Consider the facts. McCain graduated in the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy. He never had a command rank, and as he often points out, he spent much of his time as a prisoner of war. The fact that McCain has voted so often against benefits for veterans and against safety equipment for soldiers is a sign he does not fully appreciate the costs of war. He tends to see things in military terms; the surge, for example. He does not emphasize diplomacy. He is a gambler, in his professional life and as a hobby.
Lastly, McCain is weak on details. Remember, Joe Lieberman had to whisper in his ear about Iran's relationship with Iraq. Remember his misstatements about Spain, the Czech Republic, and Somalia.
Barack Obama does not have a military background, but many military veterans and soldiers in the field believe that he will be a strong leader. He has impressed world leaders. He has demonstrated his executive abilities and sound judgment, and his steady hand on the tiller during the campaign, when making his vice presidential choice, and during the financial crisis. The strengths of the McCain-Palin ticket are a myth. Let's choose Obama-Biden.
Cutting all earmarks (which would include cutting funds for many worthwhile local projects) would not make up for renewing the Bush tax cuts for the very wealthy and would result in more debt for future taxpayers. So what else would McCain cut? He voted against safety equipment for the troops and against health care and education benefits for veterans. He voted against most initiatives for development of alternative sources of energy. It does not appear he will put money into rebuilding the nation's infrastructure.
By allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire, Obama is returning the country to the situation under the Clinton administration, when millions of jobs were created, new industries emerged, and there was prosperity for the rich, poor, and middle class. As Obama points out, we have done the experiment and it is clear: the trickle-down tax policies of the last 8 years did not produce new jobs, and problems such as crumbling bridges, climate change, health care costs, and access to energy were ignored. Obama recognizes that government spending can be used to solve problems and stimulate growth, providing opportunity to all Americans.
Apparently the well-dressed, well-groomed, speech-coached Sarah Palin is “going rogue,” departing from the directions of the campaign. The Republican’s media ads are almost all negative, so it isn't clear exactly how she is off-message. Perhaps more to the point, how would a President McCain manage a rogue VP? And what kind of distraction would that be for the nation?
The Obama campaign is a structured movement, powered by over 3 million donors and run by advisors, staff, and volunteers, using old-fashioned community organizing and up-to-date technology. Statements are issued in response to events, and are consistent with the positions taken by Barack Obama for his whole career. Obama is responsible for his campaign and responsible for the decision to choose Joe Biden. There is no need to make any apologies for Biden, who speaks independently to voters or the press. Of course, he can be misquoted: when he said the new president would be tested, he also said Obama would be a “man of steel.”
You could have chosen a running mate who’d spent time working for all Americans and taken an interest in the world, but you chose a hypocrite who raised the sales tax while claiming she cut taxes, who aggressively went after earmarks while claiming independence, and who abused power at the local and state levels. Sarah Palin obtained her first passport last year. With the help of over $150,000, she brought glamour to your campaign, as you chose politics over country.
You could have run a campaign on issues. Of course, making the case for trickle-down economics is challenging, and offering a $300 million prize for a better car battery is pretty hokey, but you could have tried. Perhaps you could have followed the model of Alan Greenspan, who admitted he was wrong about deregulation and the markets. Instead, you yell socialism, brag about being a maverick, and sponsor robo-calls claiming Obama pals around with terrorists. You know all Obama did was work with a man Republicans and Democrats in Chicago have accepted into society as a hard-working educator.
Everyone, McCain had a chance to do better. Vote for Obama-Biden.
Palin also has indicated that science, to her, is a point of view, not a process, and that school children should get to hear other points of view, such as intelligent design. This would be bad for science and bad for the economy. The Bush administration has muzzled scientists and other professionals and has ignored reports about climate change and environmental hazards. A McCain/Palin administration may be even worse. Vote for Obama/Biden.
Barack Obama has not been on the national scene as long as John McCain, but people who know him well attest to his judgment, compassion, and ability to make decisions and advance programs that address the needs and goals all Americans. He has demonstrated this in his work in the Senate, campaign, proposals, two books, and travels around the world. Obama exhibits his calm, deliberate nature in everything he does. His ideas are comprehensive and address near- and long-term challenges. There is a good chance that what would be a surprise to McCain would not be a surprise to Obama. For example, it was easier for Obama to handle the financial crisis because he’d been aware of the problems on Wall Street and Main Street for some time and did not have to change his stance on regulation. Obama has gathered around him a world-class group of advisors. The Obama/Biden administration will handle the mess inherited from the Bush administration and any new crisis that occurs.
The Republicans claim Americans must vote Republican to keep America safe. But I disagree. Barack Obama understands the complex nature of the world. One of his first acts of legislation addressed proliferation of nuclear materials. His energy plans address the substantial security risks if we continue at the present levels of demand for oil: we are contributing to the income of nations that fund Islamic fundamentalism. He knows the war in Iraq hurts the ability of our military to fight in Afghanistan and elsewhere. He will devote effort to the peace process in the Mideast. His strategy concerning Russia includes helping to decrease the dependence of its neighbors on Russian energy, addressing tensions before they escalate into military confrontations, and engaging with the Russian government and Russian people.
All of Obama’s plans are comprehensive and based on an understanding of history as well as the current facts on the ground. We cannot be a strong nation militarily if we don't attend to rebuilding our bridges and roads and improving education for everyone.
He will make improvements in the delivery of health care, including lower-cost health insurance for the currently uninsured. This will be a substantial effort, but it is not instituting socialism in our country. Historically, the government has cleaned up oil spills and provided other, more subtle support for the oil industry. No one called it socialism.
Obama's plans provide incentives for wind, solar, bio-fuel, and other alternative energy sources, as well as advance policies to encourage reduction in use of fossil fuels, such as stricter standards for gas mileage. These measures are in line with what our government has done in other areas. They will achieve multiple goals: provide jobs here in the USA; reduce dependence on foreign oil; reduce total consumption of oil, thus reducing income to several unfriendly, non-democratic countries; and reduce effects causing climate change.
Obama is for reasonable regulation of the financial industry. The Bush administration, with strong support from McCain and his advisors, has promoted deregulation, encouraging a financial bubble on top of a housing bubble, leading to the current disastrous collapse. As a result, it has become necessary to make the largest investment ever of government funds into private firms. This bailout certainly comes closer to socialism than the programs in health care and energy Obama proposes.
Obama is the one to trust to reform the system, protect the taxpayer, and revert back to the non-corporate socialism, American way.
Barack Obama and John McCain have different approaches to health care. The main feature of McCain's plan is to tax the value of the benefit people get from employers and balance that with a tax credit. People who do not have health insurance as an employee benefit will gain from the tax credit (assuming they owe taxes). Contrary to what McCain implied at the debate, the $5,000 will not cover a standard plan for a family, which currently is over $12,000. This is not a "gold-plated" plan that includes hair transplants!
The McCain tax credit probably will cover the taxes for most current employee health benefits. One concern is that the level of the tax credit may not keep up with increases in health insurance costs. A bigger worry is that this could mean the end of employer health benefits. Some people, perhaps the young and healthy, may opt out of employer plans, raising the costs of the plans. Some employers may stop offering a health insurance benefit altogether. This may be what McCain wants since he believes market forces and deregulation solve all problems.
Obama's approach is aimed at fixing problems. He will work to lower health care costs by negotiating with drug companies and applying technology to record keeping. He will provide tax credits to small businesses. He will require large businesses that don't provide health insurance to pay into a fund. Obama's approach will provide insurance to the uninsured by opening up the programs available for federal employees. He believes in an appropriate level of regulation to ensure that people are not denied benefits.
The details of any health plan will change under deliberations in Congress and with the new realities of the budget. Think about which candidate wants to take care of you and your family, and which candidate will trust the unregulated markets to do the job.
There is no massive voter fraud. But there is a move for voter suppression.
The McCain/Palin campaign is claiming widespread voter fraud, but there is no evidence. The voter registration efforts of ACORN and other groups aren't perfect, but their problems are caught. Mickey Mouse will not be voting. Claiming voter fraud is a long-standing tactic of the Republicans, but it remains without proof.
In contrast, investigation does show that Republicans work hard to suppress turnout by making it difficult for new voters and others to cast a ballot.
There are many reasons to vote for Barack Obama: his comprehensive, detailed proposals; his attention to the needs of ordinary Americans; and the fact that many people, including long-time friends of John McCain, such as Colin Powell, believe Obama has superior judgment and temperament.
Here is another reason: do you want to vote for the side that is encouraging more people to register and vote, or are you on the side that wants to limit voting?
John McCain describes Barack Obama as being part of the “Pro-Abortion Movement.” There is no such thing! Obama, with others, wants to put education and health programs in place to reduce the number of abortions. He offers to work with people of all political views. What do McCain and Palin propose to do? McCain says government isn't the answer, but he supports government intruding into the private lives of women. He makes fun of the “health of the woman” exception in laws governing late-term abortions. He voted against the Violence Against Women Act, championed by Joe Biden and supported by Democrats and Republicans, including President Bush. Palin, when mayor of Wasilla, made victims of sexual assault pay for rape kits. If you don't want a return to the days when coat hangers represented a choice for desperate women, if you want fewer abortions in this country, and if you want to protect victims of domestic violence, you need to support Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Obama does not look to Ayers for advice. His advisors and supporters include Nobel Prize winners (62 scientists in a recent public letter); investors and business people, such as Warren Buffett; former SEC chairs; two-thirds of professional economists recently polled; admirals; generals; and the overwhelming majority of soldiers in Iraq who have made political donations.
The McCain/Palin campaign wants to 'turn the page' away from the issues that matter to people's lives. The guilt by association charge on Obama is without merit. Let's consider the associations of John McCain that are relevant to the current financial crisis and to character and honor. McCain was reprimanded by the Senate for poor judgment in asking government regulators to withdraw from examination of his friend and supporter Charles Keating, who went to jail for fraud in the savings and loan crisis. McCain did not associate with Keating 30 years after Keating's crimes; he was part of the crimes.
McCain is indifferent to the impropriety of having paid lobbyists on his campaign staff, including his campaign manager, who received money from a company hired by Fannie Mae until a few weeks ago. McCain has been silent on the decision by the Alaskan legislature that Sarah Palin abused her power. During the last debate, McCain repudiated the “fringe” calling Obama a terrorist. But he allows robo-calls to carry this same message. These charges against McCain are true and important. Voters, pay attention to what matters.
Of course, tax policy isn't the only issue here. The dismal performance of the Bush administration has many causes: deregulation and loose oversight; an energy policy in service of the oil companies, with no attention to the implications for the environment and the potential of green jobs; lack of respect for science; and an education policy that focuses on testing. Unfortunately, John McCain has embraced the policies of George Bush. He may be promising to change some of his positions, but why take the chance? Rich people, and people who want to do well and have your children do well: the Obama/Biden ticket is the one for you.
John McCain says that Barack Obama is running against George Bush, and that he is not George Bush. It is up to McCain to prove he will be different, not just say it. After all, McCain is a Republican and has supported Bush practically all the time. Moreover, his trend has been toward Bush, not away.
Once, McCain was against the Bush tax program, saying it was immoral to have most of the benefits go to the very rich and it was wrong to cut taxes during war time. Now he embraces these policies and wants to extend them, even though they are slated to expire. On the stump, McCain talks about alternative energy sources, but he has voted against most of the legislation that would promote them. He did not speak out when the Bush administration muzzled scientists who tried to publicize findings on climate change and did not argue for environmental standards. He chose Sarah Palin for his running mate, and she is against stem cell research, does not believe in the causes of climate change, and thinks intelligent design should be taught in the schools.
One feature of the Bush administration is cronyism. McCain was reprimanded by the Senate for poor judgment in his dealings with his friend Keating in the savings and loan scandal. He does not object to having paid lobbyists on his staff. He appears indifferent to the fact that the Alaskan legislature ruled Palin abused her power for personal interests.
Altogether, this sounds a lot like the Bush administration. Maybe worse.
Having the VP candidate make the negative attacks is considered standard practice. (Remember Spiro Agnew?) Then John McCain makes conciliatory remarks, and Barack Obama is gracious at accepting them. However, the attacks don't stop and the McCain ads are almost all negative.
McCain claims the media is against him. But most of the media appears to consider him to be as distinct from his campaign, and many writers say the real McCain is a better man than his campaign presents. Isn't McCain in charge of his campaign?
The McCain campaign has had troubles. It ran out of money during the primaries because of mismanaged spending and lack of contributions. Advisors come and go. The message changes regularly—either to make sound-bites or to react to events. For example, McCain now is for regulating greedy Wall Street. Often, McCain and his website do not put forth the same policies. The terms “lurching” and “erratic” are appropriate.
The Obama campaign is a well-organized movement, powered by over 3 million donors and run by advisors, staff and volunteers, using old-fashioned community organizing and up-to-date technology. Barack Obama is responsible for his campaign. The staff practices “no drama Obama.” Statements are issued in response to events, and are consistent with the positions taken for the whole campaign. There is no need to make any apologies for Joe Biden, who speaks independently to voters or the press.
If John McCain can't run his campaign, how is he going to run the country?
Tonight, Wednesday, October 15, is the last chance to donate or write a short "why I want to win the quilt".
The drawing will take place Tuesday, October 21, in Tucson, AZ. (A member of the Obama campaign will be on hand!)
Quilters from across America got together early in July to create this incredible king-sized quilt to raise funds for the campaign.
Right now, we are just $1,560 away from our goal of $15,000. The quilters have themselves taken on all of the costs involved in making this one-of-a-kind work of art. Go to
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/maingroup/QUILTERSFOROBAMA for details.
The drawing will take place Tuesday, October 21, in Tucson, AZ. (A member of the Obama campaign will be on hand!) Quilters from across America got together early in July to create this incredible king-sized quilt to raise funds for the campaign. Right now, we are just $1,560 away from our goal of $15,000. The quilters have themselves taken on all of the costs involved in making this one-of-a-kind work of art.Go tohttp://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/maingroup/QUILTERSFOROBAMAfor details.
“My one vote doesn't matter.” Well, what if everyone said that? The fact is that past elections have been close, so every vote is important. “It isn't the popular vote; it’s the electoral college that decides.” The electoral vote is based on the popular vote. Every vote counts. “I live in a Republican state.” Things have a way of changing. More people may be on your side than you think. Volunteer. Participate in a phone bank, make calls from home. Knock on doors. Check out the other Democrats on the ballot. Some may have a chance. Use all your tools—chat, text, networking, personal visits—to be sure everyone on your side actually votes. “Obama is way ahead in my state.” As I said, things have a way of changing! Don't take anything for granted. Help out in the battleground states. Re-establish connections with family, friends, and acquaintances in Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Colorado, Indiana, and so on. You can go to a phone bank or call when your cell minutes are cheap or free. Check out the other candidates on the ballot in your state. Some may need help. Use everything you have to be sure everyone on your side actually votes. It would be best to rack up a huge majority. It may sound corny, but this is a “historic election.” Don't let it be more of the same. Help Barack Obama change this country.
The investigation initiated by the Republican majority Alaska State legislature has found Sarah Palin abused her power as governor in pushing for the firing of a state trooper. They found the public safety commissioner’s refusal to fire the trooper was a contributing factor to Palin's dismissal of the commissioner, and that Palin's husband acted inappropriately by using the governor's office to contact troopers. When he picked Palin, John McCain didn't know, didn't care, or was willing to gamble with the fate of the country. This investigation already was underway when McCain selected Palin as his running mate. The only way he could not have known about it is if he ordered no screening. He put politics before country in the hope that Palin would help his campaign. As governor, Palin did have the authority to fire the commissioner without giving a reason. Nevertheless, she broke the code of ethics, as the investigation found. The McCain/Palin campaign is claiming she didn't do this for financial gain. As with the debates, Palin may have cleared a very low bar. Perhaps McCain does not care about ethical or professional standards. He may have figured they could get away with it. After all, he himself was reprimanded by the Senate in the savings and loan scandal, a crisis involving regulation and oversight, much like the disaster of today. The impropriety of having working lobbyists within his campaign has not generated much attention. Right now, the real gamble for this country is how McCain would act as President, and how Palin would act if elected to VP. Are you willing to take that roll of the dice?
The McCain campaign claims Barack Obama is a pal of Bill Ayers, and therefore is himself a bomb-throwing radical. Sarah Palin points out she read this in the New York Times. Perhaps she is doing that to refute the perception she doesn't read newspapers. However, she did not read the article carefully because it demonstrates that Akers and Obama only “crossed paths” while working to bring money to Chicago schools and as neighbors in Hyde Park.
The truth is, Barack Obama does not look to Bill Ayers for advice. It is hard to imagine why would Obama consult Ayers when his advisors and supporters include Nobel Prize winners (62 scientists in a recent public letter), investors and business people (such as Warren Buffett), former SEC chairs, professional economists, admirals, generals, and an overwhelming majority of the soldiers in Iraq who have made political donations. About 4 million Americans have contributed financially to his presidential campaign. So why do McCain/Palin want to associate Obama and Ayers? Because they have nothing of more substance to say to the American people.
