Still undecided about who I will vote for perhaps you can help?
I might be one of the few who still has not decided on a candidate for the presidency. I am a true independent voter who is not swayed by loyalties to either party. I believe that we should vote on vision, integrity, and policy and not vote for one particular candidate because of things that don’t matter, such as sex or race. I wish we had a open system like other countries where more than 2 parties ruled. I feel the two party system is falling out of sync with the public.
McCain
I supported McCain in 2000 100% and thought the nation was crazy at the time for supporting George Bush. Now everyone is flocking to McCain because he is the last man standing. McCain isn’t the same person he used to be, nor is he the maverick anymore. He has allowed his right wing handlers to indoctrination him and now he is in their camp. I don’t like his attacks on Obama and frankly find them disgraceful and desperate
Bush
I supported Bush the second time around because I just didn’t trust Al Gore and Joe Lieberman, I really didn’t like them either. Lieberman has shown his true colors and was rejected by his own constituency. I bought the switch and bait about conservative values etc…You know that stuff Republicans always talk about and never practice. Never will I take the bait again.
The Clintons
I liked Bill Clinton back in the days, and thought the republicans were just plain despicable for going after him in the way they did when you compare Bill’s follies with the crimes of the Bush White House and the perverts on the right who have always talked about family values while secretly luring teenagers for sex, and playing footsies in bathroom stales. I later found out about Bill’s corruption.
Everyone has some dirt, but there are limits to how much we can take. Give me his fiscal responsibility, that’s about it.
Ron Paul
Out of nowhere came this nice older fellow called Ron Paul. I hadn’t heard any one talk like him or stand on principals. He was the only candidate who actually sound like he made it through high school and had a college degree. Did you see the debates? This man talked about things no one dared touch. He defended the constitution and didn’t apologize for it. He had a rare understanding of the constitution, economics and domestic as well as political issues overseas. He knew history, the law etc. Now that the chickens have come home to roast, even Fox is listening to him now. He can’t run for office, but wow did he ever start an exciting political movement. I didn’t have blind support for him; surely there were some issues I didn’t support.
Barack Obama,
When I first heard him speak I said wow, where did he come from? What a great speaker. Mr. Obama appealed to so many different types of people from all races, unlike any others that I have seen with a weak exception of Ron Paul. The young were flocking to him in numbers. His campaign ran as smooth as his personality. He was one of the few who really encouraged the non-voters types to come out and get more involved. His websites were the best, his campaign was managed the best. He had the coolest video to warm up the audience in his campaign tours. All of this sound great but there was one thing that bothered me. His change message sound great but he never really defined what changes he would bring in a definitive way I could digest. His voting record didn’t line up with his change speeches. He didn’t seem like the maverick he portrayed on TV. He voted in favor of some of the worst laws this nation has seen such as the Patriot Act, missed too many votes, missed vote for Iranian resolution, supported FISA (government spying on citizens) and he also voted with McCain on this insane 0 corporate welfare plan called a "bailout." Many now are calling it corporate socialism. How could someone like Obama who wants change and fairness push something so wrong as this bailout? I also had a problem with him not answering a simple question without sounded like Bill Clinton with the what is is….line. When do you consider a person a human being? McCain nailed it, but Obama gave such a sorry answer. This is integrity and a person with a backbone would step in and say what they feel regardless with what they feel is the politically right answer. I think the whole Pastor Wright controversy was ugly and irreverent. All it did was divide even more Americans. I saw so much racist fools coming out of the woods just on this topic alone. Pastor Wright was a Marine, and served this nation, his views was of a historic nature and if anyone has a problem with him I suggest they listen to Tim Wise and leave Pastor Wright out of the presidential election. I think Obama’s multi cultural background is a plus, as well as his White/Black racial identity. I feel like he is being punished for not being White enough or not being Black enough. . His father was Muslim and he might have gone to a Muslim school growing up,
It sounds to me like the decision you need to make is whether to support McCain or Obama, or whether to support a third party candidate – or even write-in someone not on the ballot.
In deciding whether to vote for McCain or Obama, the first question you might consider is whether you are in a battleground state. If the election in your state is close, then your vote could potentially have a huge impact on who is the next president. In this case, weight the records and decide which is most likely to support the ideals you most believe in.
If you’re not in a contested state, vote for (or write-in) the candidate you feel best represents your values or you feel is the most qualified. Use your vote to make a statement that you’re not satisfied with the status-quo or the major candidates. You could vote this way even if you’re in a battleground state, but then you’re basically letting someone else make your decision for you.
Like you, I do wish more candidates would speak plainly or honestly about their beliefs. By playing to the middle they just muddle their message.
I didn’t comment specifically about any of the candidates because it sounds like you already know enough to make an informed decision.
obama can talk the talk but cant walk the walk
I think Obama is your best bet here. you state "I believe that we should vote on vision, integrity, and policy and not vote for one particular candidate because of things that don’t matter, such as sex or race." which candidate in this election poccesses the most vision? obama and it is his vision of what america needs to be again that will save us from the many problems we face today or least send us in the right direction
but then again this is very personal matter that should be decided by oneself.
You need to decide for yourself who to vote for. It doesn’t sound like you’re all that thrilled with Obama, as you shouldn’t be.
Make up your mind for Pete’s sake!
You should do like I did. Click on every link posted on YA and elsewhere and actually read them. MSM is not the place to look for facts.
http://www.nationalblackrepublicans.com/
http://newsbusters.org/
http://obamawtf.blogspot.com/2008/02/obamas-brother-roy-came-to-america-and.html
Big dilemma for you, but great summaries of your feelings. Looks like your heart wants you to vote for Paul, but knowing he won’t win, your head says you are wasting your vote. That leaves you with hoping McCain becomes McCain again after the election (I don’t see that happening), or that Obama becomes more centrist (more likely to me).
At least you are going to vote. Good for you.
Make your decision on the candidate who represents what you stand for.
"…not vote for one particular candidate because of things that don’t matter, such as sex or race."
"I think Obama’s multi cultural background is a plus, as well as his White/Black racial identity."
Which one is it?
You’re very knowledgeable so since you’re aware of their differences on the issues I’ll just say that McCains personality issues truly bother me. He is an adulterer, who does not support equal pay for women, who has no respect even for the 2nd wife he chose (…Cindy playfully twirled McCain’s hair and said, "You’re getting a little thin up there." McCain’s face reddened, and he allegedly responded, "At least I don’t plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you c**t" McCain’s excuse was that it had been a long day"… 3 Arizona reporters said that they heard him say this). He has no respect for women at all period ( John McCain about Chelsea Clinton back in ’98: "Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno."; John McCain as a candidate for U.S. Senate in October 1986: "Did you hear the one about the woman who is attacked on the street by a gorilla, beaten senseless, raped repeatedly and left to die? When she finally regains consciousness and tries to speak, her doctor leans over to hear her sigh contently and to feebly ask, ‘Where is that marvelous ape?" Why would you say this…..and why would you say it IN PUBLIC?
I think he is rude and disrespectful to his colleagues as he repeatedly uses fowl language on the Senate floor telling them to shut up, calling them "sh*theads and , a**holes, f-ing jerks…..this is all FACT!
I dont see how anyone, especially a woman can support someone like him.
There is a test online you can take, where you simply answer true or false on what you think about the issue. At the end of it, It tells you who agree with more, and gives you a percentage. For example, I took it and I agree with Obama on 92% of the issues, and McCain on 8%. Its completely unbiased. There are two different quizzes, see which one you like better.
http://www.politicalbase.com/toolbox/&action=takePersonalityTest&testId=16
http://www.blogthings.com/shouldyouvoteformccainorobamaquiz/
Personally all I can say is to look beyond the person and the name… look beyond the recent media and go back at least a year ago….
Find out what the candidates voted for while in Legislative positions and see if that jives with what you believe in… Look to their character by way of which circles they are in or have been in… see who is behind our candidates. If you are in college then use your library resources to find obscure peer reviewed articles from at least a year back about the candidate… I know there are some because I have even looked… thankfully even though I graduated I still have online access to the periodicles and search engines….
I wouldn’t look to the recent however because it will be severely biased in either direction… so anything from last year would be the best bet in my opinion….
I cannot tell you who to vote for because that is your decision and yours alone… I can just advise you as to how I came to my decision..
Remember when Obama was down in the polls after the Sarah Palin bounce? Remember how muc integrity he showed with his ads and his demeanor while John Mccain basically called him a pedophile. It was as if he would have rather lost than sunk to Mccain’s level. That is a big reason why I have so much respect for him. He’s a genuine good guy, and isn’t that exactly what our country needs right now? Don’t forget to register by the way.
Personally I think voting is very personal! It looks like you are educating yourself, thats good because ALOT of people are going by what "sounds" good and "looks good" and frankly thats NOT good enough! America is really at a tough spot…we do need a tough leader, and because of that I am choosing McCain. I feel he has the experience we need and as they say we dont have time for on the job training! I think Obama is a very likable guy but looking at the facts and his record I cannot vote for him! Good luck with your decision..its a very important one!
Obama would see that abortions, including partial birth, are legal everywhere, and government subsidized to underage girls without parental notification, much less consent;
he would give social security and driver’s licenses to illegal aliens;
he would telegraph his plans to bail in the Middle East, giving the terrorists the advantage;
he would socialize health care;
he listened to a raving racist preacher for 20 years, then claimed ignorance;
he will not produce his birth certificate and make the lawsuit go away;
he launched his senatorial run from a known terrorists home;
Farrakhan thinks he’s a great guy;
he did not support the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, which affords the survivors of botched abortions basic medical attention–this Act stopped the infants from being left to die of exposure on the table;
he votes "present" more times than not;
his cousin is Prime Minister of Kenya, and in the radical Muslim’s pockets;
his brother lives in destitution and he does nothing;
……….what else do you need to know? McCain, if nothing else, is the lesser of two evils by FAR
As you say, I think that with all the good you have to say about Obama vote for him. You can check the dabate. Here is what you said:
Barack Obama,
When I first heard him speak I said wow, where did he come from? What a great speaker. Mr. Obama appealed to so many different types of people from all races, unlike any others that I have seen with a weak exception of Ron Paul. The young were flocking to him in numbers. His campaign ran as smooth as his personality. He was one of the few who really encouraged the non-voters types to come out and get more involved. His websites were the best, his campaign was managed the best. He had the coolest video to warm up the audience in his campaign tours. All of this sound great but there was one thing that bothered me. His change message sound great but he never really defined what changes he would bring in a definitive way I could digest. His voting record didn’t line up with his change speeches. He didn’t seem like the maverick he portrayed on TV. He voted in favor of some of the worst laws this nation has seen such as the Patriot Act, missed too many votes, missed vote for Iranian resolution, supported FISA (government spying on citizens) and he also voted with McCain on this insane $700 corporate welfare plan called a "bailout." Many now are calling it corporate socialism. How could someone like Obama who wants change and fairness push something so wrong as this bailout? I also had a problem with him not answering a simple question without sounded like Bill Clinton with the what is is….line. When do you consider a person a human being? McCain nailed it, but Obama gave such a sorry answer. This is integrity and a person with a backbone would step in and say what they feel regardless with what they feel is the politically right answer. I think the whole Pastor Wright controversy was ugly and irreverent. All it did was divide even more Americans. I saw so much racist fools coming out of the woods just on this topic alone. Pastor Wright was a Marine, and served this nation, his views was of a historic nature and if anyone has a problem with him I suggest they listen to Tim Wise and leave Pastor Wright out of the presidential election. I think Obama’s multi cultural background is a plus, as well as his White/Black racial identity. I feel like he is being punished for not being White enough or not being Black enough. . His father was Muslim and he might have gone to a Muslim school growing up,
Here is what I suggest. At one point, I had the same amount of uncertainty who would be best to run the country – this was the election of George Bush Sr. I had to get a piece of paper and write down each issue, then I assigned each issue a number as far as how important it was to me.
The top four issues were split evenly. I felt strongly about each one. I had no choice. I had to look at other issues as well, such as character, experience, and other things I had missed before. I then put priorities on each one of these, and then put it all together. Only then did I figure out what I truly believed, and who I wanted to vote for.
I hope it works out as well for you.
Like you, I was considering McCain in 2000. He was certainly a far superior choice to Bush. However, that ship has sailed, and clearly, the McCain we have in 2008 is not the same man he was (or claimed to be–are we seeing true colors, here?). He’s wrong on most of the issues, and almost as important, his conduct in this election has been very, very wrong.
I think McCain’s run in this election has been outright despicable. I think his campaign has perpetuated disgusting lies and stoked the embers of racism in a lot of people.
And Palin? Don’t even get me started. Someone needs to superglue that woman’s mouth shut.
That is NOT the kind of administration I want running my country, and the kind of idiots they are pandering to are NOT the kind of people I want to feel empowered and legitimized.
I feel like Obama has conducted himself respectably, and has spent more time dealing with the very serious issues we’re facing right now than slandering his opponent. I feel like he will bring a fresh perspective to the White House, which has been on the wrong track for eight long years. Will I agree with every one of his actions? Of course not. But I trust him to have the integrity to try to do what’s best for this country and make a positive change.
My choice is clearly Obama. I hope you end up making that choice as well.
I’ll use the tax plan for an example.
Ok,
Obama wants to cut taxes for 95% of americans. 40% of americans dont pay taxes. Obama wants to raise Corporate taxes. These are taxes paid by large corporations. McCain wants to freeze the current corporate tax and give middle class a tax break. Ok lets talk about what Obama’s plan will do. Lets use a loaf of bread for example ok.
Lets say that there was one company that made all the bread in america, lets call this company Goliath bread. The average price of a loaf of bread in 2007 was 1.25/loaf. the average sales tax in the U.S. was 5.45%. Lets say there are an average of 115 million families in the U.S. that buy 2 loaves of bread per week. There are 52 weeks in a year. Now lets do some math: 1.25 X 5.45%= 0.07. Now add 0.07 to 1.25 wich = 1.32/loaf. Now lets assume there was no such thing as a corporate tax rate. You would pay 1.32/ loaf of bread. Ok all of a sudden someone in the white house says lets charge a Corporate tax rate to all these big money corporations wich is 35%. Now more math: Ok Goliath says "OH NO!! 35%!! we will have to compensate somewhere." 115 million families, 2 loaves per week, 52 weeks per year at 1.25 per loaf = $18,687,500,000.00. Ok 35% tax rate for that would be 6.5 billion dollars that Goliath will have to pay for the corporate tax rate. Goliath says ok we will pass on down to the customer. So take 18,687,500,000.00 and divide it by 1.25 = 14,950,000,000 loaves of bread sold. Now divide 6.5 billion by 14,950,000,000= 0.43 cents to add to a loaf of bread. Now take
$1.25 + $0.43= $1.68/loaf now add your sales tax wich would be
(1.68 x 5.45%=$0.09) 0.09 wich = 1.77/loaf of bread. Now go to the store and see what a loaf of bread will cost you if you dont believe me. Now this is all ball park figuring, but it is how it all trickles down.
Now when you raise corporate taxes who really pays them?
America dont be a Dumb ****! VOTE McCain!
I also wanted Ron Paul/Fred Thompson, I also liked Obama’s healthcare proposals for children, McCain shows no direction. The thing that struck me the most was your statement," His voting record didn’t line up with his change speeches."
A leopard doesn’t change his spots, as most politicians make empty promises to get elected.
It’s sad to say, but politics is out the door and america as we know it may be a heartbeat away from taken away. I can’t still believe people of America will vote for this UNKNOWN, and it’s not because he is not black enough or white enough, because he is neither, HE IS MUSLIM. I say this to YOU, you can ask yourself would you rather take a risk in voting for this UNKNOWN that you don’t actually know HIS REAL INTENTION once he is in office, or voting for a person who defended his country? I know that saying don’t judge the book by it’s cover, but given his MUSLIM background, they are dead set in destroying america as we know it. Whether you want to believe it or not.
I really hope McCain wins. I think Obama is a good guy but just not the person that would stand up for the US when needed. McCain will do whats right and best for the US no matter the opposing pressures… I just dont think Obama will do the same. Plus, Obama wants to raise taxes and spending during this weak economic time which is just absolutely crazy. When in history has that worked? And, I dont think my hard earned money should go to those who dont work as hard.
AND a democratic house/senate and a democrat in the whitehouse is an unfair balance of power and can never be good.