tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17632197.post3800520200241364196..comments2023-11-03T04:02:39.642-04:00Comments on The Waiting Room: The Thing Of It IsSeeking Solacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605809609182729290noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17632197.post-53296263896225977032008-09-16T19:31:00.000-04:002008-09-16T19:31:00.000-04:00The debates should be worth watching!The debates should be worth watching!BrightStar (B*)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11167685794935402108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17632197.post-978495652308870562008-09-16T15:42:00.000-04:002008-09-16T15:42:00.000-04:00Addy N. GML sent me a YouTube link about the aeria...Addy N. GML sent me a YouTube link about the aerial hunting of wolves. It is scary and disturbing. <BR/>I even know a few hunters who are disgusted with the practice too.(Imagine hunters and animal rights on the same side...who would have thought..)<BR/><BR/>Arbitriesta: Thanks for the link. I will definitely check it out. <BR/><BR/>I agree that there should be some redistribution as well, to allow the middle class, or what's left of it, to invest. But, my fear is that those of us who are not "wealthy" but are in a higher tax bracket, will take a hit. <BR/><BR/>I wish we lived near each other. I would love to chat with you!<BR/><BR/>Rented Life: You are so welcome. Much of this came from what I have read and heard from others. There is no shame in being informed.Seeking Solacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13605809609182729290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17632197.post-60417564191600479282008-09-16T15:32:00.000-04:002008-09-16T15:32:00.000-04:00Rented Life: Hey, I'm actually thrilled at the cha...Rented Life: Hey, I'm actually thrilled at the chance to talk to real live independent voters. I hardly ever get the chance!Arbitristahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14090122079098885856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17632197.post-67043814749575812412008-09-16T15:08:00.000-04:002008-09-16T15:08:00.000-04:00I can't say all I want because I can't hardly thin...I can't say all I want because I can't hardly think straight at the moment. But thanks for writing this. I'm really annoyed with how many people who came right out saying "how can anyone NOT vote Obama" (ignoring the religious rhetoric that anastasia often points out) and making those of us who are undecided feel incredibly uncomfortable. I don't want to be made as stupid because I take longer to choose.rented lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03794602752542828844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17632197.post-25075774038675501972008-09-16T14:29:00.000-04:002008-09-16T14:29:00.000-04:00Here's a link to the Tax Policy Center's review of...Here's a link to the Tax Policy Center's review of the Obama and McCain tax plans: http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/UploadedPDF/findtables_candidates.pdf<BR/><BR/>The two parties do have very different approaches when it comes to tax policy, but it's not simply a question of redistribution. Republicans think that you grow the economy by placing more money in the hands of investors, while Democrats think you do it by increasing aggregate demand by putting it in the hands of consumers. The historical track record is fairly clear - Democratic administrations since WWII have had much smaller deficits, higher growth, and lower unemployment than Republican administrations. Here's a good piece on it: http://angrybear.blogspot.com/2007/08/comparing-presidents-rankings-of.html<BR/><BR/>Of course, while Obama doesn't talk about it much, I would be happy to argue for some moderate redistribution, given that we have the greatest inequality of all industrialized nations, which is not only just, but has serious problems from the point of view of justice and political stability.Arbitristahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14090122079098885856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17632197.post-70840206494209198882008-09-16T14:17:00.000-04:002008-09-16T14:17:00.000-04:00I don't really consider myself a member of any...I don't really consider myself a member of any party, either. However, since I find even the Democrats too conservative (in terms of gun rights and some other issues- although Dennis Kucinich is just my speed), there is no way in hell I would ever vote for a Republican. My views are just too different from them. I totally agree with what you are saying about voting for a candidate rather than a party, but I vote on issues above all else. I voted for Ralph Nader in 2000, because I agree with his views on most issues AND there was no way that Al Gore was going to win KY. I now live in a swing state, so as much I'd love to vote for a 3rd party candidate, I just can't. I sometimes feel stifled by having to just vote Democrat, even if the candidate is nothing to get excited about. This year is different for me, though- I am actually excited to vote for Barack Obama. And I'm scared to death of how much MORE f-ed up this country would be after 4 years of McCain & the-new-love-of-the-extreme-right Palin. I think you would be VERY bothered to hear about her record on animal rights (<A HREF="http://www.washingtonindependent.com/5517/predatory-practices" REL="nofollow">she supports aerial hunting</A>).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17632197.post-14732866580012280302008-09-16T14:08:00.000-04:002008-09-16T14:08:00.000-04:00Arbitrista: Absolutely not. In fact, I respect you...Arbitrista: Absolutely not. In fact, I respect your opinion very much. And I love your take on the whole thing. You are objective. My post was more about my mother-in-law who believes Obama is the next Kennedy and not voting for him would be the worst thing in the world. Also, I have concern for those who are blindly choosing a candiate and forcing an opinion without doing their homework. <BR/><BR/>My concern with Obama are taxes and the economy. I see his position on taxes as income redistribution. Of course, I will have to do more research on this, but he keeps changing his definition of who qualifies as wealthy. It seems to me that if one does not provide some tax breaks for those who have the means to invest, it will not spur positive growth in the private sector. <BR/><BR/>McCain bothers me because he is not the maverick of the 2000 election. Obviously, he has to kiss Republican ass to make them happy, but seriously, what about his "I don't give a shit about party." mentality? Was that just a farce? Will he be that independent thinker that made him interesting in the first place?<BR/><BR/>Those are just a couple of things that I want to learn more about. I could go on about the war and other stuff, but I will save that for another day. More research needed. <BR/><BR/>I think we tend to get caught up in stuff that is not as inprotant.Seeking Solacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13605809609182729290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17632197.post-68931074598229409652008-09-16T13:51:00.000-04:002008-09-16T13:51:00.000-04:00I certainly respect your independent-ness. I hope...I certainly respect your independent-ness. I hope you don't think I was criticizing you for it! I'm just curious what policy areas you're concerned about, and what makes you undecided between Obama and McCain.Arbitristahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14090122079098885856noreply@blogger.com