The structure of your argument does not inspire confidence in your understanding of how the federal government works or in your commitment to informed, civil discourse.
In regards to the latter, you begin by attacking and dismissing an important medium for being 'propaganda.' You also set up a straw man (a candidate as 'perfect') as the central topic of debate among conservatives. I think that the most cursory sampling of the debate among conservatives over the qualifications of either candidate is more nuanced than you indicate.
Your attack continues. You aver that you have analyzed the two campaigns based upon "issues" and "philosophy" in an implicit contrast to the uncritical acceptance of the aforementioned "propaganda" by others, including the members of this forum. In fact, the most casual reading of the threads on this forum reveals significant differences in opinion among its senior members.
In regards to the former, one would be hard pressed to find responsible scholarship that supports your contention that any policy is as heavily influenced by a sitting president or his political philosophy as you suggest. In my own research on the National Security Act of 1947 and the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 (arguably the two most important pieces of legislation since the end of the Second World War), I found ample evidence that both acts were influenced by debates that began in the 1800s and that the passage of both acts had little to do with the preferences of either Truman or Reagan.
Additionally, it is a widely believed that the ills of American politics center around the on-going efforts of the House of Representatives to redraw political districts in the states so that elections are less competitive. Add to this dynamic the well-documented indifference of voters to participate actively in politics (beyond voting once every four years), and it becomes rather quite clear that what you call "the big mess" is not just the product of "Republican philosophy."
I believe that your efforts to advance the discussion of contemporary American politics would be more beneficial if you were to approach the subject with a higher level of intellectual curiosity. Addressing those who might disagree with you more respect may also help your cause.
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Originally Posted by jamber97
Is there a perfect candidate for president? No, McCain/ Palin has just as many if not more draw backs than Obama/Biden but you wouldn't know that from reading here or in listening to conservative talk radio. Talk radio is propaganda on both sides. Conservative talk radio hated McCain and talked about him like he was the anti Christ, until he became the nominee.
Focusing on the issues, Obama and a Democratic congress is in a better position to accomplish his plans than would be a McCain and a Democratic congress. The Republican philosophy has been tested and has its flaws. Privatization and deregulating things has proven to be disastrous. Allowing lobbyist to create your policy on such a large scale doesn't put the interest of the country first; it puts the interest of the organizations who are lobbying first. Hence the big mess we're in now.
I find that both party's and their followers tend to go to the extreme in their philosophy. It seems that as humans we tend to do this. Obama seems more willing to move to the center and has proven to be more right than wrong in his public stance on the issues in comparison to other candidates.
I vote based upon the issues and the candidates general philosophy. I don't label the candidate or put them into a category. I voted for 2 terms of Bush because I believed in his philosophy and approach. I felt we could see if it would work, given 8 years for it to be put into practice. The result wasn't what I expected hence the approach needs to be changed. I feel that Obama is that change and McCain represents a failed philosophy.
I don't agree with either candidate on all the issues but I don't see McCain giving us the best chance to improve where our countries at.
I agree with Obama on the economy, Iraq, terrorism, middle east, taxes and spending, trade and globalization, labor and business regulations, social security, abortion, Gun policy and crime, Gay rights, Poverty, the courts, government reform and his choice of team members.
I agree with McCain on Diplomacy, healthcare, Energy, education
They both have a similar approach on the environment and immigration.
Based upon my areas of agreement, I see Obama and a democratic congress being able to accomplish a great deal more than McCain and a democratic congress.
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