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Post by Josh on Dec 16, 2007 16:35:44 GMT -8
Folks,
I'm at an all-time low in interest in politics right now. Anyone have anything they're fired up and passionate about enough to inspire any passion in me (whether pro or con)?
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Post by b on Dec 21, 2007 13:34:57 GMT -8
Gordon Brown, the new British Prime Minister, has some interesting ideas for protecting Labor party interests while honoring European Union regulations.
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Post by Josh on Dec 21, 2007 16:41:01 GMT -8
 That does it, Railroad Roland's hitting the campaign trail now. Those limey varmints. 
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Post by Alex on Dec 27, 2007 15:52:54 GMT -8
Well, there's Putin winning Time's Man of the Year. That's a meaty topic.
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Post by Josh on Jan 6, 2008 20:04:38 GMT -8
So, what do ya think of old Putin, Alex?
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Post by meghan on Jan 7, 2008 11:12:48 GMT -8
I'm just kind of amazed at the primaries. I mean, they're not such a BIG surprise, I guess I'm just in awe of how things are transpiring and how it's actually happening. And how this means 10 more months of debates, ads, attacks, and ... unfortunately listening to people talk about politics.
phew.
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Post by meghan on Jan 7, 2008 11:13:46 GMT -8
And normally I know nothing about word politics, but what is going on in Kenya right now is rather appalling. I got the idea that Kenya was kind of free from so much of the instability that most of the rest of Africa suffers from. I don't know much about the story, though.
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Post by michelle on Jan 7, 2008 21:03:11 GMT -8
I think it's interesting that one of the Presidential candidates is 1/2 Kenyan at the same time as the stuff going on in Nairobi.
This is the year that I'm really getting into politics. I have decided that I am going to look thoroughly at all the candidates so that I can make an informed vote. I've started with Obama and so far, I like what I see. You have to give your email address to get on his official website and I don't want to give mine, but I've been looking at his official Congressional page, which is great because it shows his voting record and any bills he sponsored or co-sponsored. I must say that of the Democrats, he is the one that I trust the most. I do like that he takes accountability for his mistakes/choices and doesn't try to act like he never did anything wrong.
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Post by Douglas on Jan 9, 2008 7:36:25 GMT -8
I have started looking in to obama as well. I dont didnt have give my email address there was on option to enter without it. What i love so far it has he highly values open honest and visible politics. Lies breed lies and if any government is going to do things in the shadows there is problem. I am very excited by the high value that he places on openness. We need a lot more of that in the states. Also he is promoting ways that will make information about how the government is working, where money is going ect, into a easily searchable form on the Internet.
I am not so convinced on his health care idea. We need universal health care coverage but it think that to pull it off more drastic measures will be needed. but it a good start. I have only just started to look closely as his stuff but this is first time that i have ever really looked in to candidate at all. There has been enough poor managing of the nation that i actually really care for the 1st time in my life and i dont even live in the states anymore. Weird.
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Post by michelle on Jan 9, 2008 12:34:47 GMT -8
I agree with you Douglas. He seems to have an air of openness and I value that a lot. I don't care if you screw up, we're all human. Just don't lie to me about it or try to act like it never happened. I think that is one of the things that bothers me the most about politics.
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Post by sarah on Jan 9, 2008 12:52:56 GMT -8
I am actually really interested in things this time around. I have always voted, but typically I feel disappointed with my choices. I find the Obama/Clinton factor to be very interesting.
I don't think that Hilary is a person I would want to be friends with, but I do think that there is little chance that she would play puppet to other interests. I think she is a strong woman who has a lot of experience in the political world, and has the backbone to piss off a lot of people and not care if she thinks it is the right thing to do. In some of the early debates she really stood out for me, but that said I find Obama more likable.
Either way I suspect the Republican party has little chance of keeping the white house. People want a change, even the Republicans are less than thrilled with the current administration. I also think it is high time someone was president who was not a white male. I would love to see an Obama/ Hilary ticket
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Post by Alex on Jan 12, 2008 11:54:19 GMT -8
I think the republicans handed the white house to the democrats this year. However I'm unsure if the democrats will be able to capture it with non-traditional runners. I'd like to say the country has progressed beyond gender and race boundaries, but I still recognize a significant portion of the population is unwilling to consider these candidates.
However if the Democrat's momentum is strong enough this is a great opportunity to tear down a barrier that has dogged us for years. If the candidates are based solely on merit I see it as moment for our society to prove it's mettle - otherwise our shame.
In regards to the candidates my metric is effectiveness, rather than charisma. I'm still not sure who that is yet.
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Post by sarah on Jan 17, 2008 14:55:53 GMT -8
So until I heard this on the news, I was unaware that Obama has only had his seat for 3 years and he has been campaigning for President for most of that time. Does anyone else have more info about that? It seems like he may not have enough experience yet..... But I want to like him.
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Post by michelle on Jan 18, 2008 13:11:29 GMT -8
Well, I think it's more accurate to say that he was seated for 2 years and then started his campaign a year ago, when he made is official bid. Let's not forget that he served 8 years in state legislature prior to becoming a senator. That's 10 years total experience. If you look at other candidates experience Mitt Romney has 4 years gubernatorial, John Edwards has 6 years senatorial, Hillary Clinton has 7 years senatorial (of which the past year has been campaigning).
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Post by robin on Jan 18, 2008 13:17:33 GMT -8
I would not appose Obama, for his lack of experience. Rather, I would appose him for his liberal views and foreign and domestic policies. And the same would go for Hillary, and Edwards. Guess which party I'm a member of.  |
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Post by Josh on Jan 18, 2008 16:03:17 GMT -8
Aletheites have always been a mixed lot in regard to political affiliation... I'm glad to see that the tradition carries over to the online community as well ;D It's kind of nice to have a topic that I can be coy and unrevealing about as I sit and watch you folks |
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Post by rose on Jan 18, 2008 20:30:39 GMT -8
Michelle, let's not forget that Hillary ran the white house for 8 years prior to becoming senator! In all seriousness...I really need to start educating myself in regards to the candidates. I saw Obama do an interview a while back and I was really impressed with him, but I haven't done much to investigate where he stands on certain issues. All I know is that I'm not interested in having Hillary as president or anyone by the name of "Mitt"! |
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