What do you base your political decisions on?

[RICHARD]

I didn't quite understand the point made about John McCain being a closet racist, but no doubt there are people in the US who will vote based on racist beliefs.

I am proud to say I love racism. Formula One, GP and am starting to follow saloon cars. I also like NASCAR and fancy the Paris to Dakar.

Lewis Hamilton for Prime Minister!

[Cincy'sMom]

I am proud to say I love racism. Formula One, GP and am starting to follow saloon cars. I also like NASCAR and fancy the Paris to Dakar.

Saloon cars? What are those?

[RICHARD]

Saloon cars? What are those?

http://www.bsccoc.ca/

It's a racing class popular in GB and Canada.

They take road cars, jazz them up and race.

I don't know enough about them to equate them to a NASCAR series-if there is one.

[Oggyflute]

wow! Presidential elections in the states are pretty intense.
It's somewhat different down under. The Obama's nomination has been on the news of course, and I was rather taken back a tad on how big it was. I presume that McCain will have a similar one. I had to chuckle actually because after showing Obama's big bash with Stevie Wonder etc, they showed a clip of our current Prime Minister in his election campaign, doing a jig with a busker on the sidewalk! (well you have to budget costs you see. Can't be seen to spend too much on the entertainment).
In regards to this election, what I look for is basically any reaction that will filter down to our own market & economy, interest rates etc. Things that would have a direct bearing on myself and my lifestyle. Which is also how I look at elections locally, both State & Federal, at least at first. Then of course, you might afford yourself the luxury of thinking about issues in a wider outlook, like troops at war & global warming. But essentially, I believe most people are worried about their jobs, feeding their family, health care, schooling, basically the things that allow us to function in society. OK, now who's the best person and party to do that!?? Can be a tough choice, but I'd rather have to have that choice, than to never have it.
In my younger days, I actually flew a lot of politicians around when in the RAAF, and I'm well aquainted in how fallible they actually are. So when you are in that voting booth, you just hope that tick you place on that form was the right one for you & your family.

[RICHARD]

In regards to this election, what I look for is basically any reaction that will filter down to our own market & economy, interest rates etc. Things that would have a direct bearing on myself and my lifestyle. Which is also how I look at elections locally, both State & Federal, at least at first. Then of course, you might afford yourself the luxury of thinking about issues in a wider outlook, like troops at war & global warming. But essentially, I believe most people are worried about their jobs, feeding their family, health care, schooling, basically the things that allow us to function in society. OK, now who's the best person and party to do that!?? Can be a tough choice, but I'd rather have to have that choice, than to never have it.

Ahem, at the risk of offending my "fellow 'Murican's"-


At 232 some odd years old the Untied States (pun intended) in some cases is way too young to really know what we want in a politician.

It's great to hear opinions, without the well deserved snickering, about how we look to other people in other places.

There are many, more qualified men than BO that could run for the Democratic nomination. The fact is that money fueled 'extravaganzas' and wasteful spending is part of the plan to get into office. All politicians have the inner megalomania -as you may suspect and know. So spending money on elaborate stages with giant screen TVs, fireworks and speeches that captivate but do not flesh out any political standings are the norm.


About Barack-
There is a certain novelty about his being black, being a good speaker (BS shoveler) and having rock star good looks. I really don't care about that. being a little more insightful is always a good thing! The Republican-LOL, you may know the answer to this.....Why not just call them PUBlicans? - isn't any better. He does have a bunch of minuses on his dance card. But he's what we have to look at.

In the end it's a popularity contest that includes the spouses, the issues and how many lies you can get away with.

You can equate the campaigning to a clown car you see at a circus.

Except it's a limo and and the pinstripe suit is the costume of the day.


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One day I hope we can meet, I'll explain American football to you in exchange for some pointers on what happens on the pitch with the Aussie style FB? It's far more exciting than stupid politics.


I'll buy the first round!

[Edwina's Secretary]

and having rock star good looks.

You had better be careful RICHARD. There are people who get VERY upset if you comment on the looks of a candidate!

[sparks19]

really now

No apparently Obama's good looks make him MORE qualified for some reason. He makes the ladies *swoon* so I hear. He's not my type though. I just wouldn't vote or not vote for someone based on their looks either way... but some people do and that's kind of sad

it's also kind of sad that Obama is ALREADY receiving death threats many because he is "black" Really makes me wonder how many people are voting because of superficial things.

personally for me... if I could vote here... the biggest thing I look for are things that are most important for me in a candidate... does he/she support the things that mean the most to me? What is their plan for it (although this has become increasingly difficult to find out because not many these days want to lay their plan out for you... they just want to tell you what the OTHER guy is doing wrong. that doesn't help anyone) After that I look at how much money they are going to likely want to take from me in order to put their "plans" into action. Are they going to cut costs only to jack up taxes to the point that we are paying more than the costs they cut.

I try to listen to both sides speak... although sometimes listening to either side makes my brain go "BUZZZZZZ". Again... I DON'T want to hear about how the other guy is doing it WRONG. I want to hear about how you are going to do it right.

but in the end... and I'm sure I will get lots of 's for this... I have to go with my heart. they can tell me anything they want but if I really don't believe it then I just can't go along with it.

But... none of this matters because I can't vote.

[Oggyflute]

One day I hope we can meet, I'll explain American football to you in exchange for some pointers on what happens on the pitch with the Aussie style FB? It's far more exciting than stupid politics.


I'll buy the first round!

Absolutely Richard! Having a yarn on football over a few quiet beers, is the backbone of communication in any civilised society.

[RICHARD]

Absolutely Richard! Having a yarn on football over a few quiet beers, is the backbone of communication in any civilised society.

LOL, But Ms. Palin is ours! We saw her first!

[Miss Z]

Lewis Hamilton for Prime Minister!

LOL!

If the Banana party can beat Gordon Brown's labour representatives then I'd say he's in with a fighting chance.

[Freedom]

A: I base my political decisions on who will best stand for a small national government, that will get out of the way and let the people thrive.

I smiled reading this. See, it is my basic belief that people, left to their own devices, will do the most stupid thing possible. And that government has to set some boundaries in order to keep people focused on the best thing possible.

I try to find someone who seperates church and state. ....If any leader tries to control us through his or her religous beliefs our freedom is lost.

I agree and this points out why I find it all so difficult. I do want someone who has SOME beliefs, some moral compass. Many (but not all) people get this from their religious beliefs. So it's a fine line.

[Bonny]

Voting is a game of chance. You think you are picking the right person but maybe you aren't? They get you all excited about what they are going to do for us & then there is also the rest of the world out there too waiting for their handouts. I hate any kind of negative campaigning dirt slinging crap. I want to know what, why, how, & when they plan to accomplish their promises. The neat thing about voting & thinking you are picking the right person is you can slam dunk them if they don't hold to their promises. If you don't vote you lose that right.

[RICHARD]

The neat thing about voting & thinking you are picking the right person is you can slam dunk them if they don't hold to their promises. If you don't vote you lose that right.

Great point!!!!

And this is why politics is like sports.

A team who signs any athlete to a contract is going on that player's worth for the next season. Their performance is in no way guaranteed.

So, if the dude screws up, the team let's him go. to be replaced by the second stringer.

Same thing in politics, you get some idiot who promises a perfect season - Kick the AH out and put in the second place runner-up.

Then watch things get done.

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The real gauge for a politician is what he says about health care. I am whipping a dead horse on this topic but there is now way in heck that I am going to vote for anyone who promises, without presenting at least an outline on how to reform the system.

It's something that everyone needs and will have to face in their lifetimes.

IT will never get 'fixed' until you separate the lawyers, insurance companies, drug and medical supply companies and doctors. They all feed off of each other and that's where the money is made.

Everyone complains about the cost of gas and the utilities. Ask anyone with sick relatives to get you a copy of the billing for a few days in a hospital.

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I'd rather see a candidate start preaching about the "Apple a Day that keeps the Doctor away".

It makes more sense -your health coverage is bought by the pound.

[Grace]

I smiled reading this. See, it is my basic belief that people, left to their own devices, will do the most stupid thing possible. And that government has to set some boundaries in order to keep people focused on the best thing possible.

This remark really saddens me. I think the American people, left to their own devices, would do a whole lot better than anything the Federal Government has done recently. Boundaries set by the government - haven't we seen too much of this lately??

Ask not what your government can do for you; Ask what you can do for your government.

[sparks19]

This remark really saddens me. I think the American people, left to their own devices, would do a whole lot better than anything the Federal Government has done recently. Boundaries set by the government - haven't we seen too much of this lately??

Ask not what your government can do for you; Ask what you can do for your government.

Good post. this is my basic belief too.