Also, I see people bashing other countries that have Universal Health Care that say it doesnt work, its bad, etc. etc. Well cant we do BETTER THAN OTHER COUNTRIES.... could we not set an example of what GOOD Universal Health Coverage can be...

Its easy to point fingers and say it cant be done, its BETTER TO GIVE IT A TRY AND PUSH HARD AND HOPE IT SUCCEEDS... If we can spill TWO TRILLION DOLLARS IN A WAR in Iraq, surely we can restore our social security system (you know like McCain gets $50,000 a year from it - his own admission) and get health plans for all??

Where is our great country that can pull this off and make sure ALL people have health coverage - MY GRANDMOTHER GOT SICK IN CANADA - THE CANADIAN DOCTORS SAVED HER LIFE AND SHE SPENT TWO WEEKS IN THE HOSPITAL.... HER COST - $0 - nada, nothing.... imagine Two weeks in a hospital here in USA - I had my gall-bladder out two years ago for gall stones - cost of the hospital room for ONE NIGHT $12,000 and all I got was a two hour check up by nurses to check my blood pressure and take my pulse...
and that was just the cost of the hospital room....

Obama and the Democrats have been the majority in Congress. They legislate. Blame the true culprits and don't vote for them - Congress had the ability to change this. Obama had the ability to be a part of this change. He didn't. Lots of talk but nothing to back it up. Be logical.

Blacks will shamelessly exhibit their own racist attitudes by voting overwhelmingly for Obama, simply because he's black. As a whole, blacks are far more racist that any other group....BET, Black Miss America, UNCF, Historically black colleges, affirmative action, just to name a few illustrative examples. A white friend of mine was passed over for a position on the Cincinnati police department simply because of his skin color. A lesser performing black was given the position because of affirmative action. That's racism and discrimination by definition. It also makes the police force less effective.....by definition. By the way, check your facts. Barrack Hussein Obama is not a descendant of slaves.

"however do note that beyond the color of Obama's skin, the man does see hope, change, and encouragement for a brighter future (for his grandson)."

I see hope, change, and encouragement too, what does that have to do with being President? I see hope in work incentive programs to bring people out of poverty, offering a resume to get out and thus contribute to the system to allow even more people to be able to contribute to a lower poverty number. I don't see hope in Obama's desires to eliminate work incentive programs, resorting to strictly social assistance that provides food and shelter with NO opportunities to work up and out, social programs that cause the poverty level to increase, creating a system where less and less are able to contribute into a system paying more and more.
I see hope in development and invention incentive programs, which give individuals an opportunity to have a voice in new technologies. When tens of thousands more are given a voice, newer technologies are closer than simply ignoring them in favor of big business and the few researchers they have at their disposal. Newer technologies means more jobs. I see hope in those programs. I DON'T see hope in hearing Obama give an entire speech where he makes one common sense statement, that newer technologies brings more jobs, and then shut down the ability for tens of thousands to bring those new technologies to us, proving that he cares nothing for his promises.
I see hope in modification in the tax structure, starting with a solid reduction in the corporate tax rate. Corporate tax is a flat 35%, the single HIGHEST tax rate in the entire world. The second highest is much less than HALF what we charge, this being the single strongest cause of outsourcing, and rightly so. I don't see hope in someone who wants to maintain that horrible policy of forcing outsourcing while at the same time talking about how bad the outsourcing problem is. A true hypocrite to the core, not only maintaining that same level of outsourcing, but making the problem worse with modifications that take MORE, when we're already taking more than double what any other country takes, and more than four times the average.
I see hope in a reduction in oil dependency by doing away with alternative fuels that require MORE oil in production than simply using the oil in the first place without the alternative fuel. I see hope in eliminating corn ethanol entirely, a process that takes nearly three gallons of oil to make one of very inefficient ethanol. REducing dependency is NOT switching to a new fuel, but one that needs so much oil in production. I lose hope when I see Obama's ties to the three major ethanol corporations remain so strong, that he pushes to EXPAND upon this horrible technology, while continuing to offer a $10 billion dollar a month subsidy to those companies while only giving farmers a max of $5,000, ignoring that ethanol profit percentages are in the double digits higher than oil has EVER seen. I lose hope when a man running for President pushes for something that only sounds good but common sense shows to be a horrible practice, showing a belief that the people are completely ignorant.
In short, I see hope, change, and encouragement for a brighter future, and then lose that hope when I imagine someone like Obama as President. Ignore the frilly promises and instead look at his policies, they haven't matched since day one.

TRUE MEANING OF THE WORD "MAVERICK" (CANDIDATES SHOULD BE CAREFUL HOW THEY REFER TO THEMSELVES!)

Browse words next to "maverick."
- MERRIAM-WEBSTER

One entry found for maverick.

Main Entry: mav•er•ick Pronunciation: mav-( -)rik
Function: noun
Etymology: named for Samuel A. Maverick 1803-1870 American pioneer
1 : an unbranded range animal; especially : a motherless calf
2 : an independent person who refuses to follow the usual standards or customs of the group
Word History A lawyer named Samuel A. Maverick lived in southern Texas in the middle of the 19th century. In 1847 he acquired a farm with about 450 cattle that were left in charge of a single slave with no experience as a cowboy. The cattle were never branded and were left to roam free. Eventually, the term maverick came to be used to name any unbranded cattle. Now maverick is most often used to speak of a person who acts in an individual way and refuses to be "branded" as a member of any particular group.

Deemee----You have spoken quite well and I think it is great that you have put this message out. We should never vote because of race however race is a huge factor to many. (I don't understand why) It is odd, when my husband and I go to a store (we are a mixed couple) and he is standing next to me such as the deli dept, I will request my order and then they look and my husband and say "can I help you sir." There will be a white couple right beside us and you don't see this. We still have many long steps to take but Obama brings hope and he genuinely shows he cares about people. Very respectful person whom I would love to represent us for the next 4 possibly 8 years.

America should not be about color. If you think it is ok to vote for a person because of his color just remember that the rule applies both ways. Voting for a president because he is black is the same as voting for one because he is white. Neither case is acceptable in my view.

By the way consider the famous words... "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." People have forgotten that this country was founded by men and women who believed their destiny was formed by their own choices; they were the drivers in their own lives.

Remember that with every benefit there is a cost and that cost is usually that cost is freedom. I am not looking for a hand me down from my government. THANKS BUT NO THANKS.

The Sarah Palin fan above wanted someone to tell them what Barack Obama's ACCOMPLISHMENTS were... here is a partial list of bills introduced by the Senator in his short tenure.

I am unsure why this person needed someone else to tell them this -- if they are unable to look up something this simple - it leads me to believe that they are unable to think for themselves -- rather only listening to what OTHERS tell them. My advice is to stop listening to everyone else's talking points and do your OWN homework. It was pretty easy to find this if you use google.

Yup... Obama's done nothing (BTW, there's about 100 more of these that I didn't copy). Not enough for you? He's also got a laundry list of things he's done in the Illinois state senate.

1. S.RES.529 : A resolution designating July 13, 2006, as "National Summer Learning Day".
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/13/2006) Cosponsors (5) Latest Major Action: 7/13/2006 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
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2. S.697 : A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve higher education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/5/2005) Cosponsors (2) Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Latest Major Action: 4/5/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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3. S.918 : A bill to provide for Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) refueling capability at new and existing refueling station facilities to promote energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/27/2005) Cosponsors (5) Committees: Senate Finance Latest Major Action: 4/27/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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4. S.969 : A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to preparation for an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/28/2005) Cosponsors (9) Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Latest Major Action: 4/28/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

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5. S.1180 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize various programs servicing the needs of homeless veterans for fiscal years 2007 through 2011, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/7/2005) Cosponsors (6) Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs Latest Major Action: 6/9/2005 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

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6. S.1194 : A bill to direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to establish guidelines and procedures for tracking, controlling, and accounting for individual spent fuel rods and segments.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

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7. S.1426 : A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize and extend provisions relating to contaminant prevention detection, and response.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

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8. S.1630 : A bill to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish the National Emergency Family Locator System.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/7/2005) Cosponsors (9) Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Latest Major Action: 9/7/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

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9. S.1638 : A bill to provide for the establishment of programs and activities to assist in mobilizing an appropriate healthcare workforce in the event of a health emergency or natural disaster.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/8/2005) Cosponsors (6) Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Latest Major Action: 9/8/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

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10. S.1685 : A bill to ensure the evacuation of individuals with special needs in times of emergency.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/12/2005) Cosponsors (11) Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Latest Major Action: 9/12/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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11. S.1770 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for advance payment of the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit for 2005 in order to provide needed funds to victims of Hurricane Katrina and to stimulate local economies.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/26/2005) Cosponsors (5) Committees: Senate Finance Latest Major Action: 9/26/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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12. S.1920 : A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to establish a renewable diesel standard, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 10/25/2005) Cosponsors (1) Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works Latest Major Action: 10/25/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
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13. S.1975 : A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/8/2005) Cosponsors (4) Committees: Senate Rules and Administration Latest Major Action: 11/8/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
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14. S.2045 : A bill to provide incentives to the auto industry to accelerate efforts to develop more energy-efficient vehicles to lessen dependence on oil.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/17/2005) Cosponsors (1) Committees: Senate Finance Latest Major Action: 11/17/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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15. S.2048 : A bill to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to classify certain children's products containing lead to be banned hazardous substances.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/17/2005) Cosponsors (3) Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Latest Major Action: 11/17/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

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16. S.2125 : A bill to promote relief, security, and democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 12/16/2005) Cosponsors (12) Committees: Senate Foreign Relations; House International Relations Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-456 [GPO: Text, PDF]

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17. S.2149 : A bill to authorize resources to provide students with opportunities for summer learning through summer learning grants.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 12/20/2005) Cosponsors (1) Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Latest Major Action: 12/20/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

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18. S.2154 : A bill to provide for the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Rosa Parks.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 12/20/2005) Cosponsors (38) Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Latest Major Action: 12/20/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

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19. S.2179 : A bill to require openness in conference committee deliberations and full disclosure of the contents of conference reports and all other legislation.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/18/2006) Cosponsors (9) Committees: Senate Rules and Administration Latest Major Action: 1/18/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

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20. S.2201 : A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to modify the mediation and implementation requirements of section 40122 regarding changes in the Federal Aviation Administration personnel management system, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/26/2006) Cosponsors (38) Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Latest Major Action: 1/26/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

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21. S.2247 : A bill to promote greater use of information technology in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/6/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Latest Major Action: 3/28/2006 Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.

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22. S.2257 : A bill to provide for an enhanced refundable credit for families who resided in the Hurricane Katrina disaster area on August 28, 2005.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/8/2006) Cosponsors (3) Committees: Senate Finance Latest Major Action: 2/8/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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23. S.2259 : A bill to establish an Office of Public Integrity in the Congress and a Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/8/2006) Cosponsors (2) Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Latest Major Action: 2/8/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

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24. S.2261 : A bill to provide transparency and integrity in the earmark process.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/8/2006) Cosponsors (1) Committees: Senate Rules and Administration Latest Major Action: 2/8/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

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25. S.2280 : A bill to stop transactions which operate to promote fraud, risk, and under-development, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/14/2006) Cosponsors (2) Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Latest Major Action: 2/14/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

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26. S.2286 : A bill to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to eliminate the separate work participation rate for 2-parent families under the temporary assistance for needy families programs.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/14/2006) Cosponsors (1) Committees: Senate Finance Latest Major Action: 2/14/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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27. S.2319 : A bill to provide for the recovery from Hurricane Katrina, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/16/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Finance Latest Major Action: 2/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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28. S.2348 : A bill to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require a licensee to notify the Atomic Energy Commission, and the State and county in which a facility is located, whenever there is an unplanned release of fission products in excess of allowable limits.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/1/2006) Cosponsors (4) Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works Senate Reports: 109-347
Latest Major Action: 9/25/2006 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 637.

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29. S.2358 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative to report on health care quality in Veterans Affairs hospitals.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/2/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs Latest Major Action: 3/2/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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30. S.2359 : A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative under the Medicare program to assess and report on health care quality in hospitals.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/2/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Finance Latest Major Action: 3/2/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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31. S.2441 : A bill to authorize resources for a grant program for local educational agencies to create innovation districts.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Latest Major Action: 3/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

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32. S.2446 : A bill to promote the national security and stability of the economy of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on oil through the use of alternative fuels and new technology, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (2) Committees: Senate Finance Latest Major Action: 3/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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33. S.2484 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit the disclosure of tax return information by tax return preparers to third parties.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/30/2006) Cosponsors (8) Committees: Senate Finance Latest Major Action: 3/30/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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34. S.2506 : A bill to require Federal agencies to support health impact assessments and take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/4/2006) Cosponsors (6) Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Latest Major Action: 4/4/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

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35. S.2984 : A bill to require certain profitable oil companies to expend 1 percent of recent quarterly profits to install E-85 fuel pumps in the United States.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/23/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Latest Major Action: 5/23/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

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36. S.3475 : A bill to provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/7/2006) Cosponsors (3) Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Latest Major Action: 6/7/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

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37. S.3554 : A bill to establish an alternative diesel standard, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/21/2006) Cosponsors (4) Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works Latest Major Action: 6/21/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

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38. S.3627 : A bill to prohibit the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy from selling, distributing, or transferring elemental mercury, to prohibit the export of elemental mercury, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/29/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works Latest Major Action: 6/29/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

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39. S.3631 : A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to phase out the use of mercury in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works Latest Major Action: 7/11/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

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40. S.3694 : A bill to increase fuel economy standards for automobiles, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/19/2006) Cosponsors (10) Committees: Senate Finance Latest Major Action: 7/19/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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41. S.3822 : A bill to improve access to and appropriate utilization of valid, reliable and accurate molecular genetic tests by all populations thus helping to secure the promise of personalized medicine for all Americans.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 8/3/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Finance Latest Major Action: 8/3/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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42. S.3969 : A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to assess and reduce the levels of lead found in child-occupied facilities in the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/28/2006) Cosponsors (1) Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works Latest Major Action: 9/28/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

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43. S.3988 : A bill to amend title 10 and 38, United States Code, to improve benefits and services for members of the Armed Forces, veterans of the Global War on Terrorism, and other veterans, to require reports on the effects of the Global War on Terrorism, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/28/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs Latest Major Action: 9/28/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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44. S.4069 : A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/16/2006) Cosponsors (4) Committees: Senate Rules and Administration Latest Major Action: 11/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

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45. S.4102 : A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the use of telecommunications devices for the purposes of preventing or obstructing the broadcast or exchange of election-related information.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 12/7/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Latest Major Action: 12/7/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

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46. S.AMDT.159 to S.CON.RES.18 To prevent and, if necessary, respond to an international outbreak of the avian flu. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/15/2005) Cosponsors (2) Latest Major Action: 3/17/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 159 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

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47. S.AMDT.289 to S.600 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/5/2005) Cosponsors (2) Latest Major Action: 4/5/2005 Senate amendment submitted

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48. S.AMDT.390 to H.R.1268 To provide meal and telephone benefits for members of the Armed Forces who are recuperating from injuries incurred on active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/13/2005) Cosponsors (3) Latest Major Action: 4/14/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 390 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

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49. S.AMDT.391 to H.R.1268 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/13/2005) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 4/13/2005 Senate amendment submitted
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50. S.AMDT.670 to H.R.3 To provide for Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) refueling capability at new and existing refueling station facilities to promote energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/11/2005) Cosponsors (9) Latest Major Action: 5/12/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 670 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

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51. S.AMDT.671 to H.R.3 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/11/2005) Cosponsors (None) Latest Major Action: 5/11/2005 Senate amendment submitted

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52. S.AMDT.808 to H.R.6 To establish a program to develop Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels from Illinois basin coal. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/20/2005) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 6/23/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 808 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

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53. S.AMDT.851 to H.R.6 To require the Secretary to establish a Joint Flexible Fuel/Hybrid Vehicle Commercialization Initiative, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/22/2005) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 6/23/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 851 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

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54. S.AMDT.1061 to H.R.2361 To provide that none of the funds made available in this Act may be used in contravention of 15 U.S.C. section 2682(c)(3) or to delay the implementation of that section. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/27/2005) Cosponsors (None) Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1061 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

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55. S.AMDT.1062 to H.R.2361 To provide that of the funds made available under the heading ?Environmental Programs and Management,? not less than $100,000 shall be made available to issue the proposed rule required under 15 U.S.C. section 2682(c)(3) by November 1, 2005, and promulgate the final rule required under 15 U.S.C. section 2682(c)(3) by September 30, 2006. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/27/2005) Cosponsors (None) Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 Proposed amendment SA 1062 withdrawn in Senate.

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56. S.AMDT.1264 to H.R.3057 To support a United States contribution to the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors (3) Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1264 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

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57. S.AMDT.1362 to S.1042 To require a report on the Department of Defense Composite Health Care System II. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/21/2005) Cosponsors (None) Latest Major Action: 11/8/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1362 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

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58. S.AMDT.1450 to S.1042 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/25/2005) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 7/25/2005 Senate amendment submitted

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59. S.AMDT.1453 to S.1042 To ensure the protection of military and civilian personnel in the Department of Defense from an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/25/2005) Cosponsors (2) Latest Major Action: 11/8/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1453 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

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60. S.AMDT.2301 to H.R.3010 To increase funds to the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program and to the Office of Special Education Programs of the Department of Education for the purposes of expanding positive behavioral interventions and supports. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 10/26/2005) Cosponsors (6) Latest Major Action: 10/27/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2301 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

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61. S.AMDT.2605 to S.2020 Expressing the sense of the Senate that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should immediately address issues relating to no-bid contracting. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/17/2005) Cosponsors (5) Latest Major Action: 11/17/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2605 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
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62. S.AMDT.2965 to S.2349 To ban employment negotiations to become lobbyists by Members of Congress and required recusal for senior congressional staff while in office. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/8/2006) Cosponsors (2) Latest Major Action: 3/29/2006 Amendment SA 2965 ruled out of order by the chair.

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63. S.AMDT.2995 to S.2349 To expand the prohibition on lobbying in the year after leaving service to the Senate to include a prohibition on paid coordination activities. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/9/2006) Cosponsors (None) Latest Major Action: 3/29/2006 Amendment SA 2995 ruled out of order by the chair.

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64. S.AMDT.3144 to S.CON.RES.83 To provide a $40 million increase in FY 2007 for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and to improve job services for hard-to-place veterans. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (2) Latest Major Action: 3/16/2006 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 3144 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

The color of someone's skin should not be the factor in my vote - it should be what that person stands for. I would gladly vote for a black woman for president if that woman was Condoleesa Rice. But Obama's politics are so very far left - his views do not match most of America's. I think that many people will only immerse themselves with other like-minded people - they begin to think that everyone has the same beliefs. But others, with critical thought, have evaluated and rejected ideas many based on the merit of the opposition's truths. I used to be a very far left wing liberal - always voted democrat - never wanted to consider other arguments. I held fast to this mantra of dems are for the little guy, dems are for women, dems are for me... But once I began to examine & evaluate conservative ideals I realized that they were the stuff of this country's origin. I urge you to read the writings of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, etc. These people were right wind extremists. In the last 50 years the USA has socialized corporate losses - but privatized corporate profits. Which means we the tax payers pay for corporate losses but don't get the value of the profits. Do some real research and find out who is really responsible for the Fannie & Freddie Mac failures. Democrats. When it comes to legalized abortions we are allowing for the intention killing of thousands of 2nd and 3rd term babies - this does not match the values and beliefs of the overwhelming majority of Americans. Keep reading folks - and not just on MSN and on MSNBC TV - try some other outlets. Stretch your horizons and challenge your thinking. Do some deep research - you may be surprised by your reactions.

OK, I knew this would come out sooner or later. I'm Black and I'm voting for Mccain. I'm not just going to vote for him because he's Black? The fact is his Resume? There's nothing there, Its not about what happened 300 years ago, or my ancestors were slaves? There's been all colors of slavery for thousands of years. My Black Brothers and Sister! Think before you speak, don't let your anger speak false dreams. Mccain is like Ronald Reagan a "MAVERICK" Mccain isn't Bush, And its not Bush who's the Problem, its a Democrat Congress! Obama, Hilary and others voted against making English our Country's spoken tongue! WTF I don't wish to dial 1 for English! I don't wish to see our country fall into weakness. The ones who wish to see us fail is the middle east terrorists and if we vote in Obama? Just wait and see the massive loss America will go through.

I don't care how he looks, He is half white, don't forget it.

Whoa! All of our lives we have been taught that judging someone based on skin color is wrong. And I won't do it. I will not be silent while someone who has done NOTHING other than be born, is elevated and shoved on us. Whose SINGLE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION is not voting on issues that don't benefit him or those interests he supports. I'm sick of the same old politics perpetuated by members of both parties, who say they want to help us all(some even try) and when nothing is accomplished they place the blame on the OTHER party!!! And in the END the stand up, say they tried their best, but couldn't accomplish anything beneficial because the OTHER party wouldn't let them. However when they leave office, they are set for LIFE with a pension, health care, and Secret Service Protection and an office paid for by US!!! And go on the road making speeches, critizing the system while reaping it's benefits. NEVER HAVING TO WORK A DAY IN THEIR LIVES!!!!!!

Senator Obama is black and he is qualified to be president of the United States. I have never heard anyone question the qualifications of anyone else based upon race. Voters have elected officials because of their wealth, their looks, their views. I would like to think that voters all vote for the person whom they think will do the best job, but regrettably we are too shallow to do that.

Change isn't always a good thing. Obama will implement socialist give-a-way programs that will tax us all into oblivion. If your one of the ones sucking up the freebies while the rest of us pay for them, then I guess you like Obama.

And that will all be true if McCain gets elected as well. Our votes shouldn't be based on skin color at all. If your grandson has the best ideas and plans for our country, I'll be sure to vote for him!

Obama is NOT a descendant of black slaves. He is 50% white, 37.5% Muslim, and 12.5% African. The Muslims were the largest slave drivers in the world. He has 0 African-American (the African-Americans that were slaves) blood in him.

Here are a few interesting facts about Obama.
Subject: Obama Lies

1.) Selma Got Me Born -
OBAMA LIES , your parents felt safe enough to have you in 1961 - Selma had no effect on your birth, as Selma was in 1965. (Google 'Obama Selma ' for his full March 4, 2007 speech and articles about its various untruths.
2.) Father Was A Goat Herder -
OBAMA LIES , he was a privileged, well educated youth, who went on to work with the Kenyan Government.
3.) Father Was A Proud Freedom Fighter - OBAMA LIES , he was part of one of the most corrupt and violent governments Kenya has ever had.
4.) My Family Has Strong Ties To African Freedom - OBAMA LIES , your cousin Raila Odinga has created mass violence in attempting to overturn a legitimate election in 2007, in Kenya . It is the first widespread violence in decades. The current government is pro-American but Odinga wants to overthrow it and establish Muslim Sharia law. Your half-brother, Abongo Obama, is Odinga's follower. You interrupted your New Hampshire campaigning to speak to Odinga on the phone. Obama's cousin Odinga in Kenya ran for president and tried to get Sharia Muslim law in place there. When Odinga lost the elections, his followers burned Christians' homes and then burned men, women and children alive in a Christian church where they took shelter. Obama SUPPORTED his cousin before the election process here started. Google Obama and Odinga and see what you get. No one wants to know the truth.
5.) My Grandmother Has Always Been A Christian - OBAMA LIES , she does her daily Salat prayers at 5 am according to her own interviews. Not to mention, Christianity wouldn't allow her to have been one of 14 wives to 1 man.
6.) My Name is African Swahili - OBAMA LIES , your name is Arabic and 'Baraka' (from which Barack came) means 'blessed'
in that language. Hussein is also Arabic and so is Obama. Barack Hussein Obama is not half black. If elected, he would be the first Arab-American President, not the first black President. Barack Hussein Obama is 50% Caucasian from his mother's side and 43.75% Arabic and 6.25% African Negro from his father's side. While Barack Hussein Obama's father was from Kenya , his father's family was mainly Arabs. Barack Hussein Obama's father was only 12.5% African Negro and 87.5% Arab (his father's birth certificate even states he's Arab, not African Negro). From….and for more….go to…..
http://www.arcadeathome.com/newsboy.phtml?Barack_Hussein_Obama_-_Arab-American,_only_6.25%25_African
7.) I Never Practiced Islam - OBAMA LIES , you practiced it daily at school, where you were registered as a Muslim and kept that faith
for 31 years, until your wife made you change, so you could run for office.
4-3-08 Article "Obama was 'quite religious in Islam'" http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=60559
8.) My School In Indonesia was Christian - OBAMA LIES , you were registered as Muslim there and got in trouble in Koranic Studies for making faces (check your own book).
February 28, 2008. Kristoff from the New York Times a year ago: Mr.
Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer,
reciting them with a first-rate accent. In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated (it'll give Alabama voters heart attacks), Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as "one of the prettiest sounds on earth at sunset." This is just one example of what Pamela is talking about when she says "Obama's narrative is being altered, enhanced and manipulated to whitewash troubling facts."
9.) I Was Fluent In Indonesian - OBAMA LIES , not one teacher says you could speak the language.
10.) Because I Lived In Indonesia , I Have More Foreign Experience - OBAMA LIES , you were there from the ages of 6 to 10, and couldn't even speak the language. What did you learn, how to study the Koran.
11.) I Am Stronger On Foreign Affairs - OBAMA LIES , except for Africa (surprise) and the Middle East (bigger surprise), you have never been anywhere else on the planet and thus have NO experience with our closest allies.
12.) I Blame My Early Drug Use On Ethnic Confusion - OBAMA LIES , you were quite content in high school to be Barry Obama, no mention of Kenya and no mention of struggle to identify - your classmates said you were just fine.
13.) An Ebony Article Moved Me To Run For Office - OBAMA LIES , Ebony has yet to find the article you mention in your book. It doesn't, and never did, exist.
14.) A Life Magazine Article Changed My outlook on Life - OBAMA LIES , Life has yet to find the article you mention in your book. It doesn't, and never did, exist.
15.) I Won't Run On A National Ticket In '08 - OBAMA LIES , here you are, despite saying, live on TV, that you would not have enough experience by then, and you are all about having experience first.
16.) Voting "Present" is common in the Illinois Senate - OBAMA LIES , they are common for YOU, but not many others have 130 "NO VOTES".
17.) "Oops, I Misvoted" - OBAMA LIES , only when caught by church groups and Democrats, did you beg to change your misvote.
18.) I Was A Professor Of Law - OBAMA LIES , you were a senior lecturer ON LEAVE.
19.) I Was A Constitutional Lawyer - OBAMA LIES , you were a senior lecturer ON LEAVE.
20.) Without Me, There Would Be No Ethics Bill - OBAMA LIES , you didn't write it, introduce it, change it, or create it.
21.) The Ethics Bill Was Hard To Pass - OBAMA LIES , it took just 14 days from start to finish.
22.) I Wrote A Tough Nuclear Bill - OBAMA LIES , your bill was rejected by your own party for its pandering and lack of all
regulation - mainly because of your Nuclear donor, Exelon, from which David Axelrod came.
23.) I Have Released My State Records - OBAMA LIES , as of March, 2008, state bills you sponsored or voted for have yet to be released, exposing all the special interests pork hidden within.
24.) I Took On The Asbestos Altgeld Gardens Mess - OBAMA LIES , you were part of a large group of people who remedied Altgeld Gardens You failed to mention anyone else but yourself, in your books.
25.) My Economics Bill Will Help America - OBAMA LIES , your 111 economic policies were just combined into a proposal which lost 99-0, and even YOU voted against your own bill.
26.) I Have Been A Bold Leader In Illinois - OBAMA LIES , even your own supporters claim to have not seen BOLD action on your part.
27.) I Passed 26 Of My Own Bills In One Year - OBAMA LIES , they were not YOUR bills, but rather handed to you, after their
creation by a fellow Senator, to assist you in a future bid for higher office.
28.) No One on my campaign contacted Canada about NAFTA - OBAMA LIES , the Canadian Government issued the names and a memo of the conversation your campaign had with them.
29.) I Am Tough On Terrorism - OBAMA LIES , you missed the Iran Resolution vote on terrorism and your good friend Ali Abunimah supports the destruction of Israel .
30.) I Want All Votes To Count - OBAMA LIES , you said let the delegates decide.
31.) I Want Americans To Decide - OBAMA LIES , you prefer caucuses that limit the vote, confuse the voters, force a public vote, and only operate during small windows of time.
32.) I passed 900 Bills in the State Senate - OBAMA LIES , you passed only 26, most of which you didn't write yourself.
33.) I Believe In Fairness, Not Tactics - OBAMA LIES , you used tactics to eliminate Alice Palmer from running against you.
34.) I Don't Take PAC Money - OBAMA LIES , you take loads of it.
35.) I don't Have Lobbyists - OBAMA LIES , you have over 47 lobbyists, and counting.
36.) My Campaign Had Nothing To Do With The 1984 Ad - OBAMA LIES , your own campaign worker made the ad on his Apple in one afternoon.
37.) I Have Always Been Against Iraq - OBAMA LIES , you weren't in office to vote against it AND you have voted to fund it every single time.
38.) I Have Always Supported Universal Health Care - OBAMA LIES , your plan leaves us all to pay for the 15,000,000 who don't have to buy it.

The statement is one of hope and understanding where this man Obama has come from and middle America reacts. I as a hispanic who was punished in my early days of school simply because I spoke the language of my parents. I remeber very well the stories my father told of growing up in depression era Texas as a migrant farm worker. The days after he returned from the War in Europe and traveling to California looking for work and finding signs in restraunts that said no blacks no dogs and no mexicans. I remeber and ask the question itself will I vote for blackman just because he is black. absoulutely not. will I vote for Obama the epitome of boot strap success yes.

I have all the sympathy and understanding about the history of the blacks. However, it is time that we quit whinning about the past and do the best to make our future and our lives better. You can never go forward if you keep looking back. Learn how to speak English, dress without having our pants hang below our butts. Noone wants to see our butts so cover them up. Earn the respect we so want out of life. Life isn't a feebie so work to make our circumstance better. Lose the drugs, alcohol and gang initiations. People can only make us feel inferior if we let them, so don't let them.

Get back to living the way GOD would want us to live. Love our neighbor, work together and be happy. Quit fussing ang fretting about something that happened generations ago. Times have changed, it is just that as long as we keep bringing the issues up the longer people are going to keep treating us the same way.

I'm sorry, but reading this makes me seriously question the mental capacity of some of you posters.

NUMBER ONE - Muslim is not a RACE. Someone cannot be 25% Muslim. Muslims are people who belong to the Islamic faith. There are white Muslims, there are black Muslims, there are Arabic Muslims....anybody who says someone is X% Muslim is an idiot, and everything they say afterwards should be discounted completely.

NUMBER TWO - Anybody who says that Obama might not be an American citizen obviously has little knowledge of basic American government. Someone who is not a NATURAL-BORN US citizen (not just naturalized) cannot run for Presidency. Do you HONESTLY think that if Obama wasn't a natural-born US citizen, that NOBODY would have picked up on this and he wouldn't have been stopped cold before he even got his first TV spot out back in Feb?

NUMBER THREE - one does not have to be born from slaves to experience racism in America. Unfortuantely, there are many people who are first year immigrants who experience it every day.

NUMBER FOUR - Obama's wife is not white. Whoever said that is a complete moron.

NUMBER FIVE - I'm sorry, you ask what Obama has done and make snide remarks about his 50/57 state slip up, but Palin doesn't even know that Freddie and Fannie are privately held companies! They are the two BIGGEST housing and lending coroporations, in the middle of a huge government bailout and she obviously has no idea what exactly it is that they do, let alone if they're privately or government owned? Seriously??? They weren't until Bush's administration let the economy go to pot, and now has to bail them out. NOW they're a huge burden on taxpayers.

Obama is NOT a descendant of black slaves. He is 50% white, 37.5% Muslim, and 12.5% African. The Muslims were the largest slave drivers in the world. He has 0 African-American (the African-Americans that were slaves) blood in him.

Not sure if ANY of you paid attention during your history classes. Kenya is recognized as a country that was once occupied by the British. The British had SLAVES all over their empire...some of which were traded for goods/gold from West African slave traders - primarily the "Americans" and Spanish. Just because Obama's father was not born and raised in the US doesn't mean he isn't a descendant of slavery...most Africans are.

Get rid of the Arab issue - just because they are Muslim in Kenya does NOT mean they are Arabic or of Arabic descent - Muslims had mission work in Africa too! Think about it - are Christians in Africa automatically seen as European or American like their missionary teachers! I think not.

Bravo, Deemee!

I would vote for Barack Obama no matter what color his skin happened to be (interestingly, folks refer to him as black - but isn't he actually of mixed race - like us all? Somewhere, we all have a lot of colors within us. It's the racist side of us that chooses to deny it. Somewhere back along pretty much everyone's generational line, someone probably mated with someone who happened to have a different skintone than themselves... you can bet on it.)

For me, the election couldn't be more clear:

I'm voting for Barack Obama because I see a man of character and vision, a man who has the best interest of America at heart, and has already written and voted for legislation in both his state legislature and in Congress that has bettered life for Americans.

I'm voting for Joe Biden because of his extensive foreign policy and judicial background - two areas that need a lot of repair right now.

I'm NOT voting for McCain, because, while he USED to be somewhat of a maverick (back in the 90's), he's long ago sold out to special interests... just look at his campaign staff - largely lobbyists and ex-lobbyists. His flip-flopping on issues simply says "I'll go with whoever pays me the most money," like "drill, drill drill" (after opposing drilling) and his favors to/from Big Oil.

And, I'm especially not voting for Sarah Palin. She has no experience, and a background that says she's a loose cannon...

ALL I CAN SAY IS THIS EMAIL WAS POWERFUL, I NEVER HEARD IT BROKEN DOWN THIS WAY AND MAN IT GIVE ME CHILLS. YOU ARE SO RIGHT. MY CHILDREN AGES 6 AN 8 ARE MAKING SCRAP BOOKS WITH ME ON OBAMA BECAUSE THIS WILL BE IN THEIR HISTORY BOOKS WHEN THEY GET OLDER AND WE ARE HERE TO SEE IT. I HAVE PURCHASED BOTH HIS BOOKS AND READ EVERYTHING I CAN ON NOT ONLY HIM BUT HIS WIFE WHOM I AS A 45 YEAR OLD AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN AM MOST PROUD OF. THEIR WHOLE FAMILY HAVE SO INSPIRED ME TO GET INVOLVED WITH MY LOCAL PRECINCT AND VOLUNTEER WHERE EVER I AM NEEDED. I HAVE TO FOR MY CHILDREN'S FUTURE AND OUR PRESENT. SO YES WE ARE VOTING FOR NOT ONLY A BLACK MAN BUT HARVARD BLACK MAN AND WOMAN AND LETS NOT LEAVE OUT PRINCETON NOT FROM MONEY BUT HARD WORK AND STUDYING. I AM PRAYERFUL HE GOES ALL THE WAY AND TURNS THIS COUNTRY AROUND. GOD BLESS HIM AND EVERYONE THAT HAS HELPED HIM GET TO THIS POINT!!!!

Which family member in the Obama tree was a slave? I fail to see how his father being from Kenya allows anyone to claim Obama is a descendant of US slaves. If Obama himself is claiming that he's a bigger fraud than I already thought.

Obama is going to raisethe taxes on every one of whats left of the middle class,remember folks it was the dems,that gave your jobs to China,being CLINTON.vote Obama the do nothing sen.with a do nothing congress and you will have zilch.Good by america with Obama.

A descendant of slaves? Are you talking about Joe Biden? Certainly not Obama. He's the son of an an African citizen and a Caucasian American mother. He has no connection to slavery.

Lets see where do I start. Anyone who votes for Palin/McCain is a fool. If any of you that have it in your mind to vote for Palin; you might want to look at her personal spending habits or the personal spending of the public's money. While being a mother of five she has billed the the people of Alaska for the travel of her Children instead of paying for their travel herself. I don't know about you but if I took a business trip and I wanted to take my family in tow; I would have to pay for them myself and then I would have to ask my self if the expense was warranted and in most cases the answer is no. In Palin's case she did not have to think hard because the money was not coming out of her pocket. It looks like the Palin can not really govern and take care of her family without the help of the people she is charged to govern. I also forgot to mention that she billed the people for travel from her home to the capital in the amount of $43,490 as well as billing the government for 312 days of allowances totaling 16k for staying at home to work (taking care of family on the Alaska public dime) She has no shame and we got rid of a Senator (Rick Santorum) in PA for pulling the same kind of crap. You people need to get the sand out of your eyes real quick before you elect someone for President just because they make McCain less boring.

Voting just because of color is not voting for what is best for our country. McCain is best for our country at this time. Maybe in the future after Obama has gained more experience, he will be able to lead our country in these times. It would scare me to have him President now. As I said, Later, but not now. McCain is not Bush and no matter how hard the liberals try to make that so, they can't. I don't want an inexperienced politician as President, no matter who he or she is.

OK, Did you not know that ONLY his WHITE Mother is actually American. His BLACK father is not AMERICAN so Obama is actually not a decendant of the American SLAVES.

A lot of people will not vote for him because he's black...because he has NO experience! I'd vote for Colin Powell ANY day over ANY candidate! It's not about color for everyone...only the ignorant!

I am not voting against him because he is black. I would vote for Alan Keyes if he made it this far. BUT if the dim witted dems have ANY MORE control you will not have to worry about your son becoming president because these United States will become like Europe and will NEVER be the same. LESS gov. is the answer not more.

Barack Obama was not descended form slaves and he is half white half black. Also there were a few people from England that came to this country under great threat to their livelihoods, fought and died, and took strong stands to build this country (some as indentured servants themselves) before the horrible practice of enslaving Africans. You make it sounds like slaves laid the foundation of this country!

Oh, please!!!! I'm an African American, BORN IN AFRICA BUT EVEN MORE A PROUD AMERICAN THROUGH TO THE CORE! I'm really sick of the "poor us abused black slaves" crutch. It's time we African Americans rise above that victim's roll. If we want respect and success, then we have to earn it by the sweat of our own backs, not by riding on the backs of our ancestor's slavery. The past is the past. It can't be changed and beating society over the head with it only serves to confirm our race as a bunch of whiners who prefer to dwell on the past rather than change the future. I'm disgusted that Obama is using the "African American" title to portray himself as a minority, since he's only "Half African". Will he be "Half White" if he gets the White House? Obama is a joke, he's not real, he doesn't have a clue on how to run this country. He offends me as an "African American" and I don't want him representing me as one. I will vote to the candidate who best reflects my viewpoints, despite the color of their skin or the media bias. I've been a Democrate all my life, even worked on Bill Clinton's campaign, but this time I'm voting for McCain because for the first time in my 47 years I truly believe that he is the only one who can relate to the hardships of the average American and who has the experience, knowledge, qualifications, dedication and loyalty to run this country and to bring forth REAL change. In another 8 years or so, after Obama quits whining about how he's being unjustly attacked, figures out what he really stands for and actually learns something about being a leader, maybe then will he be in a better position to consider the presidency.

A Woman who thinks Sarah Palin Rocks

You need to go speak to Keith Obermann! 8 Years of Republican rule has resulted in what? All this buzz about Sarah Palin, did you even know who your Pitbull wearing Lipstick Maverick was 2 months ago? Wonder why she isn't meeting the media like everyone else? Why she hasn't talked about her stance on Women's rights and Abortion? Oh and by the way, McCain is on the top of the ticket, NOT PALIN! Would she even BE ON THE TICKET if Obama picked Hillary? So spare me this luv fest the Republicans and their disciples are having with her! And by the way, the Iraq War (The Bush War) that McCain is so arrogantly trying to use against Obama? The one to get Osama Bin Laden? HE'S IN AFGHANISTAN!!! Where Obama and the Military Leaders are BEGGING FOR MORE TROOPS. If the Republicans weren't talking about sexism/Palin/Lipstick/Mavericks so much, maybe they can notice what's going on in the world! 8 IS ENOUGH! We don't want Bush/Cheney/McCain/Palin for 4 more years!

Well said!

Well said about Obama, like Martin Luther King said "one day we should judge a man by the content of his character, and not the color of his skin." He is a proven scholar who understands the condition of our economy.

A family that took pride in higher education and giving back to ones community raised him. That should be the standard, he has proven he is a part of the solution we need and not the problem like McCain/Palin. I do not intend on revisiting the dark ages. I believe in a womans right to choose.

We need to strengthen our economy, clean our earth, fix our broken medical system and most of all hold these shady companies accountable for mis use of our hard earned money.

I would like to retire at 60 and not work until I die, because our economy is broken.

America wake up this is serious times; we need a leader who understands! Obama/Biden

Obama is not only NOT a descendent of black slaves in America, he's half white and was raised in a predominantly WHITE cultural environment primarily by his mother and later by his WHITE grandparents. Wow. You guys are so funny about the whole racism thing. Michelle Obama might be descended from black slavery ancestry but Barack is not. Get over yourselves. Barack is just as much White American as he is African Black. But I'm voting on the basis of actual meaningful government experience in this decision to hire a new CEO for the United States. Last time I checked, there's not a Fortune 500 company that would put an applicant for the job in charge of running their company with as little relevant experience as Barack Obama actually has. Sarah Palin actually has more hands on experience than any of the other three in this crazy political contest and John McCain doesn't need to prove his loyalty to the country nor his courage under pressure to anyone. As the WHITE mother of a mixed racial child of my own, I've seen this internal struggle for racial identity first hand and I know Barack is also struggling with his social and racial position because of the unusual circumstances of his parentage. Open your eyes people. He's trying too hard to make the lighter color of his skin match the expectations of the darker skinned people that he really doesn't share a lot of commonality with culturally. I'm not saying that Barack is not a smart guy. He's an ivy league scholar. I'm not really saying he's not "black enough". He's just equally "not black enough nor white enough" to fit comfortably into either category and so the best idea is for all of us to stop arguing over the stupidity of the color of a person's skin and start judging the merits of all of our candidates based on what they've actually done and their actual work experience instead. Talk is cheap. Talk is politically distracting. Talk is just hot air. Actions speak WAY louder than words and from what I've seen, McCain and Palin both have taken action in their lives. Obama has been coasting along voting "present" for the last how ever many years in politics and Biden is a life long politician (36 years or so) from Dela-where? Isn't that the second smallest state? Can any of you name anything concrete and productive that either of these two democrats have accomplished in their political careers? I can't. And I don't care to have another president who can "feel my pain" and then not do anything about it. No more Clintonesque teflon slick Willy talkin' president who gets sexual favors from interns and fails to take out Osama Bin Laden when he had the chance. Give me a fighter like John McCain. This country still needs a strong leader who will stand up to the terrorist threats and will use that veto pen to cut the pork barrel politics as usual from our bloated federal budget and not raise all our taxes with new bigger and better government giveaway programs needing federal funding. There is no such thing as a free lunch people. Obama can promise the sun, the moon and the stars, but we will all have to pay for those things if he gets elected. Vote for McCain and Palin and save yourselves from the very bad "I told you so" consequences that would follow an Obama presidency. Hillary is counting on you to vote for McCain anyway so she can run guilt-free for election in 2012. See how hard she is campaigning? Her energy is about at the level of a marathon runner at mile post 24, monotone and just going through the motions to make it look like she's making an effort for Obama. Right.

I agree, because he is for true change, because he is intelligent, because he is qualified to lead this country, because he will reintroduce the philosophy of "not what are country can do for us, but what we can do for our country" (this in my opinion is "country first") because he is ethical, and because he is Black!

Why does Obama being black (or not) bother you? Do you want to turn his supporters off by either pointing out that he isn't the same as "regular" black people, or mentioning the "Muslim" thing as though that's scary?
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***** I'd like to point out the extreme idiocy of someone giving a percentage of how much of a religion someone is. You can't be 20%, 37.5%, or 50% Christian , Muslim, Jewish, nor any other religion! Those of you who said so are slow, and I mean that in the most sincere way. I assume you mean Arabic, which also makes you wrong because you can't exactly be a percentage of that either since Arabic refers more to native language & culture (ethnicity) and/or culture these days. In fact it hasn't referred to a specific race of people (semitic people) for about 7 or 8 centuries. Thus you also can't separate how Black or White someone is vs. how Arabic someone is. It's like saying someone who was raised in French culture is 40% French and 60% Black, the two don't have anything to do with the other, since one has more to do with culture, and the other has to do with genetics and ancestry. Point being, if indeed Obama's dad was Muslim and/or Arabic, it doesn't mean he wasn't Black. He could very well have been 100% Arabic, and 100% Black and 100% Muslim all at once. Just as many of you are capable of being 100% Bigot, 100% uneducated, and 100% American all at once.*********
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*****About being a descendant of slaves: well, it depends on how you look at it. From a historical perspective both views are correct depending on how far into history you want to travel. I think we all know slaves came from various parts of Africa, from that view he is a descendant since his father was African. But if you look at it from dates when slavery began and on, as though slaves had no history before they were made slaves, then, yes, you could say he is not a descendant. I really don't care if he is or isn't a direct descendant of a slave. In fact there are many black Americans who consider themselves so, but if they are to trace their history will find that their ancestors arrived as free people or were made free long before the civil war and emancipation. But that makes them no less black. Also, I know black people who have a lighter complexion than Obama but their parents and grandparents and so on are considered black self-identified and socially identified, though the result of their light complexion or any other pronounced common European feature must be a result of mixing (probably rape) at some point in that family's history. Thus percentages of White blood in Obama doesn't make him less black either. In fact the idea that his father is directly from Africa means that Barack Obama most likely has more pure black blood than most Black Americans have.***********

I said all that to say this,"Who cares!!". Exactly what does this have to do with anything that will make your life any better or even worse? These silly disputes, and so many people's willingness to be ignorant and preference to argue over mindless dribble rather than think rationally is appalling. It's also quite frightening because you guys are allowed to vote alongside smart and sane people like me!! One of the major flaws of a democracy...

(Refer to the top post by Deemee)

The number of idiots voting for Obama just because he's black is balanced by the number of idiots who are voting for McCain just because Obama's black.

In a similar manner, the number of idiots voting for McCain just because Palin's a woman is balanced by the number of idiots who are voting for Obama just because Palin's a woman.

No worries...

What lies are you referring to? Has Obama proposed any significant legislation? No and that's a matter of provable fact. Has Obama had any executive experience? No and that's another matter of provable fact. Has Obama said anything as a matter of principle or does he waffle as he seeks the popular view; the one that will get him elected? Meanwhile McCain states clearly his views. He and his VP nominee have clearly demonstrated credentials at effecting change whereas Obama is clearly like all the other politicians who only give lip service to it. BTW, text written in all upper case letters is hard to read. Please use case appropriately so that we can better understand your point of view.

jackdfc

....pick one; plenty chose from...or have you not done your homework, either, like the gal who thinks sp rocks?

It's very simple...McCain is a man of integrity, character and loves and believes in this wonderful country. He has and will always fight for the interest of the people. For anyone who has followed his career through the years he is a remarkable man. Who is Barak Obama? We really know nothing of his true character or true beliefs. His wife said for the first time her adult life she is proud to be an American....what about the rest of her life so far...has she not been proud??? They scare the hell out of me! I vote for the man not the party.

JustA"MAN", please give me just ONE of BO's accomplishments!!!!!!!!

You are just complete uneducated idiot. Do your homework unless you want more "Bom bom, bom bom Iran"

Nobody is replying to you *a woman who thinks Sarah Palin Rocks* because WE KNOW ITS WASTED typing... if you cant do your own searching then its because your mind is already a concrete block...

devil's advocate: THANK YOU FOR PROVING MY POINT!!! I have gone to BO's website and researched. That is why it should scare EVERYONE over his stance of UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE!!!! Do we really want government taking control of our health care system? Or, will it become just another rotten big government program such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Welfare!!!!!!!

Lucyna: This is the proper way to spell "bomb" It starts with a b and ends with a b, see? BOMB!!!

Facts are easy to find if you care to look. Lies get passed along because some people just don't want to know the facts. Very easy - they lay it all out for you in clear simple non-elitist language and all.

Mrs. Di

Or better yet please read carefully through and

Mrs. Di

to *a woman who thinks Sarah Palin rocks* - please answer me this... Can you get me health insurance... and how... I own my own business, but since I have *hereditary* high cholesterol (diet does not help me), *hereditary* high blood pressure (again nothing I do helps lower it), I cannot get ANY insurance coverage... NONE, NADA, I am on my own...

See, I live in one of those 33 states that DOESNT HAVE HIGH RISK MEDICAL COVERAGE... I *am* in great health, because I have to take medication for those two items (and mind you they are under control i.e. with medication, low blood pressure and low cholesterol levels) nobody will insure me...

What would you do in my situation except hope for Universal Health Care.. and mind you, I can even pay for High Risk Medical Coverage but still cant get it.... so I am one of those 40 Million shafted americans...

What would YOU DO FOR ME?? woman who thinks Sarah Palin rocks - and I am not alone by any means.... all across this country BUSINESSES ARE CUTTING EMPLOYEES HOURS BACK TO LESS THAN THE MINIMUM FOR HEALTH INSURANCE SO THEY DONT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.... What do they do if some pre-existing condition like high blood pressure or cholesterol or taking some form of anti-depressent (since alot of people also suffer from HEREDITARY low seratonin levels.)

Please let me know what you can do for me - I would LOVE AN ANSWER... OR FROM ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER AS I AM TOTALLY OUT OF LUCK FOR *ANY* MEDICAL COVERAGE WHAT-SO-EVER even though quite fit... 5 feet 8 inches work out and weight 146 pounds....

p.s. to ANYONE else on this chat-site COULD ANYONE HELP ME OUT WITH WHAT I CAN DO SHORT OF MOVING TO A STATE WITH HIGH-RISK MEDICAL INSURANCE as moving is not an option for me for numberous reasons.... I have family myself here to take care of...

"What would you do in my situation except hope for Universal Health Care.. and mind you, I can even pay for High Risk Medical Coverage but still cant get it.... so I am one of those 40 Million shafted americans..."

In that position, I would hope strongly that mandatory government regulated coverage NEVER is formed. I would be pushing as hard as possible for universal privatized coverage among various parties that offers choices based on your medical condition, granting more personalized coverage based on your needs instead of a one-trick system with inflated costs and no options. I'm not quite in the same boat, but I have thyroid problems with heart palpitations. My company covers me in full regardless of medical conditions (we have everything from young and healthy to stroke victims and pacemakers), but if I was applying for coverage individually, such as if owning my own business, I'd be VERY worried about an expensive government regulated plan that offers no options for people with medical conditions.

Hey idiots and all the love for insurance remarking on what you have now good deal but --- Get this one. I had 100% coverage on health care and came down with a terminal illness. Can't work now with the chemo too hard on my body which also the medication gave me another terminal bone disease. Here goes. SS approved me within 30 days, I did have long term dis ins from job. I make 1600 a month, but could not keep my insurance (cobra) unless I paid 945.00 a month and they would not cover any illness that occurred in the last 6 months. So no coverage for my current disposition. Well did you know you can't get Medicare until you are on disability 2 years. So right now guys I have no insurance, my last biopsy was over 17,000.00 which is one price of 3 in the last 6 months. Please know what you are talking about before you run your mouths. You can't speak on something you haven't experienced. The health care system and insurance system is broken. We need health care for people in my situation and believe me there are more than you can even think of. Obama and Biden will get us in the right direction and if the universal or affordable plan isn't for you then keep what you have but pray you don't get sick because if you do you are screwed. !!!!!!

Well if you like universal care move to Canada.

I posted some of Obama's accomplishments above ... since others were too lazy to look it up for themselves. Leads me to believe tht they are probably to lazy to think for themselves too.

The only lies I see are from the Obama campaign and the left wing media. I am disappointed that people believe them. They have been gibing you 1 sided half truths for years to get you to vote their way. They half you believing that an unknown do nothing senator (Obama) from IL should be the leader of the Greatest Country on Earth. Now that's a lie !

May I give you a lesson in how our government works. It is Congress that makes the laws. The President can only approve, disapprove or veto.
It was a Democratic Speaker of the House that refused to work on solving the oil crisis because she had a book to sell. That was really putting "America First".

Devils.advocate, class of '69, maybe people need to be were we are at or have been to understand. I have epilepsy, and my meds are over $400 a month to keep my seizures under control w/ health ins. A lot of ins co will not cover me because its a pre accenting condition. Generics make my seizures worse so I need to stay on name brand drugs. Universal health care will be wonderful for people like us.

I think most of these comments are stupid and small minded. ok already, Obama's ancestors weren't slaves. That is beyond the point. Deemee was asked if he would vote for him just b/c he was black and he said yes b/c some people--obviously a bunch of you stupid people who responded--would not vote for him because he was black. As for Sarah Palin, she makes me ashamed to be the same gender as she is. She repeats the same speech over and over that someone wrote for her. Oviously she can not come up with anything original. She seems very uneducated as to the weays of the world. John McCain is 72 years old and has had cancer. Do I want someone like her to become president because she can give one line zingers about things she is obviuously unread about? The woman talks out of both sides of her mouth. She puts her 17 year old in an embarrassing spotlight then complains that the media is talking about her. Is there something wrong with being a community organizer in Chicago? A place that we could set down 100 or more Waliskas? It's no wonder she touts her presidency of the PTA, it was probably the largest organization in Waliska.

A couple of things...
1.) Let's not confuse the "best" medical care available (which we have), with the "health care system we have (which sucks). Our health care system IS big business.
2.) With regards to the Democratic lead Congress...what is the count of Democrats vs. Republicans? From my recollection it's pretty close, especially in the Senate. Also, the election in which the Democrats took the lead was November of 2006, and they officially took over about 1 1/2 years ago (Jan. '07). When that happened, much to NO ONE'S surprise, GW's veto pen came out! What legislature has been vetoed that may have helped our country. It's amazing that people think 6 years of screwed up policies can be fixed in such a short period of time. When people say that the government will grow too big under Barack Obama they have paid NO attention to the Bush administration. They want to control everything. Does anyone out there remember that Bush #1 put through a big bank bail out during his term which directly helped a relative of his in Texas?! Now GW has just made Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac a responsibilities of us taxpayers. What more can the Republicans do to us?

i agree with you and the woman that changed from supporters of Mrs.Clinton to Palin are weak as well they wasn't behind her for her beliefs it was because she was a woman and i am a woman too but my sex has nothing to do with beliefs we have been working and taking care of home and others home so here we go again we know who the real strong woman are the ones that support the beliefs not our sex or color we do need change real people, many have build we all count its not a color thing it rich and poor if you are not rich as i say you are just like any other poor. for so many years the weak believe especially poor white believe that the republicans was gonna make a change for them when the voted for bush picture that and they still believe the lies mccain and palin are telling as i said we know who the strong are we shall overcome all the racial nonsense as i said its not about race its about rich and poor which one are you?

Devil's Advocate,

You inquired about Health Insurance as a small business owner with medical issues, and I would have to say that you are wrong. If you have two people in your company, you have a group, and with a group, you have a group policy, which means that you cannot be rejected by pre-existing conditions. How do I know this, I too am a small business owner that has group insurance, myself and my wife are "employees" for my company, and we both are insured. I have grand-mal seizures, have had two brain surgery's and b/c I couldn't get insurance as an individual, I started a consulting firm to insure myself.

Is in inexpensive...no. But you CAN get insurance. Would it be great to have cheaper socialized medicine...no, and the reason is illustrated by individual cases I read about every day in England. When you deal with Socialized medicine, it is determined FOR YOU, because it is covered by someone else, whether a treatment is cost effective and will be ALLOWED to be attempted on you. Just the other day in fact hearing about a man who has a cancer they are not sure will be fixed, and b/c of the cost, they are refusing to allow him to pursue it...let me repeat that for those that are skimming...BECAUSE IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THE SOCIAL GROUP TO COVER, THEY ARE NOT ALLOWING IT - SO HE WILL SURELY DIE.

We may not have the best health plan here in America but if I have insurance and some greenbacks, I can fight to preserve my life. I couldn't fathom what I or my family would have said/done if they had told me when my 2 ($150,000 each) brain surgeries needed to get performed, "sorry, it's not cost effective in the plan...deal with the pain".

Instead, with my insurance (that you claim you can't get) I dropped my $250 down on the counter (each time) and was operated on.

As a small business owner (someone OB wants to tax), owner of a house bigger than 2,600 sq. ft (someone OB wants to tax), with investments (someone OB wants to tax) that makes roughly 250k a year (because I work 80 hours/week...oh yeah, and someone OB wants to tax), I have great fear of OB getting in the white house. Why shouldn't I? Everything I work so hard to achieve for myself and my family is at stake when all that I've worked for is to be taxed in an effort to "redistribute the wealth".

What do you think will happen when small businesses are taxed beyond belief to bring equal distribution of wealth amongst the masses...we'll have to lay people off b/c we won't be able to pay them...which means less people working, more people on welfare, and the cycle spins downward.

There are only certain times in history when deep, systemic problems can be fixed. Health-care, financial markets, energy policy, etc. Most of our history we have been trapped in partisan paralysis. There are moments and leaders, i.e. Andrew Jackson, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Kennedy, Reagan, who are able to make significant, good changes in the direction of the country. (Not that they are perfect, but they accomplished important things in their time) Now is a moment when we need such a leader. Obama is untested, true, but he has the vision and energy to possibly seize this window of time to make some much needed changes to real problems out country faces. Die-hard Republicans (I used to be one) only see two problems, military threats and high taxes. It doesn't matter what is really going on, that is all they will ever see. Every diplomatic problem can be solved by tough talk or military action and every economic problem can be solved by lower taxes. McCain will try to solve problems we don't have and ignore the real problems, economic, diplomatic, etc. we do. He is probably a good man, but has no real vision to address the real problems we face. Obama is a risk, but he is starting with the right vision and an accurate assessment of the trouble we are in.

Well, I guess we're not TOO narrow-minded, are we???

I would also like to point out that *CHANGE* was/still is Obama's theme word and that MCCAIN PLAGIARIZED it... cant he even fine his own slogan to run with???

I must have missed something, like the part where Obama has copyrighted the word "change".
I believe if you actually look at the change that Obama espouses, it's the Democratic mantra of higher taxes and more government. And despite what he says, the facts show that higher taxes are for everyone except the untaxable, and the programs that he wants to implement are nothing more than more waste.
I personally don't care for either.
Lower taxes and less gorvernment have worked in this country almost it's entire history.
The lower the taxes the more people that are working, and the more money the government actually has. The more government that happens ends up being more of those tax dollars that are wasted on pork barrel projects, earmarks, and programs that don't work.

@RogerM

That is an outright lie. Obama's tax policy will give a tax break to 95% of the population, the MIDDLE class, while raising taxes for only the wealthiest.

If you think someone who voted with Bush over 90% of the time the last four years is going to shrink goverment or government spending you are sadly disillusioned. Especially someone who chose as a running mate someone who is governer of a state that has the most pork barrel spending in the country.

Obama may give a small tax break to some but they are really going to need it to pay all the higher prices that will result on every thing from food to gas because of his taxes on business. Do you really think business will not drastically raise their prices if their tax breaks are taken away and their taxes are increased? Think again!

McBush and Caribou Barbie are from same mold as Bush/Cheney. She is so scary will all her religion. When will people realize that religion and government aren't joined at the hip. And all her talk of God and a pipeline and God and a war. That isn't God's statement of work. Leave GOD out of politics. Go Obama/Biden.

Brian,

you are right that he is looking to only tax those of us that are hitting the 250k barrier and above, you forget to mention that he is also wanting to tax those of us who's houses are larger than 2,600 sq feet, those of us that built small businesses from the ground up, those of us that have investments...the list goes on.

So let's say you "only" make 150k a year, you will be "saved" from the tax hike on salary...but you better make sure you aren't investing, don't have a large house, and don't start your own business, or you'll have the tri-factor of taxes lumped on every other aspect of your life.

Obama voted with the president almost all the time - Whoops! Nevermind... I misunderstood. He voted PRESENT almost all the time, not PRESIDENT!
Chicago politics score again - how easily people are fooled by hollywood productions!

"Chicago politics score again - how easily people are fooled by hollywood productions! "

HA what a joke. You think the majority of us who support Obama are fooled by Hollywood. Guess what we have minds and we care about taking care of our fellow americans....ALL OF THEM...not just the few, the rich and the protected. McCain will bring us more of the same economic crap that has gotten us into the hole we are in. The REPs have won just barely these last 2 elections b/c of fear rhetoric.....and guess what it's more shameful then any "hollywood propaganda"....

McCain voted with his party 88.3% of the time (that's is what liberals refer to when they say "voted with Bush"). Obama, on the other hand, voted with his party 96.5% of the time! How is he going to bring change? How is this not old partisan party politics?
Obama doesn't have his priorities straight because he lacks understanding and experience. For example, McCain's energy independence platform is much stronger than Obama's "environmental" one. While I feel that environmental issues are very important (regardless of the fact that latest studies suggest that global warming will only raise sea levels by 2.2'-6' in the next 100 years). I think that it is much more important for the US not to depend on Middle Eastern, Venezuelan or Russian oil. For the good of the country it must be a priority, and McCain champions that CHANGE. Obama, on the other hand, has absolutely no understanding of international affairs or how oil is tied into the equation.
And Biden - Mr. "I don't think we should even pressure Iran economically through sanctions" - will do us no good either, with all his experience.

What happens when we start drilling and another country outbids us on the oil that has been drilled here in the US? Right where we are today. What most of you uneducated McCain "Drill Baby Drill" supporters need to realize is that oil is a WORLD commodity, sold on the WORLD commodity exchange. So tell me what happens if we are out bid on oil we drill for!!!!

Cstaffo

You hit it on the head -- the mindless automatons who will vote the McCain ticket regardless can't get what passes for their brains past "USA USA!".

Oil, and many other elements crucial to our economy, exist on a global stage and are traded globally (look at the impact of the Fannie/Freddie 'bailout' on world markets -- our mortgages, making money for global investors -- in this case we taxpayers will be paying them directly for their stake!)

We need someone in office who can work with those global interests in a smart way - not like 'frat boy bush' embarrassing us at the G8, or McCain wanting to salve the evangelical right by 'bombing the heretics and infidels'.

Obama/Biden 08/12

Sarah Palin is Dick Cheney in a dress. She lies like Cheney, she abuses her authority like Cheney, and she is a religious fanatic...a sort of Christian version of the Taliban. Please...pay attention to her record! It ain't pretty.

Very well spoken, I whole heartily agree with you 100% it amazes me also how they give in to the slim that the republicans put out every election cycle.

PLEASE GREAT FOLKS OF OUR COUNTY DO NOT GIVE IN TO FEAR!!!!!

I was astounded when I checked out a website that averaged out all the polls out there. Its called realclearpolitics....you can add in the www and the com at the end....

But Lousiana.....remember all the poor folks in the superdome who couldn't get out and were stuck there after Katrina?? Again this time if Gustov had stayed a 4 those levies would not have held and yet its a +16.3% in favour of McCain/Palin.

Absolutely astounding to me how the politics of fear still work in one of the most modern countries in the world!! The 18% child poverty rate, the 45.7 million without health care, losing your house to foreclosure.....those are all less important than ensuring that gay people don't get married, abortion, gun rights and supposed "family values".

Democrats are a party of VICTIMS! They want the government to do everything for them. This brings us closer to COMMUNISM. Republicans believe people can think for themselves and make better choices with their lives and money than the government can. Democrats WANT BIG BROTHER!! If you go to BO's website, he does NOT have any specifics on how his health care plan will work. But, he will make sure everyone is insured. First of all, how is it going to be paid for?!!! Second, this will be SOCIALIZED HEALTH CARE--can you say LONG waits to see a doctor or have a necessary operation ala CANADA and other countries with SOCIALIZED HEALTH CARE??????? That issue alone should scare the CRAP out of everyone!! I cannot believe people want a socialized health care system--just look at what a great job the government did with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Welfare!!!!!! And, this is just ONE of BO's stances!!!!!!!

The Republican fear machine is alive and strong. All you have to do is look at their convention. In case you have missed it. Youtube it. Tell me that is not a fear job! For more truth. Search "nexus of politics" on the same site. You can see how our last election was toyed with.

No.....Republicans LOVE to promote the FEAR factor...Gee Whizz, like someone we have in office currently. Well, What REALLY SCARES me "Woman who thinks Sarah ?, is John McCains last speach where the ONLY words he repeated multiple times are: "ATTACK, WAR, DEFEAT, ATTACK AGAIN, MORE WAR, NO ONE WILL PUSH ME AROUND, ATTACK AGAIN, DEFEAT, AND OH YES....WAR AGAIN". For a man who is VERY well known for his IMPULSIVE TEMPERMENT, SHOOT FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER PERSONALITY, I AM SCARED TO DEATH OF ALLOWING THIS MAN TO HAVE HIS WRINKLY OLD FINGER ON THE TRIGGER of death.. Well MY FRIEND thats the way it is! Take the high road...John McCain says he is a Reformer, Independant and a Maverick. If this is true then why is he being backed by the Republican Machine, Big Oil Lobbyists and Big Tobacco (Phillip-Morris, who funded the RNC) Why do you think they are backing this guy......DUHHHHH. A Reformer to their interests is what we will get. A Reformer...I don't think so, more like that Hand Puppet that someone at the RNC was showing off at the end.

I hope Obama helps us better than he is helping his brother, George.

Hey "A Woman who thinks Sarah Palin Rocks".....

Democrats are not a party of Victoms.....we want to care for our fellow American not just get rich and keep everything to ourselves. If we make sure every american has healthcare and a good education we all win. If we ensure we only use our military when it's absolutely needed we save valuable lives....4000 to be exact....If that's being a communist then sign me up.

How do you know these changes to the healthcare will happen....are you afraid....the current system is not working. Do you think it is? I have two friends who make very good money each and have corporate paid insurance. Their daughter had to have serious brain surgery and they are now looking into selling their home to pay their medical bills. Is this a system that is working? If you think your current insurance plan will be there for you in time of serious illness you are delusional. I hope your family is healhty b/c if not then you would not be writing this nonesense

You're so right. If Obama gets the whitehouse, your children will certainly grow up in a different world. They will be taught in elementary school that it is normal to experiment with your sexuality, and that homosexuality is normal and great. They will be taught how to use birthcontrol without your permission, but will not be told that birthcontrol will never gaurantee that they will have sex without consequences. They will be taught that oral sex is a great way to not have sex.

They will have minimal substandard healthcare, regardless of how hard you and your spouse work, or how many degrees you have earned, they will get the same benefits as the millions of welfare do-nothings with no education. They will be able to kill all the babies they create up to nine months gestation by partial-birth abortion without even batting an eye, and without your knowledge. They will be taught there is no God. No moral absolutes. Porn is great, heck, even their drinking age will lower! yeah!

They will still be reliant on foreign oil, because we CAN"T access our own resources. They will have higher taxes. I could go on...

Yep. Your children will have all the best the liberal dems can give them. And they won't even have to work for it.

Not trying to be rude, but as a mother myself, these are things far scarier to me...Palin may have a daughter who screwed up (Wonder if she used birthcontrol that utterly failed her??) and that baby would be better off being adopted to a family that can care for it, and yes, Palin is ignoring an oppertunity to show how sex is NOT always safe, and that our children CAN indeed and SHOULD control and respect themselves (we are not animals afterall. Unless you are an evolutionist, and you think you are an animal...)and she is not taking the oppertunity in front of her.

Nope. I don't think Mccain/Palin are the best choices the conservatives have. But they are they lesser of the two evils. And I have no choice but to vote for them.

KMILL - Your comments are so sad and so fear based. You really need to get a grip if you think all these things will REALLY happen. It's this fanatical fear that both the Right and Left dish out that is what divides our country. We are "mostly" sensible American people with moderate beliefs. You are suggesting such nonsense. Please get a grip.

You certainly get change with Obama. A change you and I do not want. If you think it is bad now wait until the Democrat Congress and a Democrat President get together and change everything their way. Hope you like Socialism. Look at Cuba, and then look at the US under the same regime. After a few years you will be crying about the change. All you will have left is small change. To pay for all the change taxes are going up, Obama promised that, on the rich and businesses. Who will end up paying for the tax increase. The consumer, which means the so called poor. It always comes down to the last one in the chain. Compare this to the Carter years with less freedom.-

Karenforchage,

It's too bad that you think Kmill's comments are fear based, but they are not. Obama is a socialist - a student of Karl Marx. Obama's plan is to "redistribute wealth" and that means that those that work hard, school long and invest in our country will not be able to see the fruits of their labor because Obama wants it to go to those that don't. Don't believe me - read in Investor's Business Daily, August 25th issue, to see what Obama's plan will do to a family of four making between $31,000 and $46,000 - their taxes will increase 13% to a 36%-39% tax margin. And those "rich people" that make $100,000 - 50% tax rate. My husband makes that - after 8 years of schooling, 60+ hour work weeks and constant continuing education that HE pays for and now BO wants HALF????? Are you kidding me? We live very modestly to save for our children's education, pay our bills, save for retirement and help those less fortunate....and we live on a strict budget. Reality is not fear....it's reality. Also, who in their right minds thinks an income of $31,000 - $46,000 for a family of 4 is middle class????????????

McCain/Palin '08

SKHilliard....I think you ought to check your figures. His tax increases are for those making much higher then your husband makes. When did he ever say someone making $31,000 - $46,000 is middle class, please do send me that statement I'd like to read that.....taxing 50%, that's just not true.

Your statements are not accurate. You need to do your homework. How much difference do you think BO's economic plan is from Clinton's? How bad off were you in the 90's. It sounds like we are in the same tax bracket and I sure can't remember things being bad for us....and best of all our country didn't have a huge deficit.

@SKHilliard, thanks for the tip on Investor's Business Daily, I will look that up.

In the meantime, you should check out the non-partisan Tax Policy Center's comparison of both candidate's tax plans. I can't post the link, but google "tax policy center comparison" and you'll find it right away.

It says that both candidates want to cut taxes, but Obama's plan would largely benefit people making less than $250,000 a year, and McCain's plan would largely benefit people making more than $250,000 a year.

@a woman who thinks Palin rocks.
Look at what is happeneing now, government taking over Fannie and Freedie, wake up and smell the socialism. Thanks John and george for making our dollar worthless. On another note its hard for a Democratic congress to get anything done when there is a veto happy partisan President in office. Remeber that when assining blame.

"The 18% child poverty rate, the 45.7 million without health care, losing your house to foreclosure.....those are all less important than ensuring that gay people don't get married, abortion, gun rights and supposed "family values"."

Actually, it's that child poverty rate, those without health care, and those losing their homes...that are forcing me to vote for McCain. I'm pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-gun rights, and a strong atheist. But I'm also forced to register Republican because those moral issues are state issues, and as far as I'm concerned have no place in a federal election. If you're worried about the poverty rate, than the most logical step is to push for McCain's work incentive programs that offers a resume for the poor (work incentive programs saved me, I was living out of a car and would still be under a Democrat social program), offering options to work up and out of poverty, allowing for more people to be able to contribute to providing for the lower numbers in poverty, giving to those who are not capable of working. Obama pushes to reduce those programs, meaning that he will give food and shelter, but no means out, so more and more will end up in poverty while less and less are forced to contribute more each. The poverty rate is one of the most important reasons that I'm voting McCain, Obama makes all sorts of promises while setting policy that screwed the poor over at every turn.
The numbers without health care concern me, so I'm voting for the one pushing for universal privatized coverage, programs that offer a choice to the individual instead of a highly expensive government regulated mandatory plan that give no choice and no freedom for the individual, hurting businesses, the poor, and the middle class alike.

People losing their home DEFINITELY concerns me, which is why I have NO choice but to avoid the one who is pushing to maintain the corporate tax status quo like the plague. 35% corporate tax, the single highest corporate tax in the ENTIRE WORLD, more than DOUBLE that of the second highest, this being the single highest cause of outsourcing, and he wants to increase taxes to these people in other areas as well. How on earth is someone advocating bringing in more jobs while doing everything he can to create MORE outsourcing, while also eliminating development inventive programs that allow individuals to promote new technologies that would ALSO bring in new jobs? He's the most hypocritical person I've seen in a long time. Bring more jobs, bring money to the poor, but push policy that promotes MORE outsourcing, and eliminate programs that bring newer technologies sooner. Take from the rich, give to the poor, just ignore ALL the long term consequences. I couldn't care less right now about the issues with gay rights and abortion, I'm concerned with those poor, with those losing their homes, with the world economy and the US' influence in it, with new technologies, with business growth, with job growth...and all of those are the reasons to vote for McCain. On those family values issues, I'm a Democrat.
So claiming that people are voting for McCain because of gay rights and abortion is absolutely ridiculous! If YOU'RE voting for Obama because of those issues, than you're a moron, plain and simple. These are state issues, they won't change with a new US President. We're voting for a federal position, NOT a state position, they can have whatever opinion they want, it's not what's important when voting for a President. Your accusation is way out of touch with reality. Family values are NOT the sole reason people vote one way or the other. Some vote Republican because of those issues, thinking the President will make a difference there, but many, many Democrats do the EXACT same, your accusation completely ignoring the fact that if it's an issue with Republicans, it MUST be an issue with Democrats as well. You're being purely hypocritical in your accusation. Republicans vote because of abortion and gay rights, but Democrats ignore those issues entirely? Seeing all the protests against McCain because of those "family values," I'd say that we have fairly conclusive proof that it works the other way as well, that people are voting Obama while ignoring all those actual important issues such as poverty and health care. Now here's the actual facts, people vote for McCain because of his programs for poverty, his programs for new technologies, his programs for modifications of tax rates to reduce outsourcing, his programs to eliminate oil intensive production technologies such as harmful corn ethanol (three gallons of oil to get one of ethanol, kind of counter-productive but Obama is too strongly tied to the three major oil corporation), his policies to reduce wasted subsidies (such as $10 billion a year to ethanol corporations who already show profit percentage in the double digits higher than oil has EVER seen, taking those subsidies as pure free profit), his program for universal privatized option based health care, etc. Some vote because of moral beliefs, but that's something to ignore entirely here as it's done on BOTH sides. I say, let the states decide and the people vote on those issues, as it has nothing to do with the President. This is about those things you mentioned in your statements, which is exactly why McCain is my only choice even as I strongly support gay rights and the right to choose. The economy trumps those issues every time, and it's on the economy and the poor and middle class where Obama fails.

Susan-493640

Let explain something about Katrina and Louisiana. The State Government has to ALLOW the Federal Government to come in and help. Their former Governor would not allow this to happen til it was too late. Also WE have been giving their state Government money for over 20 years before Katrina to fix those levees. They chose to use it to line their own pockets. I live on the border of Texas and Louisiana. I am so tired of people only talking about the poor people in New Orleans that refused to leave, but fail to talk about the people in Gulfport, MS that lost everything. Or talk about Rita that hit my home, and wiped an entire city in Louisiana off the map.

I didn't see Obama trying to make sure he wasn't the main focus when Gustav was coming toward my home 2 weeks ago. McCain at least had enough since to suspend some of his own convention so that the people that need to stay home and help their communities could.

As for as you people that don't understand drilling for oil...If an American based company drills it, they can chose to keep it here in OUR country to refine it. Come down to the Gulf Coast and see they growth we have going on thanks to Bush, and that Mccain won't allow Congress to shut down.

The health care system is broken, but universal system will not fix it. Controlling the BIG FAT INSURANCE companies will. You know the one pushing for this with the Democrats so they can get they contract and have more money in their pockets.

BIG business=BIG GOVERNMENT

What you say is very true and valid. However you can say the sane thing about Obama (even more so), but he will not be a heart beat away; he will be it.

I am much more concerned with a PRESIDENTIAL nominee who has not had experience with foreign policy. Terrorism is a very real thing, not something Republicans made up in order to scare people. In three days, we will reach the 7th anniversary of the September llth tragedy. I, for one, am certainly glad that nothing has happened in the U.S. since then.

Actually I'm more concerned about voting for a man running for President (Obama) that has no experience regarding foreign policy. As a matter of fact, he has no experience running anything other than a community group.

The only thing that scares me is how Obama supporters can say that Palin is too inexperienced to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency, when Obama has less experience than she, but is on the ticket to be President. No logic there. Stop believing the government will take care of you. Take responsibility for your own successes and failings and be proud of what YOU have accomplished. Place your HOPE and energies in yourself to change your life, not the government!! If you don't, it doesn't matter who is president, you will always be disappointed.

Said very well. Thank you! My grandparents worked very hard to give me what I have today. I and my family do not have much but we work hard for a roof over our heads, food to feed our family and health care that is not cheap. I do not expect anyone to give me handouts even at times we could have gotten them. I just can not understand why everyone believes that if the government does everything than that is better. Where do you think they will get the money for all of those programs? From your paycheck...from anyone who is working. Our Medicaid and Medicare is in terrible shape and is controlled by the government. I guess if you want more government and less money vote for Obama. If you want less government and more money than vote for McCain.

Said very well was for CM-506251.

Nixon, Carter, Bush, Clinton, Bush 2 did not have any foreign policy experience. The last President to have foreign policy experience was Eisenhower. At least Palin has leadership experience. She shoule be the Presidential nominee.

CM-506251 said "Stop believing the government will take care of you. Take responsibility for your own successes and failings and be proud of what YOU have accomplished....".

That's a great sentiment that's hard to argue with. I'm very proud of my own accomplishments and do take responsibility for my failings. We are a nation imbued with a work-hard, can-do, pull-ourselves-up-by-our-bootstraps, anyone-can-grow-up-to-be-president spirit unlike any other country in the world.

However, we elect our leaders, which means we also take responsibility for OUR GOVERNMENT'S successes and failings.

When the government failed in their response to Hurricane Katrina, we all failed. (FEMA was strong under Clinton, but dismantled by Bush. Brownie, anyone?! By the way, afterwards, McCain voted against against Katrina relief multiple times.)

When the president rushed to war with Iraq -- no WMD's, no link to the 9/11 attacks -- we all failed. (McCain was an early and vocal proponent of the Iraq War, and has no exit strategy. Obama has consistently opposed the war, and favors an exit similar to what President Bush is now proposing.)

Many people argue that one *success* of the current administration is that we haven't had another domestic terror attack since 9/11. But wouldn't that be because President Bush greatly EXPANDED the size of the Federal Government with the creation of the Department of Homeland Security? (Or is it simply because he's a tough-talkin' cowboy?) So clearly, sometimes "big government" can be a good thing and not just a socialist, "big brother" state.

Regardless of anyone's experience (Obama, McCain, Palin, Biden), I think Obama is the one who embodies the idea of the PEOPLE taking back control of the Federal Government. He's built his campaign from the ground up and represents a real "grass roots" movement.

When I hear Obama talking about making higher educational more available and affordable; taking care of our veterans; working together to be on the cutting edge of developing new energy technologies for the 21st century, that all sounds like common sense to me.

When the government is responsive to the PEOPLE that's when we can all take responsiblity for its successes and failures.

Cm-506251, you poor thing, it clear to see that you don't even understand what you are talking about. John McCain was first to attack Sen. Obama's experience, he said that Obama didn't have the experience to be president, but he went and choose some one with no experience also, and at his age, let say some one shout at him to loud and his thumper gave up, then Palin will be the one running the country.

Now the Republicans make such a fuss about terrorism, and foreign policy, and you have to admit that she have no foreign policy experience. So if McCain think that Sen. Obma is not ready to run the country, then how is she ready? Of course she is running for vice president, but at McCain's age, and lets face it the man is way old, so that puts Palin a heart beat away from the presidency. So that's why most people are saying that she lacks the experience for that job.

You guys need to read a little more, and state facts and substance and stop being so hateful. And if McCain wins then whether we support him or not we better pray that his health holds up, because if it doesn't. Well, I don't even want to think about it.

So being a Vice President (Nixon) or the Director of the CIA and an Ambassador (Bush 41) doesn't count for foreign policy experience??? I suppose the fact that Carter was a nuclear engineer on Naval Subs doesn't count, nor does Kennedy's time as a PT Boat commander. Clinton even pursued education over in England, which may count for something. Hell, even Reagan was in some WWII movies (joke). Point is this, if you dig deeply enough, nearly every President has had some experiences... but BO??? Nada... nothing... goose eggs... a Big Fat Zero.

I appreciate what you were trying to say Virgil, but it was really stupid to say that all the Presidents since Eisenhower have had no foreign policy experience.

Better have a VP that's clueless about foreign policy than a president who's clueless about running a country.. or anything. Obama said that he has the executive experience to be a president in the fact that he's managing a presidential campaign.
First, that's not true - his campaign manager manages the campaign. And second, he's a joke. If what qualifies you to a job is the fact that you applied for it than Obama has a major problem in understanding how the job market works. He's just not getting it.

"When the government failed in their response to Hurricane Katrina, we all failed. (FEMA was strong under Clinton, but dismantled by Bush. Brownie, anyone?! By the way, afterwards, McCain voted against against Katrina relief multiple times.)"

Actually, the federal aid succeeded, but was held back on the state level. If an individual's screw up says something about his political party, then the Democratic controlled local government botched up the ENTIRE relief effort. Oh, and he voted against additional monies that were disappearing into the state, not against aid. Helps to know what he actually was voting on before making a comment. New Orleans was provided enough money on a federal level (and still receives tax money) to bulldoze the entire city and rebuild it at least SIX times. Now how is that failing, how is that denying funds? When the state takes that money and it disappears, it's the STATE representatives that need to be attacked, not federal representatives. People were quick to blame Bush, but ignored the aid just sitting there waiting for the green light from local government, a green light that they refused to provide for quite some time. Federal CANNOT act without state approval, and they were just sitting there waiting, aid and funding with nowhere to go.
You're right, the government failed under Katrina, it just wasn't the federal government that failed, it was the local. Oh, and FEMA was piss poor under Clinton, they were in a worse state then than we see even today. Bush failed to fix it adequately, as he adopted the poorly managed program and just let it ride as it was.

Not worrying at all about Palin... she's being coached by Bush's crack team on Foreign policy as we speak.

Seriously, she is.

We shouldn't be worried. We should be terrified.

AMEN! VC22

Exactly, and as he said how great can ones judgement be if they agree with George Bush 90% of the time.

And as far as the EXPERIENCE thing goes. From what I hear most people who have a problem with Palin's extreme lack of experience, find it humorous that Republicans used Obama's lack thereof as a talking point ALL this time, from the beginning, only for them to choose someone to back up John McCain, (who has used his 26 years in the senate as a litmus test) that is less educated & experienced than Obama.

The fact that people who like Palin have to mention the geographical location of Alaska to a country she's never visited as proof that she's experienced is a problem, I'm sorry, it just is. Can you imagine how Obama would've been laughed off of the stage had he said something so strange?

I think it's fine that Republicans have rallied around their candidate! It's just sad that they've decided to abandon all integrity in order to make the case for her:

*we're the party of family values -- pregnant unwed teenager is a part of life
*wasteful spending is wrong "pork, pork, pork"--palin's earmark request & hire of a lobbyist is different somehow
*taxing oil companies is a scam and unfair to punish success-- palin taxes oil companies windfall profits and it's good, whatta reformer!
*food stamps, and the like, coming out of the pockets of taxpayers is wrong--palin charging tax payers per diem to live in her own home and thousands of bucks in flights for her & family, it's good!
*it's fair to investigate associations of a candidate, esp. one we know little about--sexism is the reason they are looking into Palin's associations
*Obama is a celebrity, just look at the crowds he draws--Palin is inspiring look at the attention she draws *Obama's ahead by 6 points look how close this race is-- Mccain's is ahead by one point look how McCain is winning

I understand why you are excited about the new face. Sure she's the opposite of what McCain said he was looking for in a VP, but she's conservative!... well, not fiscally but socially... I mean c'mon she WAS on the PTA, likes guns and hunting, not to mention she has 5 kids, hows that for conservative!! I get your enthusiasm, it's kinda how the Obama supporters feel about our candidate, except he discusses the issues, has experience in legislation, and cares about the little people as evidenced by his work as a community organizer, and he brings a message of change, hope and optimism rather than negativity, dog eat dog, tear your opponent down to make it look as though you're up kinda politics...

Your comment reminds me of the story in the scriptures of the people that left Egypt with Moses. They all had to die off before the people were able to reach the promise land. It seems to me that the status quo who has been in power and refuses to see that things need to change is unwilling and unable to let go.

I appreciate and love the young people who have been galvanized this election cycle. They have not grown up with the prejudice and hate that the over 50 crowd has.

This election belongs to the new.

Obama '08

Kathy unfortunately the young are naive and when they have more experience and have to pay more taxes to pay for everyone in the United States they realize that the Republican way is best. I am hoping that the young generation just does not listen to what Obama says and really look at the issues and his experience.

Sorry you do not like my comment but usually when there is truth someone like you has to make a comment like you did reminding you of a story in the bible. McCain and Palin will make changes that is needed for us going into the future and it has nothing to do with unwilling or unable to let go. Love ya Kathy.

Well, Bush certainly did some REAL changing, when he took over after Clinton.............The problem is we are sliding into the DARK AGES.........I will be giving Obama a chance to turn the direction back towards the light...........If McCain changes anything it will be total DARKNESS.

sweet fern can you explain to me what you mean when you said that McCain will be total Darkness? What does total darkness mean and are you psychic and can see the future? I doubt it so your comments have absolutely NO MERIT. Vote for Obama and I cannot wait to see how disappointed everyone will be.

Colleen, what's the "Republican way that's best"? Run the country into debt, dismantle the country's infrastructure (case in point FEMA's Hurricane Katrina response), rush into an unnecesary war with Iraq.... is that the best?

Historically, the nation's economy has grown under Democratic presidents. Is that a bad thing?

Obama wants to CUT my taxes more than McCain does. Is that a bad thing?

I'm 41, married, two kids, homeowner, college educated, entrepeneur, solidly middle/upper-middle class.... When exactly am I supposed to switch to Republican?

There is no change with McCain and Palin.

here are examples of McCain's change:
McCain has the exact same lobyists he is railing against running his campaign. He has wholly embraced the Bush/Rove campaign tactics that he abhorred in 2000, and hired the same team that were the visionaries that smeared him and his adopted daughter in that election.
He has changed his position on drilling offshore to satisfy his party. will continue to allow Oil companies to slow down production of next generation fuels while there is still Oil to be purchased, no matter what the cost.
Palin's pork cutting line item vetos that brought her fame were all reversed once she found out what the funding was for. she didn't learn about the bill before the veto, and that shows snap judgment in complete line with GWB and McCain.
McCain is itching to start war with Iran and Russia, and has a worldview that does not allow differences other than black and white, us vs. them, and he is entirely too eager to put the US military to work to "Stand up to those that don't" (agree with American views).

Obama's plans for change:
Sponsored bill in US senate that mandated that campaigns must run more transparent.
Has run a campaign on the issues, and has not attempted to smear his opponents, only point out policy disagreements (sounds like what McCain wanted in 2000 to me...) Use models from Montana, Pennsylvania, and other places around the country that have mandated that 20% of their electricity be generated from clean renewables, and apply this to the entire nation. has a broad encompassing platform that will encourage innovation and develop the next generation of renewable fuels.
Obama's health care plan will make premiums cheaper for those who already have private insurance, and will eliminate the Pre-existing condition bar that holds so many Americans from having health insurance. for those who don't have care, they will get the same service that congress, which McCain was in when this was put in place, gave themselves. it will in part be paid for by removing tax loopholes from corporate drug dealers, who are flat out raping the American people in efforts to maximize profits.
Obama will end the occupation of Iraq, and refocus the military on finding and capturing Bin Laden and securing Afghanistan so that the Khmer pass region will no longer be a safe haven for terrorists. He will work through diplomacy to strengthen our nations alliances, while seeing the world in its infinite shades of grey that do not allow typical stereotypes.

All of these points were easily found out by watching the Democratic and Republican conventions on Cspan or PBS, instead of watching the media pundits blab on about pointless things on all the major networks.

Colleen-505704: What they mean is that the light of the world that was America will be extinguished by a collapsed economy, stubborn refusal to negotiate in world affairs, the rest of the world will mock us as our veterans continue to be living on the street and no american is able to afford health care, and America falls like Ancient Greece and Rome because of our own corruption and complacency.

i was an avid McCain supporter in 2000. i thought he was a great hero, a maverick for the american people, and would work to defend us in all things. That man is dead, replaced by this simulacrum whom has embraced all of the things that he was fighting against in 2000. had he selected lieberman as his VP candidate, i may still have voted for him, but he went with a VP candidate that was a plea to the republican base - pro life, family values (which i think are hypocritical), right wing conservative.

The entire Republican convention was a lesson in SwiftBoating. no mention of platform or policy, except anti abortion, drill drill drill now, and we won't increase taxes.

Abortion is a political null score, won't change anyone's opinions on it. drill drill drill now is not an answer to America's energy problems, just a bridge in a larger energy policy (Obama is not against drilling fyi, he would happily open offshore drilling as part of a larger energy policy). Obama's plan doesn't increase taxes on anyone making less than $250,000 per year, which the republicans at the convention constantly lied on, while McCain's Health care and tax plan will make all the deductions from your paycheck that are currently Pre-tax deductions taxable. that will increase the taxes that i pay by around $10,000 per year for my family of 4. That is a tax increase the way i look at it, while Obama's plan will reduce the taxes i pay from $1000 to $300 depending on my tax bracket. ($40,000 - $60,000).

Democrats don't want government control of everything as the republicans are trying to paint it, they just want a government that works. The current administration has made this country's government so inefficient and bloated that nothing works anymore. McCain has agreed with every move made in doing so, and anyone stating that change is bucking your own party to get things different is living in a state of delusion. As i pointed out earlier, McCain the maverick is long gone, replaced with a shell of a man devoted to fulfilling his self admitted ambition of being the POTUS. read his book, he admits that he wants the presidency to fulfill that ambition, and he has displaced that ambition onto his "enemy". The man who wanted a respectful debate on the issues has swallowed the Rove playbook and instead of discussing the issues, has labeled his "enemy" a left wing nutjob celebrity, who will increase taxes for middle america (false), and won't protect this country because he doesn't love it (false).

i could go on, but that is enough for now. Please tell me how i'm uninformed and delusional, because these are all facts that anyone who wants to find out can research just like i did.

The fact is McCain's website has the same platform GWB carried in 2000. you can see how many of those issues were acted on based on them still being issues this election.

-Political forum for the respectful discussion of ideas and policies.

Tzalaran – I could write all night countering your comments but I am just wasting my time with you because you are obviously voting for Obama and hey you can believe anything you want. I never said you were uninformed and delusional but as with any comments that people make supporting McCain and Palin you Democrats make assumptions and read others minds. I live in a state that has a Democratic Governor and the only thing that was done was increasing our state taxes. Our federal taxes are less now than when Clinton was in office. Yes…you mentioned the current administration that includes the majority of Democrats in Congress. Oppps I guess you forgot that. There is no way you can argue my comment that no matter what, Obama will be a change because he is running against the other party. The true change can only be made within the current party. If you go back into history people always want a change after a few terms but that party cannot solve their problem so then they go back to the other party. So…you are now not voting for McCain because of whom he picked for Vice President? Like many of the Democratic comments you must be psychic to read John McCains mind to know exactly why he chose Palin. I think she is an awesome pick and will be an asset for our country.

Tom-473617 – according to you everything that is wrong is because of Republicans. NOT!!! Please see my note above regarding the Congress. Obama says a lot of things but talk is cheap. Obama talks the talk but does not walk the walk. I have to give him credit for being a great inspirational speaker but his experience does not cut it for me.

Hey…hope you have a great evening. Got to go.

Have any of you Republicans seen the deficit your President has left our children !
Shame Shame Shame !

Dear Dear Colleen-505704-

I think it's interesting that you think McCain would bring any change. I mean, positive changes. In my opinion going to war with Iran and Russia possibly w/ a draft, and the overturning of Roe is not the change we need.

And Obama's experience doesn't cut it for you? but you like Palin right?

And congress is the problem? You mean that area of legislative government your candidate McCain spent the last 26 years?

And yes there is a cycle of moving from party to party, and really neither party has ever proved to be on the money. Or else America would be perfect. That's why it smarter to actually judge the persons record, stance on issues, and policies, and maybe throw in some integrity as well. If you did that objectively I doubt you would come out supporting John McCain. Besides being a POW (which was not exactly voluntary) for 5 years is touching, but what values did he fight for before and after then?

The tax whine is such an old and annoying one. If someone who makes as much money as Obama does is willing to have himself taxed then that says alot, just on a personal note. Not to mention that this hype about him taxing everybody is a farce. If you read any objective economic report it shows that Obama's plan will benefit the average american by %5.

There was this forum on sacrifice and national service yesterday. I notice that repubs talk about it alot but are never quite willing to put their money where their mouth is. They'd rather send a dollar to a starving child they have a picture of from Timbuktu, but complain when the hungry and starving Americans want & need help from their neighbors. You know if there was more neighborly generosity, perhaps there wouldn't be a need for so many government programs thus less money taken from those on top... I think it's funny you mentioned bible stories, b/c I believe there's a few things in there about neighbors and being kind and loving them...

i dont mean to be rude, doris, but please don't ever compare hillary clinton with sarah palin. sarah palin is well accomplished but she would not want to save your child in the case of rape and incest. she does not believe in science and other progressive goals. she is a right wing nut, thats all

Gee Whizz....You sound just like that token cheerleader Hockey Mom with NO SUBSTANCE!

I think that Sen.Obma showed great courage when he didn't choose Sen. Clinton as his VP, and you have to know that considerate amount of pressure was placed on him to do so. But he didn't think that she was the right choice for him, and so he didn't choose her. Even when all the women was saying that they will not vote for him if he didn't put her on his ticket. Regardless whether it was a right or wrong decision, the fact is he made it. She picked his choice.

We cannot say the same about McCain, McCain gave in to pressure from the Republican party, If you really paid any attention to what was going on, or even take a few minutes to read a newspaper, you would know that, Palin was not McCain choice for his VP he really wanted Joe Lieberman, or the Home Land Security guy. But his party pulled rank on him, and told him that they will not support him if he choose any of these people. So he choose Palin out of desperation.

She may turn out to be a good pick, but the fact remains that he can't change anything because he can't even pick his own VP. You all say that he stands up to his own party all the time but on this one important decision, he buckled. So it's like he vote with them again. And lets face it, we all know that McCain didn't choose Palin because he care about women and women issues, he pick her as bait, to collect any one that is unhappy that Sen. Hilary was not chosen.

You all should try to reason things in your head, think for yourselves, don't just talk because you could talk.

let me see, Hillary started the swiftboating of Obama, and ran a very negative campaign in the primaries. she continued fighting on, and i didn't disagree with her doing so, but ran her campaign into the ground, absorbing enormous debt in the process. The nastiness that she showed him made him choosing her as VP no longer an option.

When they discussed the presidential election, she asked to be told if she was being seriously vetted, and at that time he told her that the chances of him choosing her were very slim.

The only ones who were talking about her as VP were the pundits, not the Obama campaign nor Clinton. i would have had serious doubts on Obama had he chosen someone who was so negative during the primary for the length of time that she was as his running mate.

In choosing Biden, it is my belief that he chose the person who's views on governing were the most like his own. It is common knowledge that he fears for his life should he win this election, and that fear is very founded based on the hate rhetoric that has been showered his was for the past 18 months. Biden's acceptance speech to the senate 30 years ago mirrored the service to country that Obama is outlining today. Biden and Obama are the perfect match for each other as i see it, Biden's experience in washington while still believing in the hope that American can be the shining jewel for freedom, justice, peace and prosperity that it was worldwide for the first 200 years of its existence.

Sarah Palin is an intelligent, devoted, attractive, and talented politician. Yet there are questions about her; abuse of power, why she left her town and state in such massive debt, why she initially took pork projects for her state but is now so against them, that have not been answered, and as the media tried to get to know these things, they were called sexist (i could bring up her comments about Clinton during the primary and show the absolute hypocrisy of the situation, but i'd just be singing to the choir). There is an absolute stonewall why the lobbyists and Rovian disciples get the time to brief her on what to say and how to say it. She is just another young politician that has been taken under the wing of the establishment and promised renown by adhering to their instructions. (She'll be president after McCain for sure, although i really do like Huckabee based on his platform and reluctance to dive into the smear and fear politics in his speech, but McCain is the one who will be able to continue the past 8 years' policies for the next 16...) that is all just simple math as far as politics go. always gotta groom the successor.

Voting for Palin because you have a vagina is a horrible thought process.

vote with her because you think that abortion is always wrong and women shouldn't have that option, vote with her because you think that her experience with Alaska's resources would assist on the energy issues that face the country, vote with her because you believe the words she spoke at the convention or an appearance touched your heart. The truth is that Palin is diametrically opposed to the things that HRC stood for on policy and the direction that HRC herself feels the country needs to go, she said as much at the convention and in the remarks to the media since the nomination of Palin.

democrats = victims
democrats = GIMME WHAT I WANT NOW GOVERNMENT
democrats = double standards--Oh, Sarah Palin should be at home watching her children but only liberals can have a job and have children

PRICELESS!!!!

You sound like such a bigot! Did you learn that at church? GOP=intolerant. elitest, arrogant bigots!

Doesnt BO have kids? Shouldnt he stay home, or is that a job for a woman? I am so sick and tired of the whining Dems. Ya know what, yeah Repubs are rich and we have power, and we dont believe in giving our money away to people who think the Government should take care of them. ITS MY MONEY, NOT ANYBODY ELSES! Dems ARE victims, victims of their own party. Why does the Democratic party need 4049 delegates when the Republican party only needs 2488? This is the first example of bigger government. What are Super Delegates? I saw one once on TV, he was like 19 years old! How can a person like THAT become a Super Delegate? They have no experience, just like Obama. Quit crying that Sarah Palin doesnt have experience. Dems need to open their eyes and see that their party is painting them into a corner. A corner that relies on the Government to care for them. This is America people, STAND UP for yourselves. STAND UP, fight for whats right. STAND UP! ! !

White chick, I guess you like the government doing everything for you!!! I guess by your reaction the truth hurts!! So, which social program are you on? Welfare, medicaid, ADC or something else? If people would STOP being victims and get on with their lives, everything would be a lot better!! Everyone has hard times but the difference is that there are those that get up and try and those that sit, wallow, and cry how they can't do anything because they are victims of this and victims of that.

That fact that she's a dispensationalist Jesus freak disqualifies her in my book. I could go to any office building in downtown San Francisco and pick more qualified executives than this two-bit hack. She's not qualified to run the company I work for - and we have only 40 employees.

I know that there are many people who are fighting and saying nasty things back and forth and that's fine because nothing anyone says is going to stop the finger pointing or slandering. I just wanted to say something. I don't believe that a person's thoughts and beliefs can be classified as being Democrat or Republican. I have met very few people who agree with their "party" 100% of the time. I like to think of myself as an individual who thinks, breathes, works, fights, and stands up for what I believe in. I am young, and this will be the first election I will be voting in. I have done quite a bit of research during this election seeing as though I didn't want to just run to the polls without forming an educated opinion on who I can respect to hold our country in his/her hands. I don't think that either of the presidential candidates are bad men. I don't think that either one is stupid. What I think the problem is, is that many Americans aren't sure how to form the opinion since we've had many LONG years under the Bush Administration. I'm not demeaning anyone, by any means, I am just stating that now we actually have a choice as to what type of "change" we want to live through for the next 4 or possibly 8 years. I have listened to the conventions, read the up to date news, listened to Republicans, listened to Democrats, and I have not been partial either way. The one thing that I have noticed the most are the numerous amounts of people that are threatened by a candidate who has less experience than the latter. Well sometimes the less you know the better. I understand that as a presidential candidate they need to be educated and have experience and what not, but do we really need another 5, 6, 10 years in Iraq and Afganistan? I have lost many friends in the war and definitely don't want my children, both boys, to grow up in poverty because our country's deficit is so terrible that we can't even afford our own economy. Another thing that bothers me is that I hear many people speaking badly about individuals who are on welfare, medicare, medicaid, social security, etc. That's an unfair generalization that only ignorance can make. Not every person in this country can afford the things that those making these accusations can. I don't like knowing that my tax dollars go into the pockets of illegal immigrants or individuals who are on drugs and things like that, but what about the families of our soldiers overseas? Most of their families can't buy food after paying bills and regular expenses. So by the standards that these individuals are whiners because they have no choice but to beg for food to feed their children, we are demeaning the families that our men and women are dying to protect. Is that really fair? This election is not meant to divide our country and make everyone hate each other. This election is supposed to unite us in finally, after 8 terrible years, being able to make a choice. A choice to elect McCain/Palin, which is riddled with questions from people trying to find out the answers, or to elect Obama/Biden, which has the country in an uproar because he's black and has less experience, but is someone who is proposing things no one else has before. I know my vote doesn't count for much and I'm not going to make an argument with anyone about the better choice because frankly the better choice will be elected. Many can and will think that I'm being irrational or that I'm too stupid or naive to read between the lines, and that's ok. I just wanted to point out that while I have listened and read just about everything I have been able to get my hands on, I have made my decision to vote Obama/Biden. Not because I don't like McCain or Palin, but because I believe that the old policies and methods don't apply to our new society. People change, the Earth evolves, technology increases and enhances, so why should politics be left in the 18th Century? I am studying law right now and I believe that what Obama poses can be done and that he possesses the ingenuity to get it done. McCain is a good man and I respect him for all the time he's spent with our country, but even politics needs to be reformed. Oh and the answer to the question as to where the money would come from with the universal health care, Obama stated that these funds would come from eliminating the programs that are no longer effective or out of date, the taxes applied to the big businesses, and the increase in taxes on oil companies and such instead of out of our pockets. While it may seem scary to think of a universal health care plan, did you ever hear of don't knock it till you try it???

Sara Palin Rocks Lady,

There are people that have compassion for their fellow man and there are people that live a me and mine lifestyle. I think it's pretty easy to see which one's are which through out this commentary. I see plenty of people abusing these programs but for every person abusing it there are many more that use them to get back on their feet which is what they are meant for. There will always be people that use and abuse programs no matter which party is supporting them.

Several times throughout this long list of comments I've read you brag about how you've read both candidates websites. I've heard you spout off about how Obama's plan has no substance and he doesn't explain how any of this will be paid for. Did you really read it? How deep did you actually go? Did you simply click on the issues link and stop before you got to the meat of the plans? I already know the answers to those questions. All the answers are there if you look beyond the general explanation of the issues.

Forgive me if I am mistaken, but do we not live in a country with a government "of the people, by the people, for the people" (credit Abraham Lincoln). If the government is not there for the people -- who is it there for? Not everyone is looking for a "handout".

Perhaps we change that to "a government of the corporations, by the lobbyists, for the wealthy"

White Chick, what I learned in church is that the good Lord helps those that help themselves. Not those that want someone else to help them do what they should be doing for themselves. Will you be on the receiving end of the redistribution of wealth that will absolutely happen with Obama policies...only if you're below the poverty line. Otherwise, you will pay and pay dearly for the privledge of letting government help out more.

...and not only will she pay dearly, when they tax the small business owner that is employing her, they will most likely have to let her go, because they, like myself, will be taxed BECAUSE they own a small business and are trying to make something of themselves. So she won't be taxed b/c of her income, but she will be laid off when her boss can't afford to keep her on staff b/c the wealth has been "successfully" redistributed.

It amazes me that only a few decades ago the democratic mantra was, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" (credit: Kennedy) but in my short lifetime the shift has gone from that to "hey country, what are you going to do for me...it's not enough, and it's not quick enough!".

Speaking as a former democrat (who was young, had not started working, establishing wealth, and was bitter at people that did in fact have...achievements), I am 110% republican now. I don't want to be taxed b/c I worked hard to start my business, I don't want to be taxed again b/c my house is larger than average (at a fixed mortgage and well under my max allowed, so I won't be losing my home anytime - go figure...responsibility), and I don't want to be taxed because I work hard to make sure that my wife can stay home to raise the children, as such creating an income of roughly 250k...which apparently under the Obama plan is more than enough to dig his hands into my pocket to redistribute my hard earned savings into someone else's hands.

It's not giving if it's stolen from you. I give my 10% each year to bring aid and relief to those around me and do it with clear conscious...I don't need someone reaching into my family's hard earned security blanket and stealing what I labored to achieve.

Sarah Palin Rocks

Quick comment. Victims, Democrats? You sure, seems to me the Repubs are the one's with their VP pick on lock down, and crying sexism and media bias every other minute. & did you seriously go there with double standards? You repubs tried to set the stage agains Obama any way you could think of, and now that Palin is your gal you find yourselves twisted in a knot trying to find a proper defense. Just admit you like her and that's all that matters, you "don't know what she stands for exaclty, she has no real experience, but gosh darn she has five kids, cool glasses, a nice smile, and by golly" I LIKE HER!! Say it and you can stop trying to defend her, yourselves, and lack of integrity...

Republican Flip Flops ( just a few)

*family values vs. pregnant unwed teenager *wasteful spending vs. palin's earmarks *taxing oil companies vs. palin's taxes of oil companies windfall profits
*against food stamps, and the like vs. palin charging tax payers per diem to live in her own home *all's fair in politics including researching a candidate's wife's college thesis vs. sexism cries for simply looking into Palin's associations
*Obama celebrity & big crowds BAD vs Palin popularity and big crowds GOOD

calmom do you feel better for making your rude comments and attacks with the Republican people? You are no better with your comments. I see so much of this from Democrats and you say Republicans talk dirty. I have seen more dirt flying from the Democrat and the left wing people than from the Republicans. I have visited Alaska a few times and it is absolutely beautiful. Have you been there? Sarah Palin is an awesome example for women and moms. Actually people who seem to have so much hatred toward the Republican Party seem to dislike Fox news because they have been fair to both parties like other news stations that seem to lean more toward Obama. I think if you do not really want to hear the truth and be fair you tend not to like Fox news. I do not always agree with Fox but I feel they have been the most fair with all of the candidates.

Fox News isn't cuddling up to Obama just because he's a black man who's supposed to change everything so holy cow, they're liars!!! I'll cling to my gun and religion thanks!! LOLOLOLOL

Colleen, Alaska IS beautiful. I wonder how beautiful it might be if it were all turned into a gas and oil field?

I remember oil, gas and coal fields in this country before the enlightenment that our world was being polluted to the point that we weren't going to be able to live on the planet.

It was horrific. The air and water were foul. Streams, rivers and lakes were dieing.

Then, one day, those crazy liberal far left wackos got most of us thinking and voting and demanding a clean environment.

The LAST thing I want to see is more bug government in bed with big oil and corporate conglomos. McCain and Palin represent nothing more than free reign for the raping and pillaging of our country, our people, and your children's futures. Conservatives and Republicans can't deny the reality we all now live with - and they are responsible for its creation.

At least with Mr. Obama in the White House the good old white-boy political system will take a beating for once, and maybe just maybe the common man and woman will be able to once again build a truly strong and prosperous middle class. That won't and simply can't happen if the Republicans stay in the house of our people, the White House.

So move over McCain/Palin. Your days are numbered and the wind of thoughtful, compassionate enlightment are upon us all.

And you blame all of the pollution on Republicans? Remember the majority in Congress are Democrats. Can't put all of the blame on Republicans. I find it pretty funny that everyone has to blame just one party. Actually the party in office right now has created all of the problems in your mind....NOT. All parties are at fault.

You must be a liberal far left wacko (as you put it) to think so highly of them. They are so into clean environment that when they have rallies and are protesting they cause destruction and throw garbage all around. Yea....that's good for the environment. It is just not the liberals who want and who have fought for a clean environment.

Alaska will still be beautiful! I will bet you on that one.

Colleen - Where have you been? The republicans controlled the House of Representatives from 1994-2007, the Senate from 1994 to 2001 and 2003 to 2007. Since the Democrats took over as a result of the 2006 elections, the Republicans have blocked everything they have tried to do. Barack Obama will indeed be the agent of change because he will be able to work with the leadership in congress to fix the disasterous consequences of having the Republicans controlling all three branches of government.

DOES THIS MEAN YOU JUST GIVE UP & GIVE IN AND VOTE FOR THE NUT SQUAD & HAND THIS COUNTRY OVER TO CHINA??

WEREN'T YOU TAUGHT TO FIGHT FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN?

I WAS!!

Exactly which lies has Fox News put out?
I actually listen to them over Olbermann and the blond whiner, who were both relieved of their duties on election coverage today. Why? Because of their REAL lies and bias.
One thing Fox will give you... an equal representative from both sides, not 4 Democrats and one Republican with even the so called "journalists" ganging up on the one Republican (who still seems to win the discussisons when he/she isn't yelled down).
Fox may not be liberal enough for you, but they really are fair and balanced.
And you have a problem with that?

If you all don't watch fox their ratings will keep declining, and then they will have to improve or go off air, all these shows live of their ratings. You are in charge of your remote control. There are other channels you could watch. There are always something you can do, we are not helpless.

They are hateful people, they strive on it, they teach their children the same things. But you don't have to be part of it.

The Democrats have had a 1 person "majority" in the senate. They do not have the votes to over-ride anything. Claiming that Demoncrats are responsible for our woes because they are the majority is simply ignorant.

I must say, as a woman, I am deeply offended at the choice of Palin. There are far better qualified republican women McCain could have chosen. He only went with this B*** (she's the one calling herself a pitbull) to get the anti-choice one issue votes. News flash, the repulicans will never overturn roe V. wade, it gets them too many votes.

I am pretty sure I am a Democrat, but I don't hate Republicans. I hate ignorance and conformity. Call me crazy, but aren't we all individuals? So I may be liberal, so I may want our society to be comfortable and friendly, so I like the idea of not needing to hit up my ex husband for money every time our children need to go to the doctor, so I enjoy knowing that being liberal I don't have to act accordingly to the men and women in pant suits and sports jackets. Does this make me terrible? In all actuality we (Americans) know common sense and what it is. Certain things are never going to change, while others will drastically change. Most people are afraid of change, while other, such as myself, welcome it with open arms. Now if that change happens to be bad, consider it a lesson learned. The way I see it is, what's so bad about trying something new? What's so terrible about being open-minded? Is it because these things are out of the norm for most? I think that some things to keep in mind is that fear is something to be overcome, not to succumb to. If I was afraid that my son would break his neck playing sports and never let him do it, he could break his neck playing in the playground. Same outcome, same fear, different situation. But if I took the chance to let him play football, put my faith in him that he will learn to do his best, then all I can do is hope and pray that he will be safe in his efforts. While football may not be the best analogy for politics, the message is the same.

This is exactly right. I would also say that Hilary should be praised for her run and opening the eyes of people to the possibly of more females sharing in the running of this country. I have to say that Palin will be a better Vice-President.

This is the biggest load of crap that i continually hear. "i've been Republican forever, and it will stay this way this year. maybe in the future Obama will be "ready", but not right now." Just come out and say that no matter how bad the situation is, you buy into the republican theory and won't vote for a Democrat. at least be honest with yourself...

you fawn all over McCain and Palin's experience, yet experience is never a prerequisite for the Presidency. No first term President ever has experience that will prepare them for governing the US, so what is really important is their platform, policies, and vision for the country. The conventions highlighted the difference between Obama and McCain's platform, policies, and vision.

Obama has lofty goals, brilliant rhetoric, and outlined his platform with as much detail as possible, giving examples of the small scale policies that are currently working that will be adopted across the US.

McCain gave us smear, fear, and hate speech. divisive Rove politics with promises of no abortion, drill drill drill, and war.

i was once a solid supporter of McCain. the man i knew in the 80s and 90s had my respect and vote, but this man who has been presented is not the same maverick that he wants to claim he is.

The others who commented about their being a congressional majority for the Dems, but they are getting nothing done in the Senate is not all the fault of Democrats. GW has thrown the veto pen all over any bill that wasn't republican originated, and now the Republican's are throwing the poor congressional rating at the feet of the Dems. The truth is that without both parties working together, our democracy remains broken. Obama has shown the ability to cross party lines, sponsoring bills that reformed campaigns and stopping weapons from going to those who shouldn't have them with Republicans because it was the right thing to do. McCain can't give a single example of working across party lines in the past 10 years (ok maybe 8), but wants me to believe that he will no longer follow the lead of the lobbyists and power elite that now help him run his campaign. That, combined with his long talked about penchant for shooting from the hip and fiery temper, mixed with his disposition to use american force and play big bully on the block (exemplified of his speaking about Iraq before we had dealt with Afghanistan and the Taliban) provide serious questions about his disposition and fitness for the presidency.

Obama, through the rigors of his long presidential bid, has withstood criticism, all out attacks, and some intense backlash. He has never stooped to the levels of his opponent, keeping the discussion on issues, and the difference between his and his opponents views. Honestly, if anyone ever compared me to Brittney or Paris would get socked in the mouth the first time i saw them... He has shown the ability to work with his rivals for the betterment of all, and that has been his primary focus. This has shown that he possesses the restraint and judgment to make the necessary decisions when dealing with those who do not share his worldview. His openness to drop preconditions when dealing with foreign leaders shows that he appreciates the differences between cultures, not that he wants to bring them here, but knows that without clear, direct diplomacy can we really begin the path to peace. Many countries that are hostile to the US are angry because of the actions of the American government toward them, and if we refuse to talk to them until they do certain things they have no reason to come to the table and deal with American arrogance. By dropping preconditions, he is in the position to meet with leaders and work out the path to open peace. This is something that has been severely lacking in the current administration, and i see no reason to believe that McCain will offer a difference in this regard.

We have allowed our deep rooted pride in our country to be perverted into an ideological nightmare on the world stage. This downward path on the world stage has taken a turn for the worse with the debacle in Iraq, combined with the mismanagement and affronts to international law to make the call to justice a hollow joke when spoken by the current administration. Working to repair the bonds that the U.S. had with countries across the world is something that is desperately needed right now, and from what i have seen, Obama is better dispositioned to affect these estranged relationships with other nations and bring them back into the cause of justice. This is what the American people deserve, and McCain has basically stated that he will not approach foreign policy like this, and the people of this country deserve more than that.

Wow. It's amazing how many people out there who are too lazy to do their homework. I posted some of Obama's accomplishments up on the first thread of this discussion.... it was very easy to find.

Or are you too lazy to scroll up and look?

I doubt it will change your mind because it clearly seems that you are dedicated to the talking points of others, but maybe it will educate you just a little and stop the spreading of some of the lies.

Clinton and Biden said (while campaigning) that they had more experience that Obama not that he would not be a better President than McCain. Obviously, they are supporting who they believe will be a better leader, "inexperienced" or not, Obama.

And the comparison between Palin and Hillary ENDS at their gender. Hillary ran as an accomplished, strong, goal-seeking politician committed to the American people, not as a woman.

Thinking that there is any merit to Palin pulling votes from "Hillary supporters" is just ignorant. The only votes that will switch from Hillary to Palin are the ones that just don't care what issues they are voting on.

VC22 - ignorance is bliss, right? I read your previous post. Thank you for doing the leqwork for those of us who like to make intelligent and informed choices in who represents us in office. I copied it for some of my other responses (IT here blocks a lot of websites).

she is being investigated for violating ethics! Use your brain! Her public record has PROVEN examples of extremist views! She also lies ie:she supported the bridge to nowwhere until it wasn't popular and then she flipped her position. That is a fact! It is in print and also recorded her saying that she supported it. Just because someone says something doesn't make it true!

Lorraine, Let's see some links to some stories about Palin's 'ethics reform'. If she's a champion of ethics reform like you claim, it shouldn't be hard to find some. Just because the McCain campaign makes the claim, doesn't establish it as a fact.

As mayor of Wasilla, Palin lift them $27 million dollars in debt.

Some reformer, ay?

Lorraine - Have you any idea of McCain's voting history? He voted with Bush (Republican Party, last I checked) over 90% of the time! His whole platform, if you take the time to research it rather than just believing everything he says in his speech, is aligned with traditional and existing Republican goals and principals.

On foreign policy, McCain advocates an approach very much like that of the early President Bush, motivated by an instinct to seek military solutions first and other approaches later. On economic matters, I see no difference whatsoever between the approaches of Bush and McCain, and the same is true on social issues as well, including the issue of abortion.

Just as importantly, a McCain administration would draw from the same pool of GOP political appointees as the Bush administration, meaning that little or nothing would change in agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Justice Department, which just this week proposed an approach to anti-trust law that basically protects monopolies and tells consumers tough luck.

So where's the change? Step up and point out particular places where a President McCain would alter the direction of this country, Lorraine.

Our country will not survive if Obama, the White Arab who claims to be Black, is elected President. All he does he does for himself.

Virgil W, your blatant falsehoods are the great makings of a Republican foot soldier. Great job of bringing the hate rhetoric and lies into a discussion forum.

By the way, if you want to talk about ambition, read McCain's auto-biography. He states there that he has the ambition to be president, and what he has done over the past 8 years is sold out to the very same tacticians who cost him the 2000 nomination, and dragged him and his adopted daughter's name through the mud.

Obama's father is Kenyan (which is in Africa, not the middle east). If he was so selfish, and only did things for himself, i highly doubt he would be running for president, but instead lobbying for big business. thats what you do when you understand constitutional law and want to make the big bucks...

i'm sorry? "white Arab" is that really the best you can do? How many times do I have to educate the hatemongers, Arab is not a race. His father may very well have been Arab, but that simply would denote that he self-identified as Arab and probably spoke Arabic as his native language. Arab used to refer to semitic peoples, but that hasn't been the case since around the 12th or 13th century. Arab has no specific race, complexion, geography (although most live in the middle east and northern Africa), or religion. So it's quite plausible that the dark-skinned black guy pictured with young Obama was indeed an Arab, but that doesn't make Obama Arab, since "Arab" is not exactly associated with a gene or trait one can pass along...

And yes, I'm sure honorable McCain isn't doing this for himself. He doesn't REALLY want to be president. He's simply running for president at the age of 72 with a history of skin cancer & chose a VP candidate with little experience, who even Carl Rove said was for political not governing reasons, because he wants to help his country!! Yes! I'm sure he's not doing it for himself at all, not at all so that he can be in the White House before he dies...

Marie - actually McCain is not a follower. How would you know change was not in his vocabulary? Can you read his mind? As I stated before the "Real Change" can only happen within the same party. Every time the other party is running against someone there will be change because there is a true difference between the Republicans and Democrats. Barack Obama is just like the Democrats and he proved it by the person he chose for Vice President and his speech he did at the convention. The "Real Change" will be with McCain and Palin. Barack Obama knew if he said change that everyone would believe him and they are so mad at the Republicans that they will believe anything. A recent Gallup Poll (July 2008) confirms what many lawmakers say they're hearing from their constituents: that confidence in Congress has never been lower. Only 12 percent of Americans say they have a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in Congress as an institution – the lowest level ever for any US institution since Gallup began asking the question 35 years ago. It's the Democrats who control the Congress.

I totally agree with you Colleen. Most of the problems that this country has are because of Congress. They make and pass the laws. They control the money. The President can only veto or sign the laws. More people need to realize both sides of Congress are to blame for the problems of this country. McCain has shown he is willing to change both parties to better this country.

Republican's need to get real if they think they are going to be in the White-house with a house and senate run by the Democrats and think they will do something. I don't think the American people will allow a Republican to be in the White-house while we have Democrats that run both Congress and the House while expecting to get things done!!! I guess Sarah what's her name likes to be used!

ymatae what a ridiculous comment you made about Sarah Palin. That is why we need to keep a Republican President in office or you can say good-bye to your paycheck and hello to helping Americans who do not want to work. We need to have a balance and if a Democratic candidate wins there will not be that balance that is needed.

congress can get nothing done when the president vetoes everything that isn't a republican sponsored bill, and the republican block won't cross party lines to override the veto. This is what has strangled the current congress, and the republican's squarely share the blame with the Democrats. If McCain is such a lines crosser, why hasn't he stepped across party lines in the past 8 years. all evidence of him doing so lies over 10 years in the past, but i'm supposed to believe that he will change that once he is president...

had his convention not been about lies, smear and fear, and overall just diametrically opposed to his thoughtful, respectful debate over issues mantra from 2000, i might have reason to believe him. this is not the case, so there is no reason to believe in McCain to change washington.

balance = deadlock = nothing gets done and the american people suffer. This is the example of the last 2 years. the other 6 were republican majorities in congress and the presidency, and look where that got us. massive deficit spending and a ballooning national debt, at war across the globe, and conducting a war based on mismanaged intelligence while the attackers of 9/11 remain and gaining strength, and as the truth comes out about our actions our standing in the world has fallen to the point that there is no reason for the rest of the world to believe that we will do any number of immoral things in our own national interest.

my life hasn't improved over that time, no matter how hard i worked or how far i advance. i don't want a government to take over my life, but i do want a government that is prepared to catch the people who are not as fortunate as i am, because i can barely keep my family afloat the way things are going, no matter how hard i have worked to improve it.

Marie

I agree, and how many times do we have to hear Sarah Palin make the speech over and over again?

No one made you listen to it at all. What do you think remote controls are for?

Its better than voting "Present".

If you are talking about voting present in the Ill. legs. Voting present means pushing the bill forward. There was a special in which they showed the buttons and what they stood for. It did not mean HERE!!!

I do not know why people believe things they hear without research. Do you also think that people who have had their jobs Taken away do not want to work. Do you think that some who have worked two jobs, developed an illness, and cannot afford healthcare, Want to have government assistance?? I am concerned about the tone. True some are always victims, But I do not believe that it is true of everyone that has found themselves falling these last 8 years!

Excuse me, does anyone recall what Mr. Bush did when advised that the country was under attack? He sat in that elementary school classroom like a DOOFUS! Think: Deer in the head lights! Mr. Obama would react immediately to assess the situation and formulate a plan of action. We need to stay away from McCain/Palin as they will only give us the same as the current Bush administration which has become a detriment and an embarrassment to this country. And do we really want trailer trash as the next vice-president?

WE don't need 4 more terrible years of people losing their homes, banks suffering, job loss and a war that never should have been started. If we are to address the character of party leaders/the party itself why did the RNC exclude a two term president from the convention??? They don't even believe in their own politics. It's all smoke screens it will be 4 more years of the same old nonsense with McCain/Palin.

Obama/Biden '08

The Republicans record are stuck on terrorism, scare tactics of course. But did you take the time to think, that if John McCain, who by the way could remember where he was when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, if he dies , Palin is the president.

Now you be honest and tell me exactly, what foreign or terrorism experience does Palin have.

And I know you people don't listen or think for yourselves, remember I said he is old, and he have medical issues, so if he dies, for argument sake of course, lets say two months into his presidency. What could she do? She have no experience.

I APPLAUD EVERYTHING YOU SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY 100% RIGHT.