I Have Questions for Barack Obama
By Melissa McEwan on January 30, 2008 at 6:42 PM in Barack Obama, Bush/Cheney, Republicans
By Melissa McEwan of Shakespeare’s Sister blog
Responding to the SOTU address, Senator Obama concluded his remarks with the following:
Each year, as we watch the State of the Union, we see half the chamber rise to applaud the President and half the chamber stay in their seats. We see half the country tune in to watch, but know that much of the country has stopped even listening. Imagine if next year was different. Imagine if next year, the entire nation had a president they could believe in. A president who rallied all Americans around a common purpose. That’s the kind of President we need in this country. And with your help in the coming days and weeks, that’s the kind of President I will be.
That sounds awesome—truly, it does. But I’ve got a few questions.
1. Why will the Republican members of Congress rise to applaud you, and the conservative half of the nation tune in to support you, unless you pursue an agenda that appeals to them? How do you pursue an agenda that appeals to conservatives, but is also progressive?
2. What is the common purpose around which you envision the country rallying? Do you regard “transcending partisanship” an end in itself, and do you foresee the GOP rallying around this goal? If so, how and why do you imagine that will happen?
3. Assume for a moment that you are nominated and subsequently elected, and, despite being “the kind of president” in whom Americans can believe, the profound partisan rancor that currently plagues the nation doesn’t evaporate, that Americans fail to rally around a common purpose. What is Plan B? Do you move ever rightward trying to find support among those who refuse to rally, or do you say “Screw ‘em,” and go leftward to honor those who voted for you?
4. Noting that the most bitter partisan divides on domestic policy regard issues of basic rights, such as reproductive rights and marriage rights, and noting further that the two sides of these issues are unlikely to come to spontaneous agreement, those subjects are likely to continue to play a divisive role in American politics. How do you plan to prevent such bedrock divisions from undermining the national unity you imagine? Do those of us on the progressive side of these issues have reason to worry that you will not be a vociferous advocate for any controversial or ideologically discordant issues?
5. This last question regards not your possible presidency itself, but the general election campaign for the presidency, should you get the Democratic nomination and run in the general election against the GOP nominee: In 2004, John Kerry tried to stay above the fray and combat conservatives’ scorched-earth campaign policy by refusing to dignify the Swiftboaters with a response. In 2000, Al Gore largely did the same, as conservatives and the media promulgated a cavalcade of half-truths and lies against him. They both lost. Their respective refusals to engage partisan attacks, rooted in the erroneous belief that ignoring mudslinging means you don’t get covered in mud, has been oft-cited as contributing to their losses. In what way does your philosophy of a new politics accommodate those lessons?
Thank you for your time, Senator. I know you’re busy, so if you’d like to shorthand all my questions down to “Can you please assure me that, as both the Democratic candidate and as president, you would be more interested in pursuing a progressive agenda than the pipe dream of post-partisanship?” that would be just fine. I look forward to hearing from you.
_____________________
By Melissa McEwan of Shakespeare’s Sister blog
Everyone who supports Obama ought to read this. I had not heard what he said, but this sounds like the musings of a starry-eyed adolescent. When Obama talks about a transformative presidency does he think his charm is powerful enough to alter human nature? This is truly a fairy tale he is spinning.
It’s ironic that Obama keeps dissing the sixties, even though he has benefitted mightily from the struggles many of us waged. However, in one way he reminds me of the thing that most drove me crazy about those times - the naive, pie-in-the-sky
“All You Need is Love”, “Age of Aquarius” drivel. Is Obama channeling his inner hippie? What is they guy smoking?
Whatever he’s smoking, it’s blowin out his ass Bernie.
Obama doesn’t diss the sixties when talking trash talk about Ronald Reagan.
No one has held him accountable for his past,present, or future.
I guess the best example is to show you. The republicans are stuck with a candidate they do not like. Here in this video of a speech Obama gave on the subject of religion in politics. This was given before he decided to run, so there are no screaming fans, no rock star crowds, just a lot of good old common sense. Most progressives shy away from the subject of religion in politics. Obama hits it head on. It is really worth a watch. I am sure both progressives and republicans can agree with this. What is interesting is Obama can stand by his progressive principles and actually convince the republicans he is right. I’ll just have to show you. This is the best example I have seen:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid463869411/bctid416343938
I think this is a very accurate description of Obama’s campaign. There is nothing wrong with the guy personally but he is too starry eyed. He doesn’t know the first thing about getting along with people. Hasn’t every single president said he will get along with both sides of the congress. Has it ever happened. And if we see the pouty littly boy face when he refused to shake hands with Hillary Clinton we wonder….HOW DOES HE PLAN TO GET ALONG WITH THE WHOLE HALF OF CONGRESS WHEN HE REFUSES TO GET ALONG WITH HIS OPPONENT? No body..not one person can explain that..no matter how they try.
You have to be very young and inexperienced in life to believe Obamarama’s pie-in-the-sky rhetoric. He’s either a charlatan in which case he’s brilliantly scheming against the American people, or he’s just plain naive and needs another ten years of long, hot baking before he’s ready to pop out of the political oven. In any case, he’d still be too sweet for some acid tongues.
Obama is not naive. He comes out of the rough and tumble politics of Chicago. The Chicago political machine is a powerful engine of raw power.
Anyone spending 8 years in the Illinois State Senate and represented the South Side in his district has learned how to trade.
Most of Obama followers don’t know about the bareknuckle nature of the political climate he
rose from and the street smarts derived from community work.
As a matter of fact we know virtually nothing about the details of his patrons and what we have found isn’t so good and needs questioning to be sure.
Obama is not naive. He is telling people what they want to hear and dare not question for fear they will find him as human and ordinary as the rest of us. Then there would be no hope and change.
Have been doing research - charlatan is the correct word for Obama
Yea, I really question Obama…The only good quality that I have seen is he is a very good speaker…eloquent…masterful speaker…that does not know anything it seems about foreign affairs…There are so many questions surrounding this guy that seems to of come out of know where and only in the senate a few years…He had a continual voting record more liberal than anyone…To me he not only seems not loyal to American ideas but almost new age and very non emotional to those things that are inflamatory…Who is this guy REALLY??
One more thing: Melissa - very nice composition. Excellent!
that there melissa shore do write purty! =)
Those are all great questions but, of course, the answer to all of them is simple: Obama’s super-sized ego leads him to believe all will stand and cheer him. He doesn’t have to worry about policy plans and details on issues because he is all personality and “charisma”.
His statement is so full of self-love I really wonder why he hasn’t been dubbed “Narcissus” yet.
Question for Mr. Obama
I have heard George W. Bush make use of the exact same words.
Please tell the American people, in some detail, how you would accomplish this more effectively or in what way would you do anything differently than the Bush administration since you are making the same statement.
After reading Obama’s response I went to the “blog” section and saw this:
In Esther’s own words:
Shoephone: it is as you said: O to be young!
PS. I sincerely wish Esther all the best, it is her words that give me pause.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hqblog
I have a question that just came up:
For the people of Illinois, can you explain why this happened? And what is your response to this action by the WH? Will you speak to this issue?
A message to Obama from the WH?
Energy Department nixes Illinois FutureGen project:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-futuregen_web.1jan31,0,1248825.story
Comapare Obama’s statement above with Edwards’ statement this morning and the contrast is stark.
Obama: It’s about me and how much you love me.
Edwards: It’s about all Americans and how much we love our country.
You couldn’t be more correct. That’s a major reason I like John Edwards and can’t stand Obama. Senator Precious (D-myself).
RalphB - I don’t want to sideline the thread, but I would like to apologize to you for any previous antagonism on my part.
The silly season has made me very cranky.
You’re not alone in that I’ve been affected more that I ever thought possible myself.
If we’ve ever had any antagonism, I honestly don’t remember it, but I’m sure I was at fault as well. Apology accepted and please accept mine in return.
An interesting article by Klugman (Sunday, I think). The people who say, “Oh, no, the GOP, Scaife, Murdock, etc. will attack Hillary like they did Bill,” are missing an important point: They’d do the same to Obama. There will be no escaping the same old crap unless WE say we won’t stand for it.
So that’s one point taken away from Obama: he may think he can reach across the aisle (like Bill tried; HELLOOOOO Barack!), but they’ll just keep moving the aisle to the right until your own party doesn’t recognize you anymore.
What I have found impressive in Hillary is she can take on a full offensive, and dish it right back.
If Obama is in a snit regarding the genteel pokes he’s now facing, he will meltdown when the right goes for the throat.
It will be brutal, and incessant.
I mention this because the larger issue is mental and emotional health, the ability to withstand what is psychological warfare.
How can an immature President handle those issues, a narcissist?
Watch how Bush psychologically deteriorated through the course of his Presidency, Obama will do the same, especially if he is corrupt.
I agree. Can you imagine the kind of mental fortitude it took for Hillary to walk into that chamber during the State of the Union. With probably half of the senators (and a lot of representatives) throwing their lot in with Obama and ALL the media against her. She strolls in claimly walks up to Teddy and shakes his hand. WOW that is class!
That is the kind of president I want…NEVER LET THEM SEE YOU SWEAT!
GO HILL GO!
Can you get these questions to CNN in time for the next debate?
That would be a great thing to do. He needs some hard questions.
Great question! I am still undecided. I really want to no why he wants to bring back capital gains and the death tax. Seems like Americans worked so hard to get rid of both of these.
Excellent questions, Melissa. I, too, would love to hear Senator Obama address this. Blind faith is something I just don’t have for a politician.
Exactly. This should be an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune on Sunday.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-manuscriptemail,0,7050649.customform
If all we needed was Love, then John Lennon or the Bhagwan would have been POTUS, huh?
Give me the meanest dawg on the porch, every time.
I think she wears pants suits…
My favorite post yet! I don’t know when people are going to wake up to Obama’s rhetoric. Even Air America speaks of him in this generic lofty sense. “he brings people together”, “doesn’t have an insider history” etc. READ people READ! I have yet to hear one person tell me in their own words what they have heard from him in specific on anything. Seems to me he spends most of his time pointing out Hillary’s negatives. Is anyone besides No Quarter going to challenge him on his Chicago business ties? I guess they are saving their ammunition for the future debates.
the really scary part of this meme, at least for me, is what if he really believes this shit. my god … we would have elected another certifiable nut job.
It took Bill Clinton most of his first Administration to come to terms that
“They really do believe it!” some thing about an alternate reality?
Several folks’ posts I read think this bizarre process has nothing to do with national security or offshore banking (read foreign policy), I beg to differ. What I see is a process that reflects the underlining inability to implement ANY policy effectively because the current process is so easily co-opted by some very powerful interests who have not a wit of concern for the greater good or allegiance to “this republic for which it stands…”
But what are your choices, when Romney is channeling Ronny?…Ronny says tough shit. I’m history. Can you hear me? Enough already
And Obama out there channeling JFK with Teddy’s help…
>>> “And Obama out there channeling JFK…”
In his dreams…
I think the reason the MSM channels Obama is because it looks good to see all his FANS, you know like he was performing for one of those reality shows on TV, screaming and yelling. That won’t make a president.
One thing about this if frightening. I know there are some mature people who don’t want a woman and have hopped on Obama’s band wagon. The way the youth of this country are impressed by Obama who can read a speech written by someone else for him, and sounds like a rock star while doing it, is what I find very frustrating. It seems that we are sunk. We have raised a bunch of very very impressional youngesters. Who have been to a lot of concerts and think everything in life is like that.
It is claimed by AOL that ***blackcentury.com*** is a best place for interracial singles, black or white to interact with each other. It is said that love is color blind there. Maybe you wanna check it out.
Thank you Melissa for a great post that covers about everything.
These issues should be on the debate agenda but CNN and Russert will not offer any clarity if they can help it.
We should really petition the networks and CNN to put it out there and offer the public some trenchant and badly needed information.
Enough of the pandering opaque MSM.
The whole unity schtick thing just weirds me out. I have no doubts Hillary can work across the aisle in a practical manner. But I also have no doubt that she won’t just trust the bastards up front.
I think the whole “outsider” image is a sham, deliberately fabricated by Obama for this election. The lobbyist money only stopped for this campaign, NOT for the senate one, and NOT for his future senate one (which he already has set up and is taking contributions for.) It is political positioning to run against Hillary, not some sort of high moral ideal for him.
Obama is as insider as they get, and his criticisms of Hillary are hypocritical in the most calculated way possible. There are some real heavyweight corporate insiders behind this guy, and he has voted with them more often than not since in the US Senate, regardless of his rhetoric. He is an ingenue being bankrolled and guided by the elite of the elite. This working class Democrat wants nothing to do with the shallow pretense of a dream he is selling.
There is nothing on this earth that GAGS or disgusts me more than hypocrisy and phoniness. An Obama is phony to the nth degree. I have seen too many tent-revival preachers in my life to get all swoony and slain-in-the-spirit over the moving power of good oration.
Give me the competent chick, thanks. The fact that she is a woman is at least as big an inspiration to me as anything he is selling, and she can also DO THE DAMN JOB.
You nailed it. I believe so much of the stuff thrown at Obama supposedly by “the clintons” has been from Obama himself, he just sits back and plays the victim. For the life of me I cannot believe more people do not see this. However, I do think the GOP knows and we’ll do their hit job just in time to sink him. Almost every pundit or talking head I hear makes the remark that this or that comment against Obama has come from the Clintons, how do they know? Where’s the evidence? I don’t buy any of it. I agree with you, bring on the competent and strong woman candidate!
You nailed it. I believe so much of the stuff thrown at Obama supposedly by “the clintons” has been from Obama himself,
LOL! So you’re saying that Susan, Larry and Taylor Marsh have been duped into deciminating false information from the Obama campaign?
Those mofo’s are BRILLIANT. LOL!!
This is from another blog. An Obama fan on how they’re going to peel off Edward’s supporters for him.
“His policies are irrelevant
I’m describing the orientation of voters who would make up a coalition that beats Hillary Clinton. Obama merely needs policy positions that are palatable to both groups. It doesn’t matter if they are to the left or to the right of HRC.”
It’s a freaking cult of personality. Policy doesn’t matter. It’s all about their Knight on his White Horse.
Guess I’m old-fashioned but that doesn’t sound like a good “new king of politics” to me. These fans amaze me.
“It’s a freaking cult of personality. Policy doesn’t matter. It’s all about their Knight on his White Horse.”
Quite possibly Nixon’s thoughts in 1960, eh?
1. Why will the Republican members of Congress rise to applaud you . . . ? Because I am a rock star and I am cool.
2. What is the common purpose around which you envision the country rallying? That I am cool and people want to be like Barak.
3. What is Plan B? There is no Plan B for a rockstar who believes in making change.
4. How do you plan to prevent such bedrock divisions (reproductive rights and marriage rights) from undermining the national unity you imagine? I won’t do anything. Roe v. Wade is settled law and I am too humane to wish marriage on gays.
5. In 2004, John Kerry tried to stay above the fray and combat conservatives’ scorched-earth campaign policy by refusing to dignify the Swiftboaters with a response. In 2000, Al Gore largely did the same, as conservatives and the media promulgated a cavalcade of half-truths and lies against him. They both lost. They lost because too many people just did not like them – Gore with his whining and Kerry with his pontificating and spandex windsurfing outfit.
But seriously he was simply painting a metaphor - an darn good one at that.
I am too humane to wish Barack on this country.
If elected, he will be a disaster and from what I see of his arrogance in not answering dicey questions, and putting out distortions and half truths, we will have another Imperial Presidency.
The Kenya story is more than disturbing.
Dick Morris is his evilCuthless ant-clinton choice.
So, he wants to win at all costs and will do anything rotten to do so.
“wants to win at all costs and will do anything rotten to do so” . . .
http://slatev.com/player.html?id=1377935786
They call it Obamamania. I call it a national nervous breakdown. I guess I should have known the solution to our problems wouldn’t be as simple as Bush leaving office, or even electing a Dem.
Yes Obamamainia is our next national epidemic.
Scary.
[...] Questions for Barack Obama Filed under: Barack Obama — James Rudy @ 11:57 pm Questions for Barack Obama [...]
I am told by the pundits that he “seems to appeal to our better angels”. In which case I must have only “worse” angels because the appeal is entirely lost on me.
our better angels have been outsourced.
Zuzu’s petals can’t change that.
i think it was bill clinton who might have said it best: democrats fall in love with their candidate, republicans fall in line. (sic)
as for obama, i dont need another father, (i had a great one thank you), i dont need a preacher (my church doesnt have them) and i dont need another hero (unless i can trust her/him). i guess what i’m trying to say is obama doesnt excite me nor is he going to convince me that it is my best interest or this country’s best interest to play nicely with the republicans. nope, that aint very damn likely to happen anytime soon.
What can we do? I have such a feeling of darkness and doom. It is the same feeling I had when Bush was elected the last time. I remember sitting in disbelief that the people in this country could be so stupid. And there has been nothing anyone could do for the last 3 1/2 years. I cannot go through another horrible 4-8 years. Bring back the Clintons, warts and all. I still trusted that both of them thought about the country and its people every day of their lives. I may be naive but I felt safe, happy, and involved.
I guess my big question after reading that piece, and the comments, is this:
How is someone who caved to the Republicans on the Iraq war authorization and the PATRIOT Act (twice), and who still hasn’t taken a position on SB576 (repeal of the Military Commissions Act), getting such a reputation for being a bare-knuckle brawler when it comes to scrapping with the GOP?
Exactly. On another note, how is she so much more “experienced”? I did not know that being the wife of the president gave one earth-shaking legislative experience?
If sleeping with Bill Clinton becomes worthy of addition to ones’ political resume, we’ll have plenty of women candidates for the future. None of them worth anything, but we’ll have a good steady supply.
i am not prepared to vote for either barack or hillary, so sorry.
and if it comes down to hillary vs. mccain, i’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between the two, except one has balls and the other’s an old man.
thank you, good night and try the veal!
make that balls of titanium.
ROFLMAO, skippy… Good one.
One thing I have noticed from listening to progressive talk radio is that Obama seems to have a lock on the 8 to 14 year old demographic. Unfortunately for him, I doubt there will be a lowering of the voting age before November. For us graying baby boomers, he doesn’t sound so hot. For a party platform, we don’t need a diving board, with no water in the pool. At least last night’s debate was civil and courteous. We need democrats to join hands before inviting others into the tent. The Neo-cons are more likely to bulldoze the tent and pour cement over it.
I hate the idea that all Obama supports are jejune turn of the century bobby soxers. It is insulting and completely unfounded. If you want to know what the man stands for go and read what he has outlined on his campaign website, go to opensecrets and find out where his dollars came from, go and do some digging around on the internet and look over his voting record.
I haven’t seen anything thus far to dissuade me from voting for Obama. Hillary, on the other hand, does not impress me in the slightest.
Hillary is an rickety old white male politician under that skirt. Her spirit animal is probably the unholy marriage of a donkey and an elephant.
No thanks, I’ll pass on Hillary in ‘08.
One thing I always have found annoying about “progressives” is that they seem to reject the very concept of practicality and pragmatism. You want nationalized single payer health care? Then anyone in power who advocates a more practical, reasonable, moderate shift from the mess we are in now is a “sell out to corporate interests.”
The difference between Obama and Clinton (despite the obvious point that he is SELF MADE while she has ridden on her husband’s coattails)is that the conservatives in Congress do not hate his guts because of the mendacity and self-indulgence shown by the candidate and spouse over the last 16 plus years. Conservatives will NOT be barbecued by their constituents for dealing with him on issues the same way they would be spit-roasted if they dealth with Hillary. Barack and Hillary could propose the very same programs and his will go further because there is no 16 year reservoir of bile he has to swim through.
Is this all her fault? No. Some of it is due to Bill, some due to Bork not being on the Supreme Court, some due to rank jealousy, and some due to principaled disgust. But it is what it is. For Hillary supporters to deny this reality is akin to starting a 500 mile journey with no money, no credit card, and only enough gas to get 2/3 of the way to the destination. You are not being realistic about your candidate and, if she is the nominee, she will come up short.
Assumption of facts not in evidence on your part.
Hillary isn’t self made?
She’s the better half of her husband, a self made man.
You are welcome for the reminder.
If you want four years of stalemate on any issue important to our country, Hillary is your girl! If you want the possibility of actual change, Obama is the only rational choice.
I don’t want change, that is what Bush hath wrought.
I want a return to normalcy.
Balanced budgets, strengthened social institutions, and a respect for Constitutional procedure.
That is the question for ANY Presidential candidate. Neither Obama or Hillary or McCain or Romeny are going to do a damn thing they spend millions saying they are going to do unless Congress agrees. Congress works for Big Business so all this Presidential pontification is just that, pontification. I could do exactly the same thing on ten dollars and get the same results.
Until there is term limits it will Always be the same old same old. There IS NO SAVIOR.
PS: Are you people planning to keep smearing Obama even though Hillary and him now want to make nice.
Term limits at the Legislative level hurt smaller states by keeping them from establishing Seniority.
Instead, you weant a revolving door from Public to Private sectors around a stepladder of public office positions.
“I see where you guys are coming from, but I think you misjudge the guy” Klause - The Life Aquatic.
If you don’t believe he means and can do what he says, I suggest you look at what he was able to get done here in Illinois. He’s terribly intellegent and can use the same skill in which he’s “bamboozled” many of us into believing into him in getting conservatives to believe in him too.
Faith based Reasoning would prevent Conservatives from being moved by facts.
In fact, when has Barack ponied up proof for any of his work?
He’s yet to host a single European subcommittee that he chairs in Foreign Relations, at a time when NATO’s back is breaking in Afghanistan.
That alone is a disqualifier.
P.S. Cynicism is a dark slope, why don’t you try to light side?
You are missing the point. Since the realignment of the electorate that began with Reagan it has driven Democrats nuts for years that voters who agreed with them on policy would then turn around and vote for a Republican. Reagan created the Reagan Democrats, Get ready for the Obama Republicans. If you have a transformational candidate who can pull young voters, African Americans, Independents and Republicans in -who cares what the GOP leadership wants. There won’t enough Republicans left in congress to be able to obstruct anything and they will be to busy playing defense and trying to figure out the new lay of the land.
Americans in general do not see politics the way partisans do. They don’t compare point for point policy positions. They go with the guy that makes them feel good about themselves, their country and their future. They want Camelot. I didn’t think Obama could deliver on such a tall order but since South Carolina I am becoming a believer.
Hillary shreeks about Rezko and $72,000 (that Obama gave to charity) and in the NY Times there was a story about Bill getting over $30 million for helping a Russian land a Uranium contract in Kazakhstan. “I did not have sexual relations with that woman!”
Remember folks that Bill was IMPEACHED by the House. Want some more of that cake and eat it too? Good lord people, let’s have some CHANGE. And by change, I mean personality.
The real role of the president is to be a cheerleader and ambassador for our country. (Please review the federalist papers and constitution before arguing). Doesn’t Obama seem better for that than Billary?
For these tizzies of political asthenia, apply eau de cologne to the temples and have a nice lie-down on the nearest fainting couch until The Man on Horseback arrives.
As I recall, when the public was forced to take a look at the writhings in the Washington worm-close,** it was horrified - then outraged. The Dems were spineless, the media were complicit - it was public opinion that prevented this coup attempt from being successful.
** definition of worm-close: the snake pits into which folks were tossed in the eddas.
[...] constant playing to some of the most hateful right-wing politics and politicians leaves me, like Melissa McEwan, with questions for Obama, including this one: 3. Assume for a moment that you are nominated and subsequently elected, and, [...]
I feel like I should defend college students. We aren’t all Ron Paul or Barack Obama supporters. Oddly, though, these two groups have a lot in common, including a blind, absolute love of their candidates regardless of any evidence or anything they say. I was an Edwards supporter and have been ever since he declared his candidacy. I haven’t decided yet whether I prefer Clinton or Obama in his absense, since both disappoint me in a lot of ways, but I’m leaning towards Hillary. Barack makes very pretty speeches and talks a lot about change, but I don’t see much of a record to back it up and he hasn’t answered any of Melissa’s questions to my satisfaction. Until I can be sure that he has the backbone to stand up to the Republican party and defeat John McCain, I can’t support him wholeheartedly. It’s an argument that I have near-daily with some of my friends.
Sen. Obama,
On the Illegal Immigrate issue. I feel we are only getting double talk from you, Hillary and John McCain. My question is what part of illegal is it none of you seem to understand?
If anyone in my family, and for 5 generations we have been born in this country, did any thing illegal, trust me we would be arrested and investigated.
If the offspring of the illegals are of majority age then they should be able to stay and have a the rights of American citizens. But, if they have minor children born in this country the option should be either they find someone to raise their children in America for them or take them back with them. When this children reach majority, they should decide for themselves if they which to return to this country.
I am for returning all Illegals to the country of their birth. I am for them going to the back to the line to get visas. Paying a fine is just telling them, its OK we don’t really care you are here illegally, we’ll give you a job, social services, food stamps, housing, drivers licences (even if you use someone elses ID, which is identity thief if I’m not mistaken) free medical care and any other program they’d quailty for.
What about the true, legal Americans who just fall above the level to quailfy for the same programs, but we just tell them SO SORRY.
I truly think you are the best canidate for Preidency, but a extremely hard stand must be made for illegals.
Why is it no one just comes out and point blank state this is a problem that must be look into immediately knowing it’s illegal?
Have we forgotten how good the economy was when the Clintons were in the white house. I just don’t trust Obama. My reason are. He will not wear the american flag pin. His wife comment on only just now being proud of America. His church giving Farricon a reward or praise. I just buy his reason for not wearing the flag pin. His wife has been blessed to get a good education in our country etc… and when associate with people who hate Jews and white people. (when you lie down with dogs you get up with fleas). Yes Bill had a thing for women and for some reason we blame Hillary. Alot of other presidents had their women too. Some won’t vote Hillary because she is a women. What better change could there be than vote for a women. You know Jesus loved women too and I think he would approve of her. I don’t think the Bible said women could not lead. I love Hillary and from what I have seen of her daughter. She seems to be a nice young lady. I have 3 daughters and I know a good one when I see one. It is time for change . A woman in the white house.
My parents used to say the same thing.
And aren’t you tired of all this specious hate, it’s so easy to manipulate those who think this is an offense.
You know, hate is a means of encouraging division, the next logical step of misogyny and racism, ala Cheney, and Bush.
And people who think hate is a weapon aren’t exactly the brightest things that ever walked.
[...] No Quarter is no friend of Barack Obama but I have to say Melissa McEwan posed some really dynamite questions for Obama here. [...]
I HAVE A QUESTION, ACTUALLY I HAVE ALOT TO SAY. AM JUST A TYPICAL WOMAN FROM JERSEY AND WHAT AM ABOUT TO SAY MAY MAKE NO SENSE BUT IS OK. FIRST OF ALL, WHY CAN’T ALL CHILDREN GET HEALTH INSURANCE NO MATTER WHAT THE PARENTS INCOME IS? ALL CHILDREN SHOULD GET HEALTH INSURANCE. THE GOVERMENT IN MY OPINION NEEDS TO STOP WASTING MONEY ON OTHER COUNTRIES WE HAVE NO BUSINESSS ON AND INVEST THAT MONEY IN PUTTING STREET LIGHT IN SOME OF THIS DARK HIGHWAYS. I HAVE ALOT TO SAY BUT I’LL KEEP THE REST TO MYSELF FOR NOW. IF ANYBODY AGREES WITH ANYTHING I SAID COMMENT BACK.
Here is my question: I am what used to be considered middle income. I have twin daughters in their second year of college. If we are wanting to give our kids a higher education, how are you going to make it so the cost of college is more in line with the middle income families budget?? At this point all middle income people are sturggling to pay to send their kids to college. At this point, because my husband makes good money we can’t even get any assistance to get them and us help.
my question for you is. with the economy the way it is,can they put a hold on raising the pricws on the utilities such as the electric and the rest? till we all get back on our feet. AS you know the first of the year is coming up and pay raises will be coming for some of us and we can not get ahead., and save some money because they go up as fast as our raises come, last year we only saved $1.00 per week. I think this will also help all of us.
can you try and do something about this.
thank you
ps my husband and i are routing for you. to win.
I am trying to make up my mind as to who to vote for. I have noticed a Flag behind Barack Obama in many pictures that looks different. Can you tell me what that is all about. Is this a new Flag? What does it represent?
My question is: What relief can be done for the middle class that had to wipe out their 401k plans to make it this past year? Can they waive the penalty fees? I know that someone talked about this for ones that had to withdraw 10,000.00 or less but what about higher amounts?
you are talking about helping the middle class by income tax credits - good idea, but they have to work first to earn the money to pay taxes in the first place - the price of gas dropped to $2.15 in the town that I live in today - was checking out and a lady beside me said ” boy if it keeps like this I can have a Thanksgiving and buy presents for my kids” - I have never felt that the Goverment should be involded with the free market - yet we just bailed out the people that got us into this mess - billions of dollars to people that made their money and will make more - why not do a very simple thing - let the Feds regulate price of gas to $2.49 for the next 6 months and set the cost of Heating fuel - that the ederly and low income people use - at the same price and to me that would stimulate the economy more than the steps we have taken - simple but true!
What are you going to do about the massive trade deficite with China?
I think this is affecting the economy big time!
Sincerely; Jim Keating