The 2008 Election:, Obama v. McCain Options

[NoSex]

So, political discourse has been showing up more and more the closer and closer we get to November. As a result, I've decided that this thread should exist. All political arguments that relate to the elections (and the candidates) should find their home here, more or less.

Who do you think should run America? Why?
What direction do you think America is going in, as a country? What direction do you think we should go in? Why?

Support your arguments with evidence and details, make citations, try to have fun; no spamming, character bashing, etc. etc.

[*paperplane*]

I would like to applaud dosomething888 on her ability to regurgitate every Republican talking point ever. Fine job, my friend!

objection #1: this villainization of "liberals" needs to stop. You can tell when you're talking to one, and you know how they think? Oh, ok. They think people shouldn't be held responsible for their actions because the government will bail them out (Bail out? why does that phrase sound so familiar?.....). LOL. Yes. That's it, that's exactly it. I'm so glad you're so good at critical thinking.
Liberal is not a dirty word, and today's Republicans aren't even conservative by any stretch of the imagination, unless we're talking socially.

Your problem with illegal immigrants. Of course there are problems with illegal immigration, but the problem is not they're "taking our jobs" and "refusing to pay taxes." What the hell? And people who aren't citizens can't vote. Seriously...get your information somewhere other than your daddy, and the rest of us might be able to take your opinion seriously, but right now you're sounding incredibly ignorant. People move here because the legal immigration process is long and difficult; these people are moving here, taking low paying jobs in hopes that they might better the lives of their families. There is no refusal to pay taxes. However, it's awfully hard to pay income taxes when you're being paid below minimum wage under the table.

And there's a reason politicians keep proposing driver's licenses for illegals rather even though they're unpopular among voters. While I honestly have not done enough research on the issue to say for certain, I would imagine that the benefits would be to have more qualified drivers on the roads than untrained ones, and to be able to identify those who are illegal, when there are going to be few other ways to keep tabs on someone who is undocumented.

You defend your positions by saying that you're not rich, but middle class. Think about it: you were born into that status. You seem terribly fond of the idea that people should earn what they get, and of course I won't argue with you on that one. But what have you earned?
I'll spare you the drawn out hypothetical questions I had initially asked and just make this point instead. You should be more sympathetic to those worse off. Not believing in handouts is one thing. But be careful when you say things like "I believe in earning your money, earning your citizenship and earning respect," because chances are you haven't really done any of those things. You haven't earned your citizenship, you were born here. You probably haven't earned all that much of your own money, because you probably haven't needed to. And earning respect? How about not disrespecting people because they haven't been as fortunate as you in life?

PS, have you actually looked into McCain's stances on illegal immigration at all? You probably won't like them very much; he's not very tough on them by Republican standards.

I also really don't think that very many Republican policies are favorable towards small businesses. The whole idea is that corporations should be trusted over the government; what the hell do corporations care about your father's business? Lowering taxes sounds nice and all, but not if we're still pouring money into Iraq. Let's keep piling on that national debt!

Now. I most definitely have issues with some of Obama's proposals and ideas. But like...I've done my research, I've considered both sides. I try to think from other people's perspectives. Have you? Doesn't seem like it.