A Black man Begging McCain

Thank you, brothers.

 

Jesus Christ, don't you think that there is a marked difference between sanctions, enforcement of the no-fly zone over Iraq and airstrikes as opposed to a disastrous invasion, dissolution of the Iraqi government (without any contingency planning or even a basic framework for reconstruction) and occupation with no end in sight that's costing us billions a week. You think Gore would have been as weak on the environment and would have completely ignored global warning? You think Gore would have filled the government with totally incompetent political operatives whose sole objectives are either to enable the President and the Democratic party at all costs or to obstruct the regulatory functions of whatever government agency they are involved in order to benefit whichever industry or company they came from? You think Gore would have attempted to shred the constitution and champion the notion of the supremacy of the Executive Branch over Congress and the Judiciary under the bogus "Unitary Executive" theory? You think Gore would have let Lieberman run amok, claim that he had exorbitant powers and create what is essentially a shadow Presidency under a bizarre interpretation of the Vice President's constitutionally mandated role of being a tie breaking vote when he functions as the President of the Senate? You think Gore would have been as utterly inept and indifferent during Hurricane Katrina? Do you....

Never mind. It's not my contention that Gore is without fault, but the fact that he was clearly the lesser of two evils eight years ago is incontrovertible.

And enough with the Paulian libertarian garbage. We are seeing what happens when you totally eschew government regulation and let unfettered capitalism reign supreme in the current global financial meltdown. Without extensive regulation we've seen a surfeit of tainted products imported from China, investments and retirement plans losing much of their value over night and grossly over inflated commodity prices (e.g. oil) because of unchecked speculators.

 

I am just about in total agreement with Dex216, and feel his posts on at least this issue do resonate most consistently with my political core beliefs, and values. It is very refreshing to see a likeminded poster such as he. And on the other hand, I do however believe raocha is a rising star here in this forum, after following many of his posts. He continues to demonstrate a very reasonable, and outstanding argument. This hot topic is a true Battle Royale between two very logically minded individuals that both have very compelling arguments on either side.

You two have this thread on fire... :smt014

...and it shows that we blacks are diverse, and certainly not a monolithic group of buffoons with a herd mentality. You both have my total respect.

Just my $.02

 

I AGREE WHOLE HEARTEDLY THAT THIS MAN IS AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE AND OBVIOUSLY A LACKEYrayer::smt079...MAYBE NOT EVEN A PAID ONE, FOR THE McCAIN CAMPAIGN WHICH HAS TAKEN AN UGLY RACIAL TONE:smt013 OVER THE LAST WEEK OR SO!

 

Wow, great post! But don't confuse him too much with facts.

 

If black people actually stuck together on issues that matter (ie the election of a black president), we'd be a hell of a lot further along in this country than we are right now.

 

THANK YOU!!!:smt038

 

Dex this is a candidate that Ron paul supports. if you can help out it would be great.

Michael Hargadon
Candidate U.S. Congress 7th District

> www.HargadonforUSCongress.com

 

Karma, I think that was the point I so inexpertly made in my earlier rant. I wish we could stick together as a people.

 

Indeed.

And thanks. :smt023

 

I think we should support Obama because he's the best viable candidate for the presidency. Realistically speaking, I lean pretty far to the left, so I don't agree with many of Obama's positions. Pragmatically speaking, I realize it's pretty unrealistic to expect to get everything or even most of what I want.

I don't buy into the whole group think mentality myself, and while I might disagree with them on most issues, I understand the frustration of many black Conservatives who are attacked because they hold certain opinions that are unpopular in the "black community." I've dealt with enough garbage in my life from ignoramuses who were black and otherwise for "not acting black" to be quite wary of the notion that the we are predetermined to think and conduct ourselves in a certain manner. However, IMO there is a huge difference between black people embracing an ideology which may be unpopular with other blacks and black people, like Mr. Harris for example, who unquestioningly support a party and a campaign that are going out of their way to harm and demonize other blacks for their own enrichment.

 

Ok, You have a point! I'm down with Obama. And when he increases my property taxes on my houses, & apartments, I'll then have to evict all of my tenants, mostly comprising of single black mothers, and make them homeless, because I can no longer afford to house them at a reasonable rate of rent, or at least I'll have to raise their rent significantly to help offset the increase in higher taxes, and operating expenses, now that the Obama Tax Increase have made my mortgage payments, and expenses to jump 50% annually. Then after he increases the taxes, and operating expenses in my business, I'll probably have to lay off most of my employees, mainly the black youth, and a few single parents who are trying to provide for their families in my community, because I can no longer afford to pay these people a decent salary, whereby they worked to support their families, that is, and or dramatically increase the cost of goods, and services, if I don't shut down operations altogether, because of absorbant expenses, and leave our black community with an empty, uneconomic building, in a soon to be blighted neighborhood full of one time thriving businesses, and jobs, which did provide services in the black community, because now my monthly operating expenses have also taken a 50% annual tax increase. Fine, I'll support Obama, and all of his democratic tax increases, so will the rest of us business, and property owners, and as we all see the effects of higher taxes hit us where it hurts the most, then believe me, we all shall pass the pain along, because we blacks need to stick together, for better, or worse, and for richer, or poorer.

I'm voting Obama in 08!

 

Agreed. My only point is when we reach these critical junctures as African-Americans where our collective will and power is necessary, we get these people who all of a sudden need to express their difference from the rest of the race, even to the point of a James T. Harris. Yet strangely when it comes to trivia like rap lyrics, baggy pants and ghetto culture, we seem to be in lockstep at best, and indifferent at worst.

I also find it ironic that intelligent black men are having this discourse on a board for white women. Could they be the catalyst for us getting together intellectually? Something to ponder.

 

Sarcasm noted. But where I live, property taxes have gone up anyway, and with them, my rent. And this is during a Republican administration! Do you have a 401k? IRA? Stocks? Have you lost any money? Is your bank in danger? Are you paying a higher mortgage for your properties even as their value is going down? The Republicans are supposed to be the money party so please explain. This is where your "straight talk" goes off the rails

 

50% tax increase. :smt043

You're not going to see any substantial tax increases under Obama's plans unless you gross over $600,000 annually. In that case, you can afford it, and you aren't paying you're fair share as it is. His tax plans for (big, not small) business largely entail closing the loopholes that allow the vast majority of corporations to completely avoid paying federal income taxes. All of these scare scenarios about tax increases on the rich and corporations destroying the economy are absurd. Look back at the economic expansion that took place in this country post World War 2 and the standard of living for the middle class had under MUCH higher tax rates and compare that to what has happened in this country since Reagan slashed taxes in the 80s. The middle class has contracted, almost of the manufacturing jobs have disappeared under the insane trade policies, and the ballooning deficits and national debt caused in large part by the lack of adequate taxation have destroyed the value of the dollar. I think it's become pretty clear that absolutely nothing "trickles down" under the current system, and there needs to be a change.

By the way, if you want to get an idea of how Obama's proposals will realistically affect what you fork over to the government:

http://alchemytoday.com/obamataxcut/

 

I don't think you read what I said a few posts back, I am not a Republican, nor do I support The Bush Extension with McCain. I specifically said I don't believe in either the Democratic, or Republican parties candidates. Yes, I have been negatively affected in almost all of the above financial scenarios you've mentioned, so please do not think that I am in favor of past, present, or future alternatives, as offered at present time, as I have lost faith in both options as being a viable answer to my concerns.

Thanks.

 

So have I.

Most Democrats are either corrupt scoundrels who are just as beholden to major corporations as Republicans or pusillanimous weaklings with absolutely no will whatsoever to stand up for any kind of agenda or even basic decency. I do, however, believe that the Republican party has gone so far over the edge that they need to be stripped of real power in Washington immediately. I hope that people begin to work at the grassroots level to offer viable alternatives to either major party on the national level in the near future.

 

According to the above link, I stand to see a -$2700.00 aprox. tax cut under obama, and a -$4100.00 approx. tax cut under McCain. These figures are consistant with what I've been told by my tax advisor, and accountants respectively, and a nominal difference at best. However, the actual figures are not my point.

My main focus was not intended to be used as an exact figure pertaining to my specific percentage of tax increase, i.e. 50%, but moreso, it is the principle that I am trying to convey, which is, any time there are expenses that are to be taxed onto the upper scale of American capitalism, then those costs, and expenses get passed along to the lower scale of that same system. You actually kind of validated my point, and yes, if big business i.e. 600k annually, gets taxed, and their loop holes become significantly narrower, then they will be forced to pass the expense, and cost of doing business downward to smaller businesses, which in turn, smaller businesses then will pass the cost down to the consumer, and or average joe. Tax increases hurt everyone.

We Agree!

 

I'd disagree with that. Most major corporations have paid progressively lower taxes if anything over the past couple of decades, yet prices have continued to increase and wages adjusted for inflation have declined markedly. As the past couple of decades demonstrate, higher costs were passed down to the consumer even during a period of great prosperity. IMHO the issue is a gross inequity in the distribution of wealth and the prevailing idea that the people at the top should get theirs no matter what happens (e.g. those AIG executives who spent $500,000 of company money at a resort on luxuries like spa treatments, champagne and manicures AFTER the company had gone bankrupt and was bailed about by the feds on our dime).

I'm not saying that taxation doesn't have its drawbacks, but if we don't start to do something about the national debt immediately we're all going to be in trouble, and increased taxation (at least for the short run) is going to have to part of the solution. The Euro has already supplanted the dollar as the top international transactional currency, and if they stop denominating the cost of oil in dollars, we're really going to be up creek without a paddle. I might lend some credence to McCain's tax plan if he would actually proffer an explanation of how he'll offset the the additional decrease in revenue on top of Bush's tax cuts. His only solution is to get rid of earmarks, which would eliminate about $18 billion dollars from the federal budget annually. That's a drop in the bucket especially when you consider the facts that he wants to stay in Iraq for perpetuity and not all earmarks go to worthless pork barrel projects. He'd also be cutting money for military housing, education, foreign aid etc.

We're going to have to go down a tough road before we get on track, and the people who are able are to have to make sacrifices.