I may be drinking Kool-Aide but I don't think so

[AllentownJake]

I'm pretty liberal. I support nationilizing the energy companies, limiting executive pay to 15X their lowest paid worker(wonder what would happen to minimum wage than), full universal healthcare in the European style, banning all hand guns except for target shooting and than they are kept at ranges, Impeachment and federal trials afterwards etc.

Barack Obama does not agree with me on any of these issues. For all points he is center left and I'm way left. However I'm under no illusion that a majority of the country agrees with me or is ready for my beliefs in what would be better for America. Unless there is an economic crisis the size of the Great Depression a majority of my ideas have no chance of happening overnight or in 4 years. I don't spend my days bitching because the rest of America hasn't reached my level of enlightenment for what's best for them or may never reach my enlightenment.

What I am is a realist. I understand that I have two choices, well actually 3. I can vote and support through volunteering Barack Obama. Stay home. Or vote for someone else who is either against everything I believe or has no chance to win.

The reason I've chosen to support Obama is he's the best chance we have for incremental change in the direction I like. I do not believe that he'll be elected and the world will be sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns however I do believe the following will happen.

1) The justice department will start pursuing justice again and will not be a political tool of the GOP.
2) There will be a time table for withdraw from Iraq worked with the Iraqi government.
3) There will be movement on the terrible shape of Healthcare in this country.
4) Corporate America will have less of a seat at the table. I don't think they will be removed by any means but I don't think that they will have the only voice.
5) Supreme Court Justices will be appointed who share my view of the US Constitution.
6) We will make significant investments in education and scientific research.
7) We will begin the real process of reseraching and implementing renewable energy sources.
8) Our standing in the eyes of the rest of the world will increase.
9) We will not invade Iran.
10) Barack Obama will not chose a VP that accidently shoots friends.

So I'm supporting Barack with all I have. I'm cutting him some slack for not agreeing with me on everything. I want a Democratic President. Bill Clinton wasn't perfect either and either was Jimmy Carter but they were head and shoulders above the men that replaced them and proceeded them.

[villager]

1. on the other hand, perhaps if Dems had more gumption in the past, the GOP wouldn't have gotten away

...with so much under Bush?

[AllentownJake]

4. I'm interested in November 2008

If you think that you'll help the country by not supporting the nominee with all you have right now that's your perogative.

Perhaps if we stopped fighting amongst ourselves and were united in the past they would have had more of a back bone or a certain someone would be the retired govenor of TX right now.

[villager]

12. But not how we got here?

You can use obliviousness to history as a strategy; it's also possible to know one's history and be in the present moment, as well...

[AllentownJake]

13. My view on how we got here

is probably different than yours.

The fact is we have Dem members in very red states that do things I disagree with but if they didn't they would have conservative GOP congress persons replacing them and we have GOP members in blue states that act like pansies because they get money from the GOP and are brow beat to go along with the President but go against him when they are not needed to stay in power.

On this vote we have a nominee who is trying to avoid being labled as soft and weak.

Historically we got here because a bunch of idiots thought Al Gore was no different than Chimpy and supported Nader which appears to be the direction some idiots on the left are going yet again right now.

[villager]

18. But they thought Al Gore was no different than Chimpy because of prior Democratic

sell-outs on critical environmental, econimic, military issues, etc.

In other words, Democratic collaboration was the "mulch" that helped such charges grow and take root...

[TexasObserver]

6. No, that's not the problem. The problem is the party is bad at coalescing.

Too many Democrats cuddle their personal politics like they're holding their favorite stuffed animal.

[AllentownJake]

9. Exactly

[MarjorieG]

14. More than gumption, they needed their voters informed by the media pushing them.

[Prophet 451]

15. Probably true, but...

There's not a great deal we can do about that now except learn from it.

[TexasObserver]

2. You are correct.

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. What have you seen lately that leads you to believe that any of

those things on your list will be handled any better than FISA?

[AllentownJake]

7. The vote for FISA amendment

that we all hate was 66-32.

Where is this filabuster you see?

Did anyone think a vote count was taken about leading a filabuster and maybe they realized they didn't have it?

[The_Casual_Observer]

10. Sure & the same bunch is going to radically change the health care

system, end the war & do all that other stuff. Free beer "tomorrow".

[AllentownJake]

11. I never said radical change

Re-read my post.

I said movement on Healthcare and movement for troop withdrawal.

If you think the other side will do a better job by all means...support them.

[Gman]

5. Obama will not choose a VP that tells a Senate member to go phuck his/herself

although directed at a Republican it would be completely appropriate.

[Bluerthanblue]

8. lemonade? nah, better than lemonade-

well said, and I share many of your perspectives-

I do think Obama's going to be one of the best presidents in my lifetime- (heading towards sunset)

k&R!

:hi:

peace~

[Zavulon]

16. What candidate would be perfect for you?

Which one agrees with you on everything?

Obama is as close as it comes for me, because unlike you I'm pro-gun and against universal health care.

Even if you can't stand McCain, just imagine another Alito or two on SCOTUS.

[AllentownJake]

17. Its a big party

and that's my overall point.

For some people on here no candidate is good enough yet they don't have the courage to make themselves candidates for some office in their own community.

Obama was a state senator first