A couple of points, just to draw out some comments from the crowd:
- I hate the term "conservative" when it is used to describe Republicans.
- I am convinced that this "rebate" that is supposed to stimulate the economy is the second biggest waste of Federal money and effort EVER.
- I am going to vote for Obama.
Now, the details of my points...
Conservative.
What do Republicans think is "conservative" about their agenda? To be "conservative", one must strive to maintain the status quo in a political society, correct?
Republicans say they want lower taxes AND a balanced budget, but have never been able to manage EITHER for more than 2 years at a time. Add to this the simple historical fact that, since Hoover was in the White House, NO President has managed to "balance" a Federal budget (meaning see it happen while he's in office) except William J. Clinton. This particular balanced budget was so successful that it generated an actual surplus in less than 3 years.
Republicans say they want smaller government, but (again), no President since Hoover has managed it... even as much as beating the rate of government growth by even one year's rate. There is the slightest chance that Bush Jr. might have managed it in his first term, except for one small policy... HOMELAND SECURITY. His (and Rummy's) drive to reduce the size of our military in his first term was surely overshadowed by the monstrous behemoth that is Homeland Security. 5 years after its inception, Homeland Security has failed in its intelligence role at least as many times as it has succeeded (Iraqi WMDs, Iraqi insurgent capabilities, the capture and prosecution of al Quieda and bin Laden, increased capabilities and security at the border, Iran's level of threat to US, Iran's ability to pursue a WMD program, et cetera) while at the same time increasing the size of our government by nearly 18%... this isn't taking into account the COST of such a department, either. I haven't yet seen a budget breakdown that "adds" up all the DoHS agencies into one figure.
They say they want to see America's defense capabilities strong and ready for action, yet since Reagan's time in office, the GOP has watched (or directed) the reduction of our armed forces by nearly 19% in 20 years ('88 to '08), and that is just in manpower figures! Under Bush, the Navy's seen 41 NEW surface platforms cut from the budget, while the Army has seen 31 BRAC closings ALONE and a forced retirement of more than 65,000 prime, experienced veterans since 2002.
I'm curious as to which of the GOP candidates is actually going to run his campaign on the promise of maintaining THIS status quo?
The Rebate.
Now, how much of a BOOST would the economy get if that same "revenue" was used to offset Federal gasoline taxes, or used to subsidize domestic oil production costs, or if it was given as a home-heating/energy deduction for ALL income levels? $150 billion would buy an awful lot of gas and diesel fuel, which would lower the costs of goods and production ACROSS THE BOARD, rather than only perking up (maybe) the sale of non-durable goods and services in this country for about 1 week, don't you think?
Would you be more inclined to spend a little extra at Wal Mart if you saw gas go down by $.35 a gallon... or would a one-time-only refund check get you in the mood to buy compulsively? Me? I think I'll pay off my credit cards, or put some heating oil in the tanks, or maybe even bank it, knowing that when Congress fails to make the Bush tax cuts permanent... then TAXES WILL GO UP! How dumb do you have to be to fail to see THIS Band-aid for exactly what it is?
Obama.
Say what you will... this guy has character. He is as charismatic as Bill Clinton ever was, and is 100% more so now. He actually answers questions when he is asked them, and hasn't stumbled a bit with all the mud-slinging the Dems have managed since Iowa. Hillary has Bill's foot in her mouth nearly every day, and Edward's says nothing at all. Barring something HUGE on Super Tuesday... Obama is the top Dem right now, no question.
Can I support him? He is pro-abortion, very anti-Iraq War, and hasn't impressed me as overly committed to strong international military resolve... but no GOP candidate has impressed me in these regards, either. All three of the biggies (Romney, McCain and Huckabee) fail here in my eyes, and Paul is out of the question. Giuliani is the only real choice for me as a candidate (now that Thompson is out), but he won't win the nomination. None of the GOPs, if elected, will over-turn Roe v Wade, and none will do any more than follow the "surge" through, then abandon Iraq to it's own fate. None have promised to do anything more than offer pre-election lip-service to issues like border security, increased conventional forces at home and abroad, comprehensive immigration reform, serious tax reform (other than Paul, and he's not a contender)... and what little they have said will never get past a Democratically-controlled Congress anyway. All have, in one way or another, endorsed this blatant attempt by a very nearly USELESS Congress to buy themselves back into office... which by itself is a strike against all of them.
So, can I support Obama?
How refreshing would it be to see a President that offered some promise? Some hope of a new point of view in DC? A fresh perspective from the Oval Office? I think that after 6 years of growing distrust and resentment from all corners of the American public, that it would be damn nice.
From what I have heard to date, I am beginning to think I CAN support Obama.
So there!
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