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The Obama Speech
-Talked way too much in the beginning about Bush. He is not running against Bush, but McCain.
-"Hurrican Katrina" comments blamed on Republicans. Once again, the governor that was in during Katrina was voted out of office (Democrat) and now Bobby Jindal(R) is the governor. It is not the federal government responsibility for states disasters but many will disagree.
-Dissing McCain's comment about the $5 million dollar comment on being rich. Why is ones income so important to American people? Maybe because our government has taught us wealth envy through our tax policy.
-Complaining of the "Your On Your Own" society belief system. Well guess what, how much government do you need to prop yourself into a position to succeed?
-Salaries are going down by $2,000. No, not true at all. Look at the 2006 stats from the IRS showing average incomes going from $51k to $57k.
-Look out for the American workers and not the markets. "The Markets" he is referring too is transactions by "citizens" for investments they want to make. "The" American worker is also one of those who invests in 401k's.
-Government that is for us and not against us. Then please explain how our current tax code is beneficial for our economic growth? Why say your are going to raise taxes when the rest of the world is cutting taxes? Why so many legislative rules against freedom in the name of environmentalism or economic growth?
-Simplfy tax code for small business and the American workers. OK, I agree, but raising taxes on the "other" business's will be passed along to the consumer. Eliminating captial gains on small business and cutting taxes for 95% of American families. Do you think the 5% that get tax increases will agree?
-In 10 years no foreign oil with no new drilling. Impossible and the experts agree.
-Believes in natural gas and coal. OK, but how is future regulation of environmental laws going to affect exploring for these natural resources? $150 billion to our automakers for cleaner vehicles. That is called a bailout and higher prices for vehicles.
-Promises 5 million clean jobs that can't leave the US. Another politician promising jobs when the market should dictate this.
-New teachers with higher salaries. This means more money for teacher unions while our test scores remain stagnant. Higher salaries for teachers then will be passed off to Indiana property tax owners.
-Lower premiums on healthcare if you have health insurance. How is this, probably by tax credits. Those tax credits then get passed along to other taxpayers. No mention of universal healthcare for the uninsured which will be another cost on taxpayers.
-Paid sick days for workers and protecting pensions. Pensions are already fazing out and forced sick days for workers is government intrusion on the business's of America.
-Line by line budget cuts or reform of other agencies. I agree with this but the Supreme Court already ruled against this and will never happen. Also promoted reform for tax havens where citizens hide their money. No problem, enforce the FairTax and that money comes back willingly to invest. Of course, the reason why people hide their money is because they earned it and feel the government takes way too much.
-Speaks of getting Osama Bin Laden. Blames our current situation for not getting him. Well, he had a speaker by the name of Al Gore and didn't point out how his stakes in the past administration that didn't get him when they could have.
-Spoke of our nations deficit while Iraq had a surplus of money. Fair enough to bring up, but our nations deficit is from failed government entitlement programs like social security, medicare and medicaid. These will represent $53 Trillion dollars of deficit by 2040.
-Praises FDR. Wow, the biggest expansion of government under this president and put us in the debt we are in today. FDR actually made the depression much worse than what it was. Also spoke of stale tactics and we need new ideas. OK, how about less government and letting the American consumer decide what is best for them. Eliminate K street lobbyists of our current tax code and just let the American citizen pay a consumption tax that dictates what government gets. This tax would also expand growth and job creation like no other.
7 Comments
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Comment by Jim Brown on August 29, 2008 at 7:52am -
Craig - rather than fill the page with space, why not post your rebuttal? That is one of the biggest issues with Obama is no one stands up for his side.
How is this fearful and protective diatribe? None of the statements above where taken out of context, this is the speech exactly how he delivered it.
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Comment by Steve Stuck on August 29, 2008 at 8:09am -
Craig, I doubt you did. You see, whenever I bring up how Obama's context and his policies, I get labeled something else by Obama supporters. The guy is a great speaker and has charisma like no other. But someone else is running this guy and it will show in the debates.
None of my points had anything slanderous and my points had nothing but past history, our current problems and even something indepedent such as suggesting the "Fair Tax". Obama's plans have just been the same old same old. Tax this, restrict that, government in business. History repeats itself and you are seeing a younger FDR/Jimmy Carter.
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Comment by Brian Huff on August 29, 2008 at 9:07am -
One note I want to make is that I don't believe Obama "praised" FDR. I think he cited him along with JFK as examples of democratic presidents that protected our country.
Mike, I think his speech did exactly what he wanted it to do. It roused the democratic base and directed punches at the republican base, the current administration, and McCain. My wife said a very poignant remark to me last night when she said "this is an enormous pep rally". The football coach doesn't go over his gameplan during a pep rally does he?
Lastly, here's a question for you Steve, when you talk about the past and how the past has molded where we are right now, it sounds like you point the "James Laurinaitis" finger at the dems. Is it all their fault or are the republicans to blame too?
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Comment by Mike Seidle on August 29, 2008 at 9:13am - Brian - Obama should be focusing on beating McCain now, not making his base happy. He won the primary, and now he needs to sell swing voters. Swing voters were watching the speech at home and Obama delivered the wrong message to them. I didn't turn on my TV to be scared, or to watch a routine stump speech. I wanted the guy to do something historic on a historic occasion.
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Comment by Steve Stuck on August 29, 2008 at 9:18am
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Fair enough question Brian.
I am posting my rebuttal to John McCain next week. One point I will rip him on is the "Cap-n-Trade" he will propose. I have been reading through the bill since June and it will be much discussed. I will also be pointing out some other issues that he has.
The true blame lies within the voters. That is not what a lot of people like to hear, but the voters have let this mess go on. I am just pointing out from Baracks speech last night.
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Comment by Jeremy Williams on August 29, 2008 at 11:54am -
I do agree that Obama spent too much time attacking Bush...who isn't running for a third term! I understand the need to attack your opponent, but the reality is, anyone who supports Obama isn't thinking about voting for McCain anyway, and I just don't get anyone who supported Hillary but would rather vote for McCain than Obama. The policy differences between Hillary and Barack are negligible at best, but the differences between HRC/BO and McCain are enormous.
Obama was definitely at his best early in his speech and towards the end. When he keeps to personal anecdotes, he's able to stir up emotion that can surely propel him to victory over McCain in 66 days. He's a great engaging speaker and if he sticks to pre-written speeches, he'll cruise to victory. However, if he keeps going with negative ads and attacks, he'll prove that he's not really any different than any other politician, and lose so many of the young people who have helped him to get to where he is right now.
Probably my biggest concern with the convention has nothing to do with Obama's speech, but with his pick for running-mate. It really surprised me that Barack picked Biden as his running-mate. Seeing as how Biden has been in Washington 10 years longer than McCain has, you can't really keep on attacking McCain for being a "Washington Insider" anymore. Obama tapping Biden seems antithetical to his entire campaign of change and new blood in Washington. I think the smartest pick for Obama would have been someone like Katherine Sebelius or Bill Richardson. Both are young-ish and neither is as entrenched in "typical Washington politics" as Biden. I think this pick could alienate Obama's younger supporters who were really looking for a change and wanted to see what Obama talked about yesterday, "a new politics".
On the flip-side, I think McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was brilliant. Now, I'm not a McCain supporter, but I don't think he could have chosen a better running-mate. Sarah is relatively unknown, very young (just 44) and really adds something different to his ticket. I think the only other choice that would have made sense for McCain would have been LA Gov. Bobby Jindal - but at just 37, he would just barely pass the requirement to hold America's highest political office.
I know I've responded to several things that weren't even in this topic, but that's where my stream of consciousness led me.
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© 2008 Created by Pat Coyle
A lot of people went away not sure about if they can believe in Obama, myself included.