Voting is our most cherished and fundamental freedom. An American always knows their voice will be heard through the voting process. The 2008 Presidential election is going to be one of the most crucial in our history. Never before has the United States of America faced so many serious threats to our safety and stability. We have an opportunity to help shape the course of our nation for years to come. Yet I have to ask you this question: Why are YOU voting?
Here are the most common responses to this seemingly simple question.
I'm angry at President Bush/Republicans
I want the War in Iraq over with
I want a black President
I want a female President
I want a Democratic President
I want the credit crisis fixed
None of these are remotely valid reasons for voting for a new President. None. These are votes being cast based on emotions, with no logic to support them. I am appalled when I hear CNN report women are fainting at polling booths, because of Barack Obama. I am deeply concerned that people are willing to vote with their emotions rather than calmly and coldly looking at the candidates and asking themselves key questions that do matter. Like these:
What international experience does the candidate have?
How adept in crafting foreign policy is the candidate?
Does this candidate possess any experience with the military?
What does the candidates voting record reflect?
How well do I believe the candidate will be able to handle a major crisis?
What sort of experience in economics and domestic policy does the candidate possess?
Do I believe this candidate possesses the flexibility to work with both sides of the House and Senate?
Who does this candidate want to fill his Administration?
All of these are critical questions to ask during any election, but most especially this one. We seem to forget about what a HUGE role the incumbents Administration plays in both how we and others perceive us. As a case in point, look at Richard Cheney's negative impact on this Administration. In spite of Condoleeza Rices stellar performance and quiet diplomatic efforts, other members of the Bush Administration have completely distorted the good that has been done.
The Bush Administration is nearing its end. It is useless and counterproductive to keep droning on about all the things many of us despised about it. It is time to be looking forward and making a decision that is right, good and based on sound thinking. I'm asking my fellow Americans to stop voting with your hearts and start preparing to vote with reason. Look carefully at the candidates and vote, not based on race gender or bias, but on performance. Most of all, vote based on whom you believe represents the best of America.
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Comments: 39
The Bush administration is over. We should not allow the people who supported the philosophy and tactics of that admisnitration to come back to power. If we do, it will be the same thing all over again. On the issue of taxes, immigration, and the way they went about job creation, tax breaks for companies leaving the US. These are some the points you say we should focus on instead of the emotions. Well if you do not like the GOP on these issues, don't send them back to the White House.
On people voting on emotions...Even if they ask the questions you mentioned, ALL these candidates are coached by political strategists to give answers that certain demographics likely to vote for them like. In the absence of honest answers from ALL the candidates, look at their voting records. If you do not like the war in Iraq, why in the world would you support the person who sent us there and the person who sent us there and wants to keep us there for 100 years. If the war is the least of your issues you can, if it is on top of your issues, then you don't.
I beg to differ. Ron Paul has never given anything BUT honest answers and his voting record speaks for itself.
As for Bush-bashing... I'm tired of everyone blaming the mistakes of presidents over the past 100 years on the most recent one. We didn't get into this mess overnight and we sure as hell won't get out of it overnight - and most certainly won't get out of it at all if we keep using the same broken system.
I listened to Obama's speech the other night, and he waxed poetic about how as a professor of constitutional law he would uphold our constitution. Does HIS voting record reflect that?
Ron Paul has never ever voted on anything that would conflict with the Constitution. He's also the only one willing to explain the truth about our money while all the other candidates are willing to continue allowing you to be enslaved by the IRS and the Federal Reserve.
I'll be voting for Ron Paul even if I have to write in his name... might be impossible with an electronic voting device but then I'll use an absentee ballot. Whatever works.
Alan, I take it you also blame this administration for the high foreclosure and credit difficulties? Where are the voices of the people Alan during Congressional sessions? Where are the voices who are entitled by their being American during elections? Don't blame this or any other Administration for our apathy concerning the polls or even simple activism.
A change in Party or Administration will affect nothing. WE have to change and become active in our own country's affairs. And please... try voting? Many Americans don't even bother.
What did Obama vote on that conflicts with the constitution? My brother could not answer so I am turning to Gather.
Candida I did not say anything about foreclosures. I laugh when these candidates talk about the foreclosures It's a populist thing that none of them could ever control.
Candida on: "A change in Party or Administration will affect nothing. WE have to change and become active in our own country's affairs. And please... try voting? Many Americans don't even bother."
I could not agree more and might have not been able to say it as well as you say it.
As a matter of fact, this is exactly why I support Obama because he has brought in unlikely voters to the process, like myself, and for the past six months I've been educating myself on every possible issue that might affect me. This is what Obama talks about everyday. Now you can say he does not mean it but you can't back that up
How adept in crafting foreign policy is the candidate? I would expect much from her.
Does this candidate possess any experience with the military? Not sure - but - she will be better than Obama or McCain. Obama is too milk toast and McCain is too much of a war hawk.
What does the candidates voting record reflect? She brought home the bacon for her state and she has shown time and time again that progressive issues are important to her.
How well do I believe the candidate will be able to handle a major crisis? She will be better than Obama or McCain because she has spent her life putting out fires.
What sort of experience in economics and domestic policy does the candidate possess?
Hillary Clinton has vast experience in the Senate and as an organizer most of her life in the economics and domestic sphere.
Do I believe this candidate possesses the flexibility to work with both sides of the House and Senate? Absolutely, she has proved it over and over again.
Who does this candidate want to fill his Administration? Some very good people - perhaps for change we might actually see some expertise with Hillary Clinton.
She also has personal experience with the White House and its inner workings. This is invaluable. She also has shown a willingness to be flexible and work with both sides of the aisle. What I have difficulty with is separating her from her husbands Administration. This has proved quite difficult for me. I've had to physically pull myself back from this and remind myself she is NOT her husband and deserves to be judged for herself.
She is a junior senator for crying out loud. She will run against McCain on this platform?
Joe T:"How adept in crafting foreign policy is the candidate? I would expect much from her."
Tell me ONE major policy she has crafted and passed in the senate. Don't say she's only been there 7 years. She is running on experience, remember?
Joe T:Do I believe this candidate possesses the flexibility to work with both sides of the House and Senate? Absolutely, she has proved it over and over again.
This is why I am not voting for her. I think it will be the 90s all over again. Bickering, fighting, all scandals will wake up from the dead. This is a personality problem not her skills. She turns people off. She is the smart girl that nobody likes. Sorry, not my job to fix how people treat her. Im just a citizen. I think the American people deserve better.
Whichever way we look each of the potential winners has serious serious problems. I just hope and pray they don't cause us, their employers any further harm.
In California with a massive 89% turnout in some areas, the black community voted almost overwhelmingly for Obama. Exit polls reflect that many first time voters from this community voted based on race. Just as many women in California voted Clinton based on gender.
This is a global theater frought with peril. How can we not recognize this and stop giving in to robocorp manipulations? Short answer... I don't believe many of us want to or have the ability to think for themselves.
Candida - I'm for Hillary because I believe that she can deliver. We have three choices. McCain doesn't appreciate the people's expression enough. And, Obama appreciates the people's expression too much. Hillary is the more moderate voice in this cycle.
Senator Obama --During the first eight years of Senator Obama's elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced:
233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.
----------
US SENATE
His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These included:
- the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 (became law),
- The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, (became law),
- The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate,
- The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, (became law),
- The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, (In committee)
-------
Senator Clinton
Senator Clinton -- Senator Clinton's, who has served only one full term (6yrs.), and another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law, (20) twenty pieces of legislation.
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Hon
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O'Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.
10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty.
Only five of Senator Clinton's bills are more substantive:
16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.
In Conclusion, Senator Clinton did not want to do anything she would haunt her later on during her campaign.
I did do my homeworks on these two.
On the minority vote: Nobody complained when the black voters who are pro gun, pro life, in short conservative issue after issue voted democrats. Why should we be surprised that they are voting Obama? The opposite would shock me!
On women vote: There are no policy difference between Obama and Clinton. Give the ladies a break. The only sad thing is that they have no idea that there are no major policy difference and try to invent things. Now when the republican ladies start voting for Hillary, then let's cancel the elections make every voter take a mandatory civics class before they can vote.
Actually I am serious about making voters take an exam. If you do not know how those supreme court justices are picked, you should not vote.
Alan, I believe an exam would be extremely helpful in educating voters. I think at its heart, the issue is of taking this most precious right for granted. Unless you've made yourself aware of how truly terrifying it is to live in countries that don't allow their citizens a voice, I don't believe you can grasp the enormity of this privilege. Maybe a guide to Ethical and comprehensive voting should be created. I tried a search online for something like it but cannot find one.
I'm talking about no child left behind.
Bill Clinton Said That Hillary Voted For No Child Left Behind Knowing That It Would Not Work And Was "Going To Be A Disaster." Bill Clinton: "No Child Left Behind, I remember when Hillary was facing this impossible vote, she said 'Bill this is not going to work, this is going to be a disaster.' And she said 'it's obvious to me they hadn't talked to any principals and teachers or they never wouldn't have done this.' And yet it had the support of everybody from President Bush to Senator Kennedy and everyone in between." [WJC, Huntsville, AL, 2/2/08]
Because I can and there is no better reason.
I find Obama's statements concerning poverty interesting. He's worth over a million dollars, and his family history doesn't suggest the poverty "just folks" contend with.
We have the Obama/Lugar (R) bill. The Obama/Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) bill. These are two important legislations in two years at the time.
On the other hand McCain/Kennedy, McCain/Feingold, Gang of 14,...these are top controversial issues where McCain looked the other way and voted or sided with the democrats.
I could not find a major bill she sponsored with the republicans. If I'm wrong please let me know.
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/c001041/votes/against-party/
They have nearly identical voting records. They have identical policies. I don't see the experience in her people talk about. She was never elected to anything til the 21st century and, as Obama does not have any legislative exp. Traveling the country as first lady is no experience. She did not even have security clearance, I learned today.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-abrams/hillarys-3am-experience_b_89440.html
Why did she run as the experience candidate? Only God knows. Would she run against McCain as the exp candidate. By summer she would be yelling loud and clear "Change you can believe win", "Yes, We CAN" LOL. This lady is very talented at playing the game... I'm tired of the game.
Candida, you've presented some excellent issues for voters to look at in making their decision. I admit that I didn't factor in most of those, but I did not allow emotions to affect my choice, either.
Well, the General Election is on it's way. I'll have to come back here and review this article once the nomination process has completed.
The Constitution places no limitations on why we vote for somebody. I can surely understand a black person voting for Obama solely because he's black. Others might vote against him because he's black.
Bill Clinton is an Oxford scholar, highly intelligent. Whatever good he may have accomplished was overshadowed because he couldn't control his libido.
If I want to vote for someone because I like their shoe size (Don't worry, I won't!) that's my prerogative.
I am excited for today despite all the negative news coming Obama's way. The media has bought into the "you favor Obama" rhetoric, so they are coming hard on him. It's like a football game where the ref makes a bad call and comes up with a make up call to even things out. Anyone who watches sports knows that is a sure way of messing up a game. Anyways...my hope is she drops out today, I will confess, I am so tired of her. I am so tired of all the Clintons including the president I use to like. I think America is big enough full of talented people that we can have a president outside these two families. Enough of political family dynasties.
I couldn't agree more and have said so on several other threads.