This is historic, if not particularly surprising. I'm still not a huge Obama fan. Of course, I'm not really a huge McCain fan either. This might be largely due to not being a fan of either of our two major political frat parties.
Still, the US having its first black president is an important step, and one that will either be very good for us as a people and country...or very bad.
Unfortunately, this also means we have a Democratic President, Senate, and House...not something I really wanted to see. I really prefer the Executive and Legislative branches to be at ideological odds, to prevent either party from achieving too many of its party-centric goals.
I suppose I'll be in wait&see for a little while. We'll certainly see if Obama turns out to be the panacea all these young democrats and otherwise hopeful voters believe him to be.
Time as they say, will tell.
B.
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4 comments:
Like you, I remain cautiously optimistic. I did have to share some banter with you from an internet discussion I had this morning with some of my more conservative associates. You'll be amused...:
"Ryan is lamenting the death of the USA and preparing for life in the new USSA. 6:58am"
- 15 Comments
Nicki at 8:36am November 5
hahaha! That's great Ryan! I feel your sentiment.
Ryan at 8:38am November 5
I will do everything to be respectful but I have to call a spade a spade.
Nicki at 8:43am November 5
We thought this summer was rough...get ready for some hard times.Hard socialist times! I'm very VERY concerned!! Scared for our military as well. I pray Obama and Pelosi keep us in mind(The military)
Gabriel at 8:46am November 5
All hope is lost!
Nicki at 8:50am November 5
Hope is never lost!! Everything happens for a reason.we just need to have faith and hope for the best. Don't stop believing.Don't stop caring just because the election is over.Stay educated on the issues.Knowledge is POWER!!
Gabriel at 9:15am November 5
"Just a small town girl, livin in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin anywhere
Just a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit
He took the midnight train goin anywhere . . .
. . . Don't stop . . believin
Hold on to the feelin
Streetlight people"
Ryan at 9:28am November 5
I started singing that too Gabe!!!
Alison Whitney at 9:56am November 5
For the first time that I can remember, I heard a Republican senator on NPR discuss how important it was for both parties to move to placing the country first,not their parties as has been the status quo for so long; dividing our country. He further stated that if the Dem's had good ideas to repair the damage to our nation he'd get behind it, and if they did not he would fight them, just as he wishes the same for the Democrats towards Republican ideas. Regardless of who's in office, McCain or Obama, I think both parties would see how necessary this step was. I hope in time you see that.
Socialism is a strong word, but it's not where we're heading. Now is the time to refocus on strengthening our families' futures- looking at how to sustain our own energy sources & not depend on foreign oil; greater accountability by our financial institutions and ensuring their fiduciary commitments to our citizens & not just relying on us to bail them out. There's wk to be done!!
Ryan at 10:06am November 5
Exactly and I believe that the path that we are heading down won't strengthen families futures and will basically steal from the rich to give to the poor. How is that not socialism?
Nicki at 10:32am November 5
It is!!
Alison Whitney at 10:55am November 5
And "the bailout of Wall Street's legacy" that isn't having a worse effect than perhaps the perceived threat of programs to help those who are worse off would have? We're missing the point here; it's not simply spending but how it's spent and what we're paying for.
There are plenty of people in government as well as voters (us) that won't allow... Read More us to become socialist. That's a huge leap. We have to take a step back, reinvest in our future, get programs together that will help.
Trust me when I say this, that even as a democrat, I don't vote on party lines and tend to be more conservative in certain areas and maybe a little more liberal based on my Social Work background. I seek balance; less government and more controlled spending. I don't think I'm alone in saying that that really wasn't the case with the GW legacy. We can cite a few things as reasons but the spending has gone rampant and unchecked. That has to change.
Ryan at 10:59am November 5
I agree. I think GW screwed the pooch. But we are now on that slippery slope that leads to socialism if we don't reign in the "free for alls" that are promised with an Obama administration
Alison Whitney at 11:10am November 5
I think the same could be said when FDR was in office. He would come up with radical ideas & programs, many of which were not enacted, but they were ideas nonetheless. Not always perfect, I think that fresh ideas and thinking are what the doctor ordered. One idea may not initially be feasible but with the collective work of others in government and input from the people, we could have something that would be of great benefit.
Also, if you still aren't satisfied, there's always the Filibuster that can be used to stop it....
Changes are tough and definitely not going to be overnight. There is a lot that needs to be done. Everyone- even you-have said that there's gotta be something better. People are worried about their families and their livelihoods. I think the majority of people- esp. those who are in a diminishing middle class & are quickly sliding into that lower class- want to see that our elected officials are trying to throw whatever ideas at this problem.
I also firmly believe that McCain will be right there with Obama to tackle these issues head on.
Still, as optimistic as I traditionally am, as you know, I will remain cautiously optimistic, and just do what I need to to help improve things. That's what we all moved to do, in record numbers at the polls, and that's what each of us needs to continue to help return us to a more even prosperity. If that's socialism, then I'm all for it.
Nicki at 11:28am November 5
McCain will work with Obama well. That's what he does. He was well hated by most of his party because of that. Always did what he felt was best for the people. We will see how well they can work together. I will remain hopeful.
I'm really very curious about what awful changes, socialist or otherwise, the previous commenters imagine Obama will enact, might bring about, or possibly wants to realize.
I think their take was on the proposed taxation and how they felt there to be a take from the rich, give to the poor mentality- rich as in their bosses and how that might affect their wages:
Frank at 2:14pm November 5
Oh please people. No one's in favor of socialism. Y'all have been dipping way too much into the Pailin Kool-Aid. Can you all just calm down and give the guy a chance to be inaugurated? Seriously now.
Ryan at 2:19pm November 5
I am willing to stand corrected but when I see the first sign of socialism I will blow my whistle. For the most part I am not too worried. But I do worry seeing as we have already started down the road to socialism, now we have a driver that has stated that he wants to "spread the wealth around." That is your money he is talking about.
Frank at 2:27pm November 5
Actually, it's not my money he's talking about. And it's not yours, either. We don't make $250,000 a year. As he stated multiple times in speeches and debates, any changes to the income tax rates would only affect those making at least $250,000, which would bring the tax rate back to the levels it was at before W came in and gave the rich a fat tax... Read More cut. If you don't make at least that much money a year, you won't see any more money coming out of your paycheck than you already do.
Also, let's be straight about socialism. In socialism, everyone is equal, no one owns shit. No one's richer than anyone else. When has anyone *ever* suggested that would be the case. Spreading the wealth is another thing entirely. And in fact, don't churches spread the wealth daily? Isn't that why you give money to the church, so it can be used to fund church programs that benefit the less fortunate?
Ryan at 2:34pm November 5
Forced charity is socialism. I should be able to determine what I do with my money. There are many shades of socialism.
And your right there won't be more money coming out of my paycheck. That is if I still have a paycheck. When you tax the rich (who are typically business owners) you end up taxing everyone from the low income earner that gets laid off cause his boss can't pay him anymore to the masses that have to pay more because the tax burden was passed along to them. So yeah it is *my* money.
Alison Whitney at 2:58pm November 5
and boy do we have tax burdens after the last 8 yrs.... seriously, I think what he's trying to do is make the gap between the lower and upper classes less egregious than it has become; nearly decimating the middle class. I think the proposed cuts are temporary, and some of the taxes on higher incomes are to bridge that gap, just as the middle class has traditionally shouldered the burden of taxes, etc... without a nest egg (substantial or not) to fall back on. I am not for permanent tax cuts because it does not serve any long term good and our country's most prized gem is the "American Dream" where you should be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor- as much as anyone from any walk of life should be able to work towards a better livelihood.
Ryan at 2:19pm November 5
I am willing to stand corrected but when I see the first sign of socialism I will blow my whistle. For the most part I am not too worried. But I do worry seeing as we have already started down the road to socialism, now we have a driver that has stated that he wants to "spread the wealth around." That is your money he is talking about.
Frank at 2:27pm November 5
Actually, it's not my money he's talking about. And it's not yours, either. We don't make $250,000 a year. As he stated multiple times in speeches and debates, any changes to the income tax rates would only affect those making at least $250,000, which would bring the tax rate back to the levels it was at before W came in and gave the rich a fat tax cut. If you don't make at least that much money a year, you won't see any more money coming out of your paycheck than you already do.
Also, let's be straight about socialism. In socialism, everyone is equal, no one owns shit. No one's richer than anyone else. When has anyone *ever* suggested that would be the case. Spreading the wealth is another thing entirely. And in fact, don't churches spread the wealth daily? Isn't that why you give money to the church, so it can be used to fund church programs that benefit the less fortunate?
Ryan at 2:34pm November 5
Forced charity is socialism. I should be able to determine what I do with my money. There are many shades of socialism.
And your right there won't be more money coming out of my paycheck. That is if I still have a paycheck. When you tax the rich (who are typically business owners) you end up taxing everyone from the low income earner that gets laid off cause his boss can't pay him anymore to the masses that have to pay more
Alison Whitney at 2:58pm November 5
and boy do we have tax burdens after the last 8 yrs.... seriously, I think what he's trying to do is make the gap between the lower and upper classes less egregious than it has become; nearly decimating the middle class. I think the proposed cuts are temporary, and some of the taxes on higher incomes are to bridge that gap, just as the middle class has traditionally shouldered the burden of taxes, etc... without a nest egg (substantial or not) to fall back on. I am not for permanent tax cuts because it does not serve any long term good and our country's most prized gem is the "American Dream" where you should be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor- as much as anyone from any walk of life should be able to work towards a better livelihood.
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