Presidential primarys

[arensky]

Maybe just for sheer reason of change after 8 years of complete sh*t. Isn't it a good enough reason so far?

Perhaps. But it's still poop.

Not sure, but here you seem to stay under the poop whcih is closer to your skin. Is it what you want? Have you ever thought or lived under the "european way of poop"?

No. Maybe it smells sweeter from a distance though 

Are you REALLY sure we can get both under republicans?

Best, M

No I don't think we can and did not intend to imply that we could. It is more likely that both can occur under democrats but the cost will be immense. Unless most of the cost comes from reductions in defense spending I don't think the economy can stand all the spending without going bankrupt. And if defense is compromised at this point in time it makes us vulnerable to our enemies. USA is really between a rock and a hard place and the outcome of this election will determine how we deal with our dillema for the next few years; whether to pull our horns in and retreat from confrontation with our enemies or to continue to attempt their subjugation. Both paths offer rewards and peril. As to which path to take it should be the path of peace, without compromising our position. Don't know if that's possible.

And yes, we should all be able to see the doctor. That is possible and should be. Why not? 

[mephisto]

Now, think of Hillary--she was the one who once really wanted to pass a  bill of total medical care--it did not work then through.
Now look at this thread--"Anybody but Hillary".
Do you really expect me to care what that person thinks or says about my playing after that remark?

I do definetly like the democrats more than the republicans. The reason I say anyone but Hillary is entirely different from the reason why most people say it. I will keep the reason to my self, because it may cause a big debate here. I do honestly support a lot of her oppinions, but one issue means more to me.

I would most likely have voted for Obama

[timland]

I'm suprised that more Democrats haven't supported Bill Richardson. He's the only one that's actually done anything. Governor of New Mexico, Energy Secretary, Ambassador to the UN. The rest have done comparatively little. Obama and Hillary were so busy running for president as soon as they got into the Senate they didn't have time to do their job.

[lisztisforkids]

 Has anybody actually looked at the National Deficit lately? Its 9,000,000,000,000 ******* dollars! And who is going to pay for this off? YOUR generation? Probaly not. Its going to be my generation that are going to have to deal with this monstrous problem and ignored problem.  I've actually had discusions with people that believe the U.S. could actually go broke in a few decades because of our reckless spending. And not only our we spending a $hit load of money, but what are the American people getting out of it? Ask your sef " Am I happy with how my tax dollars are being spent?". Im pretty sure I know the answer to that one.

  My other big fear is that this country will slide off into a totalitarian state with in the next deacde or two. Things like the 'Patriot act' are merely steps in this direction. Probaly the thing that will really send us off the deep end, is the countrys very blatant and strong nationalism- something that the Republicans have been intoxicated with.
 
These are a couple of reasons why I really like Ron Paul. He wants to end the deficit (which is not really even talked about) and he is very concerned about inviduals personal rights.

[Kassaa]

I do definetly like the democrats more than the republicans. The reason I say anyone but Hillary is entirely different from the reason why most people say it. I will keep the reason to my self, because it may cause a big debate here. I do honestly support a lot of her oppinions, but one issue means more to me.

I would personally vote for Obama

Random guess, her support of Israel?  I would vote for Obama too though, Hilary Clinton is the typical moralizing pregnant cat who is always first to blame the media (computer games) instead of looking to more important issues. Apart from that I don't like her supporting every bloody war there is. Diplomacy is the key, not economy-killing disastrous war.

I hope the presidential elections will be between Ron Paul and Obama, Paul is the only sensible republican candidate and might just be what the USA needs.

[jakev2.0]

CNN:

&feature=related

https://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2008/01/11/ron-pauls-ugly-newsletters/

https://reason.com/blog/show/124339.html

https://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=28341_Neo-Nazis_Say-_Ron_Paul_is_One_of_Us

[arensky]

CNN:

&feature=related

https://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2008/01/11/ron-pauls-ugly-newsletters/

https://reason.com/blog/show/124339.html

https://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=28341_Neo-Nazis_Say-_Ron_Paul_is_One_of_Us

Thank you, this is much nearer the truth (whatever that is) 

David Gergen is right. This is irresponsible from someone who seeks (does he really?) the Presidency. If he wasn't aware of all this being written in his newsletter that's kind of disturbing. If I was a politician sending out 100,000 copies of the "Arensky Newsletter" every month I would sure as hell READ IT. EVERY ISSUE. Wouldn't you? 

If he was aware of what was being written (who knows if he wrote it, I sure hope not) that shows tacit approval of those views and also the manner in which they are expressed, which is hateful among other things. I never seriously considered voting for him but I am very disappointed by this because agree with him or not he's been getting people to think outside of the CNN/Fox Red State/Blue State Liberal/Conservative straitjackets. Now the condemnation and the scandal will commence. And the antiwar and decentralization issues themselves will be tainted by association. Great.  The forces that support the the war and centralization of government in the USA couldn't have planned this better. Not saying they did, but... 

And Paul should have known (or considered the possibility) that this ghost would come back to kick him in the rear, AND the causes he holds so dear. The best excuse for this on his part is naivety, and that's not a good trait for a leader to have. Very disappointing.

[rimv2]

And Paul should have known (or considered the possibility) that this ghost would come back to kick him in the rear, AND the causes he holds so dear. The best excuse for this on his part is naivety, and that's not a good trait for a leader to have. Very disappointing.

So that's why we've had this individual in office for 7 years. What's pretty much happening is that Paul is being blamed for being stabbed in the back. How much sense does that really make?

I'm not a neocon. I don't watch Fox News.

You probably watch CNN though. Almost as bad

I'm Canadian.

Ahh...Ad-hominem - the surest sign all ones arguments have been exhausted. 

So, i ask, why does this election concern you? The world hates the US, not Canada. Though some say we will soon be one... don't know if that's exactly true but I'm sure I can find on article about it somewhere

CNN:

&feature=related

https://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2008/01/11/ron-pauls-ugly-newsletters/

https://reason.com/blog/show/124339.html

https://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=28341_Neo-Nazis_Say-_Ron_Paul_is_One_of_Us

This dude could be the most racist individual on the planet- though he's probably not, if he stands by his policies, that make him the better candidate -which he probably is. A person should be elected for their policies and work history as opposed to personal beliefs like some candidates (bush/huckabee ).

Who's McCain again

I have a good idea. Let's all not vote for any of these candidates. Let's make a stand and say that we won't settle for anyone some group just throws at us.

Let's really choose our own damned candidate.

Wait, that would require effort.

Nevermind

[general disarray]

Look.  Politics is premised on conflict.  (A polite word for "war.")  Conflict is Us vs. Them.  It's polarizing and divides people.  Therefore, by definition, the aim of politics always yields negative results.

Furthermore, if you believe any of these candidates are entering this race to improve the state of the world, you are deluded.  It's egotism.  Pure and simple.  They want power.  More importantly, after leaving the presidency -- which pays comparatively little -- they embark on consultancy careers that earn them millions.  Bill Clinton gets astronomical fees for his stupid speeches.

The notion that people enter politics for the "general good" died a generation ago. 

It doesn't much matter who "leads" the USA, since the top economic one per-cent, the oligarchy, truly rules in every country.  Greed has mastered the universe.  But I'm sure you've noticed.

Frankly, I miss the days of enlightened monarchy.  Frederick the Great, where are you?

[rimv2]

Ah, spoken like a true nihilist

Though understandably

[arensky]

Frederick the Great, where are you?

 

My favorite despot! Nation builder, military genius, intellectual, patron of the arts, good composer, piano enthusiast as early as the 1730's and all around brilliant and exceptional human. He did leave a long trail of corpses behind him, though.    But what absolute ruler doesn't? 

An anecdote from the Seven Year's War; a cavalry seargent was sentenced to be lashed for having been caught having sex with his horse    Frederick, a military micromanager who knew all of his officers and non-commisioned  officers by name and sight heard of the impending punishment and intervened on the seargent's behalf. He cancelled the whipping, transferred the seargent to the infantry and personally reprimanded him. "You are a good soldier and we cannot lose you now, but I'm afraid that you must lose your dear horse."   

[gerryjay]

An anecdote from the Seven Year's War; a cavalry seargent was sentenced to be lashed for having been caught having sex with his horse    Frederick, a military micromanager who knew all of his officers and non-commisioned  officers by name and sight heard of the impending punishment and intervened on the seargent's behalf. He cancelled the whipping, transferred the seargent to the infantry and personally reprimanded him. "You are a good soldier and we cannot lose you now, but I'm afraid that you must lose your dear horse."   

 lucky soldier that is not alive in our youtube era...

[mephisto]

McCain seams to be doing really good.

[arensky]

McCain seams to be doing really good.

Indeed, he is. But that could change after Florida. McCain has never toed the party line, and while he garners support from both sides of the political spectrum and particularly the center, he is inevitably regarded with suspicion by his own party and he is too conservative for most Democrats to stomach. Much like Giuliani, whose tactics appear baffling, to say the least. I think that Giuliani has decided to insure his spot for Vice-President on a possible McCain/Giuliani ticket and therefore stood aside in these early primaries to let McCain take the lead against Romney and Huckabee, who both have religious affiliations that make most of mainstream America and many Republicans uncomfortable. All four of these candidates are in a four way tie in Florida, according to recent polls. It will be interesting to see what happens in the Florida Republican primary, as well as on super Tuesday, February 5th.

But at this point in time I expect that the USA will have a Democrat in the White House in 2009. The Republicans bear the burden of Bush. The Democrats are in an enviable position, but they have a history of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. If the Democrats are smart (not sure about that) they will nominate Obama, who is less hated than Clinton. A Clinton candidacy could drive many independents and swing voters to vote for a moderate Republican ticket. But Democrats will be Democrats, and...