Its been a tough week to be an Obama supporter. Rejecting public financing was the right political move but you really have to have the blinders on not to see that it was a broken promise. This isn't the first time the Senator has let me down to be honest. The fact is, Obama's actions don't entirely match his message all the time. We can lie to ourselves and say that Obama's pamphlet over Hillary's healthcare plan wasn't troublesome, but really, it was kind of underhanded. We can tell ourselves that he doesn't attack his opponents, but he really does, he is just very adept at hitting his opponents hard without appearing to attack them.
However, there is one thing that I do know, that Obama's shortcomings don't approach John McCain's or even the Clintons'. The fact is, he is your standard politician, he is just very very very good at it. The point is, as one West Wing episode put it, "In the battle between a President's demons and better angels, for the first time in a long time, we have a fair fight." I look at the globe and I see a horribly unjust war, a foreign policy that does nothing but exacerbate middle east divisions, I see people dying for democracy in Zimbabwe, and I realize that the United States cannot afford not to elect Barack Obama. He will be sweeped into office with an overwhelming mandate. The rest will be left up to his better angels.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Why I am a Democrat
You want to know why I am a Democrat? Watch the Obama meeting with democratic governors today on youtube.
Topics Include:
Investing in infrastructure and transportation
Investing in energy efficiency
Restoring the economy - the housing market
Making higher education available to everyone
Reducing the national debt
many more
If you were to attend a like republican gathering all you would hear is mere ideology and rhetoric.
Topics Include:
Investing in infrastructure and transportation
Investing in energy efficiency
Restoring the economy - the housing market
Making higher education available to everyone
Reducing the national debt
many more
If you were to attend a like republican gathering all you would hear is mere ideology and rhetoric.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Social Security Reform
For the first time, I'm going to take a stand against an Obama policy prescription. I can't say I'm completely wild about Obama's donut hole approach to saving social security, nor am I completely sold that it will work.
The idea is that everyone will pay the payroll tax on the first $100,000 of income, income dollars earned between $100,000 and $250,000 will not be taxed, and then every dollar earned after $250,000 will be taxed. The payroll tax is currently capped around $100,000 without any donut hole.
The payout is structured so that higher income individuals receive less benefits per marginal dollar payed in. This means that those who make $250,000+ will receive minuscule benefits compared to the rest of the population.
I don't understand exactly why he chose this policy. Raising the payroll tax %1-2 or raising the retirement age 1-2 years would be a much better and simpler idea. I am all about taxing based on the ability-to-pay principle (and very progressively at that), but this is going to look like democrats engaging in class warfare. The kicker is, I'm not sure that its not class warfare. Democrats should be the progressive party, not the when-in-doubt-raise-taxes-on-the-rich party.
The good thing is that I'm confident social security experts in the GAO, the SSA, and congress will not let this actually come to fruition. What I'm more concerned about is the Democratic party image moving forward. Let us seek out innovative policy solutions that betray our creativity and resolve to find effective, efficient and comprehensive answers to tough issues.
The idea is that everyone will pay the payroll tax on the first $100,000 of income, income dollars earned between $100,000 and $250,000 will not be taxed, and then every dollar earned after $250,000 will be taxed. The payroll tax is currently capped around $100,000 without any donut hole.
The payout is structured so that higher income individuals receive less benefits per marginal dollar payed in. This means that those who make $250,000+ will receive minuscule benefits compared to the rest of the population.
I don't understand exactly why he chose this policy. Raising the payroll tax %1-2 or raising the retirement age 1-2 years would be a much better and simpler idea. I am all about taxing based on the ability-to-pay principle (and very progressively at that), but this is going to look like democrats engaging in class warfare. The kicker is, I'm not sure that its not class warfare. Democrats should be the progressive party, not the when-in-doubt-raise-taxes-on-the-rich party.
The good thing is that I'm confident social security experts in the GAO, the SSA, and congress will not let this actually come to fruition. What I'm more concerned about is the Democratic party image moving forward. Let us seek out innovative policy solutions that betray our creativity and resolve to find effective, efficient and comprehensive answers to tough issues.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Good News
I am very encouraged by the most recent polls...
US: Obama 47, McCain 41
Michigan: Obama 45, McCain 42
Wisconsin: Obama 50, McCain 37
If Obama manages to keep Wisconsin and Michigan Blue, this is going to be a very tough election for John McCain to win. Given that Iowa is almost certain to go blue, McCain would then have to hold on to Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Ohio. Considering the circumstances in these states, it is very unlikely he will be able to do that. As Obama is only trailing McCain by three in North Carolina of all places, this election is not looking good for McCain and down-ticket republicans.
US: Obama 47, McCain 41
Michigan: Obama 45, McCain 42
Wisconsin: Obama 50, McCain 37
If Obama manages to keep Wisconsin and Michigan Blue, this is going to be a very tough election for John McCain to win. Given that Iowa is almost certain to go blue, McCain would then have to hold on to Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Ohio. Considering the circumstances in these states, it is very unlikely he will be able to do that. As Obama is only trailing McCain by three in North Carolina of all places, this election is not looking good for McCain and down-ticket republicans.
Monday, June 9, 2008
John McCain is Such a Dick
The more I learn about John McCain the more I find him a despicable human being.
"Ted Sampley, who fought with US Special Forces in Vietnam and is now a leading campaigner for veterans’ rights, said: ‘I have been following John McCain’s career for nearly 20 years. I know him personally. There is something wrong with this guy and let me tell you what it is – deceit."
"Ted Sampley, who fought with US Special Forces in Vietnam and is now a leading campaigner for veterans’ rights, said: ‘I have been following John McCain’s career for nearly 20 years. I know him personally. There is something wrong with this guy and let me tell you what it is – deceit."
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