I like Obama, and I've voted for HRC in the past. However...

[1932]

I have a very clear sense of what is going wrong with America. People who work for a living are being turned into wage and debt slaves while more and more wealth is under the control of fewer and fewer people. I think this is really dangerous. Historically, societies that are so dramatically polarized stop functioning. They rot, and a lot of people go through tremendous misery as a result. This happened in the US during the great depression, and the only reason we survived was because the US has a president who saw this problem, and fixed it.

I want the next president to run on ideas that address this threat to our country, so that when he or she is elected, there is a very clear sense in the minds of voters what the president is being measured against. If the president runs on themes about putting power into the hands of working people, and of revitalizing the middle class, the only way that president is going to be reelected and viewed by history as a success is if the president achieves these things.

HRC doesn't seem to see the world this way, so I'm not confident that she would feel that her mandate was to reverse the polarization of wealth and power. Obama may or may not see the world this way. However, he doesn't seem to be using his campaign to make a pact with voters about what he'll do if he is elected. "Change" is his theme, but he's a little vague on the details -- perhaps, so that he can sell any change as a victory.

There is, however, one candidate who seems to be willing to stake everything on some very clear promises about reversing that flow of power...

[robinlynne]

1. come on now, what a cliffhanger......

[1932]

2. Try this Mad Libs thought exercise:

_________ believes the problem with society today is __________ and if elected, will ____________ to fix it.

[robinlynne]

4. I think I need another 6 cups of coffee before I can face that. but thanks!

[1932]

6. (it's Edwards, by the way)

[robinlynne]

7. yeah Edwards!

[Vanje]

16. Oh! What a relief....Edwards

The reference in your sig, made me believe , for a moment, that you were advocating for a Nader candidacy.

[gateley]

3. That candidate is Joe Biden

Protect Worker Rights to Organize: As president, Joe Biden will put a stop to George Bush’s war on labor. Joe Biden is a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, and he will always work to ensure workers have the right to join unions without interference from employers.

Defend Workers in Trade Negotiations: Joe Biden believes that US trade negotiations must protect American workers by insisting on basic labor and environmental standards. That’s why he opposed CAFTA and fast track authority for President Bush. He will continue to fight for better labor and environmental standards in trade agreements and will oppose new trade agreements that don’t meet high standards.

Create Green Collar Jobs: As president, Joe Biden will work to create the new jobs that come with a new world. Green-collar jobs will make homes and businesses more energy efficient. Joe Biden has been a leader in the senate, co-sponsoring a worker training program that could help create 3 million new jobs as the U.S. builds a new energy future.

And more...

http://www.joebiden.com/issues/?id=0019

[1932]

5. Please. Pick through a lot of these candidates' proposals and you'll find something to support an

argument that they're helping working people. But, Biden? Really? He's not building a campaign around reversing the flow of economic power back down to the people.

[gateley]

13. You're right - he's building his campaign around ending the war in Iraq, but

he is obviously aware of the plight of the American people and has taken steps to rectify it. He's truly a caring person and is intolerant of the injustice from which we're suffering.

My point is, with Biden, I trust in him to find the best solution and implement it. I have confidence he can and will.

[DURHAM D]

8. If you don't know that Hillary is really carrying this message

to the working/middle class people in Iowa and New Hampshire then you are not really paying attention. Do more research and find a legitimate reason to be for Obama and against Hillary.

[1932]

9. I am paying attention, and she is not doing this.

She may have a bunch of policies that could help working people. But she is not asking to be measured by whether she passes them.

[DURHAM D]

12. Huh? Once President you don't have a vote

in the House or the Senate. She talks constantly about needing more Dems in the House and Senate to help her move the middle-class agenda.

Again, find a real reason to support Obama.

This is just your way of flaming. Goodbye. :hi:

[Inspired]

10. I'm in Iowa. I'm middle class. I'm paying attention...lots of attention.

The answer is most certainly NOT Hillary.

[southerncrone]

11. Also, Kucinich. He represents the most "change" from the present crap forced upon us.

[Fredda Weinberg]

14. HRC has shown we can control our destiny. She's accepted forces

we cannot control and calls on us to act intelligently. After *, who could ask for more from our next commander in chief?

[1932]

15. That is not a promise to do what's necessary to fix America.

[Fly by night]

17. That candidate is Al Gore.

Gore/Richardson '08. Intelligent, earth-friendly (and earth-toned), empathetic, experienced.

That's the ticket!!

[tandot]

18. Why is Governor Bill Richardson off the table?

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/issues/jobs_and_the_economy/

Our country faces a great economic challenge. Increasingly, highly-skilled workers across the globe are competing for -- and winning -- the most desirable jobs available. Many of these workers come from nations with governments that have made the three essential choices that grow economies and create jobs:

1. They are choosing to invest in the future rather than spending extravagantly on present-day consumption
2. They are investing in science and technology, and
3. They are investing in their workers through education and workforce development

I have a plan to meet these challenges by encouraging innovation and expanding economic opportunity.

Restoring Fiscal Discipline to Our Government

Under President Bush, our country's national debt has skyrocketed to a record-breaking $9 trillion, with interest payments on the debt reaching $404 billion last year alone. Our next President must have the discipline to rein in spending so that we may return to the budget surpluses we experienced during the Clinton Administration. As Governor, I consistently demonstrated fiscal responsibility, and as President I will restore America's financial strength.

Investing in Technology and Innovation

If America is to retain its leadership in the global marketplace, it must renew its emphasis on science and technology and establish new incentives for innovation. As President, I will achieve this through an aggressive combination of tax credits, Green Jobs programs, and the establishment of 250 Math, Science, and Innovation Academies throughout the country.

Investing in and Protecting the American Workforce

A highly skilled, well-paid workforce is central to sustained job growth and a healthy economy. Our country must establish a strong foundation of improved education and a workforce development system that's streamlined and targeted to the needs of the 21st century economy. We will make this happen through tax credits that offer incentives for good-paying jobs in all sectors and regions of the country, including manufacturing and rural areas.

The Bottom Line

Our nation is more than a piece of land or a set of laws. Our nation embodies the belief that tomorrow can be better than today.

Together, we can do this. We can restore fiscal responsibility to our government. We can be the catalyst for innovation. And we can keep America's promise to its Middle Class workers.

A strong economy is the engine of everything that America does and everything we want this country to be. I have the experience and the record of accomplishment to meet the economic challenges we face and to lead our country into the future.



(edited for spelling)

[MH1]

19. Richardson is very much "on the table" for me.

I think he is the most qualified and his positions are acceptable to me (better than just acceptable in most cases). I think the biggest problem the next president will have to handle will be international relations, and Richardson has a solid track record there.