Elections in this nation offer the prospect of new directions in domestic and foriegn policy. Should we consider the prospect of positive change from the current leadership or a repeat of the same old same old business as usual. Realistically we only have two choices. ..The continued government for the Rich from the BANANA REPUBLICANS, or the historic policies of the ,spread the wealth, SOCIAL DEMOCRATS. As an independent, I am hoping for something in between. Moderation in government spending would be nice with more emphasis on fixing what is wrong with America..rather than trying to fix what is wrong with the rest of the Planet. What do you think should be the primary focus on the next administration? One thing for sure...who ever wins will certainly have their job already pre-cut out for them. Thanks to the bad decisions and the problems created by the current administration, and the politically charged and enept congress. Lets look at the issues that are troubling our nation, both domestically and internationally. From the lack of health care for our citizens, immigration, the lack of a sound energy policy, the increasing crime rate, poverty, the decline of the middle class...to unattainable foriegn policies that is depleting our resources and damaging our credibily as a world leader in the eyes of our allies as well as those that would seek to destroy us.

IT'S A CIRCUS OF CLOWNS ! How can anyone zero in on a particular canadate when most of them, at least the ones that have a chance at party nomination, can not or rather will not establish a firm position on a number of very criticle issues. I will attempt to list the issues of extreme importance in my openion that ''MUST'' be addressed and solutions rendered. If you deem other issues should be priorities, that I might have overlooked..please list them so we may adrees this by consensus as WE THE PEOPLE. Then we will take the front runners, and perhaps those canidates that have a chance to charge to the front, and visit their current views and platform for resolving these problems.,..from both Democrat & Republican canidates, & even legitimate 3rd party canidates. #1- FIRST AND FORMOST****A FEESABLE DYNAMIC RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY, This will give us independence from foriegn influence...#2-RETURNING TO A POLICY OF DIPLOMACY & DIALOG , RATHER THAN IMPERIALISM FOR A FORIEGN POLICY...#3- WHAT CAN BE DONE REALISTICALLY TO STOP THE INVASION OF ILLEGALS & THE EVENTIAL LOST OF OUR SOVERNTY?...#4-HEALTH CARE REFORM..PERHAPS A QUASI SOCIAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OR A NATIONALIZED INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE OR CAN NOT AFFORD COVERAGE...#5-BANKING, LENDING AND CREDIT REFORM, GREED CONTROL put a bridle on run away capitalism and less focus onthe wealth of WALL STREET..more focus on the survival of MAIN STREET...#6-EDUCATION SUBSIDIES FOR THOSE THAT HAVE THE ABILITY BUT DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLING i.e. college, universities, specialized training..we are loosing ground to other nations when it comes to collective brain power..#7-ILLEGAL DRUG REFORM, REHAB FOR USERS..HARD TIME FOR PEDDLERS..#8-NEW AND STRICK LOBBIEING LAWS WITH HEFTY FINES AND EXTREME PENALTIES FOR CONGRESSIONAL OFFICIALS, SUCH AS LOSS OF SALARY,PENSION, BENEFITS, AND SUSPENSION..LIKE EVERY OTHER WORKER IS SUBJECT TO FOR BREAKING RULES ON THE JOB...#9-REDUCING THE POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THAT HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR THE MESS WE ARE IN TODAY, AND RETURN TO A TRUE SEPERATION OF THE 3 BRANCHES OF GOV.. #10.. TO A LESSER DEGREE, ELECTION REFORM, CLEAN UP ALL OF THE ADDENDUMS TO THE CONSTITUTION THAT FAVOR SPECIAL INTEREST, SOCIAL SECURITY FUNDING, CREATE A NEW DEAL TYPE WORK FORCE OF THE ILLEGAL ALIENS, RELEASED FELONS, THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE EDUCATED TO A SELF SUSTAINING LEVEL, I.E. WORK CAMPS REBUILDING AMERICAS DETERIOATING INFRASTRUCTURE. illegals would earn points towards citizenship and become documented, or be deported, felons can reclaim full rights with the points system, those that have learning handicapps can become productive and gain self esteem and build finances for housing through a matching contribution of earnings. DYNAMIC CHANGE IS WHAT IS NEEDED AND QUICKLY! WHAT DO THESE POTENTIAL LEADERS SAY ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ISSUES? Lets put Rowe vs. Wade aside for the time being, tell the evangelicals to get out of the government and go back to their churches where they belong, inforce seperation of church and state for which this nation was origanally founded. PATENT REFORM..there are bright ideas all across our nation that need to be nutured and grown with opportunities and incentives available for those potential inventors whom patent ownership is finantially out of reach, and are afraid to submit their great ideas because the big corps will steal them..this is stiffiling our innovative character as Americans. QUIT GIVING TAX BREAKS TO THE RICH, AND SUBSIDISING THE OIL COMPANIES WITH THEIR RECORD PROFITS. Cut the evironmental red tape with time limits and scrutiny in place so we may tap into the available resources will still have, to buy time for alternative renewable energy..that means you FLORIDA !!!!!!!..NOW!.... HARD TIME for public servants that are corrupt and break the law with loss of pensions and benefits..at local, state, and federal levels..LETS TAKE BACK OUR NATION FROM THE INCOMPETENT, SELF SERVING, BEAURACRATS..that have brought us to the brink of the crisis that we are currently in with their greed and power mongering. I'm going to return with the views on each of these important issues from the prominat canidates. OR, At least the issues in this list that they dare to address openly to the American people with some tangible ideas.

sorry about the spelling, my keyboard is iffy, and THE NEW SOFTWARE CHANGES do not allow me to go back and edit after posting so it is what it is under the circumstances. After all it's the commentary that counts.

I think we have the software fixed now...

Last night I saw a clip on PBS about the 2000 election and the election of 2004..as it had to do with Ralph Nader and to some extent Pat Buchanon. I was appalled at the almost NAZI like security that was emplemented at some of these Presidential debates. Ralph Nader & Pat Buchanon were not allowed to speak, and Nader was even turned away from a venue by tax paid state troopers and threatened with arrest when he tried to enter the cordoned off area with a legitimate ticket to the debates. The Troopers, (I THINK FROM MASS). had a wanted poster with Naders & Buchanon's pictures on it, un believeable stuff. We tell other countries not to do this and at the same time we are sanchioning this kind of injustice. We are ourselves are committing Cival Rights Violations..Go to PBS.ORG to view this piece ..I am stunned this morning after witnessing the skull duggery that is going on inside our government being manufactured and driven by Greed from the corporate elite that are destroying this nation. Its not the terrioist or the illegal aliens we need to worry about..It's the corporate movers and shakers and the cheap politicians they keep in their pockets that are selling our nation off one piece at a time. I WAS BOTH APPALLED AND DISGUSTED AFTER WATCHING THAT CLIP. ...OUR NATION IS IN DEEP DOO..what a hypocrisy we are currently living in. no good cam come from that kind of behavior..NONE!

Regardless of all the problems we are having here in the U.S...time for changes..and like in the past..this Great Ship of Democracy..will right itself with a whole new agenda..I am forever optimistic. GOOD always triumps over evil. I wish all of you a safe and Happy Holiday...and lets all hope for better NEW YEAR. koonism

Well-said.

Because this is a political thread focusing on the upcoming Presidential elections, I will choose this venue to explain why, whether we like her or not as a person, Hillary Clinton is the most LOGICAL choice for President. As you are all aware of, our nation is heading downhill and sliding faster expotentionally..thats a bad thing. I predicted prior to summer last year in my post that the facade of Wall Street was going to fracture..that is happening. I also tried to start a thread on the Fed. showing that the Fed has other interest than the well being of the People of the United States. no one wanted to debate these opinions base upon research. i also predicted that a Depression is possible because the last time we had Recession..paralleling inflation.. we had the Great Depression..It's usually one or the other..Like in the past..Greed and the lack of Government scrutiny due to poltical influence from special interest..has brought us to this junture once again..It's not that we didn't learn our lesson from the past.. a few very powerfull people allowed this to take place..just like the last one. now with that being said...thank you..thank you..we will need instant change..logically the best approach to achieving that kind of quick turn around.. is to have a proven team already in place with all of the necessary channels open and the contacts waiting for instructions. the clinton's have that..not only inside the domestic arena but also internationally. We DO NOT need another OJT, on the job Training President..no offense to Obama..you can have great Ideas..or like MLK. have a deam..but if you don't have the political infrastructure to MAKE IT HAPPEN. Then it remains just a dream. Hillary like her husband Bill will suround herself with bright people that will not be afraid to put forth their ideas..and they will find solutions by consensus..not create more problems by decree like the current bafoon that's destroying this nation because incompetence is held in high esteem and rewarded. the republicans are just playing outthe game..trying to keep face..they lost already and I think they know it. If a Republican would win, they would spend the intire administration trying to sweep dirt under the rug and would be dodging sepeonas like golfballs out on the driving range. the country would sink even further into crisis. Taking out looks, gender, race, persoalities, emotional characteristics, past conduct, etc...logically Hillary is the choice..because the Clinton machine is parked on stand-by, tuned up, and the tank is full ready to launch...my openion based on a large dose of reality & common sense.

I'd like to point out a potential scenario..based upon past histories and current crisis plagueing American Cities with Black Mayors. Washinton D.C., New Orleans, Detroit, Phidelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta have major economic and criminal adversities. Ray Nagin of New Orleans..RE-ELECTED after the Katrina fiasco. His D.A. has been found guilty of racial discrimination against white police officers, Marion Berry..He should be mayor at some penitentary..he is a habitual law breaker..and keeps getting elected. I don't think all Black leaders are incompitent..Incompetence has no color as George W. Bush has proven. But once elected they become the puppets of the caliber of the people that elected them. APPEASMENT BECOMES THE POLICY OF THESE MAYORS WHETHER THEY WANT TO OR NOT. The amount of tremendous pressure that will be put on Obama to cater to the Black community..OR ELSE..wil be likened to opening Pandora's box. What comes out may not be what is good for the whole of this nation.. Black special interest lobbieing groups will be the New Special interest replacing the Energy, Pharmacutical, & financial groups to name a few. This will only devide this nation further. like I said above in the previous post. we need instant karma..fast change that has possiblities..with stucture in place to make it happen. I am not anymore a Raciest than Al Sharpten or Jessie Jackson.. I hired Black intelligent hard working guys..and roomed with one on an industrial project in Jacksonville, Florida. He was a real good friend back then, I don't know where he is today..but I always considered him my equal. Obama has some fresh Ideas..and I think he is sincere..however..how will he survive the onslaught from the Black Community coming at him from all directions for minority programs..government staffing..special MINORITY ORIENTED interest. NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR RADICAL SOCIAL CHANGES. We have to right the ship we are currently foundering in before we can start polishing up the Brass.

Interesting...I've never heard anyone ask that question before. My thinking is that Obama actually would be less likely than Hillary to owe a lot of favors, because she's spent so much time courting the support of local elected officials. In contrast, I think Obama's base of support among African-Americans is organic and not dependent upon high-profile endorsements.

Pat..let me inlighten you.. You have read what has happen to me, being run over and becoming disabled. I have had to deal with poverty and the welfare system being on that low income stage. Unless you have seen first hand..what goes on at this low level of society..you have no idea what hatred blacks have for white people. I have never succumb to being politically correct..which is a nice word for being NIAVE. The amount of reverse discrimination that takes place against poor white people at the hands of minority run social programs is appalling. It is not politically correct to address these CRIMES. Most Blacks have been raised from childhood to hate whites..and there is no doubt credence for that attitude based upon the injustices they have had to endure. However, they have no outlet to inflict their collective frustrations into other than those whites that are most vulnerable. The low income whites that depend on social programs. Whites are not allowed in the management and dispersment of certain charities and social welfare programs. Even the EEOC..EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION..IS OVERWHELMINGLY STAFFED BY BLACKS. Black leaders of Black cities..have to do what black activist want them to do..or else there is a threat of violence. Look a what just happen in New Orleans..a Black D.A. UNDER A RE-ELECTED MAYOR, was found guilty of discrimination against white police officers. He was removed from office, has refused to pay the fines, and was re hired by the Mayor's office as a consultant with a $90,000 a year salary. This is a matter of public record. If Obama is elected as President..and bless his heart..I think he is an eceptional man with vision, vitality, and intelligence, beyound most of the canidates he is competeing with. Comparing him to BUSH, would be like comparing Einstien to uh Elmer Fudd. However..The Black Raciest that make a living on keeping racism alive and churning..like Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton.. and their collective collegues..will be constantly demanding attention from Obama for Black special interest legislation...OR ELSE. If we think there is Racial Tension now..we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg of Major Racial Problems. Obama will be overwhelmed with demands he will not be able to meet and will ostracized by the very same people that are beating a drum for his canidacy. He will be facing a NO WIN..NO WIN ..SITUATION. Now in my openion..this will become a CRISIS for the Obama administration...It will become a nightmare of catistrophic proportions for the Nation...that is already devided. WE HAD BETTER BE CAREFULL WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR. Again, in my openion..this is NOT the right time for a social experiment. Our nation IS IN DEEP DOO DOO that needs cleaning up. ANOTHER 4 YEARS OF DOO, and we will drown in it! Like I said at the beginning of this post..I have first hand knowledge of what goes on that nobody wants to acknowledge..much less bring to the surface. A Black President no matter how qualifed he is..will result in a crisis of moumental porportions. Again, I am trying to speak from a resonably experienced hands on point of view..not as a WHITE RACIST. I have had Black Roomates on Industrial projects I worked on. I have worked with extremely intellegent Black engineers that I remain in contact with. The educated blacks fear this will happen also.. and that they will loose all they have gained. Not a good time for an experiment in Social behavior. It will have dire consequences for both races...AGAIN..MY OPENION ONLY.

I'd like to further add..that I think Obama got into this election process due to pressure from anti Clinton forces. I don't think even he himself thought that he had a chance. The reasons for his emmense popularity aside from his brilliance, his fresh appeal, his oratory, and his sincere attitude..inwhich all of these traits certainly qualify him..is that the downright reality of it all is..THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE..U.S.CITIZENS THAT REPRESENT THE WORKING POOR AND THE MIDDLE CLASS... ARE FED UP WITH OUR GOVERNMENT AND ANYONE AND ANYTHING THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MESS WE ARE CURRENTLY IN. We can thank partisan politics and special interest influence for this attitude by the American People..folks have just had enough of the same old same old..and want a change..and quickly. they don't understand that in our form of government..change is a process..that takes clever negotiations within a network of channels that have to be accessed or aquired.it's better to have those lines in place already than to have to build bridges from scratch...Change will not come from the wave of a majic wand. We are not living in OZ and Obama is not The WIZARD.

A good victory for Hillary. Finally all of this Obama Hype, Showboating, and Skinthin Policy proclamations has hopefully come to an end. The real meat and potatoes of what the future policies of this nation is finally coming to light. The good people of Ohio was able to seperate fanatasy from reality, and are willing to accept a true fix to their problems that mirror the same economic mess that is affecting the rest of this nation. Hillary will addreess these problems with a team of experienced economist and business leaders..like he husband Bill did and find those solutions by consensus....not with a the Majic Wand..that Obama is waving around. Let's return to reality..and deal with our problems in a priority based system..find solutions by consensus from the best minds that can be gathered together regardless of party, race, religion. etc. That is the key to getting this nation back on track to greatness. you measure a nation's net worth..by the quality of life it's masses have..not the number of Billionairs it can produce.

Well..time for me to eat crow. My first choice for president was in fact Joe Biden. When he dropped out, my choice shifted to Hillary Clinton because of the experience factor. Now that my second choice has been eliminated..and in light of Joe Biden being chosen for the V.P. position, I will support the Obama/Biden ticket. Obama has recently shown that his administration will be one of consensus. It is inlightining to see that he will surround himself with capable and experienced leaders tht will help him form the policies necessesary to correct the monumental mistakes that were made by the current administration via the republican agenda of power and wealth for the powerfull and wealthy. In closing I feel that any canidate other than another republican can only provide opportunity and hope for the future of this nation. Another year of republican dictatorship much less than a full 4 year term will be devastating to the future stability of our once Great nation. I recently read an article tht 120 Banks are on the verge of failing and that the FDIC has to borrow money to bail out these banks who were allowed to practice unrestricted unregulated financial programs that have led to their demise...What a mess this nation is in. Our government borrowed the money for the stimulus package fron China. This is what happens when incompetent people get elected and make bad decisions that benefit the elite and neglect the needs of the masses. we are marhing towards a Revolution of some sort if we don't get these bafoons out of our government..Vote Obama/ Biden..in November 2008..or else suffer the consequences of being part of the demise of America. These people ,(the Republican Faithfull), are brainwashed robots..I call them Red Droids. They want everyone to march in step behind this New World Order Idealogy that the rest of the world will not continue to put up with. Like the Nazis of Germany we will be defeated eventually by a gathering of forces that will consolodate their efforts to take us down. They are succeeding as we speak, to reduce our economic value on the world stage. What a mess we are in and the sad part is that there doesn't seem to be a degree of urgency to make the necessary chages to turn this debacle around. To think that this great nation was hijacked by a group of unachievers that rose to power on a platform of Bull.S. What does that tell the rest of the world...Americans..are weak and they are stupid...The perverbial proof is in the pudding..WHAT A FRIGGIN MESS WE ARE IN..Thank you BUSHBOTS