Just tell me WHY Obama

[Buzz]

Living here in the Caribbean, one of the wonderful things is that by the very nature of existence in this part of the world, one is forced in business to interact with people from all corners of the globe. Political discussions abound because of the impact that world politics and economics have on decisions regarding (mostly) foreign investment in our relatively tiny economy.

I will try to summarize the basic reasons for the appeal that Obama has to people around the world as well as a surprising (compared to the majority of my Club Cobra family of friends) number of Americans that I meet. Not necessarily my convictions, but this is what I see:

First, let me establish that John McCain is the embodiment of "Presidential Material". He looks and sounds the part and he personifies the concept of speaking softly while carrying a big stick. He has a record of military heroism and a long resume of political service to his country. In the traditional lineage of American Presidents, McCain has the correct DNA - he's made of the right stuff and what he represents comforts those who are sick of compromising with enemies and want to return to a focus on America being America and let the others sort their problems out.

Obama is almost the complete opposite. He does not look the part of a US president. He was not forged into steel in the inferno of war. He is not a cookie-cut, well aged vintage product off the assembly line of the venerable old Washington political machine.

Therin lies his appeal. People are looking for a leader who will abandon the schizophrenia of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. The same old attitudes, philosophies, paradigms and modi operandi that seemed to work ok in the past are seen now as contributors to the decline of America's wealth, power and status as leader of the international community.

To many, the world is a recently and profoundly changed place, and the idea of political and cultural isolationism has gone the way of the unicorn. A prosperous nation needs to operate successfully within the world economy and clinging to the concept of isolationism is akin to living in a mansion in the middle of a teeming ghetto. Sipping champagne behind closed gates while the fortune stashed in your mattress dwindles, property values plummet and the millions of outsiders beyond your fence forge relationships and alliances around the consumption, control and distribution of food and natural resources.

The rest of the world is no longer as far away as the time it takes for a fleet of warships to sail the width of an ocean. The distance has been reduced to nanoseconds by the internet and minutes by the proliferation of ballistic missiles in the hands of immature and unsophisticated regimes.

Doing things the way they've always been done no longer works in this different world. The day of the mighty dinosaur has been replaced by a time when success depends less on sheer size and brute strength, and more on the ability adapt effectively to change, interact wisely with others and to deal intelligently with conflict.

Rightfully or not, this is what people see in Obama. A younger, fresher approach with ideals and an open mind - unafraid of criticism for being different and untainted by years and years of cycling through the washer and dryer of traditional political conformity.

The whole "messiah" thing surrounding Obama has less to do with his personal vision of his own greatness and more to do with the reality that many, understanding fully the utopian risks of following a leader based on intangible things like hope and faith, are willing to support him. Is it sensible? No, but then again, neither is schizophrenia.

No offense intended to anyone - take it for what it is.

[Ron61]

Buzz,

I like your assessment. It is about the same as some of the big companies. It worked great 20 years ago so why change. And most of them are no longer around. When we started replacing the old mechanical switching machines with computers and the satellite up links for long distance, it was amazing at how much many of the older people that had 30+ years with the various telephone and long distance companies hated us and stated that those dam things won't last two months. That is not a good comparison, but kind of follows in the mind set of change can't be good. In some cases it can and in some cases I think it better to not change. Just my opinion but I don't really know how to tell if a person will be a good president until they are elected and you can actually see what they do. Kind of like the idiotic tests the various companies used to give to determine if a person would be a good upper echelon manager. They did finally did do away with those.

That being said, I don't really believe much of anything in the news media and what any politician says they will do.

Ron

[cobra de capell]

"The whole "messiah" thing surrounding Obama has less to do with his personal vision of his own greatness and more to do with the reality that many, understanding fully the utopian risks of following a leader based on intangible things like hope and faith, are willing to support him. Is it sensible? No, but then again, neither is schitzophrenia."

Keep in mind that his support comes only from the democrat party and even that party is split on supporting him. He has practically zero appeal to independents and no appeal with Republicans - votes from at least the independent group are needed to get elected POTUS.

Besides, BO's background is more than passingly strange with practically no experience doing anything - in reality, if empty suit were listed in the dictionary - a picture of BO would be right next to it.

[392cobra]

He is a high ranking member of the American Communist Elite ?

[jhv48]

392Cobra, your avatar is killing me!

[392cobra]

Makes a great screen saver.

[jhv48]

Here is your Savior trying to wing it when his teleprompter craps out.

Great ad lib speaker, don't you think? Hope this link works.

ObamaLostHisTeleprompter.wmv (4689KB)

It didn't! Will someone please find this link and show it to the rest of us. It shows BO giving a town hall speech when his teleprompter goes out. He has no idea how to continue and looks like a total idiot. Obviously not ready for prime time!

[Ron61]

One of several on You Tube.



Ron

[jhv48]

Can't wait till Hawaii wakes up!

[Ron61]

Ernie's awake now. He is out shopping for a new keyboard. The old one wore out.

Ron

[Buzz]

Bearing in mind that I am not campaigning for Obama, just trying to discuss the topic of his appeal, your point about swinging the independent vote is spot on. Will enough of them take the plunge with an act of faith in untested, unproven Obama? Personally, I don't think so.

I do think, though, that all the talk of change and the stirring up that Obama's run has generated will have a positive result. Even the McCain campaign has jumped on the change and reform bandwagon. The established order will endure but it will will take a hard look at the way things need to be done versus the way they've always been done; and that is a good thing for all of us.

[Buzz]

Mike, maybe Bin Laden hasn't endorsed Obama because he is afraid he might make good on his threat to follow his sorry a$$ across the Afghan border into Pakistan.

It goes without saying that no one but Americans should choose the president, I was just commenting on what people (including many Americans) see as Obama's appeal.

[bomelia]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Mike, maybe Bin Laden hasn't endorsed Obama because he is afraid he might make good on his threat to follow his sorry a$$ across the Afghan border into Pakistan.

As I write this, and as you may well know, this very mission is under way. I do not know if it is politically motivated or if the conditions are now just right. I suspect it is more of the latter and some of the former.

Mike

[bomelia]

Ernie, why not post your reasons?

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

You mean unlike the incredibly negative campaign for McC we have going on here in the Lounge?

Their objective is clear: carpet bomb Barack Obama with negative stories, distortions, and smears.

So, post why you like him and why we should change our minds and vote for him.

I'll say this - the democraps should be winning this year, but once again they selected a loser.

[Bugman]

Just tell me WHY Obama


If all the posters stayed on topic this would be guaranteed to be the shortest post ever on CC!

[turnpike boy]

I'm just a contrary, I suppose......


2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE COMPARISON TALKING POINTs.

ISSUE: (A)JOHN McCAIN
(B)BARAK OBAMA

Favors new drilling offshore US
(A) Yes
(B) No

Will appoint judges who interpret the law not make it
(A) Yes
(B) No


Served in the US Armed Forces
(A) Yes
(B) No

Amount of time served in the US Senate
(A) 22 YEARS
(B) 173 DAYS

Will institute a socialized national health care plan
(A) No
(B) Yes

Supports aborti on throughout the pregnancy
(A) No
(B) Yes

Would pull troops out of Iraq immediately
(A) No
(B) Yes

Supports gun ownership rights
(A) Yes
(B) No

Supports homosexual marriage
(A) No
(B) Yes

Proposed programs will mean a huge tax increase
(A) No
(B) Yes

Voted against making English the official language
(A) No
(B) Yes

Voted to give Social Security benefits to illegals
(A) No
(B) Yes

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 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes 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 could almost double!

INHERITANCE TAX

MCCAIN
- 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)

OBAMA
Restore the inheritance tax

Many families have lost businesses, farms, 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 only lose them to these taxes..

NEW TAXES 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!








You can verify the above at the following web sites:


http://money..cnn.com/news/specials/...008/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/iss...ues.taxes.html

http://elections.foxnews.com/?s=proposed+taxes

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/p..._on_taxes.html

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-.../barack_obama/

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-...s/john_mccain/

[VRM]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

FACT IS: Taxes would be lower for those families making $250,000 or less a year. Which certainly comprises the VAST MAJORITY of Americans.

Roughly 85% of American households will get a tax cut under Obamas plan.

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Verify the above comments by Turnpike boy? I wouldn't bother, just more twisted logic and miss leading statements. Take this one for example:



Total BS because the statement is so broad it sounds like's it true for ALL Americans! A typical 'fear and smear' comment wrapped in a framework of 'you can verify it here'.

FACT IS: Taxes would be lower for those families making $250,000 or less a year. Which certainly comprises the VAST MAJORITY of Americans.

Don't forget Obama will repeal the home sale tax exemption and the inheritance tax law will be allowed to expire in 2010.

Don't tell me you are looking forward to paying $140,000 in taxes on a previously tax free $500,000 appreciation? If you are a baby boomer and are thinking of downsizing in the next few years, that is a hefty bite out of your profit.

If so, you and Obama are made for each other.

[turnpike boy]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Verify the above comments by Turnpike boy? I wouldn't bother, just more twisted logic and miss leading statements.

Of course you won't verify. No surprise there. You won't even verify the actual source of the comments....kill the messenger.

Originally Posted by EXCALIBER

FACT IS: Taxes would be lower for those families making $250,000 or less a year. Which certainly comprises the VAST MAJORITY of Americans.

Maybe in YOUR piece of the world. Come to the real (REAL?) America, where the VAST MAJORITY make SUBSTANTIALLY under $90,000 - the U.S. Census puts the average income right around $50K. But don't bother to verify that either.