American Elections

[randiann]

My personal opinion: They all suck. Politicians can't be trusted cause they are too selfish (90% are at least). And it's stupid that you have to spend MILLIONS of dollars to get a job that pays like $400,000 a year. They just want the power and to help their friends and family out, they don't truly care about everyone else in the US or we wouldn't have such a crap healthcare system and our economy wouldn't be sucking like it is right now. I hate politics.

 

[palabravampiress]

To be fair, I really don't think the reason we have a crap healthcare system and that our economy sucks is because current politicians are any more or less selfish or power-hungry than they've ever been. With regard to the presidency, I think it is very likely that some genuine caring goes into pursuing the highest office in the land. Think about it. For any of the candidates, the job involves taking on embarrassing media fire, what usually amounts to a huge pay cut (except that most incidentals are free), the increased likelihood of assassination, and extreme stress that normally ages most presidents a lot while they're in office and results in a diminished state of physical health. I, for one, am too selfish to ever want to run for such an office. Lives would rest in my hands. I'd be terrified to make a mistake.

With regard to healthcare and the economy, I think it is important to realize that the U.S. economy isn't the only one that is in a downswing. The economy has phases. There is a natural flow and ebb. Sometimes it's up; other times, it's down. It depends upon a lot of very complicated factors over which some politicians do have some degree of control but, for the most part, it's a free market. Politicians can work to prolong times of plenty or jump-start the economy in times of recession, but both processes take years. There's no magic bullet. Politicians can try to help, try to prepare for the future, and try to ward off depression by freezing interest rates or bailing out essential industries (like housing), but they can't keep us in a time of plenty forever no matter how much they might happen to care about the welfare of the people.

The healthcare system is part of the economy, just like anything else, so it's down when the rest is down. Lawsuits and the cost of developing new technologies and medications are what make healthcare so expensive. As a side-note, let me just say this: if you are too poor to afford medical care, go to a religiously affiliated hospital. Charity is still alive and well (if somewhat under the radar). Once, when I passed out at work for a variety of reasons (some of them being that I couldn't afford to take a day off work or to go to the doctor) and was taken to the Catholic hospital across the street, I was too broke to pay my bill. I called to set-up a payment plan. I had to send them copies of my tax information, but the hospital had a discount plan for the poor (which I definitely was). I was actually so poor that I fit into the 100% off bracket. I had to pay the doctor's fees and the ambulance fees, but the hospital gave me its services for free because that's what most religions do: they help the poor. So alternatives are out there. They just aren't easy to find.

The other problem with our healthcare system is that we need insurance for routine care. Doctors won't take uninsured patients. Even if they did, the cost of routine care is artificially inflated by lawsuits and research costs so that without insurance, the average doctor's visit costs more than many people earn in take-home pay in a week. We really need to find a way to reserve insurance for the catastrophic stuff (like hospitalizations) and make routine care affordable. You shouldn't have to pay hundreds of dollars monthly (or per visit, if you don't have health insurance) just to cure your pinkeye or your strep throat. That's ridiculous! I don't know what the answer is, but it certainly isn't to raise taxes for government programs that either assist or force citizens to continue to pay into the already-inflated system. If we really want better healthcare, we need to think outside the currently crappy box, not just find ways to throw more money into it.

So, yeah. I don’t think our suffering economy or health care industries are evidence of politicians not caring. I don’t think it’s as simple as that. I would like to see some politicians recommend some unconventional approaches to these problems, but I don't think they don't care. Their pocketbooks and health care options are hurting, too.

 

[Blondie Bear]

^ It's true that the economy swings, but the Fed f-ing with it doesn't help at all; in fact, it makes things much worse most of the time. If people just got their grubby paws out of the economy and let it do its thing, we'd all be a lot happier, I think. (And don't even get me STARTED on price speculators.)

 

[Joyce Summers]

I'm with Palabra with pretty much all of what she said, so I'm not going to repeat.

But I am going to say, in defence of the American government- that yes it is seriously, majorly flawed but so is every other government. British, French, Spanish....all have issues. It just seems that the US government gets most of the bad publicity. As my friend from England put it 'Well, you have a bigger plot of land!'. Which means that there's more to be responsible for which means more things could go wrong which means more publicity towards those mishaps. But if you compared ratios with other countries you would find the majority are at the same place in that there are highs and there are lows, good and bad.

As for economy as Palabra said I believe- it is it's own thing. It essentially stands alone and seperate from the rest and so rises and falls accordingly. Economy is never steady- there's always the chance it could go marvellously, but an equal chance that it could go horribly wrong. The Wall Street Crash proved that things can change within a matter of days. Germany's economy got the worst of it all from that, but only a mere month before Gustav Stresemann had the German economy thriving. You can't blame a failing economy on a governmental systerm. Money etc is unpredictable and hard to control and maintain no matter your state of power. Unfortunately.

 

[randiann]

in defence of the American government- that yes it is seriously, majorly flawed but so is every other government. British, French, Spanish....all have issues.

Which is why I have a problem with all governments in general. Call me crazy, but I think people should be smart enough to govern themselves without having to make an establishment to tell them what to do and what not to do. And people as a whole are not smart enough to do this, and it pisses me off.

My problem with governmental officials is that, quite simply, they are human. They care more so about people they know and people they are similar to and tend to overlook everyone else. It's human nature. And in general, I don't trust politicians. From my personal observations, most are untrustworthy and self serving. Otherwise quality healthcare would be equally attainable to everyone, and as of right now its not. Those with more money get better treatment, and those without get overlooked. This is why Native Americans (as a whole, some of the poorest people in this nation) have the lowest percentage of cancer compared to other ethnic groups in America, yet they have the highest mortality rate of ANY ethnic group in at least ten different types of cancer. If congress would allot the amount of money needed to run IHS (Indian Health Services) properly instead of only giving them approximately a quarter of the money they need annually, then this trend could be reversed. But Native Americans get overlooked and IHS tries to operate on this measly budget, even though the federal government has acknowledged the fact that it has an obligation to fund IHS because of the trust doctrine that exists between Native American tribes and the US government.

Consider some facts (FYI these are from memory but if anyone wants the actual numbers I can go through my research and get them for you): For every person on Medicare, Medicaid, or who recieves healthcare services for being a veteran, the US government spends nearly $8,000 (on average) annually. For Native Americans relying solely (sp?) on IHS for healthcare because they cannot afford private insurance, this number goes down (on average) to about $2500 per person annually. Not nearly enough to cover their needs. IHS is relying on DONATIONS from poverty striken people in order to operate. It takes months to get an appointment to be seen at an Indian clinic.

Personal example: When I found out I was pregnant with my son, I went to the Indian clinic because I have no health insurance. To be seen, I first had to go through their triage because you are not allowed to make an appointment unless you have be seen first in triage to determine if you actually need continued medical care. After I had been seen, I was able to make an appointment for my next visit and my ultrasound. The only date they had available was at the beginning of May, and I told them that I couldn't make it because I had a final that day. So they rescheduled me for the beginning of August (their next opening). I was due August 21st. Luckily, they had a cancellation towards the end of May and were able to get me in. The point of this story isn't to show how crappy IHS is, it is to show how understaffed they are. And the reason for this is because they are underfunded and can't afford to hire any more people, even though there is a great need for them.

So, to get back on topic: When politicians (in general) start caring for people living in poverty, I might start caring for politicians. Until then, I don't trust them, I think they do not have people's best interest in mind, and they are self centered and unconcerned with the millions of Americans who really could use their help.

Oh, isn't Bush an oil man? Hasn't the price of oil gone through the roof? Coincidence anyone???

 

[Lou]

It's kind of driving ME insane, but I keep reminding myself that a trained monkey has to be better than Bush and I'm thrilled that Cheney isn't running.

I was pretty much against Hillary, just because of her attitude and what seems to be her string of picking little things out of Obama's speeches and blowing them up.

But, in the last debate, I thought she did well. There was a lot of "piggybacking", it seemed off Bill's work. She said a lot, "Well, we'll go back to what we were doing 8 years ago and then....." But, she did have it down.

I feel kind of bad for Obama. I think he's got a good head on his shoulders, but he's having a HECK of a time spitting ideas without someone getting upset. I'm still kind of stuck on the one where he wanted to tax the companies who moved their call centers outside of the US. I thought I was the only one with that idea. He sucked me right in with no problem.
But, he sure has a problem with people twisting his words and I really wish he'd just stand up and say, "Yep, I said it. It was taken the wrong way, but while we're discussing this the blown out of proportion way isn't totally untrue."
People ARE scared and divided. And his comments about the conservative people clinging to guns and the Bible because they're scared IS true. In fact, it's true for more than just the conservatives. Bush has done some BAD things in the last 8 years somehow morphing faith with being a good American. There's that separation of church and state and all, but it's kind of gotten blurry lately.
I support the troops, but I'm against the war. I would be more for the war if someone would explain WHY we're there and give us the truth. I just don't like my friends and family dying for a lie.
I've actually heard people say if you don't like Bush you're not a good Christian. And it makes me want to SCREAM! Since when are Bush and Jesus the same person?

The sad fact is, we AREN'T the great nation we were. We're paranoid, scared and don't trust anyone. We've been attacked, attacked others, had more than shady elections, been lied to, had our economy go insane, we're even turning against each other with wild abandon.....I find it kind of refreshing that Obama HAS said these things, even if he didn't mean them to come out that way. We AREN'T what we used to be, or could be, or SHOULD be.
I have wanted to SLAP Hillary at times for acting like everything is all peachy and we're so great. We're like a wounded bear in a trap. That's not good, that stinks.

I don't think either of them are GREAT, but I can give them that they're both trying. McCain doesn't seem to be doing ANYTHING.

That's just me though. I'm weird.

 

[palabravampiress]

^ You're not weird. I found Obama's supposedly offensive statements refreshingly honest and non-PC, not offensive.

I'm originally from OH and I have a lot of family from PA. What he said about that region of the county is, in my experience, 100% on-track even though it's not PC to say so. It's hard to make a living and get established in Ohio. Trust me. Most people don't make what they used to make. Most people feel like their homes are on the chopping block. Most people want something to replace the manufacturing industry that has all but disappeared, and they don't like working more (and more degrading) jobs for less pay and poorer benefits. They don't like having their pensions and their legacy health insurance plans suddenly pulled out from under them by companies who don't have to honor their agreements (my MIL, a school janitor and the widow of a steel mill worker, is facing that problem, right now). Most young people, like me, had to up and leave because we graduated from college and couldn't find degree-worthy jobs that paid a decent, lower-middle-class salary and allowed us to pay our college loans (because education funding shrinks by the year even as tuition goes up). The older generation is saying "Crap, I don't wanna lose my house and everything I worked for" and the younger generation is saying, "Well at least you have a house and insurance! You squandered your chance on your high school education and now we don't even have a chance on our college education!"

Meanwhile, immigrants move in and, because they don't have the big house payments and whatnot, take what jobs are left. And poor (or getting poorer) white working class people DO get frustrated because it's not PC to help them or for them to need help and they do start to resent others because of it. It's also not PC for them to talk about the reverse racism that happens all the time (it does; I swear it does -- for example, I was once denied a promotion for which I was better qualified just because it was more PC to put a black person in that position), so that resentment builds up, too. They do feel bitter about the job outsourcing that hit them first when nobody cared. They do cling to religion because it's familiar. And I think they are against gay marriage and cling to guns because they don't want change. They're scared of change because it's all been bad for a long time now. If you start taking away what the constitution absolutely promises them, then what is left? Honestly, Obama's words ring true to what I've seen and felt over the years as someone who grew up in a mostly white working class neighborhood in Ohio and struggled to get out of it. It's easy to get a chip on your shoulder over that stuff -- especially when every time you turn around, everyone is telling you you're privileged and telling you you're racist or exaggerating when you calmly tell them about the couple of years during which you ate on a dollar a day so that you could pay for a college education that didn't pay off.

The backlash against that just goes to show you how frustrating it is to be one of those people who isn't allowed to have a voice. That experience is true, it's just not socially acceptable to say it. If Obama can't say it without suffering that backlash, then surely your average laid-off steel mill worker can't say it without suffering the same backlash. I, for one, had no problem whatsoever with what Obama said. He and I don't always agree. For example, I am pro-gun-ownership because I think the Bill of Rights should be protected at all costs and only amended to expand freedoms, not abridge them. In a lot of ways, I don't fit the stereotype that Obama mentioned. I'm for gay marriage. I'm against any sort of politicizing of organized religion (and practice no religion at all, myself). No one meets the stereotype 100%, but it's close enough, I think, to warrant having finally been said by a prominent politician.

Obama isn't my favorite candidate, but I do applaud him for being honest and for having the guts to say what gets me chewed out and called racist every time I dare suggest that people like me have to work just as hard as -- and sometimes harder than -- minority groups and that people like me have problems and needs that politicians should address, too.

 

[Kean]

D4 and Pv thank God for ye! (he that kinda rhymnes!...ok I'm focusing!) This is why I appreciate Obama so much becuase he is honest to the point where he makes people uncomfortable. He says the truths people are afraid to admit to themselves and the fact that he choose to name them to the world during the PRIMARIES, is, in my opinion incredibly brave. He could have ended his political career in Philadelphia with that speech, thank God he didn't.

I would never consider myself a racist but I have to admit that I could very much relate to the conflicting feelings he held about being a black man estentially living in a white mans world. The history of Ireland and that of African Americans is remarkably similar. Both are proud people rich in culture who suffered at the hand of an oppressor for hundreds of years, pushed down an kept there. I don't think there is an adequate way to describe the effect that has on a people. Regardless if you yourself were victim to this oppression of if it was your anscestor, it leaves a make on you as people, becomes part of your blood and whether you want it to or not feelings of anger and bitterness are borne out of that.

Obama recognises that, he appreciates those feelings becuase he more than likely felt them too. However, as a white woman I can also see the other side. To be constantly blamed for crimes you yourself never committed is infuriating. To constantly feel apologetic about something you have never done is incredibily frustrating and then to voice these frustrations only to be called a racist once again results in yet more feelings of anger and bitterness.

I think good can only come from voicing these hurts that every person on this planet is carrying around. If we spent more time trying to accept and move on from our differences instead of pretending they aren't there, who knows what we could achieve.

That's why I think Obama is the right man for the job. He is interested in the people and genuinely making things better, he realises that things needs fixing. I appreciate that a hell of a lot more than someone who just wants to say what she thinks you want to hear.

 

[Blondie Bear]

I disagree with all of you who think it was a good thing that he said what he did, but I'm not going to start a big screaming fight over it (because I'm passionate enough about the other side that it would probably devolve into a big screaming fight, and nobody wants that). Suffice it to say that I think he was very, very wrong and does not at all understand the mentalities of small-town people, nor does he care. "Elitist" is putting it lightly.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

I actually heard some of what Obama has to say, I had to watch the TV at four in the morning. Is he really that thick or is it just an act? Guess he's going for the Monster Raving Looney fringe vote. He said that the only reason that the Iranian president rose to power was because Bush was only interested in Iraq. If that's the case what happened with Korea and Taiwan.
Yep, if Obama gets to be president the USA wil be usa, kiss goodbye to the Superpower title.
At least Clinton isn't giving up because the chips are stacked against her.