“Politics is Bunk” -Our Ford, paraphrased
Long-time viewers will recognize Erin. She’s been growing out her hair since we saw her last.
Erin probably enjoys talking about politics, but I don’t, and a large reason why is the phenomenon she’s talking about. I don’t see how people can argue so vociferously for one candidate or another when it’s so clear that politics will neither save nor wreck the world. Yes, it matters who we elect to our various national government offices. Yes, it makes a difference whether Obama or McCain gets the presidency this year, and yes, one of them is going to make a better president than the other (and yes, I’m leaning toward McCain). But you know what else? Both of them are human beings. Obama is not the antichrist, and if he gets into office, he is going to do some good things for this country and some bad things, just like McCain. I could get into the specifics of my take on each candidate, but that would be beside the point.
I’m sick and tired of people acting like the Republican party is God’s chosen party. People, have you forgotten that your Savior Himself stated, “My kingdom is not of this world?” Honestly, it baffles me that anyone would put their hope so completely in politics. People on both ends of this dichotomous two-party “spectrum” commit this error.When Democrats and Republicans are constantly painting the opposing party as this evil stupid thing that will ruin the country, they reduce complex issues to one-dimensional caricatures and overlook viable solutions to our problems–and that’s not just the college talking. The fate of the world doesn’t hinge on the presidency, and it’s a good thing: because if it did, we’d be screwed no matter who gets elected this year.
By the way, you could probably guess that Erin’s voting for Obama.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I’m a huge Obama supporter, but not a blind Obama supporter. The man has his faults, and I’m not someone who thinks he’s a savior.
However, McCain would be so bad for this country, in my opinion, that Obama IS a savior in comparison.
The greatest trick the Republican Party ever pulled was convincing the world that politics doesn’t matter.
I could go on a lot more than that and would probably if you hadn’t said you don’t really like discussing politics. I will only say this: McCain wants to give the top 1% of earners and ESPECIALLY the top .1% of earners absolutely enormous tax cuts while giving nominal tax cuts to the 60% of the American population that exists in the bottom three income brackets. I would get an extra $19 under McCain. When I am a full-fledged teacher someday, McCain’s plan would give me an extra $319. Under Obama, those numbers are $567 (!) and $1,042. McCain’s tax cut for the people making over $2.87 million, who clearly need to pay fewer taxes? $269K.
Okay, I’m done. Go here. http://www.stefanhayden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/obama_mccain_taxcut.gif This is not some BS Obama statistic, either. This is research from an independent nonprofit who studies taxes.
Okay I want to write a lot more but… MUST. RESIST. BEING. TOO. STRIDENT. MUST. PASS. TEN. STEP. PROGRAM.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Yeah, the major thing that gives me pause about McCain is that tax plan. There are a few other things as well, but that’s a big one.
Honestly, I probably wouldn’t mind talking politics with you. It’s mostly people who are blind to the faults of their candidate/party of choice, and are utterly convinced that the other guy can do no right.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Well, see, that’s the thing. I can come across as that person, even when I’m not. And political discussions online are EXACTLY the place where people like me become strident and arrogant and dismissive when we’re actually fairly open-minded.
So not to hijack your site too much, and I’ve only got a few minutes, but:
The two personality factors (not issues, which, hey, everyone’s entitled to their opinion) that I think ought to convince everyone to vote against McCain (if not necessarily for Obama):
1. He’s a hothead. The man has a loooong history of impetuous decisions and flare-ups of vicious temper. He once called his wife a “c**t” to her face in front of the press. For mussing his hair, or something. (Granted, I’m sure it was annoying, but still.) He’s an angry old man. I do not want him in charge of our army. (Not even getting into what a general warhawk he is, or how much the military industry is donating to him.)
2. His campaign is riddled with lies. Now, I’m not saying that Obama hasn’t stretched the truth here or there. I’m not aware of any such occasions, but I’m an Obama supporter, and it’s entirely possible that I’ve missed some, through neglect or rose-colored glasses. But McCain has turned out one of the filthiest campaigns in American history. He says things he knows are outright lies. And he CONTINUES to say them after it’s been pointed out to him that they are untrue. It’s a vicious attack strategy of clubbing the American people over the head with lies, betting that the fact-checkers won’t be heard as loud.
Now, maybe you can argue that that is not how his administration will be run. But considering that his own party has been in power for eight years and has lied to the American people over and over and gotten away with it, I’m not sure I believe that argument. McCain is clearly willing to cast the truth by the wayside if it means destroying his enemy. Is that someone we want as the President?
Anyway, just my thoughts before my History quiz. Later, Jackson!
September 20th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I really did not want to reply, though I am full of opinions. I can see that in the school of politics, you and I, brother, will often part ways. I agree with you that politics will not save the world, and that the Republican party should not quite be viewed as “God’s party” but otherwise I must disagree.
I will never say that the Republican party is perfect. It would be preposterous, as no one is perfect, and everyone sins. I would more precisely call myself conservative. With that said, the majority of the beliefs conservatives hold aligns with mine. I think it very seriously makes a huge difference who gets elected. Obama will be very harmful to the nation. He is seriously inexperienced. He is wooing gullible Americans with his star power and excellent public speaking ability. Empty promises of great change is all he has. When interviewed by Rick Warren, with no teleprompter to tell him what to say, Obama was left befuddled. This man has no clue. Yet, so many are ready to vote for him. I am thoroughly convinced a well-trained chimp would make a better president. His history in congress is full of flip-flopping. You can look at his voting record and see how many times he changed his mind. Half of the votes he marks ‘Present’. How is present a vote on an issue? I once saw an interview with Obama. He said if he is elected he is going to disarm us. DISARM. Does no one else see a problem with this. Like them or not, nuclear weapons are here and there is no getting rid of them. Sure, you can downsize the cache, but with countries like Iran and North Korea developing nuclear technology, and Russia being quite capable in that area, getting rid of all our nuclear weapons would be suicide. We would be completely open. There always must be a balance of power. A so called cold war that must always exist between nuclear countries. The fact that everyone knows the other guy could strike them right back is what keeps nuclear winter from breaking out. Apart from that now, don’t even get me started on taxes. Obama wants to raise them all, and reinstate a few that weren’t even in effect. The following information may interest you:
Proposed changes in taxes after 2008 General election:
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN
0% on home sales up to $500,000
per home (couples) McCain does not
propose any change in existing
home sales income tax.
OBAMA
28% on profit from ALL home sales
How does this affect you?
If you sell your home and make a profit, you
will pay 28% of your gain on taxes.
If you are heading toward retirement
and would like to down-size your
home or move into a retirement
community, 28% of the money you
make from your home will go to taxes. This
proposal will adversely affect the
elderly who are counting on the income
from their homes as part of their retirement income.
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN 15% (no change)
OBAMA 39.6%
How will this affect you?
If you have any money invested in stock
market, IRA, mutual funds,
college funds, life insurance, retirement
accounts, or anything that pays
or reinvests dividends, you will now
be paying nearly 4 0% of the money
earned on taxes if Obama become president.
The experts predict that ‘higher
tax rates on dividends and capital gains
would crash the stock market yet
do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes)
Single making 30K – tax $4,500
Single making 50K – tax $12,500
Single making 75K – tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K – tax $18,750
Married making 125K – tax $31,250
OBAMA
(reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)
Single making 30K – tax $8,400
Single making 50K – tax $14,000
Single making 75K – tax $23,250
Married making 60K – tax $16,800
Married making 75K – tax $21,000
Married making 125K – tax $38,750
Under Obama your taxes will
more than double!
How does this affect you? No explanation
needed. This is pretty
straight forward.
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax
How does this affect you? Many families
have lost businesses,
farms and ranches, and homes
that have
been in their families
for generations because they could not
afford the inheritance tax.
Those willing their assets to loved
ones will not only lose them to these taxes.
NEW TAXES BEING PROPOSED BY OBAMA
* New government taxes proposed on
homes that are more than
2400 square feet
* New gasoline taxes (as if
gas weren’t high enough already)
* New taxes on natural resources
consumption (heating
gas, water, electricity)
* New taxes on retirement accounts
and last but not least….
* New taxes to pay for socialized medicine
so we can receive the same
level of medical care as other
third-world countries!!!
Now, the things I mentioned were things that were the obvious stuff I could remember. If I really felt like convincing any of you more, I could really dive and find more things…. the point is… it will make a big difference in who is elected and I think the country will be in serious trouble if Obama is elected.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:56 pm
A friend of mine said it best, that America (and Canada too) has a “favourite sports team” mentality when it comes to politics. That, their favourite party (chosen for whatever reason) is infallible in every way, and are to be unquestioned and defended with a zeal seldom seen anywhere else. Which is sad, because that is not what Democracy is supposed to be about. This is why I do not endorse either McCain or Obama, and have instead decided to endorse legendary cryptid/West Virginia bridge destroyer The Mothman for President:
http://mothman08.wordpress.com/
October 1st, 2008 at 6:03 am
I don’t have any intelligent banter to contribute, so I’m just going to mention that “-and that’s not just the college talking” is one of the best asides I’ve heard/read in a while. hehe!
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:30 am
this strip reminded me of this OpEd in the Washinton Post called “Why are liberals so condescending?”: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/04/AR2010020403698.html
The piece just reminded me of the amount of hatred both sides have for each other. Both sides can’t seem to learn how to get along with one another and work towards making the country better for the average American.