Do you have faith in Obama?

[Marie Louise von Preussen]

Since Obama looks like he is going to be elected I began to question myself on him. I have no faith in Politicians, and Obama is no different; to me, they are all the same, and I think Obama really just won the presidency due to the resentment over GWB's incompetent eight years and not because he is really special or the likes. Granted, he is a popular african-american, but on many stances he is just putting himself behind popular issues and ideals for the time being so as to appear attractive.

To me, Obama is nothing special. I consider him a tool of powerful interests, just like GWB was; all he's doing is feeding the resentment of the people and making all the same populist proposals for tax cuts and healthcare. Given that the people are tired of the Republicans it is no surprise that everyone is taking his side and donating for his cause, hoping to get room for lobbying in his presidency. However given the current state of affairs in the US, some of his proposals are akin to demagoguery... "Tax cuts for 95% of the population"? "Healthcare for all"? Right in this moment what the US needs is a strict control of deficit and expenditure, as well as higher taxes. GWB took a strong economy with positive gains for the treasury and turned it into a black hole of deficit, doubling the national debt in his eight years; since the key to ambitious plans of tax cuts and universal healthcare is a stable treasury, I really can't see how Obama intends to make "Universal Healthcare" and "tax cuts for 95% of the population" as well as "distribution of wealth" without further drilling holes into the US boat. That is, if he seriously intends to do it at all.

So, in my mind, I think the bulk of Obama's campaign promise has been an attack on the Republicans, "Change" and demagoguery to attract the lower classes and the resented voters. There are two possible scenarios: either he is a competent hypocrite, aware that his campaign promises are unreasonable and with his real plans being akin to decreased spending & no lower taxes and all that unpopular & undelicate blah blah blah, or he is either too naive to believe that his promise will be realized given the present state of things.

The worst aspect of all is that there are people who believe Obama will be good, the "messiah" and the likes. With the present subprime crisis and the lack of economic stability, the skyrocketing public debt & the low reputation of the US worldwide the course of action needed is exactly the opposite to Obama's policies: the essential would be less spending, less bureaucracy and no tax cuts, as well as a less ambitious foreign policy. Obama's plans involve "extending military operations to Pakistan, creating universal healthcare and making large tax cuts". This is why he is so popular after all: people believe he has a magical fix for all the trouble faced now in all fronts. If he advocated the right instead of the convenient, and that means a high priority to keep the economy confident and the national reserves robust, he would never be so popular.

I understand that many here might have a different view of things than me, however the economy & the public funds are the base of everything. I would trust Obama more if he was running in 2000, when the situation was far less dire than now, but in 2008 much of his campaign seems unrealistic to me. Discuss.

[Erik]

Only retards and the chronic naive have faith in politicians.

[Zephyrus]

What?? So praying to him every night and day makes me a retard?

[Erik]

What?? So praying to him every night and day makes me a retard?

or just naive

[eddy_purpus]

What?? So praying to him every night and day makes me a retard?

not a retard but it makes him look if he was a god dude

[CtrlAltDe1337]

Since Obama looks like he is going to be elected I began to question myself on him. I have no faith in Politicians, and Obama is no different; to me, they are all the same, and I think Obama really just won the presidency due to the resentment over GWB's incompetent eight years and not because he is really special or the likes. Granted, he is a popular african-american, but on many stances he is just putting himself behind popular issues and ideals for the time being so as to appear attractive.

Its not even election day yet.

[Stark of Winterfell]

I have faith that Obama will be better than Bush, or Palin. Maybe better than McCain.

[Mikelus Trento]

Since Obama looks like he is going to be elected I began to question myself on him. I have no faith in Politicians, and Obama is no different; to me, they are all the same, and I think Obama really just won the presidency due to the resentment over GWB's incompetent eight years and not because he is really special or the likes. Granted, he is a popular african-american, but on many stances he is just putting himself behind popular issues and ideals for the time being so as to appear attractive.

To me, Obama is nothing special. I consider him a tool of powerful interests, just like GWB was; all he's doing is feeding the resentment of the people and making all the same populist proposals for tax cuts and healthcare. Given that the people are tired of the Republicans it is no surprise that everyone is taking his side and donating for his cause, hoping to get room for lobbying in his presidency. However given the current state of affairs in the US, some of his proposals are akin to demagoguery... "Tax cuts for 95% of the population"? "Healthcare for all"? Right in this moment what the US needs is a strict control of deficit and expenditure, as well as higher taxes. GWB took a strong economy with positive gains for the treasury and turned it into a black hole of deficit, doubling the national debt in his eight years; since the key to ambitious plans of tax cuts and universal healthcare is a stable treasury, I really can't see how Obama intends to make "Universal Healthcare" and "tax cuts for 95% of the population" as well as "distribution of wealth" without further drilling holes into the US boat. That is, if he seriously intends to do it at all.

So, in my mind, I think the bulk of Obama's campaign promise has been an attack on the Republicans, "Change" and demagoguery to attract the lower classes and the resented voters. There are two possible scenarios: either he is a competent hypocrite, aware that his campaign promises are unreasonable and with his real plans being akin to decreased spending & no lower taxes and all that unpopular & undelicate blah blah blah, or he is either too naive to believe that his promise will be realized given the present state of things.

The worst aspect of all is that there are people who believe Obama will be good, the "messiah" and the likes. With the present subprime crisis and the lack of economic stability, the skyrocketing public debt & the low reputation of the US worldwide the course of action needed is exactly the opposite to Obama's policies: the essential would be less spending, less bureaucracy and no tax cuts, as well as a less ambitious foreign policy. Obama's plans involve "extending military operations to Pakistan, creating universal healthcare and making large tax cuts". This is why he is so popular after all: people believe he has a magical fix for all the trouble faced now in all fronts. If he advocated the right instead of the convenient, and that means a high priority to keep the economy confident and the national reserves robust, he would never be so popular.

I understand that many here might have a different view of things than me, however the economy & the public funds are the base of everything. I would trust Obama more if he was running in 2000, when the situation was far less dire than now, but in 2008 much of his campaign seems unrealistic to me. Discuss.

I disagree. I have seen MANY politicians over the years, going back to Kennedy. None have exhibited the sincerity and calm demeanor that Obama has. None have shown the fortitude he has in bringing his message forward, despite the perceived disadvantages of name and race. Most have not had the moral fiber he is evidently made of. Most have been badly influenced by special interests, versus what is necessary to bring America, and to an ever greater degree each day the world, forward.

(I don't think he was old enough to run 8 years ago btw)

[Osceola]

None at all, he's a silver tongued politician.

You don't love your politicians, theres nothing emotional about it. You give them what they want, when they do what you want. Unfortunately the Obama fanclub seems to have totally ed this rule in the ear.

[The Dude]

To me this election isn't as much about Obama as it is about the US as a nation and their standing in the world.

Every country in the world (bar not even a handful) is almost unanimously supporting Obama. Countless "if the world could vote" websites report an 85% to 15% division of Obama vs McCain supporters.

Of course it's the US election. So we can't vote. Only US citizens can. Now, if 85% of the world does not like McCain, something has to be pretty bad about him. At the very least, he is someone the world will not respect as a president. So no matter how good his domestic policies might be, that's not relevant to us.

The US has lost international standing. Bush has done a good job at turning a respected country into something else. I wouldn't say he destroyed America's image, but I do think he went a long way in negatively influencing it.

To the world, this election is mainly about how America chooses to portray itself internationally. If the american people elect a president none of us can appreciate at all, then all the stereotypes will be proven true. Americans will be those isolated, uneducated and poorly informed wannabe world-policemen we have all along accused them of being. The country that minds everybody's business but tells you to back off when you mind theirs. And its credibility will suffer for it.

If Obama gets elected then the world can only look at it as a nation growing and maturing. Obama will have it hard, don't get me wrong. Blacks around the world will consider Obama their saviour. The Middle East will expect Obama to maintain less aggressive foreign policies. Europe will expect Obama to strength Old World - New World relations.

So everybody will expect something from him. But from John McCain, we'll expect nothing. Nothing but war and more war.

And that is what the world is fearful of. America is on a steady international decline. They're not at the bottom yet, but McCain might bring them there. Will america finally start caring about what the world thinks of them? Or will they be so stupid as to elect a president that everyone else is telling them is a mistake?

That's what this campaign, to the international stage, is about.

[Mikelus Trento]

To me this election isn't as much about Obama as it is about the US as a nation and their standing in the world.

Every country in the world bar not even a handful are almost unanimously supporting Obama. Countless "if the world could vote" websites report an 85% to 15% division of Obama vs McCain supporters.

Of course it's the US election. So we can't vote. Only US citizens can. Now, if 85% of the world do not like McCain, something has to be pretty bad about him. At the very least, he is someone the world will not respect as a president. So no matter how good his domestic policies might be, that's not relevant to us.

The US has lost international standing. Bush has done a good job at turning a respected country into something else. I wouldn't say he destroyed America's image, but I do think he went a long way in negatively influencing it.

To the world, this election is mainly about how America chooses to portray itself internationally. If the american people elect a president none of us can appreciate at all, then all the stereotypes will be proven true. Americans will be those isolated, uneducated and poorly informed wannabe world-policemen we have all along accused them of being. And America's credibility will suffer for it.

If Obama gets elected then the world can only look at it as a nation growing and maturing. Obama will have it hard, don't get me wrong. Blacks around the world will consider Obama their saviour. The Middle East will expect Obama to maintain less aggressive foreign policies. Europe will expect Obama to strength Old World - New World relations.

So everybody will expect something from him. But from John McCain, we'll expect nothing. Nothing but war and more war.

And that is what the world is fearful of. America is on a steady international decline. They're not at the bottom yet, but McCain might bring them there. Will america finally start caring about what the world thinks of them? Or will they be so stupid as to elect a president that everyone else is telling them is a mistake?

That's what this campaign, to the international stage, is about.

*hugs* (in a manly sort of way)

Seriously, very nicely put, and sums up why this TEXAN who voted for George Bush twice is strongly endorsing Obama.

[Oglethorpe1983]

To me this election isn't as much about Obama as it is about the US as a nation and their standing in the world.

Every country in the world (bar not even a handful) is almost unanimously supporting Obama. Countless "if the world could vote" websites report an 85% to 15% division of Obama vs McCain supporters

I dislike Obama for many reasons.... and I will be honest this is just another of those reasons....

Im not one to usually say screw off rest of the world.... but "screw off rest of the world"...

What I am about to say will have one of two effects... For those that agree it will be singing to the choir.. For those that disagree it will at best fall on deaf ears and at worst paint me as a racist, nationalistic redneck with no comprehension of the geo-political world (pretty big words for a hick...huh)

Obama is (among his many many other faults) is a threat to America's sovereignty... Americans by and large (for good reason) dont like the UN and foreign intervention.... and that will be an unescapable fact of an Obama presidency....

I would like to pose a question

To my European friends....(and I want an honest answer) Aside from the War in Iraq (which hasnt affected you...any more then its affected me) Exactly how is your life any different today then it was under Clinton?? America doesnt control your domestic policy... Its my belief that Europeas favor Obama becuase he is a leftist...pure and simple. Why should it matter to you who runs this country...(and dont give me the economy argument... The American Economy will still be there no matter who gets in office...If anything under Obama things will get worse) So I ask you...what is your actual stake in an Obama presidency?? Is it just that you want to get that warm and fuzzy feeling only a socialist leader can bring?? Or do you really think that Obama and by extension whoever the U.S President is actually determines your nations foreign/domestic policy...if so then why not just write our Congress and well go and add you guys as States...(and maybe then Obama will have been prophetic when he spoke of America's 57 States)

[Player989random]

Im not one to usually say screw off rest of the world.... but "screw off rest of the world"...

Obama is (among his many many other faults) is a threat to America's sovereignty... Americans by and large (for good reason) dont like the UN and foreign intervention.... and that will be an unescapable fact of an Obama presidency....

But I thought that we, the U.S., were the ones who invaded Iraq, which would be foreign intervention? So we don't like what we do?

Then again you could mean U.N. intervention on us, yet still we do have issues when other countries refuse to conform to our great and noble ways.

[Oswald von Wolkenstein]

I dislike Obama for many reasons....

And for most people whether they are for and against Obama, their reasons are often not only removed from the issues but from reality -- and that's just a constant in American politics.

Obama is a very capable politician and if he does win, he is going to have a helluva challenge on his hands.

The full hurt of the collapse hasn't hit yet -- we will feel the first hits after Christmas and by this time next year we will be living with the reality of what just happened on Wall Street.

So I am not as excited about an Obama presidency as I would like to be. The next president will be putting out fires and trying to repair everything that has been destroyed during the hell years of America -- 2000 - 2008: the dark ages of the United States under George W. Bush and the GOP. The next president will be a mending things that are broken, not building anything new.

_____________________

[Rush Limbaugh]

I have faith Obama will ruin us if elected. Of that I have no doubt. I wonder how much he paid bush to make that announcment the economy was tanking? Everytime he goes on tv it hurts Mc cain. Go away.

[The Dude]

I dislike Obama for many reasons.... and I will be honest this is just another of those reasons....

Im not one to usually say screw off rest of the world.... but "screw off rest of the world"...

Well truthfully, I did expect this response and I have an answer ready for it: you are in no position to tell the world to screw off. It's true though, you aren't. You can't have your cake and eat it (I never understood the logic of that saying btw xD).

You can't be the most important country in the world, -want- to be the most important country in the world, mind everybody's business all the time, only to then tell us to mind our own when it comes to your elections.

The outcome of those elections are important to us, you know. In laymans terms, Obama = less war, McCain = more war.

I would like to pose a question

To my European friends....(and I want an honest answer) Aside from the War in Iraq (which hasnt affected you...any more then its affected me) Exactly how is your life any different today then it was under Clinton?? America doesnt control your domestic policy... Its my belief that Europeas favor Obama becuase he is a leftist...pure and simple. Why should it matter to you who runs this country...(and dont give me the economy argument... The American Economy will still be there no matter who gets in office...If anything under Obama things will get worse) So I ask you...what is your actual stake in an Obama presidency?? Is it just that you want to get that warm and fuzzy feeling only a socialist leader can bring?? Or do you really think that Obama and by extension whoever the U.S President is actually determines your nations foreign/domestic policy...if so then why not just write our Congress and well go and add you guys as States...(and maybe then Obama will have been prophetic when he spoke of America's 57 States)

As I've said before, Obama is not a leftist. In the European political spectrum he would come out as center right wing. That just proves that America's political spectrum is fairly narrow and knows only two wings of politics: right wing and far right wing (you can guess which is which).

I will try to tell you, in a nutshell, how things have changed in Europe since Bush.

First off, there's foreign relations. There was clearer communication with Clinton. Since Bush, there has been a lot of guesswork between European leaders as to what America wants from us. The only thing that is clear is that we have to be on America's side because if we don't we are their enemies. That's simply what Bush has said.

As a result of that we are now fighting American wars. Seven young men from my town, and I live in a real backwater village in the Netherlands, are currently serving in the Dutch military and are sitting out their time in Afghanistan. Every day they put their lives on the line for US purposes. They will come home in december but the fighting grows worse every day. The families of these young men are worried and it's a fear that has taken over the town. Every day we get news from the front about the war. They need reinforcements and they need them bad. Obama understands this.

We do not regret that we are America's allies. As I have said in another topic, there are certainly worse alternatives. But do not underestimate European unity. We will not be held hostage. As long as America is a country we respect they can trust on us for military support. When that respect fades? Electing McCain will hurt you in this regard.

Secondly, you seem quite eager to get us to give up our sovereignty when just a few paragraphs ago you were afraid for your own

Most people outside the US have no clue whatsoever about who the hell McCain is, they just see a crooked old man running against a black senator - guess who are they going to vote for, given the opportunity?

Perhaps. But don't underestimate how well covered the US elections are in Europe at least. Here in the Netherlands we had an edition of Elsevier (I guess it could be compared to holland's Time Magazine, almost) dedicate a complete cover article to who John McCain is. Articles about him are in the news daily, and Sarah Palin comes along just as often. And not necessarily in a biased sort of way. Our news is a lot more objective than any news station in the US can claim to be.

And frankly, I don't see McCain as a crooked old man. I do respect him. If you want me to be completely honest I think McCain is actually a fairly decent fellow. It's the team behind him that scare me off. Same old republican clique. And I don't care for them -at all-.

[jankren]

I have more faith in Obama than his current rivals. But my vote was for Mike Gravel.

[dwringer]

To me, Obama is nothing special. I consider him a tool of powerful interests, just like GWB was; all he's doing is feeding the resentment of the people and making all the same populist proposals for tax cuts and healthcare.

To me, that can be said of every single president the United States has ever had.

That doesn't mean some weren't much better than others.

At some point "the lesser of two evils" is just way too black and white. Has anybody ever met anyone who was a "good" in any sense, ever? Not in my opinion.

[Player989random]

The Dude nailed it right on the head.

[Gauvin]

Obama will be one of the most disappointing and divisive presidents ever, mark my words.

I also reject the notion that Americans should vote for the candidate other countries like..................... what the hell... !? lol