Interested on your political thoughts...

[Regina]

I'm not a big Bush fan right now (although I don't totally dislike him either), but I doubt that he would stage something like this now...too many people think he helped stage things in order to get us into Iraq; I, personally, think that it would be hard for him to start this conflict engagement and convince people (meaning Congress and us) that to get into in with Iran is justified. It seems like a good majority of people are wanting us out of Iraq, and the same people would just see through something that would take us into Iran. I don't know though....

Although, I can see in the past where this has happened with the government knowing about Pearl Harbor, but not deciding to tell anyone for the purpose of us getting into WWII. So, I would say that anything is possible.

[Regina]

Kristie,

I hear you when it comes to wanting someone to do something instead of saying that they are going to do it. I think politicians are pretty much campaigning for the next election the moment that the get in there. With some exceptions, they do as little as they can to make a complete change so that they don't tick off or alienate theirselves. If they really do try to change things, it seems so hard to get through the political process of having everything go through the right channels....that goes for both the Republicans and Democrats. Like, for instance, getting a bill passed. Does it not seem like in order to get one bill passed, the politicians end up adding all this extra stuff totally unrelated to the bill because in order for the other politicians to sign it, they have to promise them something? Did that make sense? I know what I am trying to say, but it isn't coming out right.

[Mistress Trista]

Originally Posted by Kristie

right with ya on that! i'm more interested in their ideas at this point than just hearing over and over about how bad things are....but of course, that'll never happen because they can't guarantee their ideas will work...or so i guess?

I agree on the Iran front.. what're our ships doing over near there anyways??

oh and speaking of "war"... when are the candidates stop saying "we're at war"?? if we're at war now...our definition of war is lost!

Our ships have been there for quite some time, since Iraq started, I think. They're supposed to be watching that area and making sure Iran doesn't block the bottleneck, which is where most of the oil comes through.

[lucky81698]

I honestly don't really care for any of them. I consider myself a Republican but don't agree with everything. But, I am against raising taxes, against the open border situation, and concerned about threats to our our country by the same types of groups that did 9/11, (I'm afraid that if someone is elected that is perceived as weak they will start acting up again).

I think Obama will probably beat out Hillary, but I don't think he will be elected as president. As far as the Republicans go, I'm thinking McCain will probably win the nomination. But like I said, I don't really care for any of them, or tust any politician.

Jan

[SeatClutcher]

Taxes are funny - I'd rather not have to pay them, but they seem necessary to get stuff done that needs to get done. If we have super low taxes, where does the money come from for, say, rebuilding the torn-down areas? Even if the taxes are based on income or retail, they seem important.

I'm more interested in the way the taxes are paid (property? income?) and where the money goes.

[ccbegay]

Originally Posted by christykay

I consider myself Republican, but am not impressed with any of the candidates.

So far I'm leaning towards Obama, but I actually really loved Richardson's answers and the way that he handled himself. I'm surprised by that one actually- I didn't really know much about Richardson before spending a few hours watching these crazy debates.

.

Richardson is one of my favs, I am just disappointed that he's not getting the numbers...just with Obama being black, Richardson is Hispanic, and that could hold him back some...to me, I like how he works on most of his issues... Bill Richardson for President

I too, am registered Republican, but I think I might have to change that...

Originally Posted by christykay

I hear you!!
Richardson did mention several times that he is the only one that has experience dealing with foreign policy etc. etc...but goodness how many times during the debate did we hear all of the candidates talk about the need for change. OMG!!! Yes the US needs change- we all know that and it really isn't a new discovery. I'm just looking for someone who will stop talking about the need for change and actually do something!

To me, it seems all talk, it would be a miracle to see some hardcore doing from all these politicians...

What do we think of NH's results????..couldn't believe my socks to see that Hilary and McCain led the numbers...

[SeatClutcher]

I read on another forum that one of the ways someone judges a candidate (not the only way, but one way) is to turn off the sound on the TV and just WATCH the candidates speak, their body language, their facial expressions.

I want to do that. I like Obama, but I saw something in him yesterday that I didn't like when he was reacting to a situation during a talk (someone in the audience had fainted). He gave the guy water, but Obama seemed impatient, annoyed...I don't know. I think it'll be an interesting exercise.

[Kristie]

neat idea! i'll have to try that too...

I thought NH's results were kinda odd. McCain's smile just kinda creeps me out (reminds me of some of those smiles on robot chicken for some reason) and Hillary's "whoo hoo, *I* won" is kinda strange too. her speech seemed very typed out and impersonal.

[jr_lenz]

part of me feels like no matter who we vote for presdent, they are just going to get tired up in congress and the senete like all the others. Congress seems to have so much control, and there is so much fighting and lobbiest that nothing gets through. and the the bills that do pass, I feel like "really...thats all you guys got done during the session, with all the problems it seems like the big fish don't get fried" and they are so proud of the stuff that does pass, which seem like no brainers, like protection for battered girlfriends. In nine months thats all they get done. they should be locked in there until they come up with some real solutions.

that was very rambling, sorry, hope it made sense