2008.11.04
The audacity of hope...
...President-elect Barack Obama
About this blog
In her signature plainspoken style, Michigan native Shanna Flowers peels away the layers and gets to the heart of the issues. No pretense. Just straightforward perspective. Shanna writes about local people whose circumstances reflect decisions made as near as City Hall or as far away as the halls of Congress. Other times, she weighs in on a topic because it is incredibly ridiculous. Or heartening. Or fascinating. Read Shanna's column three days a week, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, at roanoke.com
Yes we can has now become Yes, we did. Congratulations to President-elect Obama. In time, this will be one of those moments we speak to our grandchildren about. I thank God that I am blessed enough to be alive to witness this event.
Comment by Shaun — November 4, 2008 @ 11:23 pm
I am listening to our new president in complete awe. I am so blessed to witness this day in history. I am so proud to be an American.
Comment by Ms. Goldenwillow — November 5, 2008 @ 12:16 am
I listened to Obama's every word, twice.. and I am very eager to begin.
Comment by Dona Wheeler — November 5, 2008 @ 3:19 am
I feel like I am going to vomit. I am terrified for our country. What in the world have we done? I really believe we are about to enter a period of deep decline. I feel sick- just sick. As I tucked my children into bed last night, I feel just deeply sorry that they will have to live with the wake of this new administration.
Comment by working mom — November 5, 2008 @ 6:49 am
Shanna,
Finally, we can unite and put an end (with an exclamation point) to Affirmative Action in this country. Thanks to Affirmative Action, we now have a black president. When do you think Congress will write a bill to end Affirmative Action? Thank you Barrack Obama!
Comment by Mr. Goldstein — November 5, 2008 @ 7:35 am
Dear Working Mom,
Welcome to the club. I have felt like that the last 8 years. Now it is your turn. Sleep well.
Comment by Miss Nomer — November 5, 2008 @ 9:10 am
Now we can unite behind this man and forget our differences, and work to make this a true beginning for all.
Comment by Randy the Shoe man — November 5, 2008 @ 9:15 am
God bless you, President-Elect Obama, God bless your family, God bless 'working mom' and those who feel the way she does, and as he said last night, God bless the United States of America. No one knows what lies ahead but, I, for one, am more proud to be an American and a Virginian today than any day I have seen before.
Comment by Lo — November 5, 2008 @ 9:47 am
"I have felt like that the last 8 years. Now it is your turn. Sleep well."
I think the first few months will give us a good indicator of whether "Change we can believe in" could be taken literally, or if it translates to "payback's a b***h!".
Randy,
Hopefully it will work out. Time will tell whether he was honest in change or will simply flip a switch and exacerbate our differences.
I sincerely hope President-Elect Obama succeeds in continuing to make this a free and prosperous nation. Though I did not vote for him, I do not "win" should he fail, for if he fails that means everyone is worse off. Remember, though, he is only one man, and one part of a government triad. If he really wants to bring a message of change and cooperation to fruition, he is going to have to moderate people on *both* sides, including democrats that include just as many "partisan" personalities that will want to flip the switch to "payback" mode.
Comment by Ed S. — November 5, 2008 @ 9:51 am
I think the first few months will give us a good indicator of whether "Change we can believe in" could be taken literally, or if it translates to "payback's a b***h!".
Ed S...unfortunately I don't think that the first few months will indicate anything as the situation we are in is due to 8 years.........a few months WILL NOT fix the wrongs of 8 years.......
Comment by reed — November 5, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
As I look at the comments, I am wondering why any one in their right mind would think payback is on the agenda of an American president. Such fears are from the heart of the guilty. Put it behind you,look on the American side; we the people.
Comment by Foster — November 5, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
I get tired of hearing all the doom and gloom predictions from both sides saying that if the other side wins, things will go to hell in a handbasket. They never do, and I don't see it happening this time either despite all the dark predictions of the Republicans. I initially supported McCain but switched to Obama after delving more into the election, policy directions, and assessments of issues the new President will face over the next 4-8 years.iiI just felt that Obama was a better choice for the times we face. I think McCain could have done a fine job 8 years ago, but I just didn't see it now. I always look for the brighter side of elections and see the potential positives that will come out of them, rather than getting sick to my stomach or angry or the other reactions I've seen on this and other blog postings. I think Obama has a great opportunity to affect real changes in foreign policy, use of the military, energy policy, healthcare reforms, and economic policy that will make us an even stronger and better nation.
Comment by Other John — November 5, 2008 @ 4:02 pm
Reed,
I agree that any policy or legislation will take some time (and damage has likely gone back further than 8 years). However, we will get an indicator of how things will be handled in the first few months. Who Obama selects for key positions, his language and demeanor, the language and actions of those around him...all will foreshadow how things will be handled over the next four years. Will he truly reach out to both sides? Will one (or both) sides smack his hand back? Will legislative Democrats sidestep him to ramrod liberal legislation through? Will Republicans work with them on issues of common interest?
Comment by Ed S. — November 5, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
To working mom - I'm interested in why you are feeling sick and sad. Specifically upon what are you basing your belief that the Obama presidency will place America in deep decline?
Comment by cs johnston — November 5, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
I couldn't agree with working mom more!!
Comment by Cheryl S. — November 5, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
Wow. Working mom. Such vitriol. I pray that you will do what is best for your children. Resolve to work with the new administration to bring this country back to greatness.
Comment by obamamama — November 5, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Sick and sad is exactly how I was feeling before Obama won the presidency. With the country already in a deep decline it was refreshing to have a candidate that had more to say than mud slinging. I am proud of the way Obama handled himself with confidence and dignity when his opponents kept trying to sling mud on him. I believe he will do his best for America. I am thankful that he has the courage to make a difference in the lives of less fortunate people.
Comment by Ruth M — November 5, 2008 @ 8:02 pm
If there had been no Rasputin, there would have been no Lenin.
If there had been no George Bush, there would have been no Obama.
Comment by Percy Kution — November 5, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
Obamamama-
It's not vitriol. You're missing my point. Resolve to work with the new administration? I'm one of the ones with a target on my back. I give a substantial part of my income to worthy causes of my own choosing. I support my children's schools, the American Cancer Society, my church, numerous non-profits, Habitat for Humanity, the list goes on and on. The point is, those choices are now going to be made for me in the form of higher taxes. I will not have the income to give freely anymore. Choosing to give what is mine is one thing. Having someone else take it and reallocate it to someone who chooses not to try is another. I am tired of working at my tiny little business that I started with my own money and having to give it back to people who don't want to try- to people who are teaching their children that it's their government's place to take care of them. I am tired of entitlement, and I am terrified that we have already raised generations to feel entitled to a living. It is that type attitude that will take this country even further down. We have spent the last 30-40 years trying to help minorities, and we are worse off today than we were when I was a child. My children ask me why their classmates get free lunch, but can afford the $200 sneakers that I could not and would not buy for my own children. Do you have an answer for me to relay to them?
Tax increases will be earmarked for welfare? Oh. "Minorities" are the problem? Gotcha. As to what you should tell your kids, tell them they shouldn't believe everything they hear adults say. Your generosity is to be commended. But rather than dashing off a check to agencies, maybe you should spend some time with the people to whom you've applied sweeping generalizations.--s
Comment by working mom — November 5, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
For the first time I am ashamed of America for not promoting a meritocracy and for electing a leader with inappropriate experience. As we begin our reversion to the mean regarding achievement and liberty under a socialist president, we only have ourselves to blame. For those of us who have the audacity to hope that we could achieve financial autonomy and to preserve our traditional freedoms in the US, it truly is a historic time - the time when the worst and most freedom-constraining candidate was elected to President.
Thanks to McCain and Palin for trying to lead us to higher ground in the face of an idiocracy.
Comment by Jim — November 5, 2008 @ 8:26 pm
We can't have more people receiving than giving. That seems so simple to me. We are clearly heading to a point where that is the reality- that more people want their government to take care of them versus getting out and working hard to take care of themselves. THAT is what made America great, and have lost that will. THAT is what makes me feel like I want to vomit. We have developed (regressed, actually) into a society that wants everything to be handed to us. Yikes.
Comment by working mom — November 5, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
CNN Headline: 'It's like we can do anything', I am disgusted with that very sentence Black America didn't need Obama to tell us we can do anything all one had to do is believe in themselves.
The very article makes everything accomplished by Black America immaterial, superficial at best.
Obama speaks of Sacrifices what was $750 Million dollars for the "Bail Out"?? Why was those CEO's allowed to keep their bonuses and the American People left holding the tab?
Real change would have been to scrap the current income tax system and go to a flat tax system that is fair to everyone with out additional tax.
The FairTax:
* Enables workers to keep their entire paychecks
* Enables retirees to keep their entire pensions
* Refunds in advance the tax on purchases of basic necessities
* Allows American products to compete fairly
* Brings transparency and accountability to tax policy
* Ensures Social Security and Medicare funding
* Closes all loopholes and brings fairness to taxation
* Abolishes the IRS
Fair Tax Man was outside my voting precinct. He was getting NO love.--s
Comment by Backlash — November 5, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
It's Great history is made yet, the only thing changed was the day, business as usual in Washington DC. with the tax payers......
holding the bag....
Comment by Backlash — November 5, 2008 @ 10:53 pm
Shanna all it takes is one person to start a movement.
People are afraid of real change, Like one candidate said about the Fair Tax it would prove monumental for a person of "meager education"..
I guess things change but arrogance never fades.
Black America didn't need Barack Obama.....
Barack Obama needed Black America.
Comment by Backlash — November 6, 2008 @ 6:27 am
Shanna-
First of all, I do spend time with the agencies I've listed above. I don't just, as you say, "write a check." As for telling my children "not to believe what they hear adults say"- you didn't get my point. The kids themselves see the problem. The kids on free lunch at my children's schools are PROUD of it! They tell the other kids that "I don't have to pay for my food" like that's something to be proud of! I am not the ones pointing this out to my children. They come to me and ask. When we go out shopping for shoes, I watch for sales, use coupons, etc. and shop for a decent deal. I say no to outrageously priced shoes and clothing, and then my boys want to know how so-and-so at school can afford these things. Kids pick up on way more than you give them credit for. I assume you are saying I feed racist ideas to my children. Nothing could be more wrong. They are raised in an environment that has taught them to share and be grateful- that they should understand that not everyone has what they have. They also know how hard their parents work for what they have. And as far as welfare goes, "gotcha?" I don't think so. Obama's tax plan will end up sending checks back to people who have paid no tax at all. That's not welfare? What is it, then? We have raised generations to be completely okay with taking, and not teaching self-sufficiency. That is what terrifies me. We as a people have lost our way.
Comment by working mom — November 6, 2008 @ 9:14 am
This week might be the darkest week in US history. Just look at the posts on here. You have people who just now proud to be a Virginian and a US citizen because some guy with empty promises got elected? If that's what it takes to make you proud, then you are a sad person.
We just voted in a person to take charge of the US military who's only real job was a community organizer? Uh, HELLO? Wake up. People keep saying that he's the right person to lead us. Based on what? His 145 days in Congress? Or, is it that he was black? Or, is it because you hated George Bush. Obama has zero experience.
For cyring out loud, this guy went to a so called Christian church that preaches white people introduced the AIDS virus to keep blacks down. HELLO? Did you just hear that? He sat there and listened to sermons like that for 20 years until he got busted. After that, he says he disagrees with Wright. But after 20 years, you know he's a liar. Obama is a radical. Can you imagine if McCain went to a hate church like Obama does?
People, wake up. He's not a messiah. He's not Jesus. He's never even had a budget to balance. He is what he is. A community organizer who had enough money to persuade idiots to vote for him.
Comment by Goodbye democracy — November 6, 2008 @ 10:30 am
Working Mom, what do you expect? This is the country that instituted Affirmative Action. It's called getting things based on color, not education. It's a staple of the democratic party. Remember, Obama wants to redistribute your wealth to those that don't work.
What a miserable day for this country that a Socialist like Obama could be voted in. Shame on this nation. We derserve EVERYTHING we are going to get.
Comment by Goodbye democracy — November 6, 2008 @ 10:33 am
A prediction: In the 2010 and 2012 elections, the successful Republican slogan will be "Change We Need."
Comment by LRS — November 6, 2008 @ 11:29 am
The majority has spoken, and the rest of us need to fall in line and support the new president. Anything less than our full support cheapens the concept of democracy. Backlash, I agree with most everything you say, but I just can't quite come around to your way of thinking on the fair tax. No tax in my mind is fair to everyone. But we'll just agree to disagree without being disagreeable on that one, my friend.
Comment by Mike — November 6, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
there will always be exceptions like the child with the high-priced sneakers -- but how can we tolerate kids going hungry in our country over the weekend because there is no school meal?? vulnerable americans like the very elderly, and kids living in poverty should not have to rely on chance-charity which may or may not carry them over. of course your charitable efforts are commendable and an example for us others. but empowering our have-nots as citizens enables them to help themselves, rather than relying on us to help them thru charity. we are only as strong as our most vulnerable, and I have have seen so many falling thru the cracks. Obama is intellectual and is surrounding himself with others who are intellectual and pursue excellence. we need leaders who are truthful with us in order to have hope again. there is too much to be done to put someone in office who plays political games of self-interest, or who is not smart enough to see the layered nuances of our country. try and listen to what he says, and understand that there are stresses going on in our country that you may not see in your daily life, that gender and racial discrimination are often the norm even this week, and hear that Obama offers you hope again too.
Comment by sz — November 6, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
I enjoy reading the posts here because of the differences in opinion but I've never felt compelled to leave one myself until now.
We all knew this election was going to be close. We knew that the country was pretty evenly divided between the canidates and we knew that most people were passionately behind their respective canidates. We knew - and expected - that, with any contest, someone has to win and someone has to loose. What has suprised me the most is how ugly both sides have gotten.
I've heard from friends who supported McCain talk about getting ugly messages from Obama supporters and I've heard McCain supporters saying ugly things not only about what will happen to the country under Obama's leadership but about the man himself - specifically his skin color. It seems to me that the passion is still there but instead of being directed to something constructive, it's becoming destructive. If you feel so passionately about your canidate losing, then focus that energy into trying to make a change for the positive and quit being negative. I love the old saying, "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem".
Working Mom and Goodbye Democracy, I too am a white Mom with children and yes, I can tell your race by your post. You see, you are racist whether you think you are or not. It is evident that you believe that all who think they are entitled are of a different skin color than your own and that color was what decided the election. I can tell you that within my own family - and I'm not proud to admit this - there are siblings of mine, with children, who feel that they are entitled to everything and are trying work the system for all it's worth so color really doesn't have anything to do with it. My oldest has asked me why cousin so-and-so gets to have better things than she when cousin's mother doesn't work. But what you don't see, and need to realize, is there ARE those - of all races and backgrounds - that DON'T feel like they are entitled but DO need a hand up. I'm one of them. I will spare everyone my sob-story but the bottom line is, I'm working and I'm trying, but those who make more than I get a bigger tax break and therefore, more money goes into their pockets. So, yes, this white, formerly upper-middle and now lower class mom of two voted for Obama not because of his skin color. I voted for him because it is painfully obvious that the 'feed the rich and the crumbs will fall to the poor' policies of the GOP does not work; it didn't work during the 8 years of Reagan and it hasn't worked with Bush. Do I agree with giving to those that don't put forth an effort? Absolutely not. But what about those of us that ARE trying but need some help from our government...under the current administration, we fall through the cracks.
I understand passion for your canidate. I understand being upset because you think that the policies our new President-Elect will redistribute your wealth and give to those you feel are undeserving. What I don't understand is why so many are willing to complain and bash but aren't showing that they are willing to do something. Call your congressman. Organize a grassroots campaign. Or better yet....WAIT. It's November; the inaguration isn't until January. And who knows...with a little patience and a little tolerance, perhaps you may change your mind.
Comment by Sick of Division — November 6, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
Working Mom...
Obama - in his books and throughout his campaign - has emphasized that he agrees that our citizens need to be more self-sufficient and take more personal responsibility! I believe he understands your concerns. If someone does receive support from our state and federal government, Obama would like to require work as a condition of receiving this support to help end the need for that support and create a sense of self-sufficency and pride that is needed. I don't believe you should be terrified, but proud that we will have a president who wants to end "free handouts" and "free lunches" create a work-based support system for those who have less than us so that children also understand that . Also, my understanding of Obama's tax plan is that that both you and I will also benefit!
Comment by NT — November 6, 2008 @ 1:37 pm
Good day this place is pathetic. Here everyone is talking about race. Drop it already. Obama hasn't experience any racism. He just stole the most powerful position in the world.
And SZ, you said he is surrounding himself with other who are intellectual? Uh, he's appointed one person. He's surrounded himself with a hate preacher named Jeremiah Wright. He's surrounded himself with Ayers, a domestic terrorist, and surrounded himself with a PLO organizer. Intellectual? Uh no. Racial bigots? Yep.
Obama offers no change because he hasn't told anyone HOW he will change things. He's like a broken record that just says the same thing.
I haven't and will never support this disgrace. I can't wait for America to suffer under his socialist programs. When you are being taxed through the roof, remember who started it.
And people please. Drop the HOPE in Obama. A man can provide you with no hope. Only Jesus Christ can provide hope. Obama is not a God. He's an unchallenged man who made up a catchy slogan.
Comment by Goodbye democracy — November 6, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
guess what.........very little will change..campaign promises are almost never kept..so those who fear Obama,dont worry..those who have hope for big change ...dont count on it..
Comment by larry — November 6, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
Shanna,
It is amazing how people like "Working Mom" and "Goodbye Democracy" cannot wrap their minds around the good that comes out of a momentous occasion. If "Working Mom" truly is a small business owner, she'll benefit more from an Obama administration than she ever would under a McCain administration. People's minds get so clouded from their bigotry and anger, that they will vote and think against their own economic and social interests everything.
Affirmative action didn't get Barack Obama into the White House. The most disciplined and astute campaign in modern history, coupled by a candidate that shows extreme intelligence and promise, won this election for him. For those who obviously don't know, becoming president of the Harvard Law Review isn't an honor that's bestowed upon a Black student because of Affirmative Action. One has to be voted into the position by his or her peers. A casual lookup of President-Elect Obama's law class will show a handsome Black man seated with a group of fellow students (who voted for him) that have a skin color like that of those in Iowa who catapulted Barack to the forefront of the presidential race at the beginning of this campaign season.
It's going to take people of all persuasions-Democrats, Republicans, and Independents-to right the damage that's been done to our great country. Our economy is in shambles, as well as our international reputation. Democrats won't fix all of these problems alone, nor will they think they can. More than 6 million people of all colors have decided that our Senator from Illinois is the preferred candidate.
However, just for this moment, why can't people rejoice in the historic significance that this election has produced and bask in the "Audacity of Hope" that all Americans can believe? President Bush and Senator McCain have even chosen that path. There will be more than enough time to debate policy differences.
Comment by Henry Hale — November 6, 2008 @ 2:43 pm
I did not vote for Obama for many reasons, but he is our president now, and I will stand behind him just like I have for Bush and all the others. I just want people to realize Obama cannot solve all the world problems, and does not deserve to have all that put on him (even though he made it seem as if he could). I encourage everyone to support and stand behind our new president.
Comment by Tim — November 6, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
Mr.(or Ms.) Goodbye democracy, I am not “just now proud to be a Virginian and a US citizen because some guy with empty promises got elected.” I said I am MORE proud and that is because a country and a state with a horrific history of violence towards Blacks elected a man who would have been murdered for trying to vote 50 yrs ago to be the leader of this nation. America and Virginia have PROVEN that they will look past the color of a man’s skin and judge him based on more important things. I work with people who have admitted that they would not vote a Black man into the White House regardless of his politics, so you will have to forgive me for being shocked and pleased that their ignorance proved to be that of the minority! Whatever your personal feelings or political views, history was made on November 4th! Even Elizabeth Hasselbeck admitted that and she HATES everything Obama stands for!
I thought the purpose of Affirmative Action is and has always been to level the playing field for qualified individuals, not give something to someone who doesn’t deserve it and is incapable of doing the job. Last time I checked, if you didn’t have the minimum education to get most jobs requiring more than a high school education, you didn’t even get an interview, Affirmative Action or not. Do people really think that that many unqualified, lazy, unproductive, uneducated minorities have been allowed to steal jobs from that many qualified White folks? Do you really think that many unqualified Blacks will be allowed to get and keep jobs they can’t do?
I completely agree that the Welfare system is screwed up. Someone should be asking harder questions and doing more to make people more accountable and dependent on their own resources. I don’t like the idea that my hard earned money is going to anyone who won’t better themselves. However, I am not exactly sure how that is Obama’s fault or how McCain was supposed to fix the problem so why is Obama's win so nausiating?
Make no mistake, while Blacks probably did make a larger impact on this election than ever before, plenty of intelligent, deep thinking White people voted for that man and his politics. Maybe he did get in partially because people hate Bush or maybe people are just scared but there is something about him that led 63 million Americans (black, white, purple, etc) to choose him and no one is going to pretend like it’s because he’s Black!
Finally, I thank God that I know Barack Obama is no messiah and Jesus already died for my sins and I pray that anyone who gives that man that much credit has a talk wiht God immediately. Obama is not here to save our souls but I think he deserves a chance to help us improve this nation. And regardless of what I or anyone else things, he’s in there now!
Re your last paragraph: PREACH, SISTER!--s
Comment by Lo — November 6, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
Mike
I respect you greatly, but our income tax system isn't fit to pick up dog squeeze.
Our tax system has been manipulated worst than Criss Angle or David Blaine card trick. The system has been abused miss used even my dog has the system sitting up and begging him.
Seriously big companies is continually taking advantage of every loop designed to stop fraud and other missuses, and still our politicians tell the American people there is nothing wrong with it.
If it's nothing wrong with it why are they making Billions and the working class keep getting stiffed.
Can I suggest you check out the FairTax.org give it chance it won't bite.....
My miniature Schnauzer does.
If we got to accept change then this is a system that needs to be
replaced immediately.
Comment by Backlash — November 6, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
I have absolutely no problem supporting the elderly and others vulnerable due to health or abilities. Those are the people we ALL want to help, and as reasonable people we should and must take care of them. My beef is with able bodied people who repeatedly make bad decisions. It is amazing to me that at my children's schools (and at my sister-in-law's school in Lynchburg- a teacher)there are people like me willing to pay for another child's field trip and the child's parents are too worthless to even sign the permission slip. That's all that is keeping the child off the trip. They have access to a free trip, free lunch, etc., and the parent, if you can call them that, won't even sign the form! It's insane. Last year, I chaperoned a kindergarten field trip and listed to a child "put down" the kids around him for bringing their own lunch. He actually called them "suckers." A kindergartener- six years old. Clearly, this is what he is hearing at home. That is what makes people like me feel like "suckers." We have already taught a six year old child that his goal is to get as much free stuff as he can. In the spring, I was in New York for work and enjoyed speaking to a cab driver from Kenya. He told me how much he loved America and how much it meant to him to be a citizen. Then he told me about his "worthless" (that's HIS term) children, who as young adults, do not work and have no desire or intention to ever work. He said they laugh at him and call America "Land of It's Free." All I'm saying is we need more people like the driver and fewer people like his children. Nothing we have done for the last 30 years has worked to instill desire in people. Throwing money at a problem does not solve it. People have to have the desire within, and providing free food, housing, school, etc. does not instill a desire to get up and work hard. This is why I love Habitat for Humanity- they work to give people a hand up. It's not a handout- which is what the vast majority of our current programs are.
Comment by working mom — November 6, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
the free-lunch kids at our school are jealous of the kids that get the home-packed lunch with favorite foods. a few times I sent an extra lunch for a friend of my son's. the kids deal with it by imagining that they don't really want the home-packed lunch. some of them are so very hungry in the morning by the time they reach school after a long bus ride. we have also reached out to them, and some of them live in very run down partially shuttered-up homes. no phone, certainly no computer. I have found that the field trip forms don't get signed because of confusion/overload, there are too many papers sent home, many of them about fundraisers and afterschool activities that they could never participate in, so after a time none of it gets looked at. I have found some of these families to be living in quiet desperation.
Comment by sz — November 6, 2008 @ 8:03 pm
I'm guessing that most readers here easily detect the rigidly myopic thinking behind Goodbye Democracy's post (#33), but it was made explicit by the line "I can't wait for America to suffer under (Obama)". Ironically, this was followed by an assertion of Christian values as the only possible source of hope.
The poster thus demonstrates their belief that Christian doctrine encompasses the gleeful anticipation of suffering in others. Interestingly, I can't find the Biblical verses supporting this, any more than I can locate a verse saying "Accumulate material wealth and let others fend for themselves". I can, however, find a long tragic history resulting from these attitudes, and from some people's failure to value spirituality as anything more than merely psychological armor.
Goodbye Democracy, or Hello Irrationality?.
Comment by PJ — November 6, 2008 @ 8:21 pm
Oh, and another thing. To the person who thought they knew my race- guess again. My family is a totally mixed bag. I am a true American "mutt" of just about every race and religion you can think of. I didn't vote for Obama because I don't like his ideas, I think his associations are really questionable, and I think his experience is nil. It has nothing to do with the color of his skin or his father's. None of us have control over something like that. I do think it's curious that people who didn't vote for Obama are labeled racist, but people who didn't vote for Palin aren't sexist. It's so absurd to think you vote for someone because they look like you. In that scenario, women would rarely vote! How about my female Korean cousin, who was adopted by the Jewish side of my family? Would she EVER find someone to vote for?
Comment by working mom — November 6, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
Anybody know the number for Homeland Insecurity?
After reading all these posts I can't even remember
the number for 911. Somebody help me.
Comment by Percy Kution — November 6, 2008 @ 10:10 pm
Lo, you are incorrect about what Affirmative action is. It is a racist plan instituted by liberals to appease black people. It was meant to put black people in jobs that they weren't qualified for. It has nothing with putting people who ARE qualified in positions. If they are qualified they would have no problems.
And Lo, why are you rejoicing in a election? NOTHING HAS CHANGED? What are you celebrating? The man has done nothing and you are treating him like Jesus. Please tell me, what did he accomplish in Illinois? Keep trying because you won't find anything. Here's one thing. He voted to not protect children who survied a murder/abortion attempt. Why? Because he's a heartless individual who's more concerned with votes than human life.
Again, oh Obama lovers. How can you criticize the Bush administration when you just put a person in office who supports 7,000 murders a day.
FJ, I want America to suffer because we never learn until we suffer. As a kid, your parents probably told you not to do something. You had to hurt yourself to learn sometimes. I don't want one single person to be hurt physically. I want everyone to have a chance to come to Christ. I want people to suffer by taxes and their liberties being stripped. Both of which Obama will do. So, I might have not said it correctly. But, I still believe that we as a Nation will get what we deserve for putting a Godless person who supports child murders in office.
Sick of Division, I am sorry that you don't understand how capitalism and democracy work. In capitalism, you are free to earn your wealth. The Government owes you NOTHING. The more money you make, the higher taxes you pay, the more you get in return. If you disagree with it, you should move to Sweden. They don't have a rich or poor class. Everyone is about equal. That is what you are looking for. In America, we go get education or start businesses to get ahead in life. It's never been and will never be the goal of the US to take care of people who are trying. I encourage you to go to college or marry some rich dude. You voted for Obama because you thought you might get something for free. That is really sad. Are you aware that he agrees with the murder of 7,000 children a day? If that's okay with you and you get a few more bucks in your pocket then so be it. My family and I believe in working hard and not getting handouts or help. I have 2 jobs. Work in Salem and the US Air Force. I will retire in 6 years from the USAF and stop working at 60. How, becuase I worked for it. I've been to the middle east 3 times and my family suffered while I finished my BA degree. Life is what you make it, so go make yourself better. Don't count on Obama to give you anything. I guess Bush's tax credits didn't help you? If you have 2 kids then you got what, 2000 dollars? Bush cut taxes. Obama will raise them. It's the only way he can pay for Socialized healthcare. And if you think taxing companies like Wal-Mart or rasing minimum wage will help, then you are SADLY mistaken. Those companies will not absorb the cost. They will pass it off on you and me: THE CONSUMER WILL PAY FOR THE HIGHER CORPORATE TAXES. Or, the company will ship jobs over seas. And call me a racist all you want. I encourage you to watch some Youtube videos of people thinking they won't have to pay their mortgage anymore. Guess what color they are. That's not racism, it's fact. Look at Chicago right now, you have black people calling him the Saviour. It's fact. Sorry. Call me what you want. Liberals often resort to name calling when they lose and argument.
Lo is correct about affirmative action.--s
Comment by Goodbye democracy — November 6, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
Goodbye,
You make good sense with many of your economic ideas, but there is a separation between church and state in this country, and even the team I voted for, McCain and Palin, would never have been able to reverse Roe vs. Wade. We need to come together and at least give the new president a chance. If he doesn't or can't keep his promises, or if he leads the country down the path of socialism, we vote again in 2, then 4 years. Whether we like it or not, and whether he made false promises or not, the majority of our fellow countrymen believed him, and we can either love it, leave it or work to change it in the next elections.
Backlash,
I'll re-examine the fair tax issue and report back.
Percy,
There you go again. LOL.
Comment by Mike — November 7, 2008 @ 4:29 am
Shanna, thanks for pointing out that my comment about Affirmative Action were facts not opinions.
“Goodbye democracy”
You can't really be serious when you say "If they are qualified they would have no problems." Do you really intend to ignore the history of racism, prejudice and oppression in this country??? As I said, it may not be as much of a problem today as it was in the past but DO NOT pretend that there wasn’t a need for leveling the playing field!
Also, while I know there are misguided individuals who relate Obama to Jesus, I have made it clear that I am NOT one of those individuals, so don’t accuse me of making him something I know he is not. I know Whom I serve, and I will gladly repeat myself when I say that my Lord and Savior already died and rose again for my sins!
And don’t think for a second that I don’t know that nothing has changed yet. I won’t restate my comment but, had you read it thoroughly, you would know that my point was that this election PROVED something, not changed anything!
Oh, and I LOVED the fact that you want people to “drop it already” on the issue of race but then you turn around and bring up Obama's (non)relationship with Ayers! How many times does it have to be made clear that Obama and Ayers ARE NOT friends before people like yourself “drop it already”???
Having said that, I will give credit where credit is due. I do believe Obama has not been truly forthcoming about his vote against the Born-Alive Bill and I cannot understand why he would vote the way he did. I thnk calling the man "a supporter of the murder of 7000 children a day" is a little bit antagonistic, but I see your point.
Finally, I guess it’s OK for you to call Obama “a Godless person" and it’s also OK for you to present your biased opinions concerning Affirmative Action as facts but the Liberals are wrong for “name calling”!
And, working mom,
If it's any consolation, I didn't think you were a racist and I don't think everyone who didn't vote for Obama is a racist. Sweeping generalizations get people into trouble!
Comment by Lo — November 7, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
Did Obama say today he is going to cut the Capital Gain Tax on small business?
Funny how is he going to do that, when small business don't pay Capital Gain tax. They pay income tax, maybe he's stuck in his own campaign rhetoric or false hoods, or deceptions, or just plan lies.
Mike
Thanks that's all I ask....
Comment by Backlash — November 7, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
Backlash:
If he made a statement like that, he has been misled by someone, since NO corporation has gotten a break on capital gains for at least the last 15, maybe 20 years. The only thing I can figure is that he must be saying that Sellers of small businesses would get cap gains treatment, in which case, what good would that do? Get everyone to unload their business so they can avoid the other tax increases? I didn't actually hear him say anything about corporate capital gains, so hopefully he was misquoted.
Comment by mike — November 7, 2008 @ 11:09 pm
Well, he wasn't misquoted ... I haven't the faintest idea what he could be talking about. And it's my business to know stuff like that.
Comment by mike — November 7, 2008 @ 11:18 pm
Mike
The BBC said surely President Elect Barack Obama have his facts wrong about small business and Capital Gains Tax, for this could get him in the "Loo" in his presidency.
Comment by Backlash — November 8, 2008 @ 2:02 am
By switching to the Fair Tax, existing companies wouldn't be Taxed monthly to operate within the United States only once annually,this would insure the American tax payer jobs.
Currently if memory serves me companies are being taxed at 35%, so if Obama raise CG.Tax companies will be forced to layoff employees or shift overseas to countries where there is "NO MINIMUM WAGE".
Create the product and ship it back to the US. under NAFTA and retain the total profit.
Unless he offer companies a program like Wal-Mart, letting individual States and cities consume the operating costs of the companies to provide jobs.
Which translates to higher taxes.
Comment by Backlash — November 8, 2008 @ 2:21 am
Rich pay their fair share Under the Fair Tax
By Eric Von Baranov
the question of "getting the rich" when it comes to paying tax. When the income tax was first passed it promoted as a get the rich tax with less than 1% paying income tax. We have seen how that one has evolved.
The failure of the regressive argument penalizing the poor is lost in the fact that the rich spend a lot more than the poor. As a result under a consumption tax they pay their "fair share" of taxes.
Further for a robust economy one has to encourage investment. A politician cannot both talk about penalizing the corporation for excess profits and then talk about creating jobs.
Government cannot create jobs. Each new job created by government is a tax and must be paid by tax revenues.
Only the corporation can create jobs and grow an economy. Remember the Soviet Union collapse - all the jobs in the Soviet Union were created by government - no wonder they went bankrupt.
Removing the tax burden from labor lowers the operating costs of companies allowing for marginal products to be produced.
Corporations instead of getting "corporate welfare" from special tax regulations are now on a level playing field with foreign corporations discouraging offshore labor.
Comment by Backlash — November 8, 2008 @ 2:37 am
Obama picks Rahm Emanuel
"Emanuel was so angry at the president's enemies that he stood up at a celebratory dinner with colleagues from the campaign, grabbed a steak knife and began rattling off a list of betrayers, shouting 'Dead! ... Dead! ... Dead!' and plunging the knife into the table after every name."
Emanuel was named to the Board of Directors for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac") by then President Bill Clinton in 2000.
His position paid him $31,060 in 2000 and $231,655 in 2001.
Clinton politics
Comment by Terry B — November 12, 2008 @ 8:01 am
Terry:
I have to agree, I wonder about that choice and his characteristic of being a "hothead." Maybe the added responsibility will cause him to adjust his approach to wielding his power.
Comment by Mike — November 13, 2008 @ 1:23 am