I write tonight to spur thought and response more than make a point. I find myself interested in the presidential race for the first time but well behind in knowing much about any of the candidates.
I like Romney's successful business background but I ignorantly just found out he's mormon. I'm not saying that's bad or I wouldn't vote for him because of that, I just didn't know. My initial reaction is I don't care, but I'm still figuring that out. But I do strongly favor using a more business approach to government and think he would offer a successful approach.
I've not talked to one person that likes Rudy, but part of me does. I think he has a variety of experiences that could be valuable. Government, Law Frims, Business, etc etc. He's seen a lot of different stuff and has been thru some hard times (9/11). But I've heard some are concerned with how he gets to some of his results. When talking to a friend in NYC she told stories of him being dirty and corrupt in how he cleaned up the city. My response was....did he clean up the city? If so....what's your problem? Although I am sure there is a line in the sand somewhere, my initial reaction is don't ask for results but them complain about how he got there. I think some things would be unacceptable. But I also think that there are certain times when it might take certain actions that people wouldn't want to know about to achieve the result that people are looking for. Reminds me of a movie you might be familiar with..."a few good men".
I'm not sure about Obama. My initial (conservative, sometimes narrow minded) reaction is I'm not voting for somebody if I can't pronounce their name especially if it almost sounds like Osama Bin Ladin. No idea if I spelled that right but you get my point. And you now also understand the sometimes narrow minded view I hold. Although I like his presentation his cultural and religous background raise too many questions and concerns for me. Plus I dont think he has near enough experience to run a country. At least not mine.
McCain seems to be middle of the road conservative. But...some people love him some people can't stand him. He can often times be arrogant and condescending with his views and debates. I don't mind that sometimes but do question whether that's best for the country right now. I've heard he's been part of several political scandals but unfortunately don't know what those details are. He just seems fairly controversial. That's not always bad but I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger on him.
Huckabee...don't know enough about him but he was doomed before it started. Say it with me: President of the United States of America....Mr. Huckabee". Huckabee? Obviously a frivilous point...but I'm honestly not sure that name would make it as our president.
Hillary? Uh...sorry...but I just can't do it. Don't mean to be offensive...but I just can't do it.
More important than my thoughts, I'm curious what everybody else thinks? I don't mean to start a holy war.....but I admit my lack of in depth knowledge with these candidates and would love to hear your thoughts.
19 comments:
Jon, surprisingly enough, your thoughts line up with mine almost 100%! Especially about Obama's name being too close to Osama. And his middle name is Husein. Isn't anyone else concerned about this? I'm not well educated on any of them either...I'm trying to learn more as we speak. And as for Hillary, I came *this* close to buying a sign for our yard that read "Anyone but Hillary in 08." Enough said.
Love ya!
Candace
Great political commentary! Can't say I know a lot about any of the candidates; it's hard to find out substantive information with our politcal process as it is. I hadn't heard about McCain's scandals but I like his no-nonsense approach. Age might be a factor with him. I disagree on the business approach: I think we need to get away from it!! At least away from big business influence in the White House. At this point, the only Republican I can vote for is McCain. Otherwise I'm ready for the Democrats to have a chance. The country needs a change every few years from one party to the other if only to balance out things. Keep writing. Dad
I just happened to check your blog and what an interesting topic! I agree there seem to be no really strong candidates this year. I voted for McCain in the primary for lack of anybody else and determined to vote Republican. Bill Frist would have been a refreshing choice-too bad he didn't run. The scariest thing for us is Democrats talk about universal healthcare, which if you research other countries who have it, you will see it is a nightmare not to mention how much they pay in taxes to support it. The VA is an example of government run healthcare-the quality is horrible and people do not get the treatment they need-and this is our veterans we're talking about! That is just a sample of what it would be like for the whole country, although I dont know it would ever pass. Well, didnt mean to get on a tangent there but that is our biggest concern right now. I agree about the background of Obama that the media seems to overlook-I love how they portray what they want, which is partly why I think Hillary has done so well. How scary would it be if she won-a nightmare for our country and I fear what would happen under her control! The future of our country seems up in the air right now and its scary.
Hey Bethany! I haven't done the research you have on universal healthcare, but I'm sick of hearing the democrats talk about it. I'm trying to be very open minded about the presidential election. But it just seems that the all the democratic candidates talk about is universal healthcare, making sure everybody has heat in the winter, etc etc. I realize this is important to some people....but it just seems they talk about a bunch of stuff that has nothing to do with me. Maybe it's because we're privelaged and better off than some but everything they talk about seems to lead to me paying more and more taxes!
Dad you'll find this funny...maybe. There was an Ohio State fan at a bar with us watching an IU game, friend of a friend or something. He was as liberal as they come...which is fine. So college football was dicussed.....then politics. So the point I made was that since the Big 10 is horrible in football and the weaker conference.....I suppose you think the SEC should give up a certain number of it's top recruits each year and send them to the Big Ten. Kinda like welfare or increased taxes.
Unfortunately we're not talking about football but people's lives. Having worked as a laborer has helped me see their plight a little more clearly. Not everyone is smart enough to be a professional. Capitalism is a great thing that works because it creates an environment in which enterprise, hard work and ability are rewarded. But the system must also create a reasonable hope for the many folks who are not privileged, smart or physically able. Perhaps the tax system forces a responsiblity on the well-to-do they don't want but I think it will always be a burden they have to bear. Noblesse oblige. (Look that up in dictionary.com if you don't know its meaning.) Dad
my comments were probably a little harsh. I do realize and understand the need to provide hope and resources to those that need them. Heck...I might need them if I stop finding people jobs. I guess I just wish they would broaden their message. I haven't watched all the debates but when I was able to tune in it it seemed to be the same one or two topics. Taxes and healthcare are obviously important. I'm just curious what else they have planned if they become our next president.
i voted for obama. i'm for universal health insurance, atleast affordable healthcare. i'm not for kicking the illegals out. i'm not for lowering all our taxes while our federal debt grows. i'm for raising the Social security max bracket.
now, i hate abortion. but mr bush didn't even mention it in the latest state of the union address. so i'm not convinced anyone is going to do anything. in the end, they're all spineless, toeing party lines. I see no real leadership.
where can we find details on "universal healthcare". Guess I can google it and find some articles.
It just seemed that during the debates they would talk about universal healthcare but not talk about how to achieve it. Is it possible? Is it realistic? Would standards lower?
When it comes to illegal immigrants I'm not sure. I dont think I'd say send them back. I would lean more towards putting better processes in place so that they pay similar taxes and don't get potential advantages in other ways.
I think the federal government needs to do things to keep business in the country. That might mean lowering corporate income taxes so businesses don't find "tax shelters" in other countries. Yes, this helps big business. But it also keeps jobs local, keep more income local, etc. Like anything I'm sure there is a balance.
Overall, I feel like all the speeches and debates are a full of ideas and but not much talk about how to achieve them. Is it just me? Am I missing something? Am I just now realizing what others have realized for years?
From trying to figure it out in Indiana!!!
Quick note on an easier topic for me to discuss...go hoosiers! Big game for IU tomorrow....and a big rivaly match up glooming next week when a surging Purdue makes the trip to Assembly Hall in B-Town!!
Much of what candidates talk about are things they have little or no control over. Congress makes law and compromise or stalemate is the usual result. Hillary tried healthcare nearly 15 years ago when Bill was in the White House and it went nowhere. Rather than specific promises they make, I try to look for underlying philosophies, although that's not an easy task either. Go Vols; the Hogs come to town tonight.
Wow-what a debate going on! Universal healthcare means you would not be able to make decisions with your dr. The government would control what procedures could be done and what medicines you could receive. Johns friend from Canada was talking about it there-his mom was at risk for cancer and couldnt even get in to see a specialist for a whole year. In Europe, if you are over 55 you cant get dialysis because the govt wont pay for it and therefore you die. These are just examples. Good dr's and nurses would retire or quit, therefore lowering the standard of care you receive. We would pay for the nonemployed and illegals to receive healthcare. Now, how is that fair, when we work jobs to support those who dont? I dont mean those who are disabled and cant, I mean people who are lazy and will take advantage of the healthcare system and purposely not get a job. Why get a job if you can get all these benefits and mooch off the working class?
Bethany...keep writing!!
Your explanations or thoughts on universal healthcare are similar to what I've heard and read. I'd be curious to hear what the democratic perspective is....or just what osama/hillary's perspective is. I mean do they deny that the standard of service would erode?
I'm sure there are some differences but it reminds me of the pharma drug debate...major brands vs off brands. Everybody wants the cheap drugs...which sounds great short term. But those firms in the long run couldn't support the R&D required to discover and develop new medicines. Similarly, go to universal healthcare and doctor's would eventually make much less, incentive to become doctor would drastically decrease, number of good doctor's drastically decreases...service and level of care decreases.
Like always....I could be way...way off. But I think I see some similarities.
Hoosier fans are in for some dark....dark...dark days in bloomington from what I can tell.
Yes, you definitely summed it up. Unfortunately, their promise to help the poor seems "to good to be true" and would not be without consequence. I am sure there is a lot more info out there for both sides if I find out any more I will pass it along. Well, I am going to go have a baby now (well not this second, but this week!) at a nice hospital, so I will relish my quality medical care while I can-at least nobody has taken epidurals away yet-ha!
The thing that bothers me most about voting for a Mormaon is not the strange set of beliefs to which they adhere, but their methods of propagation. Many Mormons (Romney included) may be somewhat ignorant of the institutionalized deceit that has characterized Mormanism for years--i.e. the claims that numerous archealogical disciplines rely on the Book of Morman; Mormon missionaries looking you square in the eye and telling you that they have personally met withthe Angel Moroni who told them that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. They will also emphasize how much Mormanism really is Christian, but the cult is very opposite in most ways to the basic tennants of Christianity. Mormanism is glib, sly and coniving.
With respect to the capitalism verses socialism debate---the best practice is capitalism seasoned with Christian virtue, but socialism is probably better than unseasoned capitalism. When management doesn't render honest pay and privilege for honest labor and labor doesn't give honest work to management then capitalism is going to be beset with multitudes of problems and abuses---and that's about where we are.
On the health care issue---the insurance companies and those that pay the premiums are already paying for the indigents. Hospitals don't charge the indigents and double charge the rest of us.
Also, the AMA has soiled its own bed. They have kept the supply of doctors well below what it could be. If doctors weren't so overloaded and under such intense pressure it just might not take as much money to motivate persons to become doctors. I would like to think that there are doctors out there who would gladly give up a portion of their income in exchange for a reduced case load, protection from malpractice suites and the opportunity to more meaningfully pursue their calling!
Speaking of doctoring, I know I've butchered a whole lot of words in this tirade.
OK, i want to hear Jon and Bethany and Bill say more about McCain and his latest accusations this morning? Does that matter? Do you care even if it is true? Shame on the Democrats for pulling this "just in time" AGAIN. I am just as angry at the Democrats for saying these things as I am at McCain if it is true. I hate it when they scoop up more dirt just at this crucial time. Someone sounds desperate to me! I am ready for America to just give it all up and have a King or Queen and deal with those problems for a while. Of course, there is something wrong with each candidate because noone is perfect - we are all human. AND, all the things that they say they want to do.............they have no control over, like Bill already said - Congress does - but they are saying what we want to hear, as if they are going to take care of it for us, just like that. Bethany, put your 2 cents worth in before you head off to have that baby girl tomorrow!!!
I am just now discovering this rousing dialogue and am happy we're discussing these issues! :) For a description of universal healthcare, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_health_care. My understanding is that there are many different ways to implement it and that it need not decrease choice of doctors, procedures, etc. The main problem I see with the economics of our healthcare system lies with the insurance industry and what the concept of insurance does to cost/value of service. For example, I found out last year that I could get the same routine bloodwork done for ~$80 if I paid through my doctor's office, as opposed to ~$1100 if I went through my BCBS insurance, which would have probably eliminated a portion of the $1100 being charged, but I had no way of knowing how much and had to choose blind. (I gambled on the $80.) So, what is the value of a routine procedure such as annual bloodwork (not to mention infinitely more complicated procedures such as surgical operations)? If it can vary from $80 to $1100 for the exact same thing, obviously we've got a problem. Not to mention the fact that it took numerous phone calls to figure out exactly what choice I was looking at. I am not sure universal healthcare is the solution, but I would like to see some sort of streamlining/regulation in the insurance part of the system.
Bill's mention of noblesse oblige reminds me of a concept in liberation theology called 'the preferential option for the poor.' The gist of it is that when we have a choice between political/social/economic policies that benefit the wealthy and those that benefit the poor, Christians have an obligation to choose the latter. This is not to discourage wealth or say it is ungodly, but a way of systematically advocating "the least of these." I think my conviction in this area is what leads me to agree with Richard's thoughts on capitalism vs. socialism.
I share 'anonymous's frustration with all the accusations being thrown around. It's hard sometimes to determine what information is relevant. I have yet to hear a plausible reason why Obama's (or Huckabee's) name should be an issue. I've found few people who are anti-Hillary and can articulate why they feel that way. The recent McCain allegations appear to be based on speculation rather than evidence.
Let the debate continue!
Bethany, praying for you and the little one!
Geez. You mean we're supposed to try to think about things from a Christian perspective? Not that Christians can't disagree but I appreciate an approach that reflects a struggle with biblical values. "What's best for me" is most often the approach, unfortunately. Interestingly enough, I watched a 60 Minutes segment Sunday on the world's happiest people. Turns out they are Danes, supposedly. These are people who, for the most part, aren't wealthy. And they are willing to pay a 50% tax rate! Why? All education is paid for, from elementary through the highest levels. All health care is free. All jobs provide six weeks of paid vacation a year. The work week is 35 hours. America has always been the land of opportunity, etc., but we pay dearly in many unhealthy ways for our apparent success. Just some food for thought.
Congrats, Laura, on your acceptance to Vandy. I took a course there for my PhD program. Snowed 'em big time. No prob. Got permission from my professor at Southern to use the same paper he'd given me a B for and turned it in at Vandy for an A. Go figure.
Go Vols! Tame the kittens.
hello all, lots of comments. FYI, i was the obama voter commenter and now I will strike again.
in the realm of things, who cares about healthcare when there are steroids users to track down? Talk about a misguided government. THe more I think about it the more I don't want to vote.
david rosser
If you don't vote someone else will decide who tracks down the steroid users. It's America's pastime, for crying out loud, and we've got to keep it pure, untainted by greed, selfishness, and hero worship. The next generation is depending on us.
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