Last time I checked, it was Bush's administration that had someone who recieved $34 million in severance from an oil company who is intergral in determining our energy policy as a Vice President.
Last time I checked, that same company who paid that severence also got a 7 BILLION dollar NO-BID contract on the infrastructure concerning Iraq's oil.
Last time I checked, that very same company was the subject of an investigation that estimated roughly 23 BILLION dollars were lost, stolen, or improperly accounting for. In addition, there is a gag order issued by the US government preventing the discussion of these allegations, in addition to 69 other court cases against top US companies in which similar findings were made.
Considering all that, I DO think it's funny people blame the democratic congress. Don't you?
Tax breaks for COMPANIES that invest in alternative energy sources have nothing to do with the farmers that grow the corn. That is where farm subsidies become the problem.
Not to mention the millions of acres that farmers are paid to NOT grow anything on to keep the prices up.
First off, Ethanol is just one type of alternative energy.
Secondly, you do realize that the corn used to make Ethanol and the corn that is consumed as food are COMPLETELY different, yes?
Third, tax breaks for alternative energy isn't the problem insofar as ethanol is concerned...that falls back more on tax cuts and subsidies for farmers. That is an entirely different conversation, however.
Sounds like a great argument for government intervention (something I generally hate, but still) to forcibly dissolve that union!:D
My fiance and I have taken every chance we have had to try to get rid of the rule that requires public teachers to belong to a union that does nothing but take $45 out of each paycheck.
While the special-ed issues are peripheral, I'll address it anyway. My heart really goes out to those kids, honestly. My head wonders whether they should be in school at all. This is something I don't like saying, but is important to ask: how many of the kids with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome are going to be effective, useful members of society? (The numbers of eventually-functional kids are of course higher for autistic kids, but the argument is still there for severe autism.) School shouldn't be free child care while a parent goes to work.
Special ed is an even worse proposition when you realize that they're gutting gifted-and-talented programs to pay for special ed. Gah.
There are different levels of special ed. What my fiance teaches is for kids who have severe and multiple disabilities, but aren't completely gone. They can still communicate with you, and they can still learn...just at a much slower pace. There is, however, special ed for kids (it's correct name escapes me) that basically teaches them how to live...how to dress themselves, how to open a door, things that they need to know in order to survive.
Unfortunately, many kids get sent to the type of program my fiance teaches because people think they belong there...they don't. If you have bad behaviour and refuse to do your work, that is very different than someone with autism. Many parents, however, still request that their kids go into these special ed classes because they think that is where their kids belong...quite the opposite is true. It can make it WORSE for a child like that beacuse it convinces them something is wrong with them, when in fact they are just stubborn.
Fix the bad policies, get rid of the career teachers, and start showing some results, and then we can talk about money. I look at it as an investment: we don't throw good money after bad when buying and selling companies. We shouldn't reward bad behavior here either.
After seeing how much my fiance has to do compared to how much she gets paid...I think it would be safe to say that anyone who is teaching today does so because they want to, not because they have to. My fiance may only be AT SCHOOL TEACHING for 7-8 hours a day, but considering how much time she puts into it at night and on weekends she is easily working 70-80 hours a week...all of which she does not get paid for because she is salaried.
I'm not saying there are no bad teachers...there are. All I'm saying is don't be so quick to judge them without looking at what put them in this position in the first place. T1eachers in public schools in this country have a profession that is vastly misunderstood by the majority of the population insofar as the amount of time, effort, and regulation they work under.
a) As you note, gas prices have gone up 90% in the last two years. IOW, since democrats took control of congress.
You know what's funny, people blaming the democratic congress for all of our problems.
Remind me again when Bush issued his first Veto?
Please explain how taxing the oil companies is going to lower the price of gas.
If you go back and read my post, I said that the GOP blocked a tax increase on oil companies, but also blocked tax BREAKS for companies investing in alternative energy. Could that be because the more alternative energy that is out there, less oil is consumed, the oil companies make less money, and they get less kickbacks?
I don't think raising taxes on the oil companies would lower the price of gas per se...however, if they increase taxes on oil companies PROFITS, my guess is they were hoping that would encourage the oil companies to reduce the amount of profit they make because it would increase the amount of taxes they paid.
My original point was never about the GOP saying no to the tax increase. It was that they said no to the tax increase on the OIL companies, while saying no to the tax DECREASE on companies investing in alternative energy.
That is roughly equivelent to how much it costs to run the Iraq war for a WEEK.
The point that Webb is trying to make is that McCain has no problem spending $4 Billion a week in Iraq to continue the war, but WON'T spend $4 Billion a YEAR to aid those who were brave enough to go and fight.
I fully agree with you, it is important for people from their respective industries to be present when setting policy.
Obama actually adressed this at a college...if you go on youtube and search for Obama Hardball College Edition, it should come up.
He basically said that when setting things like policy mandates, funding mandates, and deciding on universal curriculums for public education, teachers should be directly involved int he decision making process...i.e. actually have a voice represented by VOTES made by real teachers who are in public school.
Given that my fiance is a public school teacher, you can see why this would sit so well with me:-)
I know that you are mostly agreeing with me, but I'm going to point something out to support my point further.
We have already established that Cheney worked for Haliburton, got more than $30 million as a goodbye present, and now plays a part in developing our energy policy.
Check this out.
[edit] Ties with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney In recent years the company has become the center of several controversies involving the 2003 Iraq War and the company's ties to U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney retired from the company during the 2000 U.S. presidential election campaign with a severance package worth $34 million.[26] As of 2004, he had received $398,548 in deferred compensation from Halliburton while Vice President.[27] Concerns have been raised regarding the possible conflict of interest resulting from Cheney's deferred compensation and stock options from Halliburton. However, before entering office in 2001, Cheney bought an insurance policy that guaranteed a fixed amount of deferred payments from Halliburton each year for five years so that the payments would not depend on the company's fortunes.[27] He is legally bound by an agreement he signed which turns over power of attorney to a trust administrator to sell the options at some future time and to give the after-tax profits to three charities. The agreement specifies that 40% will go to the University of Wyoming (in Cheney's home state), 40% will go to George Washington University's medical faculty to be used for tax-exempt charitable purposes, and 20% will go to Capital Partners for Education. The agreement states that it is "irrevocable and may not be terminated, waived or amended," preventing Cheney from taking back the options at a later date.[27]
A few days ago, Webb was on the Daily Show. This was essentially what he said:
"People are saying this is the new greatest generation...I thought that we should extend the same benefits to them as we did to WW II vets. It suprised me that McCain didn't want to vote in favor of it, considering tax payers payed for his (and my) education when we got out of Vietnam." Not a direct quote, but that was generally what he said.
I've heard this claim. Isn't this the bill that rewards one-term-and-out soldiers? It would reward behavior that is counter to the nation's interests. I can't fault him for that stance, especially in a time where finances are pretty strapped and the military is having a hard time recruiting as it is.
I don't know if you are referring to a specific bill, but troops already get plenty of benefits, do we really want government spending even more? Yeah, "cut spending" is an easy thing to say, until you look at your choices to cut. No matter what you go with, you are going to be called names by someone who is benefiting from the funding.
I am referring to the new GI bill. McCain said, and I quote, that it was "too generous" and that it would "hurt retention levels."
Google it...you can find information about it everywhere. If I recall correctly, I believe the bill was introduced by Jim Webb.
The people he put on his VP search panel didn't matter to me because, in the end (like so many people have been saying) it's his choice. I wouldn't be surprised if he already knows who he is going to use (or at least has the list whittled down to 3 people)
The people in his inner circle played an integral part in taking a man the majority of americans had never heard of to being the democratic nominee in a little under two years. And they did it legitimately. No weird vote counting, no weird fixing of nothing...they helped create what was arguably the most successful primary campaign in this country's history. And they did it while playing DEFENSE.
Don't discredit that. It is one hell of an accomplishment.
Fixing a heater is a very specific thing. It either works, or it doesn't. Whatever is wrong with it, it can only be fixed a couple of different ways.
There are literally endless approaches to attempt to fix our country. Very different than fixing a heater. You can't just swap out the bad part and everything works again.
That you would compare fixing our country to fixing a heater is ludicrous.
Citation needed? Really? So...you are saying you WEREN'T aware that McCain didn't vote in favour of the GI bill that would increase college funding given to recruits because it was, in his words, "too generous"?
Google it. You can find that information anywhere.
Who fucking cares? Are you really that shallow?
I care, and so should you. Tell me, what would you rather be said by your POTUS:
"We are going to work with [insert country here] to combat this issue, because it is of major importance not just to the US but to the entirety of humanity."
I understand why they didn't want to do it...what I DON'T understand is why they were against tax BREAKS for companies that invest in alternative energy, considering Republicans are all about lowering taxes and helping buisnesses.
Oh that's right. More alternative energy means less oil gets consumed meaning their corporate buddies make less profit meaning they get less kickbacks.
I see no reason to pay them more while they remain complicit with the rules they say are so bad.
I can tell you why. It's called a union.
Teachers have no choice. If they are going to be a teacher in public schools, they legally have to pay union dues and be a part of that union. A union which has done absolutely jack shit.
Give you another perfect example of what I am talking about. No Child Left Behind. They give students the same standardized test. Part of what influences how much money a public school gets is the average score on that standardized test. My fiance teaches kids with severe and multiple disabilities...key words there being MULTIPLE.
Her students, which are in 3rd grade, barely have the mental capacity at their age to count to 20, spell their name, or even say they have to go to the bathroom. Yet, they take the EXACT SAME tests that the "normal" and "advanced" students take, and their scores are factored into the school's overall average.
I'll repeat that. These kids...some with autism, cerebal palsy, down syndrome, etc. take the EXACT SAME TEST as "normal" functioning kids...AND THEIR SCORES ARE A PART OF THE SCHOOL AVERAGE. Government sees this and says "nope, your average is too low...you only get this much money instead."
In a school like the one that my fiance works at where there are only 700 kids but nearly 78 KIDS WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES, how do you see that as being fair?
Throwing money at a problem doesn't necessarily fix it, that is true...but there comes a point where money DOES affect things.
China India and the weak dollar have played a part in it...but that doesn't mean they are the only reason.
Oh, and the weak dollar...wait, where are billions of dollars a month going instead of into our own infrastructure? Where are BILLIONS of gallons of gas going instead of staying here at home? That's right. Iraq.
Beyond that, there is absolutely no way you can ignore the evidence. I'll say it again. Cheney leaves Haliburton to be VP. Haliburton (like most companies do) gives him a parting gift of over $30 million. Haliburton is an energy company. Cheney now plays an intergral part in establishing our energy policy.
Are you really so dense that you can't see how fucked up that is?
My fiance is a 3rd grade special ed teacher, and many of her friends are teachers in public schools as well.
In addition to that, many of the problems in public schools also go back to what and HOW the teachers are allowed to teach. Did you know that in certain counties, if a teacher does not teach the curriculum as dictated by county law, they can be fired? It doesn't matter if the kids understand what is being taught or not...teachers can be FIRED if it isn't taught in a specific manner.
Trust me, I used to think exactly that same way that you do. Now that I am able to see what my fiance has to deal with, I assure you that the problem is not incompetent teachers.
After talking to close to 100 teachers over the past two years, I gotta say...a LOT of the problem lies in the tools they are provided, not their proficiency in using them.
You can't be expected to build a skyscraper using wet paper bags and staples.
Considering throughout the primary season Obama survived attacks from both McCain AND the Clintons (who, if you forgot, were esentially the leaders of the Democratic party for over a decade) I would say he can handle it.
Not to mention that he was more or less unknown to most people until this year. Hell, I had never even HEARD of him until late 2007...while I wouldn't say I'm politics obsessed, I do tend to keep up with things on a daily basis.
I don't have an issue with $4 gas because supply isn't a problem...OPEC themselves said so yesterday.
I have a problem with $4 gass because Gas prices were fine even with all the strife going on in the middle east. Suddenly, an administration takes control whose top members have ALL worked with oil companies. Cheney has over $30 million of bonus money sitting in his pocket when he left Haliburton, yet is making our energy policy?
Republicans blocked an increase on taxes to oil companies profits, and ALSO blocked a TAX BREAK for companies investing in alternative energy?
I want Obama in the White House because he has no connection to this bullshit. That's why. His lack of experience also means a lack of connections.
Not to mention that Bush's administration is gone in months, and magically gas prices have increased nearly 90% in the last TWO YEARS? Yeah. That's not a coincidence at all.
Extending tax cuts for wealthy buisnesses? Keeping the war going while refusing to extend extra benefits to those who go and fight? Having an OK message but using words in such a way that make it sound like they are a bumbling fool?
While the whole NASA thing with Obama pisses me off at the moment, I have to say that I agree with him.
NASA is VITAL in furthering our technology and advancing our knowledge. But what good is that technology and knowledge if we can't even keep our roads in working order or keep books in our schools?
NASA is extremely important...but if delaying a few programs that NASA has planned means we can pay teachers more and put money into infrastructure...given where our country is at the moment, I would say that is a smart thing to do.
Experience - Obama's lack of experience is a PLUS. Look at what experience has gotten us the past 7 years. We need someone who KNOWS they can't do it on their own. The president's job is to listen to his advisers and those around him, and based on the information given make a decision...his job is NOT to decide things for himself because he thinks he knows best.
Corruption - in the grand scheme of things, the parts of Obama's past that could be considered corruption are no where even close to being on the same level as McCain (or, not that it matters at this point, Clinton.)
Crony Earmarks - This one I agree with you on.
Dishonest Politicking - You're kidding, right? You are trying to say that Obama is more inflammatory in his remarks than McCain? Have you ever watched side-by-side a comparison of how Obama talks about McCain and how McCain talks about Obama?
Slashdot Mirror
I would have to say yes, it is funnier.
Last time I checked, it was Bush's administration that had someone who recieved $34 million in severance from an oil company who is intergral in determining our energy policy as a Vice President.
Last time I checked, that same company who paid that severence also got a 7 BILLION dollar NO-BID contract on the infrastructure concerning Iraq's oil.
Last time I checked, that very same company was the subject of an investigation that estimated roughly 23 BILLION dollars were lost, stolen, or improperly accounting for. In addition, there is a gag order issued by the US government preventing the discussion of these allegations, in addition to 69 other court cases against top US companies in which similar findings were made.
Considering all that, I DO think it's funny people blame the democratic congress. Don't you?
You do realize it was also two years ago that Bush issued his first veto?
Tax breaks for COMPANIES that invest in alternative energy sources have nothing to do with the farmers that grow the corn. That is where farm subsidies become the problem.
Not to mention the millions of acres that farmers are paid to NOT grow anything on to keep the prices up.
Google about it. The facts are out there.
First off, Ethanol is just one type of alternative energy.
Secondly, you do realize that the corn used to make Ethanol and the corn that is consumed as food are COMPLETELY different, yes?
Third, tax breaks for alternative energy isn't the problem insofar as ethanol is concerned...that falls back more on tax cuts and subsidies for farmers. That is an entirely different conversation, however.
There are different levels of special ed. What my fiance teaches is for kids who have severe and multiple disabilities, but aren't completely gone. They can still communicate with you, and they can still learn...just at a much slower pace. There is, however, special ed for kids (it's correct name escapes me) that basically teaches them how to live...how to dress themselves, how to open a door, things that they need to know in order to survive.
Unfortunately, many kids get sent to the type of program my fiance teaches because people think they belong there...they don't. If you have bad behaviour and refuse to do your work, that is very different than someone with autism. Many parents, however, still request that their kids go into these special ed classes because they think that is where their kids belong...quite the opposite is true. It can make it WORSE for a child like that beacuse it convinces them something is wrong with them, when in fact they are just stubborn.
After seeing how much my fiance has to do compared to how much she gets paid...I think it would be safe to say that anyone who is teaching today does so because they want to, not because they have to. My fiance may only be AT SCHOOL TEACHING for 7-8 hours a day, but considering how much time she puts into it at night and on weekends she is easily working 70-80 hours a week...all of which she does not get paid for because she is salaried.
I'm not saying there are no bad teachers...there are. All I'm saying is don't be so quick to judge them without looking at what put them in this position in the first place. T1eachers in public schools in this country have a profession that is vastly misunderstood by the majority of the population insofar as the amount of time, effort, and regulation they work under.
You know what's funny, people blaming the democratic congress for all of our problems.
Remind me again when Bush issued his first Veto?
If you go back and read my post, I said that the GOP blocked a tax increase on oil companies, but also blocked tax BREAKS for companies investing in alternative energy. Could that be because the more alternative energy that is out there, less oil is consumed, the oil companies make less money, and they get less kickbacks?
I don't think raising taxes on the oil companies would lower the price of gas per se...however, if they increase taxes on oil companies PROFITS, my guess is they were hoping that would encourage the oil companies to reduce the amount of profit they make because it would increase the amount of taxes they paid.
My original point was never about the GOP saying no to the tax increase. It was that they said no to the tax increase on the OIL companies, while saying no to the tax DECREASE on companies investing in alternative energy.
I think you are missing that point entirely.
The bill would cost us $4 Billion a YEAR.
That is roughly equivelent to how much it costs to run the Iraq war for a WEEK.
The point that Webb is trying to make is that McCain has no problem spending $4 Billion a week in Iraq to continue the war, but WON'T spend $4 Billion a YEAR to aid those who were brave enough to go and fight.
See the difference?
I fully agree with you, it is important for people from their respective industries to be present when setting policy.
Obama actually adressed this at a college...if you go on youtube and search for Obama Hardball College Edition, it should come up.
He basically said that when setting things like policy mandates, funding mandates, and deciding on universal curriculums for public education, teachers should be directly involved int he decision making process...i.e. actually have a voice represented by VOTES made by real teachers who are in public school.
Given that my fiance is a public school teacher, you can see why this would sit so well with me:-)
I know that you are mostly agreeing with me, but I'm going to point something out to support my point further.
We have already established that Cheney worked for Haliburton, got more than $30 million as a goodbye present, and now plays a part in developing our energy policy.
Check this out.
[edit] Ties with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney
In recent years the company has become the center of several controversies involving the 2003 Iraq War and the company's ties to U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney retired from the company during the 2000 U.S. presidential election campaign with a severance package worth $34 million.[26] As of 2004, he had received $398,548 in deferred compensation from Halliburton while Vice President.[27] Concerns have been raised regarding the possible conflict of interest resulting from Cheney's deferred compensation and stock options from Halliburton. However, before entering office in 2001, Cheney bought an insurance policy that guaranteed a fixed amount of deferred payments from Halliburton each year for five years so that the payments would not depend on the company's fortunes.[27] He is legally bound by an agreement he signed which turns over power of attorney to a trust administrator to sell the options at some future time and to give the after-tax profits to three charities. The agreement specifies that 40% will go to the University of Wyoming (in Cheney's home state), 40% will go to George Washington University's medical faculty to be used for tax-exempt charitable purposes, and 20% will go to Capital Partners for Education. The agreement states that it is "irrevocable and may not be terminated, waived or amended," preventing Cheney from taking back the options at a later date.[27]
Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halliburton#Ties_with_U.S._Vice_President_Dick_Cheney
All sources in that section of the article are cited and verified. Scary shit.
One more thing to add.
The biggest, most telltale part of that link I sent you? Towards the bottom is a figure:
This bill would cost approximately $4 billion a YEAR. That is roughly equivelent to the cost of war in Iraq for one WEEK.
You do the math.
A few days ago, Webb was on the Daily Show. This was essentially what he said:
"People are saying this is the new greatest generation...I thought that we should extend the same benefits to them as we did to WW II vets. It suprised me that McCain didn't want to vote in favor of it, considering tax payers payed for his (and my) education when we got out of Vietnam." Not a direct quote, but that was generally what he said.
Wrong. Read the factsheet: http://webb.senate.gov/pdf/factsheetgi061108.pdf
I am referring to the new GI bill. McCain said, and I quote, that it was "too generous" and that it would "hurt retention levels."
Google it...you can find information about it everywhere. If I recall correctly, I believe the bill was introduced by Jim Webb.
The people he put on his VP search panel didn't matter to me because, in the end (like so many people have been saying) it's his choice. I wouldn't be surprised if he already knows who he is going to use (or at least has the list whittled down to 3 people)
The people in his inner circle played an integral part in taking a man the majority of americans had never heard of to being the democratic nominee in a little under two years. And they did it legitimately. No weird vote counting, no weird fixing of nothing...they helped create what was arguably the most successful primary campaign in this country's history. And they did it while playing DEFENSE.
Don't discredit that. It is one hell of an accomplishment.
Fixing a heater is a very specific thing. It either works, or it doesn't. Whatever is wrong with it, it can only be fixed a couple of different ways.
There are literally endless approaches to attempt to fix our country. Very different than fixing a heater. You can't just swap out the bad part and everything works again.
That you would compare fixing our country to fixing a heater is ludicrous.
Google it. You can find that information anywhere.
I care, and so should you. Tell me, what would you rather be said by your POTUS:
"We are going to work with [insert country here] to combat this issue, because it is of major importance not just to the US but to the entirety of humanity."
OR
"Bring it on."
I understand why they didn't want to do it...what I DON'T understand is why they were against tax BREAKS for companies that invest in alternative energy, considering Republicans are all about lowering taxes and helping buisnesses.
Oh that's right. More alternative energy means less oil gets consumed meaning their corporate buddies make less profit meaning they get less kickbacks.
Seems pretty stupid to me. Care to elaborate?
I can tell you why. It's called a union.
Teachers have no choice. If they are going to be a teacher in public schools, they legally have to pay union dues and be a part of that union. A union which has done absolutely jack shit.
Give you another perfect example of what I am talking about. No Child Left Behind. They give students the same standardized test. Part of what influences how much money a public school gets is the average score on that standardized test. My fiance teaches kids with severe and multiple disabilities...key words there being MULTIPLE.
Her students, which are in 3rd grade, barely have the mental capacity at their age to count to 20, spell their name, or even say they have to go to the bathroom. Yet, they take the EXACT SAME tests that the "normal" and "advanced" students take, and their scores are factored into the school's overall average.
I'll repeat that. These kids...some with autism, cerebal palsy, down syndrome, etc. take the EXACT SAME TEST as "normal" functioning kids...AND THEIR SCORES ARE A PART OF THE SCHOOL AVERAGE. Government sees this and says "nope, your average is too low...you only get this much money instead."
In a school like the one that my fiance works at where there are only 700 kids but nearly 78 KIDS WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES, how do you see that as being fair?
Throwing money at a problem doesn't necessarily fix it, that is true...but there comes a point where money DOES affect things.
China India and the weak dollar have played a part in it...but that doesn't mean they are the only reason.
Oh, and the weak dollar...wait, where are billions of dollars a month going instead of into our own infrastructure? Where are BILLIONS of gallons of gas going instead of staying here at home? That's right. Iraq.
Beyond that, there is absolutely no way you can ignore the evidence. I'll say it again. Cheney leaves Haliburton to be VP. Haliburton (like most companies do) gives him a parting gift of over $30 million. Haliburton is an energy company. Cheney now plays an intergral part in establishing our energy policy.
Are you really so dense that you can't see how fucked up that is?
My fiance is a 3rd grade special ed teacher, and many of her friends are teachers in public schools as well.
In addition to that, many of the problems in public schools also go back to what and HOW the teachers are allowed to teach. Did you know that in certain counties, if a teacher does not teach the curriculum as dictated by county law, they can be fired? It doesn't matter if the kids understand what is being taught or not...teachers can be FIRED if it isn't taught in a specific manner.
Trust me, I used to think exactly that same way that you do. Now that I am able to see what my fiance has to deal with, I assure you that the problem is not incompetent teachers.
After talking to close to 100 teachers over the past two years, I gotta say...a LOT of the problem lies in the tools they are provided, not their proficiency in using them.
You can't be expected to build a skyscraper using wet paper bags and staples.
Considering throughout the primary season Obama survived attacks from both McCain AND the Clintons (who, if you forgot, were esentially the leaders of the Democratic party for over a decade) I would say he can handle it.
Not to mention that he was more or less unknown to most people until this year. Hell, I had never even HEARD of him until late 2007...while I wouldn't say I'm politics obsessed, I do tend to keep up with things on a daily basis.
I don't have an issue with $4 gas because supply isn't a problem...OPEC themselves said so yesterday.
I have a problem with $4 gass because Gas prices were fine even with all the strife going on in the middle east. Suddenly, an administration takes control whose top members have ALL worked with oil companies. Cheney has over $30 million of bonus money sitting in his pocket when he left Haliburton, yet is making our energy policy?
Republicans blocked an increase on taxes to oil companies profits, and ALSO blocked a TAX BREAK for companies investing in alternative energy?
I want Obama in the White House because he has no connection to this bullshit. That's why. His lack of experience also means a lack of connections.
Not to mention that Bush's administration is gone in months, and magically gas prices have increased nearly 90% in the last TWO YEARS? Yeah. That's not a coincidence at all.
Extending tax cuts for wealthy buisnesses? Keeping the war going while refusing to extend extra benefits to those who go and fight? Having an OK message but using words in such a way that make it sound like they are a bumbling fool?
Sounds like a third term to me.
While the whole NASA thing with Obama pisses me off at the moment, I have to say that I agree with him.
NASA is VITAL in furthering our technology and advancing our knowledge. But what good is that technology and knowledge if we can't even keep our roads in working order or keep books in our schools?
NASA is extremely important...but if delaying a few programs that NASA has planned means we can pay teachers more and put money into infrastructure...given where our country is at the moment, I would say that is a smart thing to do.
I don't like it, but that doesn't make it wrong.
Experience - Obama's lack of experience is a PLUS. Look at what experience has gotten us the past 7 years. We need someone who KNOWS they can't do it on their own. The president's job is to listen to his advisers and those around him, and based on the information given make a decision...his job is NOT to decide things for himself because he thinks he knows best.
Corruption - in the grand scheme of things, the parts of Obama's past that could be considered corruption are no where even close to being on the same level as McCain (or, not that it matters at this point, Clinton.)
Crony Earmarks - This one I agree with you on.
Dishonest Politicking - You're kidding, right? You are trying to say that Obama is more inflammatory in his remarks than McCain? Have you ever watched side-by-side a comparison of how Obama talks about McCain and how McCain talks about Obama?
Can't really blame congress when Bush waves the veto stick every other day.
How long was it into Bush's presidency until he made his FIRST veto? Oh that's right...2006.