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    Invelos Forums->General: General Discussion Page: 1 2  Previous   Next
So Where's the Common Ground?
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantSnark
Registered: June 3, 2007
United States Posts: 333
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Since it seems that most of the topics right now are contentious, I thought it would be intresting to see if those of differing "sides" can find some common ground.

Somehow I don't think we'll find any such ground on the solutions, but so I was wondering if there might be some in challenges the US faces at the moment.

I think we've got a number of major issues facing us right now. 

* The economy: (I'm guessing everyone will agree that is a problem right now.  )  It desperately needs to be stablized.

* The Middle East:  Again, it needs to be stablized.  Between Iran, Iraq, Isreal, Pakistan and our foriegn dependence on oil our national security is being threatend by local conflicts halfway across the globe.

* Labor vs. Management: The relationship between labor and management in the US is seriously disfunctional.  Bewtween the unions who seem to be having trouble adapting to the changing market and manufacturers that aren't doing any better we've got a fairly ugly situatuion going on for states that are heavily dependent on manufacturing.  (I live in one...  )

* Terrorism:  How do we deal with it?  Despite the reletively low threat (comparitively), terrorism has had a major impact on our country and way of life.

* The polorization of the US:  Right now our coutry can't seem to agree on anything.  That makes any kind of major change difficult and really cheapens the political process.  I have YET to hear a positive ad in my local market from either cantidate.  Somehow this gap needs to be bridged if we're going to be able to seriously address many of the problems our nation faces.

* Social security/National Debt: This is huge to me.  We're passing on massive debt to our children and neither side seems to have a workable plan this time around to deal with the issue.  IMO, it's going to take more than higher taxes or lower spending to actually deal with this mess.  There needs to be some serious fundamental change particularly in SS that neither canditdate seems to have a proposal for.

Well now I'm depressed...    I REALLY don't envy the next administration, they have their work cut out for them.

So what does everyone else see as the major challenges we face?  What did I miss?  I'm interested to see what everyone else thinks.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorwidescreenforever
Under A Double DoubleW
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Canada Posts: 5,491
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I'm interested in knowing first off,  What country you are from Snark, as you don't have your location marked off., which I know is a personal thing.. but it does add a new face to us all when we declare what country you are from.. ...... and you get a neat little flag to go with it..   
In the 60's, People took Acid to make the world Weird. Now the World is weird and People take Prozac to make it Normal.

Terry
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantSnark
Registered: June 3, 2007
United States Posts: 333
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Quoting widescreenforever:
Quote:
I'm interested in knowing first off,  What country you are from Snark, as you don't have your location marked off., which I know is a personal thing.. but it does add a new face to us all when we declare what country you are from.. ...... and you get a neat little flag to go with it..   


I'm in the US.  :-)  Thanks for reminding me. 

Now I'm Flagtastic. 
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorwidescreenforever
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ahh  groucho  speaks.....   
In the 60's, People took Acid to make the world Weird. Now the World is weird and People take Prozac to make it Normal.

Terry
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorWinston Smith
Don't be discommodious
Registered: March 13, 2007
United States Posts: 21,610
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You said the magic word.

But don't ask me what it was, Groucho didn't tell me and I am not George Fenneman

Skip
ASSUME NOTHING!!!!!!
CBE, MBE, MoA and proud of it.
Outta here

Billy Video
 Last edited: by Winston Smith
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorwidescreenforever
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You know I could rent you out as a decoy for duck hunters?
In the 60's, People took Acid to make the world Weird. Now the World is weird and People take Prozac to make it Normal.

Terry
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorWinston Smith
Don't be discommodious
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Snark:

My friend, don't even get me started. If we wind up with a unified government we will wind up with a much bigger mess than you can possibly imagine. Talk about depression.

I will give you just two

The attempt by the democrats to create a stae run media system, called the fairness doctrine.
Destruction of 401-K system.

Both are on the drawing boards even as we speak.

Skip
ASSUME NOTHING!!!!!!
CBE, MBE, MoA and proud of it.
Outta here

Billy Video
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorwidescreenforever
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Why, I'd horse-whip you if I had a horse.
In the 60's, People took Acid to make the world Weird. Now the World is weird and People take Prozac to make it Normal.

Terry
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorWinston Smith
Don't be discommodious
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting widescreenforever:
Quote:
You know I could rent you out as a decoy for duck hunters?

Quacik, Quack.

Skip
ASSUME NOTHING!!!!!!
CBE, MBE, MoA and proud of it.
Outta here

Billy Video
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorWinston Smith
Don't be discommodious
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting widescreenforever:
Quote:
Why, I'd horse-whip you if I had a horse.


Promises, promises

Skip
ASSUME NOTHING!!!!!!
CBE, MBE, MoA and proud of it.
Outta here

Billy Video
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantSnark
Registered: June 3, 2007
United States Posts: 333
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Quoting skipnet50:
Quote:
Snark:

My friend, don't even get me started. If we wind up with a unified government we will wind up with a much bigger mess than you can possibly imagine. Talk about depression.

I will give you just two

The attempt by the democrats to create a stae run media system, called the fairness doctrine.
Destruction of 401-K system.

Both are on the drawing boards even as we speak.

Skip


A unified governemnt wasn't quite what I had in mind.    But it's probably what we'll have.  I'm hoping the Republicans maintain enough senate seats to maintain a fillibuster...  (Please!)

I was think more on the national level.  Where people were able to have a respectful dialog and wok to find middle ground rather than simply whacking out at the beliefs of the other side.  I know... I'm dreaming...

The fairness doctrine isn't state run media, but in any case, I'm a'gin it.  I don't trust the governement to decide what's "fair and balanced".  It would be refreshing to see actual balance in media which we don't see much these days.  Usually we just get shows where a left-wing hack and a right-wing hack abuse each other for a while. 

I am not sure where you're going on destruction of the 401K system, but I'm probably a'gin that as well. 
 Last edited: by Snark
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantRifter
Reg. Jan 27, 2002
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting Snark:
Quote:
Quoting skipnet50:
Quote:
Snark:

My friend, don't even get me started. If we wind up with a unified government we will wind up with a much bigger mess than you can possibly imagine. Talk about depression.

I will give you just two

The attempt by the democrats to create a stae run media system, called the fairness doctrine.
Destruction of 401-K system.

Both are on the drawing boards even as we speak.

Skip


A unified governemnt wasn't quite what I had in mind.    But it's probably what we'll have.  I'm hoping the Republicans maintain enough senate seats to maintain a fillibuster...  (Please!)

I was think more on the national level.  Where people were able to have a respectful dialog and wok to find middle ground rather than simply whacking out at the beliefs of the other side.  I know... I'm dreaming...

The fairness doctrine isn't state run media, but in any case, I'm a'gin it.  I don't trust the governement to decide what's "fair and balanced".  It would be refreshing to see actual balance in media which we don't see much these days.  Usually we just get shows where a left-wing hack and a right-wing hack abuse each other for a while. 

I am not sure where you're going on destruction of the 401K system, but I'm probably a'gin that as well. 



If you are against those things, why do you seem to be promoting Obama?  He was categorized as the most liberal senator of all, and not without good reason.  He has spoken extensively on what he plans to do tax-wise if he wins.  His tax plans don't pass the smell test.  You don't get out of a recession and a financial crisis such as we have now by increasing taxes, at ANY level!  He keeps carping about how 95% of people will not get a tax increase, but a lowering of their taxes.  Baloney!  90% of income taxes in this country are already payed by about the top 10% of earners.  If he raises taxes on the top 5%, and the rest get a refund, he's killing the upper middle class that creates over 80% of the jobs in this country.  40% of those people will be getting what amounts to a handout (that's called welfare) just for breathing.  Where is that money going to come from?

That's just taxes.  I haven't even mentioned medical care, the military, foreign policy, etc.
John

"Extremism in the defense of Liberty is no vice!" Senator Barry Goldwater, 1964
Make America Great Again!
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorWinston Smith
Don't be discommodious
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Wall Street has already cast it's vote relative to a potential Obama presidency. Are you listening to it? The Street looks 6 to 9 months ahead. Mark my words, if it looks like McCain is going to win next week, watch the Asian markets for a rally, they are 12 hours ahead of us.

Stop drinking the Kool-Aid, the man (Obama) is many things...none of which are very good for this country.

Skip
ASSUME NOTHING!!!!!!
CBE, MBE, MoA and proud of it.
Outta here

Billy Video
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantSnark
Registered: June 3, 2007
United States Posts: 333
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Quoting Rifter:
Quote:
If you are against those things, why do you seem to be promoting Obama?  He was categorized as the most liberal senator of all, and not without good reason.  He has spoken extensively on what he plans to do tax-wise if he wins.  His tax plans don't pass the smell test.  You don't get out of a recession and a financial crisis such as we have now by increasing taxes, at ANY level!  He keeps carping about how 95% of people will not get a tax increase, but a lowering of their taxes.  Baloney!  90% of income taxes in this country are already payed by about the top 10% of earners.  If he raises taxes on the top 5%, and the rest get a refund, he's killing the upper middle class that creates over 80% of the jobs in this country.  40% of those people will be getting what amounts to a handout (that's called welfare) just for breathing.  Where is that money going to come from?

That's just taxes.  I haven't even mentioned medical care, the military, foreign policy, etc.


I don't particularlly want to get into a discussion of taxation here.  I was looking for common ground, not differences. 

But to be clear I'm not promoting Obama,  I just think he's the lesser evil in this case.  McCain's campaign doesn't exactly inspire confidence in me that he's up to the challenges the US faces.  To be as charitable as possible, McCain's message has been all over the map.

And there are areas where I think McCain is simply wrong for current situation.  I would have voted for him happily in 2000, but the situation is much different now.

That doesn't make me happy with Obama, but then I've never been happy with the choices in front of me.  I'll hold my nose and vote and maybe an inspiring choice will pop up between now and 2012.  It doesn't seem likely, but I keep hoping.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributormlr
HearAnyGoodStoriesLately?
Registered: March 14, 2007
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What if Question…

What will happen if no-one reaches the 270 Electoral Vote Count, unlikely I know but what if?

Re-Vote or will the candidate with the most Votes take it…
 Last edited: by mlr
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorTheMadMartian
Alien with an attitude
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting mlr:
Quote:
What if Question…

What will happen if no-one reaches the 270 Electoral Vote Count, unlikely I know but what if?

Re-Vote or will the candidate with the most Votes take it…


"Should none of the candidates win 270 electoral votes, the 12th Amendment kicks in and the election is decided by the House of Representatives. The combined representatives of each state get one vote and a simple majority of states is required to win. This has only happened twice. Presidents Thomas Jefferson in 1801 and John Quincy Adams in 1825 were elected by the House of Representatives."
No dictator, no invader can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever.
There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom.
Against this power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand.
The Centauri learned this lesson once.
We will teach it to them again.
Though it take a thousand years, we will be free.
- Citizen G'Kar
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