OK, we have about 5 debates going on about the presidential elections, and two things are really coming out of it all:

One: We have some sharp divisions in this group as far as opinions go.

Two: On November 4th, either McCain or Obama will be elected president.

My question: With the various viewpoints, what will we do.

To those on the right (middle right, far right, etc) - what will you do if Barack Obama becomes president?

To those on the left (middle left, far left, etc) - what will you do if John McCain becomes president?

To all: What can we do to gain some unity in our country.

Note that, no matter what, there will be politicians, judges, reporters, bloggers, etc., who will make waves long after the election (saying this, people are still ranting about the 2000 elections).

But it is up to the individuals at the grass roots to make unity. So the question: How can we get there?

Hey Gadgetlady,

I was afraid you had me on ignore. I didn't mean to offend you putting you in the title, but you tend to be one of the more noted names on the conservative side of the political spectrum.

I don't have anyone on ignore "officially" -- although I do ignore most of the things some people say I was away from my computer for most of the day yesterday, so I didn't see the thread until late.

You didn't offend me; I was just surprised to see my name there. Especially after someone posted in a recent thread that I had a bad "rep, past, and credibility" and suggested that I believe in a Flat Earth theory -- of course, it was a hit-and-run post; they haven't been back. I guess I just expect to be attacked so I didn't know what I would see when I opened up the thread.

I laughed when hollywood elite said they would leave the country if GWB became president (I noticed that Barbara is still an American Citizen, and the Dixie Chicks are still hanging around as well).

Yeah. I wish they would leave. Being a parent, though, I long ago learned the you shouldn't make statements that you can't or won't back up.

I might not see that raising taxes on some is really socialism... it is a fact of life, as it was when George Bush 1 did it. I will not be offended when my recording studio hits that 1/4 million dollar mark at paying more taxes, and I doubt most business folks would.

But talk of whether it is socalism or just making our tax system more fair

I just read a great article at Newsmax.com , a few excerpts of which are (emphasis mine):

In such political transfers of money, government always rakes off for itself a huge shipping and handling fee — 81 cents of every tax dollar in the case of Democratic President Lyndon Johnson’s "war on poverty," which let only pennies of each taxed dollar trickle down to those whose poverty continues to justify the government’s theft.

Under President John F. Kennedy, 52 cents of every tax dollar went for national defense. Today, more than half of every tax dollar goes for “transfer payments,” taking money out of your pocket to put it into somebody else's.

. . .

We have already greatly weakened our society by the degree of “progressive” taxation (oddly named because it thwarts progress) we already pay. The top 10 percent of earners now pay 70 percent of all individual income taxes. But Barack Obama brays that the rich are not paying “their fair share” of taxes?

The bottom 50 percent pay only 2.9 percent of the total and see government merely as a big machine to dispense them goodies, e.g., Obama plans to give $2,000 welfare payments as “tax cuts” each year to those who now pay no income tax. Why? To buy their votes for the Democratic Party.

Truth be told, nothing violates the ideal of equality before the law more than our progressive income tax system.

When Mr. Obama discriminates against productive citizens by making their tax burden heavier than what others pay, how can this be justified in the name of equality — especially when the result is a redistributive society that turns some citizens into accomplices to theft, and others into resentful victims of this theft?

Mr. Obama, of course, claims that he will tax only the wealthy and leave those earning less than $250,000 a year, or $200,000, or $150,000 — his slippery promises keep shifting — with no tax increase.

This same kind of rhetoric was used to impose the income tax, that supposedly would hit only the wealthy and never go above 3 percent of income, but today robs more than half of us.

But talk of whether it is socalism or just making our tax system more fair or whatever isn't so much the issue as the fact that we are still citizens of the United States of America.

I disagree; I think they are the issue. I think they speak to the bigger question asked on this thread, which is how to bring unity -- and I don't think you can bring unity when the ideology behind two divergent groups is so at odds with each other. Bottom line, I will never be able to see eye-to-eye with someone who wants to tear down the country that I love. I believe in freedom and am willing to sit next to them on a park bench or share a restaurant with them, but I would never invite them to a BBQ, and I will not silence my objections to their cause. I believe socialism tears at (or shreds) the fabric of our dearly-held and preciously fought-for freedoms.

My beliefs are much more in line with the Founding Fathers of this country. Their beliefs are much more in life with Karl Marx. It's just a basic fact. Do I believe I'm right? Yes. Do they believe they're right? Yes. I think the question is which one of us more closely adheres with the values represented in the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution. As far as I'm concerned, if there's a place for socialism and communism in the world, it not here. If you want that sort of government, there are plenty of places in the world that can offer it to you.

Edited October 29, 200817 yr by gadgetlady

I thought the same thing when I saw it. Canada isn't on my short list for potential places to go LOL!

Nope, you wouldn't be happy up here. The joint is crawling with lefties and the climate is lousy. It is peaceful, though.

Nope, you wouldn't be happy up here. The joint is crawling with lefties and the climate is lousy. It is peaceful, though.

I don't think I would. Weather and politics are almost at a tie for me in terms of where I could live. But I must say, Victoria is one of our favorite places to visit (in the summer) and the people are always very nice.:w00t:

Weather and politics are almost at a tie for me in terms of where I could live.

then why aren't you in TX????:w00t:

we can trade spots - maybe our votes would count - to our views, then again... i could never get my texan hubby to live in CA.

There's no chance of unifying the country. Both sides are blatantly marginalizing and vilifying the other, and the climate gets worse every cycle. There's simply no middle ground left, and nobody who is willing to talk and compromise can make it past the primary system.

We're headed for a civil war, the only question is when it will happen. The "flyover" states won't put up with the domination by the coasts much longer.

Nope, you wouldn't be happy up here. The joint is crawling with lefties and the climate is lousy.

No doubt. lol

It is peaceful, though.

Doubtful. Lefties are the most radically hateful bunch of people I have ever seen.

Then again, Canada is spoon fed the leftist news. My friend still has family who lives there and they don't get anything but the leftist agenda, so no wonder everybody there is ignorant to the fact that there is any better way. Kinda bordering on communistic in its application, "eh"?

I saw a very funny bumper sticker yesterday. It said

"The Dixie Chicks Were Right"

luluc

You are welcome to come to California anytime. We would love to have you. I understand your pain. I work for a company that is based in Texas and there is no place like it.

So, who's watching the Obamamercial tonight?

Count me in!

thewatcher

Five more days. Are you keeping the faith?

clusk

I saw a very funny bumper sticker yesterday. It said

"The Dixie Chicks Were Right"

luluc

You are welcome to come to California anytime. We would love to have you. I understand your pain. I work for a company that is based in Texas and there is no place like it.

they WERE RIGHT!!!!:w00t:

clusk - i was in high tech sales for 15yrs and literally lived in san jose, CA....hubby still part of that scene and they're right now...

i wonder who is stealing my obama/biden sign at the front of my ranch each night.???. even with cameras on them, idiot mccain supporters i suppose / radical right wingers??? hmmmmm

can't keep a good dem down - new sign goes back up before dawn each day...i'm tempted to let the dogs run loose tonight....:w00t:

thewatcher

Five more days. Are you keeping the faith?

clusk

Keeping the faith? Is Obama a religious movement now?

There's no chance of unifying the country. Both sides are blatantly marginalizing and vilifying the other, and the climate gets worse every cycle. There's simply no middle ground left, and nobody who is willing to talk and compromise can make it past the primary system.

We're headed for a civil war, the only question is when it will happen. The "flyover" states won't put up with the domination by the coasts much longer.

Hells yeah! Count me as part of the "flyover militia"!!

i wonder who is stealing my obama/biden sign at the front of my ranch each night.???. even with cameras on them, idiot mccain supporters i suppose / radical right wingers??? hmmmmm

can't keep a good dem down - new sign goes back up before dawn each day...i'm tempted to let the dogs run loose tonight....:w00t:

Maybe it's your Texan hubby? :w00t:

Maybe it's your Texan hubby? :w00t:

LOL :w00t: - but ya know; he voted for obama:biggrin:

mccain made it very easy for him; but he still thinks mccain was better suited for the dem ticket...whole other story.