Obama Defeats McCain: Why am I Sad?

Deliberate low intelligence twisting of events, comments, interviews, and policies have had a hand in Republican strategy for decades. Resorting to sound bites and cliches - socialist, communist, liberal, tax and spend, welfare is supposed to automatically result in votes even while the spend and borrow everytime they get into action.

The success of Rove made them think this smart-ass (the stupid folks will always respond to the negatives they think) style will work and they have neglected critical policy thinking and corrective analysis with deep questions such as - how actually does the giving of more money to the rich exactly grow the economy, could more of it go to foreign investments with more yield or to luxuries or foreign vacations? are these idealogies working? would giving the money to the middle result in as much flight? would it get to the rich and grow better with more consumer spending?

Reagan contributed to thinking and idealogy without ill intention, the failure to expand the thinking, analyze it further in a changing world and economy, recognize its drawbacks, and adapt it or modify it has been the republican failure.

poliTICKS, according to The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities there is no evidence that the tax cuts of 2001-2003 caused any increase in economic growth.

There is no evidence that the [2001-2003] tax cuts caused any increase in economic growth, let alone growth sufficient to offset their cost.  In fact, the 2001-2007 economic expansion was among the weakest since World War II with regard to overall economic growth. [2]  Moreover, revenue growth was very poor during 2001-2007.  Real per-capita revenues fell deeply in 2001, 2002, and 2003 and have since risen to barely 2 percent above their 2001 level.  Over the course of other postwar economic expansions, they grew by an average of 12 percent.[3] 

Previous tax cuts didn’t pay for themselves either.  In 1981, when Congress substantially lowered marginal income tax rates on the well-off, supporters claimed the cuts would boost economic growth.  In 1990 and 1993, when Congress raised marginal income tax rates on the well-off, opponents claimed the increases would harm the economy.  In fact, the economy grew at about the same rate in the 1990s, following tax increases, as in the 1980s, following a large tax cut.[4]  And revenues grew twice as fast in the in the 1990s (3.5 percent in real per-capita terms) as in the 1980s (1.5 percent).[5]

SnotRag Dave is exactly right in his assertion that trickle down does not work.

...

Well said Compilation I couldn't agree more.

The Chronicle quote has been taken out of context. Read the whole thing and then tell me if he's really gonna backrupt the coal industry.

Finally, are you really gonna claim that a company that made a 15 BILLION dollar profit in 90 days is really gonna lay people off 'cos some of it now goes to the government?

Reaganomics!

To whom it may concern,

     I love Ronald Reagan!I also love John McCain and President Bush!

    " In high school, Dutch appeared in several school plays, besides playing football and being captain of the swimming team. Later, he had leading roles in many college plays."

A fact from Mr. President *A Book of U.S. Presidents* with the hottest President, George Walker Bush on the cover.

     Congratulations Barack Obama! I love you and voted for you in the General Election.Barack, you will be an excellent President like President Bush.

Well done Mr. President Bush!

Well done New Mr. President Obama!

*LOVE, PEACE & HAPPINESS* From, Michelle

Trickle down economics doesn't work in the age of transnational corporations that create jobs overseas instead of here.

Bubble-up economics doesn't work in the age of illegal immigration where money earned is sent south of the border.

We're screwed.

I think we like to treat these doctrines as though they are gospel and capable of working independent of other things. Can trickle down economics work? Sure. But its success depends upon something that is very difficult. Was it Jesus Christ who said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven? Yes, He said it. And if this is true (and as a Christian I must give credence to the opinions of Christ) then Christians unreservedly supporting a party which stands upon such a doctrine must not be giving much credence to what Christ has said.

Since I believe that Christ's words have application to real life issues is should also serve as a warning that the health of the economy should not be left to the whim and conscience of those battling the drive for money, expansion, and more money.

So what's the alternative? Utilize trickle-down along with something else--something that is assure of getting funds into the hands of those those who need the resources.

Now some people are concerned that if we don't allow businesses to do what they want then they will leave us. Ah...sell your souls to the devil? I am not saying that those who manage businesses are bad. I'm just acknowledging that they are perhaps more tempted than most and often fail in overcoming their temptation. As a country we must acknowledge this and find diverse ways of ensuring that financial resources are being recycled in the economy.

Just my thoughts.

Michelle, my sincere congratulations to you! Thanks for sharing generously your minutes of happiness with others! God bless you, and God help US and all of us.

Turbull - Regan pushed the conservative agenda.  As far as creating jobs for the middle class, healthcare (Kaiser Permanente) and education,  Regan feel down on those issues.  During the Regan years, the wealthiest Americans got richer - very similar to the last eight years.  When will people finally understand - the GOP does not believe in government, so they will always be terrible at governing the people.  Look at when the GOP controlled everything. 

The day the GOP gets off their morality issues and learns that kitchen table issues are all America is concerned about they might have a chance.  Leave the morality issues to the individual and their spiritual advisors.  I have no right to force my morality views on another individual period. 

As far as  a fear of other countries, if we take a hard look at how we have behaved with other countries (Panama, Iraq, Vietnam, Palestine) then we can understand why other countries could view us negatively.  The day we leave Iraq regardless of what is agreed on paper, the Sunni and Sheite will be back in a civil war.  When people find out how much we are paying the insurgence not to bomb us, the country will find out just how stupid it was for us to engage in this war.  McCain never said once during the entire campaign where he was going to get the $12 billion per month to continue supporting the war.  McCain gave a great consession speak.  Probably his best speech of his campaign, but I am not sad. 

The GOP does not believe in government?

Does not believe in what way?

To solve every problem that comes up?

The fact is government cannot solve every problem that exists. Nor should it try. That would be too expensive, inefficient and thus wasteful

Our nation was founded on the principle that government has a mandate to govern from the people based on LIMITED powers granted to it by the people. All other powers reside with the states and/or the people. BOTH parties are guilty of exceeding the limited powers granted to it.

Do you really want government telling you how to live your life? I would rather be dead.

You betcha, Dave, it's your show, man. Although I do not quite understand... there should be some place for emotions...

Henry, I thank you for your thoughts. Let me just say that I remember Germany before and after "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall" - there were two great differences! Freedom became reality!

P.S. Have you ever seen Soviet R-36 launch? It is capable of delivering the nuclear charge up to 36 megaton.

Talking about Presidents and their place in history, economy, we shoud be less abstract and more realistic, considering the only reality available for them to act. Good night, everyone !

I think this was not the 'real' McCain... but the 'desperate' McCain

Well, if you're right, that shows how bad desperation can be.  Either way, if it were the 'real' McCain or the 'desperate' McCain, it was a horribly run campaign.

Wow! That reminds me of John Kerry's entire campaign in "04". He had no leg to stand on except the hatred of George Bush. The same tactic didn't work then and it didn't work now. Congratulations! The democrats aren't much different than the republicans, the republicans just don't have the media on their side.

Anytime, Mr. SnotRag!  ;-)  Anyway, I think "It was a horribly run campaign.....You Betcha!" is a better title.  Go ahead and take that one.  I won't even ask for much.  Just royalties.

I'll 'trickle-down' a percentage your way...

Great....so I'll wind up owing YOU money?  Tell ya what, just take the title and leave me out of it!  ;-)

So, if I am to understand your reply correctly, I am the problem with Republican party? That's a good one. Maybe I should write a book about how one woman, who is NOT Sarah Palin, is the downfall of the Republican party. I guess I should have clarified my post  with regards to the mainstream media. The Washington Post, which is my local newspaper, swings to the left. They ran an article over the weekend about how differently the candidates were treated on national television. Part of the article spoke of how Leno and Letterman, alone, tallied up 475 pokes at the republican candidates to just 63 for the democratic candidates. I could go on, but it would be pointless. Most people are never going to be able to agree with each other. That is part of what makes our country so great, the freedom to express your opinion. We as a country are very lucky to have that. Congratulations to all of those who's  candidate won. I may not agree with anything that he says or with all of his followers, but that is my right under the constitution of the United States. By the way, I think you wrote a great article.

"Part of the article spoke of how Leno and Letterman, alone, tallied up 475 pokes at the republican candidates to just 63 for the democratic candidates"

The McCain/Palin ticket kept giving them material to work with. The rowdy, mad mobs at the rallies, the $150,000 wardrobe, Joe the Plumber, Joe Six-Pack, suspending the campaign only to campaign some more, blaming "gotcha" media for bad interviews...I can go on and on! They fueled that fire.

PCMD: 

Part of the article spoke of how Leno and Letterman, alone, tallied up 475 pokes at the republican candidates to just 63 for the democratic candidates

Not their jobs to be fair and equal.  It's their jobs to be funny.

I didn't help McCain either that he lied to Letterman about skipping out on an appearance.  Heck, that probably covers half or more of Letterman's jokes.

To whom it may concern,

     John McCain is a courageous man & very hot! When John McCain was younger and in the NAVY, WOW! He's hot like James Bond! Men like John McCain get hotter with age. Sean Connery is also very hot!

     I write the truth and I don't appreciate the pessimistic comments about my Senator of Arizona.John McCain was a POW a long time ago & deserves respect for what he has achieved in his lifetime.He is a hero & the epitome of a leader! I hope McCain is a candidate for Presidency in four more years! If so, vote for McCain in 2012!He has charisma, energy, wisdom, integrity and the support of my family.

     Senator John McCain is always a winner! He won my love and I will defend him until eternity! Congratulations Senator McCain & Senator Obama! Well done hot gentleman! I love both and I voted for both hot men!Congratulations Mr. President!

The Night before the Election and all through the media not a reporter [even Fox news] had anything good to say about the republicans. They all wanted the "da man" to win cuz they knew there would be a fight [for ratings] this night. Now that "da man" has won, what can we do? We can all pray to heaven or the God nearest you, that the choices we have made will all come true, and we will fight for our lives to get out of this mess and in four years we will have another test.

WE THE PEOPLE Can and should make a difference. Two years and the powers of the house and senate Could Change. Maybe that is the change we all hoped for.

Until then, "Sally get your guns ready", against " all enemies foreign and domestic".

Romney/Huckabee 2012

If the right gets Fox and most of AM radio, the left manages to stumble along with MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CBS, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, that network of Franken that went belly up because it was ignored, NPR and PBS? And these media outlets lacked class enough to label their cant 'opinion'.

Letterman appealed to a New York crowd with his material; Leno was more even handed. The dreadful thing is that the mindless thoughtless electrolate is influenced by such as entertainers and comics instead of picking up pro and con literature and measuring this against their own life experience.

Oh and I forgot the forgettable CNN!

Yes!  I noticed the same thing about the crowds' reactions to the speeches that you did.  Very interesting.  I chalked it up to the fact that it was election night and the Republicans were disappointed.  But after reading online posts I'm beginning to worry that they are going to stay hateful and bitter.  At least The View's Elisabeth had the sense and courage to say that she'll back Obama now that he's been elected.  I hope others that influence Republicans will do the same.  People have to realize that the President is not responsible for everything that goes wrong.  I think Bush is the biggest dummy this country has seen in years and I still would not blame him for everything that has gone wrong in the last 8 years.  He is just one part of the puzzle.  I hope that people will give Obama a chance.   I think he will do great things for us.

I am not American and not even a white person... but I do not want to see America under the rule of a BLACK PERSON, PERIOD!

Leave the Republicans, Democrats aside.. who founded the country? White or Black people? The answer is clear. BLACK people only fought the rights for themselves. Everyone in America should know what is comming in the very near future.

Kim - I missed your point, but I'm fairly certain it's because you didn't make one.

And I'm sure you didn't make one because you don't have one.

And I'm sure you don't have one because you're ignorant.

And I'm sure your ignorant because you can't help it.

Cause and effect.

I must disagree. He has make a life of service to his country, and even if he were a complete idiot and a total failure -- which is most certainly is not -- his patriotism and self sacrifice are worthy of applause and the highest respect.

As far as what he's done, he stepped down for GWB in 2000 when the slot should have IMO rightly gone to him. He stepped up for this fight in 2008 when the odds were extremely long. The man has contributed more to this country than the vast majority of us.

Say what you will about the deals he made with the devil in this election; I certainly didn't like the person he was in this campaign or the people he associated himself with. I very much liked -- and would have voted for -- the person who has served our country for the past 26 years. I hope to see him again soon.

When you say, "I'm John McCain and I approve this message" you own the message.

I don't give him a pass on the sleaze he approved.

I've got to agree with the post above that said that the campaign managers pushed the Palin choice on Johnny Mac.  I think he wanted Joe Lieberman, but what nutcase, right-wing chirstofascist would vote for a former Democrat, a New England intellectual, pro-choice JEW?  Had he chosen Joe L., I think he would have achieved a cross-over vote that would have carried him over the top, and not been sunk by the rabid right.

I think Sen McCain should wait until January 25 and then go monkey stomp a mud hole in dubya.  Rove and Robin cost the Senator the election in 2000 and 2008, that deserves some payback.  How about a celebrity boxing match between these two on pay per view where the proceeds go to help wounded veterans and those who have lost thier jobs to overseas outsourcing.  I'll buy that for $1.

 Sorry Snotrag,  I don't agree with you  here.  McCain is the ultimate authority on his campaign and how it is run. Maybe he should have considered firing his campaign manager.

Personally I think that just like Hillary, McCain had prepared himself for a Republican Rove style fight.  Nobody saw Obama coming and certainly didn't foresee that he would stick to the moral high ground and be civil. For the most part he did and it took the wind right out of their sails.

So Hillary flung the mud...It didn't stick, she didn't win. Then McCain threw the mud and got a few little flicks from Obama. McCain decided to stick to the negative campaigning even after his poll numbers went straight down after negative attacks.

It was Clinton and McCain's experiences that led them to believe firmly that this would be the only way to win. They were completely befuddled on how to change their strategies --like it never occurred to them to be straight , be honest. Instead we got sniper fire in Bosnia from Hillary and "never said I didn't know much about the economy." etc. from McCain.

As for McCain he should have some actual stances on issues instead of flailing in the wind in whatever direction he thought would gain him the most votes. He had no plan except to attack Obama's character with ridiculous accusations of guilty by association.

I heard an analyst yesterday call Obama's style, "campaign aikido."  He didn't aggressively attack, he simply used the opponent's own force against him.  So many said that Obama couldn't "win" the fight, since he didn't attack very hard, but the electoral college numbers suggest that he was a lot smarter than those on the other side!

The Electoral College votes are the determining factor, but looking at the popular vote says a great deal (as so many have been fond of doing the last 8 years).

48 percent (percentage of voters who did not vote for McCain) ain't nothing.

Are you saying that you think that McCain won the popular vote?  That, mostly certainly, did not happen.  McCain lost 53% to 46%.

I don't know, but whatever it is we need to right the ship so to speak. Something has to be done otherwise the conservative values in this country will be thrown by the wayside I believe.

If only the Republican party actually representated conservative values - i.e. small government, fiscal responsibility, stewardship of the environment - instead of right-wing religious fantacism.

kbvroom, i think the conservative values are headed the same way liberal values are headed; to the graveyard.  The younger people seem interested more in human values than our outdated separatist politics.  Part of the problem, is lots of folks claim to desire unity of the masses and in the same sentence profess being either democrat or republican thereby promoting separatism.  I did not vote dem,repub or inde,  I voted for the guy who seemed to appreciate the dawn of new concepts and ideas.  Mr. McCain has my upmost respect and admiration.  To me he embodies the spirit of america.  Mr. Obama represents new thought more than yesterday and not as much as new thinking tomorrow.  I am proud of all my american family members.  God bless you all.  Snotrag Dave, that was a well thought out and very "real", article.  Can you learn to say "pulitzer".

Interesting thought, Kieth! The only problem here is the stubbornness of the older generations, who don't just disapear, but are slowly aging, voting more or less consistently for the "values". I would, however, disagree that Mr. Obama represents any "newness" himself. He certainly employed some of the feelings of young people...

2012 Palin will jump in and split off the Christian Right. Rommney being way smarter will get the bulk of the GOP and the backing of the billion dollar backers in the Party. Ron Paul will be the wild card.

The 2012 nominee will be Romney

Palin is dammaged goods The bad interviews and comments made in this campaign will be used against her if she tries to run in 2012. If Obama doens't step on his johnson in the first four years the dems would love a GOP ticket with Palin on top.

Opening Pandora's box is correct. McCain and his Campaign opened that box. Now the question is how do we put Mrs. Abuse of Power Liar's club back in the box? I will say you did a great article and I did like McCain of 2000 and would have voted for him in the regular election if he had ran that way but instead the US supreme court stuck their nose in where it did not belong and gave the 2000 election as a gift to Bush.

You just voted the guy, who is capable to bring this country to its end quite successfully, while staying in power. Yet, you still irresponsibly talk about some mythical "Pandorra' box". Who is more dangerous, gentlemen, the man with Marx's approach to the "holy cow" of American economy or "Pandorra", good mother, successful businesswoman and executive person. I understand, its quite appropriate to go after Sarah Palin on this blog, but should we participate in spreading slander, when there is nothing to spread. Have any of you, guys seen her interviews on CNBC, when she was just herself, without the  heavy handMcCain's political machine on her?

McCain is an American and a gentleman, that took a lot of courage to stand in front of millions. And you cut it down in your shroud of invisibility, safely hidden behind an avatar and the world wide web. Smooth snotty real smooth

The GOP has forgotten and gotten away from true conservatism.  Look at Ronald Reagan...that is what we need to get back to, once that happens, people will flock back to the party.  I believe that Republicans have moved too much towards the center.  We need to go back to the right.

1.  Cut taxes

2. limited government

3. strong military

4. no double talk

I pray for Mr. Obama- he has an impossible task ahead of him.  I also salute Mr. McCain for his past sacrifices and continued service to our country.  I admire  Governer Palin she is one tough cookie, I hope that this has been worthwhile for her and her family.  I have realized that we all have one thing in common, we all love our country, even if our vision for it's healing may be different. 

I totally agree with you.  The Republican party has moved to the center.  And as far as Sarah Palin, I think the media was very hard on her.  She doesn't deserve any of this, and yes she is one tough cookie.

Dan, your post of embracing new ideas and concepts is dead on point!  Dude you can reaqlly write.  Yes, we need laura and she needs us.  That is the point.  WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER!!.  Dan, I wish people would stop seeing the election of Obama as the "end of the world",  He's just the next president in a long line to come.  Some folks fear seems to be guilt.  Don't worry, no one will get letters saying,"all white people,report to the cotton fields at sunrise for orientation".  He (Obama) is just a man who shows us that in america hard work, works!

Jen - what happened is the GOP woke up. The reality is, you can't lower taxes AND have a strong military.

The whole limited government thing I never understood. Are conservatives using that as a different way of putting "no programs that help people who need help" or does limited government actually mean smaller congress, fewer government agencies and services, no IRS, etc.

The other thing the GOP needs to realize that the democrats have figured out is - the old america is dying. We have to reinvigorate our spirit of innovation to succeed in the future. New ideas, fresh concepts, more cooperation is the order of the day now.

The GOP is a party in conflict - limited government, but more laws that prevent people from living how they want to live; lower taxes but more spending...I have no answers, but it won't be an easy problem to fix.

Actually, McCain's fiery temperament and low-information decision making were open secrets in the Senate. He doesn't have a ton of friends on either side of the aisle.

Sorry, but I don't think Obama has the experience and skills to be President either.  I can only pray that he gets and takes good advice or America will be up the creek without a paddle. 

It is time for the 2 party system to come to a screaching halt.  There were some great people, with experience, who would have made good candidates for President, with some backing from the people of the USA. 

I am worried that the immigration issue will be swept under the carpet, borders will no longer exist between counties in the North and South Americas. 

Taxation is not the answer, decreased spending and less "pork" in the budget would go a long way.  A balanced budget would help bring America to her former glory. 

George W. Bush was Governor of Texas and President for 8 years.  He still does not have the skills or intelligence to be President.  His "experience" in past positions was overated.  Our country has suffered for putting too much trust in him.  I'm proud that I voted for Barack Obama and I believe his intelligence and common sense approach in addressing the issues makes him more than qualified to be President.  Give him four years before dismissing him as not having skills. 

Granny, what would you like the govt to decrease spending on?

What exactly is 'pork' and how would less pork  help to balance the budget?

If taxation is not the answer what is?

Should corporations pay their fair share of taxes, and should the govt close the loopholes that these corporations use so they are paying little to no taxes or should they be given more or bigger tax breaks.

Should these corporations be bailed out when they get into trouble?

Should the middle class of this country be given a tax break or should they continue to bear the brunt or carry the burden  of the bail out package/corporate wellfare while they lose there homes, savings etc? 

Should the govt be allowed to just print money and put it into the economy and if so how would doing this pay back the financial debt owed to other countries?

Do you think in 20 years that there will still be need for high fences at the border or will there be an economy pact  --like the EEC in Europe -- between North America,  South America and Canada?

Do you think that the debt that the country is in should be paid and if so how?

Do you think it is time to get rid of the Electoral College?

Would getting rid of the Electoral College allow more candidates that are not allied with the 2 dominant parties to more effectively campaign and be heard and seen by more of the populace?

With all the crap the next administration will inherit, no way it gets dull.

BZE

I am not sure how others define pork, but imo, it's funding for "pet" projects that benefit the loudest constituents in a Rep or Senator's district/state. AT the expense of ALL US taxpayers. IMO, it's where a quid pro quo exists.

When people rail against taxation, I think they are referring to special interests or those things that lie outside the powers granted to a limited government. If we want to live in the kind of country we want to live in, we need some taxes. How the heck do we fund the military for example, if we don't have taxes? How about our court system? Prisons (do we want criminals out running around because we don't have any prisons?) Law enforcement?

Usually, people rail against taxation when referring to those who are leeches on the system (that is those who could do but choose not to)

Please define "fair share". The truth is that when taxes on business goes up, it gets passed to consumers. And it CAN restrict growth, which affects the number of jobs out there.

Corporate bailouts are just wrong. We should be angry at members of both parties who voted in favor of them. However, one just got elected to the White House and several others got re-elected.

We need to deal with the current illegal immigration problem.

We still need the Electoral College. It still has a valid purpose, even if some tweaking could be done at the state level (legislation that allocates the votes proportionally based on the popular vote in that state).

The end.

That's funny, I thought people were loosing their jobs under Bush. Just face it Bush sucked and now it's time to let a smart person be President for a change. It's amazing what a smart President like Obama might be able to do to fix this Country and set it back on track.

So called tax plan?  It gives people makin' under 200K a break, Laura.

Lost jobs?  Our country is BLEEDING jobs right now this second!  Only partyly because we refuse to look to becoming a leader in the worlds next great industry--alternative energy.

Foreign Affairs?  Please tell me how attacking Iraq was a SMART move, Laura.  How negotiating first rather than shooting first is somehow RISKIER to our nation?  Or don't you know anyone who lost a son or daughter in this unnecessary conflict with Iraq?

Where are your claims for "socialist" founded?  Because Sarah Palin SAID SO?  I don't want to rank you out here...but might I suggest you do a little ...BROADER...reading?  Our new President has written two very compelling books...why not pick one up and see if you can open your mind a little before closing the door on America?

Because we NEED you, Laura. 

We need to know that you, I, all of us...are willing to think beyond the defined lines of our current reality to embrace possibility...to embrace newness rather than fear it...to embrace the idea that there are different answers out there for all of us...if we simply dare to try and find them.

I'm sorry I was terse with you a few posts ago--that's no way to engage in good discourse.  It's just that something very special happened yesterday in this country.  And I guess I want you to be a part of it rather than APART from it.

Have any of you actually gone to Obama's TaxCutFacts.org website? His tax cuts don't apply if you ITEMIZE your taxes. Tell me how any small business owner in this country is ever going to be able to survive under his tax plan. I only get money back if I don't itemize, but guess what, if I don't itemize, I owe the government 30% off the top. I won't even be able to afford to feed my kids, much less live in my very small home. This isn't out of fear, it's out of fact.

Laura:

Thanks for stating all of those policy-specifics for us.  You really cleared things up for us. (sarcasm)

Look, if you're afraid of Obama--- leave the country.  Find an island somewhere where everyone is white and you feel safe. 

Let us know when you plan to leave and we'll help you pack and send you off on your broomstick!  (Doh!)

#11-3 pcmd hey i think you are misunderstanding obama's plan for small business owners when it comes to itemizing....i'm a small business owner running my own tax business......you say if you don't itemize......lets define that......itemizing to the federal government means you have the standard deduction or you can itemize which ever gives you the higher deduction---itemizing in this instant mean someone who may have a home and they claim mortgage interest, property taxes, out of pocket medical and dental expenses, unreimbursed employee expenses.  Now if you are a small  business owner using a schedule C then i think you are referring to claiming business expenses vs not claiming business expenses.  Yes it's true when you make a certain amount and claim all your deductions--then yes it takes away from your refund....reason...you must qualify for the Earned Income Credit......if you make between 10,000 and 17, 000 a person would get the maximum earned income credit which for 2007 4400 for two kids..minus the self employed tax.....

this senario is totally different from the increased in taxes that obama opposes.  When youre a small  business owner that uses a schedule c and not pay yourself a salary or make quarterly estimated tax payments then you would have to pay taxes anyway but it still gives you a refund when your income is under a certain dollar amount...has nothing to do with the obama plan....his affects net earnings of under 250,000 mark

GO LAURA !!!!!!!!!! I AGREE WITH YOU !!!

ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME FOR OBAMA...

Yup, we are bleeding jobs...mostly because there is no pride in what we do. (which might be a good thing) but when kids [25 and under] snub the low paying jobs because they have an "education" and expect more, we will continue to "outsource" our workforce to those willing to work. And don't lay it on me about the bitter economics, in the 80's a house mortgage was costing 13% a year and people were thankful that they had a roof over their head, interest rates went down under Clinton to boost the economy and people decided to upsize, "why I can afford this million dollar home at 4% interest why shouldn't I buy it..." oops I lost my job and my Gas Guzzling SUV needs gas Can you bail me out???? live within your means and quit being greedy...Obama can change some things but he canNOT change the carnal, greedy, ravenous hunger of man....

Romney/Huckabee 2012

I'm curious, Laura.  Do you think you're a Christian?  How about all the prohibitions against divination (fortune telling)?  You seem to have such a clear understanding of the future, I can only conclude that you are a Satanist witch.

Laura, I didn't vote for Obama, but in spite of my concerns (similar to yours and shared by many others) I recognize he hasn't really done anything. So I will wait and see what he does.

Remember the President of the US actually has very limited powers, granted to him by the people. Those powers can be held in check by Congress. Now Obama can talk all day and night about his tax plans, his health care plans, his energy plans and so on, but  if Congress doesn't agree, he doesn't get his way.

And the reverse is true: The President can hold the power of Congress in check with his veto power.

Those of you who are ganging up on Laura: Practice some of those listening skills that so many of you credit Obama with mastering. She is not the only person in this country concerned about Obama. You don't have to agree with her, but show some grace already.

So many people have alreasdy lost jobs Laura, are you blaming Obama for that? Recession started long before he was elected. So who is to blame for this recession Laura?? Tell us all, since you seem to know the facts. And you say he takes opportunities away, HOW ????...........

And desertgirl, Lauras views are Not shared by many others. We will listen to facts not BS. And once again, need to give PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA his winning dues and deal with it. A majority of US gave Obama the winning hand, so therefore feel he is the right man for the job. Suck it up you negative Obama dislikers. Give him a chance to prove himself.

If that is true, now you know how the black people have felt for hundreds of years. It's not so nice when it's the other person doing the intimidating is it?

There was a black panther member in Philly yesterday with a nightstick trying to keep whites from voting.

And this has what to do with the price of tea in China? I'm apparently pretty stupid, because I'm not at all sure what your point it, although it's pretty clear what you're intimating.

Laura: So someone black attacked you?  So this means all blacks are mean?  Statistically you are the most likely to be attacked by a member of your own family.  I suggest you live alone.

Laura

Was that you at that McCain rally who McCain had to correct about the "Obama being a Muslim" accusation?

Angie: So that makes it okay to intimidate others? Based on what others do?

And here I thought 2 wrongs don't make a right.

Laura.. what i cannot understand is whether you are racist, or whether your ignorance has blinded you to the point of no return. If Obama was white, would it make a difference to you? It seems from all of your ramblings that your biggest concern is the colour of his skin. Let's flip this page around, and let's say that you were black, living in a predominantly white nation, would you still be saying these things about your President-Elect because he was white? I cannot understand how it is, that you have and issue in giving someone a chance. Or maybe should we make you President of the United States and see where that takes us, probably on the road to eternal damnation. You've jumped to conlusions without reading and acknowledging facts. You instead prefer to live on the words of a network known to entirely partisan. I honestly think you are the perfect candidate on a study for ignorance, ignorance as in being dumb as hell, and ignorance as in you speaking utter nonsense. I am worried, because there are others who feel the same way you do, and where does hatred get us? To the same place that you are, with total malice in our hearts and minds and that is how violence is created. On the other hand, if we try to give our support and we wait to see what he can do and does, what is the basis of your speech? Bush practically killed us for the past 8 yrs, and you endured it, probably having a whole lot to say about it then. Give the man the 4, see what he can do. I can bet you if he proves you wrong, you'd probably eat your words and die. By the way, are you aware that the Congress takes a socialist approach or do you not even know what the word socialist means? Hmm, you should stop dropping big words love, get a dictionary, try it sometime. Also, if your family is from Italy, that makes you part of the minority. Hmm,  guess you never thought about that. Ah well, your lack of education prevails, or wait, noo, you've been educated by the media who spins the truth for a better story. Ahhh, that's it. I wish you all the best in life dear.

Personally I want see if McCain's actions support Obama or if it was just a final speech. I suppose we will see soon enough.

If he takes the high road that could initiate the rebuilding of the Republican party.

I am far from ignorant

No....you're very close to it.  As a matter of fact, you're right on top of it.  Just remember, ignorance is not stupidity.

Ignorant people usually are too ignorant to know that they are.

 I would love to get out of this country,unfortunaltely I have family here too

Ahhh, too bad, this Country would be so much better off without people like you. It's people like you who give the rest of us a bad name.

Just take a look at how happy the rest of the World is for us today. If this Country goes down, so does theirs. They know Obama is not only a great choice for America, he is a great choice for the rest of the World too. Now we can begin to regain World respect again and stop the demise of this great Country. I will look forward to having a smart President this time. We see what happens when we elect a barely C student.

I am tired of the Democrats saying how it's all Bush's fault.  Well let's remember the Democrats had more seats.  President Bush does not make the laws he can only veto.  Go back to school and look at how our laws and bills are passed.

Let's remember a Democrat is Governor of Michigan and has been for the past 6 years and look at the bleeding of jobs here.  What did she do for us working people, NOTHING!! She is out for her own interests and the Democrat interests.  We are going to see higher taxes for those of us who still have jobs and the companies we work for are going to be paying higher taxes also. It has been the Democratic way in the past so what has changed, just who is President Elect and he is a Democrat.

I believe you earn what you work for! You just do not take it because you feel you deserve it. I can see Michigan back with high Welfare recipients all over again because of the Democrats that believe to spread the wealth off the backs of the few hard workers to the many lazy people in our great land. 

Our nation was founded in the belief of GOD, so may GOD be with us because we are in for a ride.

Angie are you saying this country needs to only have people that agree with you?

brianba

No, but we need less ignorant people like Laura.

I know there is nothing I can do, but just figure out how to survive

the drama is killing me, hehehehehee...

Laura, please contact me and I will buy you a ticket out of this country.  I'd wager some of your famioly members would celebrate your leaving

You go Keith V...hahahahahahaha

And people call McCain and Palin mean spirited?

You guys really set an example of how to treat fellow human beings.

Only when ignorant poeple like Laura start wagging her mouth the way she does and does not have facts to back it up, apart from her own personal experience. She is racist, no doubt in my mind, are you??

Laura, I'll pay for your ticket back to Italy...they're economy is worst than ours, but I guess that's black people's fault too.

You're ignorant, you're a bigot, and you try to covert it up with these b.s. excuses but the fact is that is who you are...and while you may not like it, you make little effort to change.

You need prayer and a book.

wow...amazing how we all see things differently - I am a white woman and I am very proud of my country today!!  There are bad whites, bad blacks, bad women, bad men - let's quit lumping everyone in to one category - Obama is a good man and if you cannot see that then you are not looking with an open mind - did you not see the sea of American's last night so full of pride - they were white, black, hispanic, asian, young, old, women, men - they are America!!

I really wish to engage in what people call "conscious raising" but I honestly don't feel like it after such a historic night.  But do you REALLY believe he is a muslim?  If so...  why?

He was raised by an atheist mother and grandparents (I don't know what religion if any).  He went to a predominantly muslim school in Indonesia for a few years (and a Catholic one before that).  He was an atheist or agnostic himself until he moved to Chicago and converted to Christianity.  Maybe you doubt his faith (there's no real reason to), or don't like his brand of Christianity (it isn't exactly the most mainstream) but you have no reason to think he's a muslim.

twosage-I doubt that he will stay with American any longer than he stayed with his Muslum upbringing, his converstion to Christianity or his pastor of 20+ years.  When it is politically correct he will turn his back on American too!  Okay - who's the highest bidder??? 

What has Obama ever done to prove to you that he is not a patriot?

Did he abandon his military post?

Laura:

I'm white, female, not very tall, muscular or threatening and quite honestly, a bit of a wiseass, so in other words--- easy target.

I'm wondering who all of these white people are that are being targeted by blacks.  I personally know hundreds of white folks and don't routinely hear of them being victimized, nor have I experienced that and I worked for 13 years in a very depressed area of a big city (and not one incident in 13 years!)

 Please show us some links to where you're getting your news/statistics/scuttlebutt/urban legends/crap/venom/rhetoric/BS/whatever

By-the-by--- Black does not equal Muslim and

                    Muslim does not equal terrorist

Isn't this a fun game?  

He DID NOT SALUTE THE FLAG, and it has been plastered around the world, How American is that????

Lead, Follow or get the hell out of the way. A leader doesn't expect people to follow him, they follow because he is a good [great] leader or he has a bigger stick, or in this case the most money. One dollar, do I hear one dollar???

Romney/Huckabee 2012

I am so glad Laura that someone besides a couple people i know can see the obvious. Thank you

if everybody follow islam there is no fear of colour , cast andcreed , rich or poor  everybody is equal and treated equal.life will be peaceful.

WHO CREATED BLACK / WHITE COMMUNALISM . NONE OTHER THAN WHITES WHO CLAIM THEMSELF TRUE FOLLOWER OF JESUS.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION ,THIS COMMUNALISM IS NOT PREVAILING AMONG MUSLIMS.

RetNav, what does saluting the flag have to do with being an American?  I don't salute the flag either.  I'd much rather respect the Constitution, which is the heart and soul of this country, than some piece of cloth politicians wrap themselves in while dishonoring the Constitution and this country. 

Laura, please inlighten me and show me where it is written that the Blacks have been pushing round the whites for years. Where did you get that Bull@!$%# from...Oh yea, your own screwed up delusional mind right. I will help the other guy that said he will buy you a ticket out of this country, cause you know what, you dont belong here with that type of attitude BS.

Yes Laura, I am so very confused, where is all this black on white crime happening? I am around black people all the time lol no problems. The craziest people i seem to know at the moment happen to be two white guys if you must know and i think they totally have the potential to go postal and kill many someday :) but other than that, I know agressive whites, blacks indians, hispanics, all races, I am just soooo confused as to how you have come to make these silly statements. Any statistical data to back it all up??

What a ding dong!!!

you read these boards long enough and you start to realize that the christian faith has its own extremists as well.

they're no better than the muslim extremists, but have this elitist sense of entitlement that makes me gag.

PUSHING THE RACE CARD FOR YEARS?  THE BLACKS?!!!   Lets see, We brought them in chains in the early 1600's, made them build the agricultural base of the american economy, destroyed their social and family structure because we preferred to think of them as animals, buying and selling them for two and half centuries; then we intimidated them with the Klam and other traditional American HERITAGE ORGANIZATIONS, excluded them from jobs, housing, schools, voting, restaurants. public transportation, restrooms, sports, drinking fountains, lunch counters and social interaction for an additional century-  WHO  exactly has been playing the race card for centuries?

This is why this election is so sweet- because of the way it makes people LIKE YOU feel and look!

When religion is tied to Government you get what we have in fundamental Islamic countries, America is about "freedom of choice" and yet when someone want's to exercise that freedom you all want to be communist and tell us how to think, pray, and love.  I am a gay woman and I take offense to your ignorance.  I have a family that loves me.  If we would teach our children about responsible sexual activity and not just say "don't do it" - we know that does not work - there would be less of a need to discuss abortion, and if a woman is raped by her drunken father you want to tell her what to do with her body.  People are not Pro-Abortion, they want to allow people to make these choices for themselves.  Quit trying to cram your beliefs down our throats -  how dare you tell us what to do and say you are more American than I am.  I was in the military for 11 years, I pay taxes, don't tell me I don't have the same rights as you.

"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion..."  --Treaty of Tripoli signed by John Adams.

"The Bible is not my Book and Christianity is not my religion.
I could never give assent to the long complicated statements
of Christian dogma."  --Abraham Lincoln

When hiring workmen for Mount Vernon, George Washington wrote to his agent, "If they be good workmen, they may be from Asia, Africa, or Europe; they may be [Muslims], Jews, or Christians of any sect, or they may be Atheists."

Thomas Jefferson took a knife to his bible to cut out the "ridiculous magic" and keep the morals he liked.  Washington did not take communion, and when confronted by the minister for "setting a bad example", he never came back.  He was accused after his death of being a Deist, as many of the founding fathers were.

I can go on, but I'm sure you don't believe me anyway...

Just thought I would share this info with you regarding Thomas Jefferson.

First Muslim in Congress to use historic Quran Thomas Jefferson's copy of Muslim book to be used in unofficial swearing-in

msnbc.msn.    com/id/16455298

Yeah.  Jefferson had a Quran.  He probably would have had a copy of the Bhagavad Gita if it was available...  I miss the Enlightenment....

How on earth can you possibly reconcile your statement "This country was founded on Christianity” with the first amendment to the Constitution which reads:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

How much clearer need it be?

My dear Sir:

I am a follower of Christ and also believe that homosexuality is a sin. But so are many of my private wrongs, which no one but God knows about and which are no one else's business except it affects them.

By the way, if you read a passage in the book of Isaiah you might be surprised to find out that it was not homosexuality that resulted in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It was their rampant disregard for injustice and their unwillingness to take care of the poor and weak in the midst.

Fellow believer. 

This country like others will suffer the consequences of their immoral actions. I hope that America will realize this before its too late. I am a young christian woman and I believe in the Word of God so I try to live my life according. And thing that upset people are they living their lives in contrast to God's Word but we all will suffer for the sins of this nation. I voted for Mr. Mccain and it did upset me very much when he loss.

And as a black person I believe and know most of the black population voted for him because he was black. But I have a very bad feeling about Obama being the president but its nothing that Mccain supporters can do.  As a previous poster stated about moving to another country, the thoughts has crossed my mind in the past. But all we as christians can do is pray and hope that whatever decisions Obama makes we can make it through them. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Mccain for being a solider and fighting for his country.

I was planning on joining the Air Force but I wanted to wait until after I finished my Master's Degree. I don't believe in my heart that Obama will make a good Commander-In-Chief and that's very important to me if I am going to serve my country in the military.     

sb17

Very well said.

God should have mercy on you.

ever read the declaration of independence?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

now tell me...is this not the most well known line in the declaration on independence? It caputures the heart of American liberty and independence. That every man and woman and child on this planet have a right to live. Now what grants us this "right"? It is definitely not man...because if it was, then what man gives, man can take away. No, the authors of the declaration of independence recognized that there can only be a higher power who created all of mankind in order for the idea of "human rights" to exist. This Creator they refer to is most obviously God and no one else. and not just any god. This God they refer to is the Bible.

The Bible in Genesis says that "man was created in God's image" and "man and women, he created them." It also concludes to write "And God said it was good." What these statements mean is that 1.) God created every human being, thus within every human being exists a preciousness because we're all the same in God's eyes. 2.) the statement that man was created in God's image, according to scholars, means that we are all created to do the work of God, and thus every human being has a purpose. No other religion can say that their deity created all of mankind equal and good.

So while true the American government professes to support no religion, it was founded on the fact that the core ideals of American liberty was in fact founded on the Bible.

Also, the reason why the American founding father decided against a state religion is that they saw how the church and government corrupted each other in Europe. The separation of church and state was designed to protect the church from secular influence and politics. The government was designed to be run by honest and moral people in America. However, secularism has begun the creation of an intolerant and misguided society that holds the belief of atheism and relative morality. It has turned the American government into something that would cause Abraham Lincoln and Washington to turn in their graves.

Another factoid...do you know what was the rallyiing cry of the American Regulars in the American War of Independence?..."We serve no king but Jesus, and there's no sovereign but God!"

Actually, if you read anything other than 700 Club newsletters and chain mail - you would be aware that historical documents and ORIGINAL translations show that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed due to the sin of In-hospitality (the literal translation) meaning social injustice and cowardly treatment of visitors to their land. 

Gee - if we concentrate on the actual problem, maybe we should all be watching our backs in America because of how the GLBT population is being treated and the way innocent, law abiding middle eastern people are treated in this coutry. Three more states just wrote DISCRIMINATION into their constitutions!  Watc out folks, your group might be next.  Maybe next time all convicted alcholics should lose thier right to vote, or maybe if you are unmarried and not a virgin, you should have to pay double taxes...

Is seems as though there is always some group that is being discriminated against in this country?  When are we going to learn?

Schaney

It's people like you that give Christianity a bad a name and why I think the Romans had the right idea about what to do with Christians.

sb17

You are an exceptional person .

Very interesting point. 

In regards to your statement that "blacks vote for Obama because he was black" - Might be true, but it's also true that in so many past elections, whites asked blacks to vote only for whites and noboby complained.  Also, if only blacks vote for Obama, he would not be our next President.  He did get votes from men, women, blacks and whites and all the ethnics in between. 

When you're looking at dividing against race and gender, you get a decision made by McCain to pick Palin as running mate and lose even the women vote.  Women don't simply vote for a woman - and to put Palin on the same par as Clinton shows McCain's strategists underestimated women.  I'm an Asian American woman and I really object to that treatment.  McCain is someone I admired up until that pick.

In regards to your definition of morality:  We have our current President screaming the moral and patriotic tunes every 5 minutes, and jumped into a war for personal vendetta regardless of how many of our soldiers would have to die to prove our Commander in Chief is patriotic.  True morals imply to not cause hurt to anyone - human or animals or anything in between.  No accusations, no stones throw.  Love.  Mother Teresa.  That's morality of the Christian faith.  To use God to pursue one's own sense of morality and accuse other persons and faiths and acts of being immorals, that's just plain immoral in the name of religion. 

Our country was not founded on any religion, however, it reflects many Judeo-Christian principles. Further, the Declaration of Independence did not mention Jesus or God, but DOES mention "their Creator" (who endowed people with certain inalienable rights), which I would argue refers to "God".  Why Jefferson didn't use "God" I have no idea. I don't care.  If that's an issue for you then look at it the way I (not religious, not spiritual, something of an agnostic) do: We have those rights, because we are humans. They are a part of what we are as humans, making them inalienable (we have them no matter what government does. Government may take actions that (wrongly) infringe on them, but government can never take them away because government has not "endowed" us with those rights.  This is not the way rights are seen in other parts of the world, where government tells you what your rights will be and can take them away).

As for the First Amendment, it was to prevent the government from establishing a state run church and most likely avoid the religious persecution and religious-based civil wars that occurred in Europe. It does not in anyway, require the absence of FAITH. I will not address the free exercise clause.

As for Islam, my understanding is that the religion does not even allow for any dividing line between the state and the religion. But then some centuries ago in Europe the same was true with respect to the state and the Catholic Church.

My one criticism of religion will be towards many of those who profess to be Christian. To me the word "Christian" means "Christ-like" as in how Christ lived. I confess I have not met many alleged Christians who are very Christ-like AND will acknowledge their failings. But I have met many non-Christians who practice no religion and have no faith who to me live lives that are "Christ-like".

In the end, should God be there, let God decide. Don't we have enough strife in this world already?

Are you kidding me? This country was founded on christianity? NO IT WASN'T!

I can't stand stupid people.

The country was founded on religious freedom you idiot. That's why they all came here.

Not so that a couple of people could dictate their rediculous beliefs on everyone else. Or the majority on the minority for that matter. You're no different from the Taliban - you believe that your beliefs should rule the world because you told yourself you're right.

Read up on history before you go spouting it, please.

You are a very unkind and angry person with  too much confidence in your intelligence  and absolute ability to always be right. These kinds of post that demean the value of others and their opinions is really an embarrassment to humanity. It is also indicative of who the truly "Stupid" people are, the ones who scream loudest that everyone else is wrong for believing what they feel is right for them.

You spent way too many words saying nothing...

What I said was based on fact, not opinion.

Believe whatever you want...that doesn't change the truth. For some reason, some people have a hard time differentiating between the two. You appear to have that handicap.

Thank you for your sentiments, but most Democrats do the same as you are prepared to.  George W. Bush failed to protect this country from attack then led us into a war with a country that never had the ability to attack us.  After that, he lost me.

ditto...

When Bush wanted to declare war on Iraq with lies, and I knew it was based on false pretences, I was turned off at that point.  To go to war when he avoided wartime.....he never showed me the qualities that I want to see in a person, let alone a president.

"We will be giving OBama a chance.  I will support him and follow his lead until he hurts me."

You see, after last night, you really don't have a choice to be throwing around such comments because the people have ALREADY voted and he won by a landslide. You're stuck with him for 4 years, live with it and appreciate that Bush couldn't screw us over some more.

"I feel this is way more than the Democrats ever were willing to do for George W. Bush."

How sweet, you actually supported the southern cowboy while he basically put America on everybody's sh*t list, that's really patriotic of you.

(that comment was dripping with sarcasm btw)

the only reason the democrats stopped supporting bush was because he was an idiot and led the country to war without thinking twice, his intentions were never to do what was good for his nation but to get even as fast as possible because everyone was mad as hell after 9/11. if he were to have had a well-planned strategy as to how to manage the terrorist attack maybe the democrats, or anyone with a brain, wouldn't despise him so much.

I can not believe the nasty posts on this site! I am a Christian and a conservative. I believe that although I did not vote for Obama he is everyone's president and needs support in these trying times. I recieved a hate mongering, bigotted Obama add from another black women during the campaign and feel the remarks about the negative campaign McCain waged are rediculous. Obama's people were nasty as well. The real thing that bother's me is that I really don't know what Obama stands for...I guess I will find out.  I harbor no hatred for any race or religion and pray for the best for all of us.

God Bless America

Every President is going to make mistakes, its human nature, NO ONE is PERFECT unfortunately, BUsh on the other hand, F'd up badly and because of him, our country is hated by so many other countries and we are debt up too our eyeballs. Obama has a will to try and mend all that has been damaged and/or destroyed and lead us to the accompishments and give us a better country that the Bush Admin couldn't.

As far as all of that goes, GWB seemed from the first to have taken the office in a sort of Freudian Oedipus complex to "one-up" his father.  I remember him saying more than once "I am a war time president!"  Historically, wartime presidents are considered the great ones (well...OK, Millard Fillmore's Mexican War wasn't, nor was Nixon's 'Nam).  What about the flight suit swagger on that aircraft carrier and the "Mission Accomplished" routine?  The guy seemed to have issues with his manhood and those issues led our country down the primrose path to division, infighting and hatred.  I hope history sees him as the abject failure he really was!

Obama got the Electoral College votes in a landslide.

The popular vote is a different matter, 48 percent of voters voted for someone else.

There will be many people who will never get behind Obama no matter what he does or doesn't do. The same was true with Bush and the people who for 8 years said "Not my President" and called him a Nazi. 

People may not like it, but that's the reality.

I guess if it bothers people enough they could lobby Congress and have the phrase "not my President" declared hate speech. (just kidding)

Just kidding? Then why did you post it?

Of the votes that counted, Obama got 66,672,090 0r 53%.  McCain got 58,223,676 or 46%.

Though I did not vote for him, Obama DID win the popular vote.

ya most people who cling to statistics get them wrong on purpose to support an argument they believe others will buy. desertgirl, for example.

The President now is still Bush.

So, we should support him?

Sounds like you are a support of BUSH.. Crazy.

uh - we have supported him as much as we possibly can....

he has not been impeached...

he received no death threats from extremist groups who are basically no different from the taliban.

he was re-elected in 2004 even though he'd been a sucktard since 2002.

Steve, I could not agree with you more.

As a Republican at the start of the election I was I was really impressed by McCain.  As the race progressed I started looking at Obama and Hillary. I found that race fasinating and McCain's campaign quite boring.  He didn't seem to have a message.

I didn't like Hillary because I thought she was running a mean spirited campaign and kept giving props to the opposition. (McCain). I didn't understand how a Dem could be undercutting a member of it's own party, especially if one of them hoped to be the other's VP.

I then started taking a look at Obama and how he was running his campaign in comparison and his message of Change.  A cleaner campaign and a Set Message.

Once Barack Obama and John McCain won the primaries I followed thier paths and I was frankly disgusted at the road McCain started going down, the divisive language and message, his VP pick of Sara Palin who I felt was way to far right of the center. Not to mention her lack of sophistication when it came to awareness of the world outside of Alaska.

At that point I changed party affliation because I felt that the Repulican Party as a whole had lost it. I was once a proud African-American Moderate  Republican.

I voted for Barack Obama, not because I am Black or he is black, but because I believe he is right person for this country at this time.

I have empathy for John McCain, because he surely wanted to have a heroic legacy that he certainly will not have. Not  because he lost this election but because  of the campaign he ran, that in itself is very sad indeed.

Perhaps he can make a hugh difference in the senate as I know he surely will want to redeem himself there in the eyes of his fellow senators.

As  a fellow american, I say, God Speed.

Well put, 3rdtime.  I would also like to include people of no faith at all.  While many of the early settlers were not the most tolerant of other faiths, the nation itself was founded on the precept that it's not the government's place to tell people what religion to believe in.  And I think that's just dandy.

Panther1,

I hope you didn't ever take economics in high school, much less college. Let me ask you a question. Have you ever owned your own business, shop or even a lemonade stand. I have a business degree and I own a successfull IT company and let me tell you how it works. When a business owner makes a profit and see's their business succeed the natural response for that entreprenuer is to reinvest some of that money back into the business so it can keep growing and make them even more money (because like you said we are GREEDY). What do you think all that reinvesting and growth means for the average joe moron -JOBS!! However, if that same business owner fears the government is just going to keep taxing his business to death than the logical thing for him to do is to try and hide that extra money wherever he or she can. So in effect what your saying is or partly true if you have a flaming liberal like your self in office looking to tax all the job creating business to death. In the words of the late and great Ronald Reagan "Free markets are a rising tide that floats all boats". Oh and by the way, if you want proof of all this just look at how much economic success our country had while he was in office.

A Concerned White American

However, if that same business owner fears the government is just going to keep taxing his business to death than the logical thing for him to do is to try and hide that extra money wherever he or she can.

Are you admitting to tax fraud?

natural response for that entreprenuer is to reinvest some of that money back into the business so it can keep growing and make them even more money

Is not the reinvestment of that money considered a business expense and therefore tax deductible, thereby reducing your taxes?

What do you think all that reinvesting and growth means for the average joe moron

Too bad you can hide behind anonymity for this post.  I'm sure your employees would be proud of how you characterize America's workers.  Don't look now but your elitism is showing.

Ronald Reagan "Free markets are a rising tide that floats all boats". Oh and by the way, if you want proof of all this just look at how much economic success our country had while he was in office.

Ah yes, Ronald Reagan, the god of the conservatives.  Yep, the market rose right along with the national debt.  That's how Reagan supported his economic plan.  Reduce taxes, borrow to make up for the lack of proper funding and let the future pay the bill.  Same thing Bush did, and look at what we have now. 

The bill is due who do you expect to pay it?  The answer is obvious from your post, not you, but joe moron.