I've kept my mouth shut, but can't take it anymore

[traderx]

in the story,i am the little boy, and you are the texan....we live happily ever after and buy cadillacs.

Lol....Bob, you are one of a kind.

I miss those Detroit fins...

 

[Andy A]

Poppy, I did not get the "nothing is going to get better" idea from his/her post, I took from it that they were happy with their life and that no matter what happened nothing could take that joy away. I saw a positive, not a negative.

IW, I couldn't agree more.

 

[Teresa]

it's so sad that someone who says he wanted to give obama a chance even though he didn't vote for him decided that prior to his inauguration, he had to find another way to discredit him. obama has withstood all the hateful untruths that were spun throughout his campaign by republicans, including mccain and palin along with the pundits and has come out victorious. he has 4 years to make his mark, either through good judgment or by screwing up as bush did all 8 years. we can all comment on bush because we now have his track record. for god's sake, let obama make his, good or bad. he certainly won't be able to right all the wrongs committed by bush and the republicans these past years but he deserves a chance. anyone jumping all over him now is just looking for the negative because they can't stand the fact that he won. get over yourself.

this makes a lot of sense to me. I wish people could just get over it. this particular election was so emotional and so historic that perhaps it has its own special reactions from folks from both sides. I guess we all need to be patient and hope that people can come to terms with President Obama. I surely hope so.

I know how I felt when Bush was elected (depressed and sad. not able to understand the choice of at least half of voting americans). we voiced our predictions (negative). somehow I did manage to convince myself (stupidly) that Bush would surround himself with excellence and manage at least a mediocre administration with good success for our country. but deep down, I could not help the feeling of dread that persisted in my whole being. we can't help what we believe and feel. though geo is right - we can inform ourselves with a variety of sources, and try to overlook the kinds of sources with absolutely no value whatsoever (hate/fear based emails - I've seen a whole new set of them lately - will they ever end?). everyone needs time to get over themselves.

I threw this out there-



I believe the fearmongering of the McCain campaign worked. I believe we have a whole bunch of folks in this country who are afraid of the socialist, the communist, the liberal, the terrorist, the celebrity, the "messiah", the one, "that one".

I don't believe folks are afraid of opposing viewpoints on issues. I don't believe folks are afraid of a tax rate reset for the rich to Clinton levels. I don't believe folks are afraid of a president elect because they didn't vote for him.

I blame the negative ads.

yep.

Miss Kitty,
I am very happy and not remotely interested in bashing any Republican OR in gloating. Just relieved and thrilled!!

I am also positively happy and hopeful. but, debate can continue and hopefully in a respectful way, as you always do Chickpea.

someone asked why Palin should be in the limelight still? from what I've seen, she has ramped up air time and interviews and is exploring her potential as a leader in the GOP party. as a result, she will remain out there for continuing debate - especially within her own party. she remains a subject for much discussion for those who are interested in how the GOP will proceed in the coming months, years, etc. and so it makes sense to me that the media and many citizens will continue to cover Palin and form opinions about her.

also, CCK mentioned that the conseratives have left sowal.com. I have not seen this happen and I hope it doesn't anytime soon. I do believe this board reflects the actual election very closely as far as Obama supporters (many are conservatives by the way) and McCain supporters. But we continue to maintian a huge range of folks around here representing all sides and beliefs and opinions. its what I love about these discussions. We've all learned and grown and listened and shouted and pouted and whined and we've been glad, and mad and sometimes sad. we've had much to share. most of all, we've learned a little bit about how to have these discussions in a meaningful and productive way, despite differences. I know i have learned from every single one of you. thank you thank you thank you.

and yes. there have been some threads from the depths of hell. there are always thread titles and subjects that are questionable as far as relevance and fairness. everyone here is different and express themselves in many different ways... and we all have reactions or posts we aren't proud of. we can always try to move on and do better, can't we?

 

[Teresa]

Let us please not forget that over 63 million voted for Obama and many were exactly like me - we did not view Obama as a saint who could do no wrong - we were just quite excited about someone we view as incredibly intelligent, well educated, analytical, motivating and exciting and I for one am greatly looking forward to the next 4 years (and if he is good to the next 8). This does not mean he will not stumble or make mistakes but my bets for now are solidly on him.

.... I personally can do nothing about those people who truely fear him (like the 25% of texans who think he is muslim) - I am just really comforted that the majority in the country wish him well, are rooting for him to succeed and most of all, I am just so proud that our daughters saw us get passionate and excited about a candidate without tearing his opponent apart.

thanks for sharing your passion and for always providing great insight and inspiration Chickpea. I admire how you express yourself so completely but always with respect for all.

and for those who need to vent about the election outcome, and about their experiences on this board, perhaps this thread can be useful after all. we've all been there.

 

[30ashopper]

thanks for sharing your passion and for always providing great insight and inspiration Chickpea.

and for those who need to vent about the election outcome, and about their experiences on this board, perhaps this thread can be useful after all. we've all been there.

There's nothing to vent about at this point. This election for me came down to a single issue, taxes. The day Obama or any politician raises them or eliminates the social security tax cap I'll start venting. Until then, we can all continue to bask in the after glow of the across the board tax cuts Bush enacted in 2001 and 2003. ;-)

 

[poppy]

There's nothing to vent about at this point. This election for me came down to a single issue, taxes. The day Obama or any politician raises them or eliminates the social security tax cap I'll start venting. Until then, we can all continue to bask in the after glow of the across the board tax cuts Bush enacted in 2001 and 2003. ;-)

What glow? He may have cut some taxes but he also borrowed money to go to war. The long term cost of that money will far exceed any pain felt from a slight increase in taxes to finance the war.

 

[traderx]

We really need to distinguish between tax cuts and tax rate cuts. In 2000, the last year of Clinton's term, total tax receipts were $3.1 trillion. In 2007, total tax receipts were $4.2 trillion. A deficit is always created by excessive spending.

 

[Geo]

We really need to distinguish between tax cuts and tax rate cuts.

Fair point...

In 2000, the last year of Clinton's term, total tax receipts were $3.1 trillion. In 2007, total tax receipts were $4.2 trillion. A deficit is always created by excessive spending.

I thought a deficit was created when spending is greater than receipts irrespective of whatever label we assign to spending. Kinda subjective if you ask me...



In other words-
It is possible for spending to be viewed as excessive and still have a surplus just as it is possible to view spending as not being excessive but still end up with a deficit...

 

[30ashopper]

What glow? He may have cut some taxes but he also borrowed money to go to war. The long term cost of that money will far exceed any pain felt from a slight increase in taxes to finance the war.

I agree, we shouldn't have spent so much. However, I'll disagree with your argument that debt incured is entirely the result of going to war. It's the result of government spending in general, especially programs like Medicaid and Medicare. The war is a drop in the bucket comparatively.

Regardless, Bush doesn't exactly have a corner on the market when it comes to deficit spending, and as a percentage of GDP, the debt hasn't risen all that much.

You can rip on Bush all you want, but nothing you say will change the fact that he lowered our taxes signifigantly. My suggestion to you would be.. enjoy that while it lasts. With Democrats in charge, it won't last forever.

 

[scooterbug44]

I agree, we shouldn't have spent so much. However, I'll disagree with your argument that debt incured is entirely the result of going to war. It's the result of government spending in general, especially programs like Medicaid and Medicare. The war is a drop in the bucket comparatively.

Or not. We spend more money on the military and defense than on anything else.

The 2008 budget - $386B on Medicare, $209 on Medicaid and Schip.

$481B Department of Defense, $145B Global War on Terror, approx. $200B in appropriations for Iraq and Afganistan wars.

$595 vs. $826 and I didn't include military items like nuclear warheads that are hidden in other parts of the budget.