Author Topic: obama's earmarks  (Read 4952 times)

Offline crockett

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #105 on: September 08, 2008, 11:40:43 AM »
Well, Obama has actually served me in the state of Illinois. When he wasn't voting "present" on politically risky issues he toed the party line at both the state and federal level to a higher degree than McCain supported Bush.

I've posted about 1 & 2  (1. Legislative change he actually authored instead of taking credit for after Emil Jones handed it off to him. 2. Endorsements that bucked the State Machine/Combine) multiple times in threads, some of which you were participating in. Nor is it impossible to find valid, neutral information on these online -- if you are interest.

Most of his notable legislation (when he wasn't voting present 130 times or so) was not his. His mentor Emil Jones handed it to him to make a political star. He has endorsed political hacks in Illinois over far more qualified Republicans AND Democrats. For example, Todd Stroger, Rod Blagovitch and Dorothy Tillman.

Here's a link to my last 3-part post on the subject: http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,246098.15.html

As for point 3 (3. Significant votes that went against the party)... That should be a good thing -- if he did it. But, he almost never voted against his party.

By all means, don't vote for Bush in this election. As noted above, Obama does not vote outside the party line to any notable degree, so your criticism applies equally to Obama. In fact, that is not a criticism of McCain, which is why so many socially conservative Republicans find fault with him. Say what you want about his positions, but good... or bad... McCain reaches across the aisle.

If you simply bash McCain while obviously ignoring Obama's faults (in this post you admit to not researching your candidate legislative history or political history) then doesn't that make you a "tard" too?
 

So, you play the role of liberal blow hard? I prefer to try for educated voter, myself. I didn't vote for Bush in either of his elections, because I didn't feel him to be a candidate I could support for reasons I came to through my own research and analysis. I have also voted for Democrats for federal and state office (usually to my regret in this state). My opinions on Obama come from the same practice. Obama is selling a bill of goods, just like most politicians. I can respect an Obama supporter who favors big government, progressive, business as usual Washington politics and realizes that Obama can potentially deliver the promise unlike Ted Kennedy or Nancy Pelosi who will never sit in the Oval Office. For those that think he represents some agent of change in Washington politics -- Tony Rezko has a bridge he wants to sell you.

The only claims you seem to attack are the outrageous ones. You don't seem to address the real, valid criticisms like his political record in Illinois which you haven't even researched.

At best, the Republican party gives lip service to the Christian right, something the Christian right has noticed, BTW. As for the Neocons -- well, I agree. Fortunately, I don't think the NeoCons have much support in the party these days, at lest not more than they had before their champion Bush took office.

I could have written that :) Juan McShamnesty is hardly know for any strong, libertarian small govt. focus. But, he has, at times, acted as a reformer. Not always to my agreement or approval (McCain/Finegold), or much past making noises in that regard with few tough reform initiatives. However, while the perfect libertarian leaning small govt. candidate doesn't exist in this race or on the public scene, for that matter, I might give McCain the benefit of the doubt for 4 years. Here's why.

He is at the end of his political life. He does, I believe, care for America more than most of his peers and is at a point in life and his career where he can be more of his own man. He MIGHT actually try to live up to his reform campaign promises. Will he be able to actually accomplish much? One might suggest not. But, If he even tries it's a start. IMO a real reformer working to get special interests out of Washington is the first big step towards a smaller, better govt.

Obama, for all his talk of change, will not bring about a smaller govt. or reform the current pay to play system. His programs make that obvious, and his special interest support also debunks his claims as being a man only of the people. I already feel the noose of Obama-style change at home, both in lost rights and the highest tax rate in America with my middle class family earning too much to qualify for most of the programs we pay for.

Frankly, the one issue that may have me voting for McCain instead of a protest vote for Barr (not that it much matters in Illinois) is the though that he will put strict constructionists on the Supreme Court. I would give Bush more credit for doing that during his term, if he didn't have his initial picks shot down and was seemingly forced in that direction by the party. Anyway, I'm tired of legislating from the bench since that is not in the Supremes' job description and we can change our "living Constitution" using the legislative and executive branches -- as intended.

Also, with a Democratic Congress it might be good to actually have a Republican president that will act as a brake on the most ridiculous of legislation put forth by kennedy et al, leading to an uninspiring but functional "balance of mediocrity."

Please. In Democrat dominated Illinois my rights are very much under attack by democrats on a monthly basis. And it's not just the 2nd Amendment. This issue is a wash for either party.


Charon

So wait a min.. in that first post you made.. number 3. Were you not saying that Obama voting against the party too many times? In fact I will quote you..

Quote
3. Significant votes that went against the party

You use that as a reason I shouldn't support Obama, but didn't give me any examples. I then responded that if it's true then it's a good thing.. However now you turn around and claim he always voted the party line. Which is it please make up your mind.

Sorry man this spinning is making be dizzy..You have to decide if it's either too much or not enough because you can't claim one, then turn around and claim the opposite. I know that's common of a typical Republican, however I was trying to give you the benefit of doubt because you seemed to be asking sensible questions.

"strafing"

Offline crockett

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #106 on: September 08, 2008, 11:42:13 AM »
Nice personal attack...  can't come up with an argument so you stoop to name calling... pathetic.

I've taken more than my fair share of personal attacks from these trolls. Lard personally attacks me in every post he makes to me. So don't get all uppity on me about personal attacks until you say something about theirs.
« Last Edit: September 08, 2008, 11:48:01 AM by crockett »
"strafing"

Offline Hangtime

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #107 on: September 08, 2008, 11:44:39 AM »
You can't even think on your own or even look up facts and you try to say I'm not informed.  :rofl

No.. If you read what I posted, I'm saying that an educated and aware Frenchman is a better American than you are.

I'll let that sink in for a second.

You may commence wailing again.

:D




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...at home, or abroad.

Offline crockett

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #108 on: September 08, 2008, 11:51:03 AM »
No.. If you read what I posted, I'm saying that an educated and aware Frenchman is a better American than you are.

I'll let that sink in for a second.

You may commence wailing again.

:D

Hangtime you never "add" anything to the conversation except personal attacks and blanter. Not once can you ever post a original view that didn't come from someone else. Hell you can't even back up your own claims with facts, with out looking to some chain e-mail or right wing nut job blog.

TBH I really don't care what you say at this point. You lack any real substance or opinion.
"strafing"

Offline Hangtime

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #109 on: September 08, 2008, 12:00:01 PM »
Hangtime you never "add" anything to the conversation except personal attacks and blanter. Not once can you ever post a original view that didn't come from someone else. Hell you can't even back up your own claims with facts, with out looking to some chain e-mail or right wing nut job blog.

TBH I really don't care what you say at this point. You lack any real substance or opinion.

Gee, I feel honored and redeemed that my uninformed opinions, non-substantive responses and plagiarized commentary on your socialist world get under your liberal skin.

BTW, what the heck is 'blanter'?

Thank you; thank you very much!
The price of Freedom is the willingness to do sudden battle, anywhere, any time and with utter recklessness...

...at home, or abroad.

Offline Yossarian

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #110 on: September 08, 2008, 12:00:43 PM »
You request specifics and you cannot produce any when asked?  :huh

That is not answering my question.
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Offline Elfie

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #111 on: September 08, 2008, 12:01:30 PM »
Quote
Not once can you ever post a original view that didn't come from someone else. Hell you can't even back up your own claims with facts, with out looking to some chain e-mail or right wing nut job blog.

TBH I really don't care what you say at this point. You lack any real substance or opinion.

Pot....meet kettle.  :D
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Offline Nwbie

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #112 on: September 08, 2008, 12:15:27 PM »
Voting against your own leader 10% of the is significant in this country.(and it hacked me off, as I view it as disloyalty) Joe Lieberman only went against them on ONE thing and was kicked out. One COULD view it differently--polls show Dem senate/house approval in SINGLE digits nationally, as opposed to Bush's low 30's. Obama votes with HIS leadership 100% of the time...I don't see how this can be construed as an asset :confused:

Ya know - I bet Stalin, Hitler, and hey even Osama think and or thought the same way......
Does that make you a commie, socialist, terrorist or nazi?

No, luckily you are in the USA, where, jod forbid, you can use your own mind to make choices....Wouldn't it be great if we could get rid of all of the follow the party line sheep and get real discourse?

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Offline Donzo

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #113 on: September 08, 2008, 12:19:26 PM »
That is not answering my question.

Correct.  And IMO you do not deserve an answer since you have a habit of making general statements and not being able get specific when asked to...exactly like what you asking for now.

Offline Yossarian

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #114 on: September 08, 2008, 01:06:54 PM »
Correct.  And IMO you do not deserve an answer since you have a habit of making general statements and not being able get specific when asked to...exactly like what you asking for now.

Fine.  Maybe you have a point.  However, ask me a question now and I'll do my best to answer it.

Any other takers for my original question?


I've seen many people on here claim that the Democrats are attacking/threatening people's rights, however I've never seen any evidence to support this, nor has anyone said in what way.  Could you please tell me specifically which rights are under threat?

Afk for a year or so.  The name of a gun turret in game.  Falanx, huh? :banana:
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Offline Charon

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #115 on: September 08, 2008, 01:11:49 PM »
Quote
So wait a min.. in that first post you made.. number 3. Were you not saying that Obama voting against the party too many times? In fact I will quote you..


Quote
3. Significant votes that went against the party

You use that as a reason I shouldn't support Obama, but didn't give me any examples. I then responded that if it's true then it's a good thing.. However now you turn around and claim he always voted the party line. Which is it please make up your mind.

Sorry man this spinning is making be dizzy..You have to decide if it's either too much or not enough because you can't claim one, then turn around and claim the opposite. I know that's common of a typical Republican, however I was trying to give you the benefit of doubt because you seemed to be asking sensible questions.

The point I was trying to raise here and have raised in numerous other posts frankly, is that Obama has not bucked the Democratic party at the state or federal level. Less so than McCain. Obviously I though you might have read enough of my posts, often in the same threads you post in, to know the context on that point.

As I have stated numerous times Obama is a party hack in the Illinois/Cook County, Daley-run Democratic machine. When he has had the opportunity to buck a corrupt system riddled with patronage, waste and indictments he has not. He has consistently supported the status quo. He has voted more along party lines than McCain -- when he actually did vote yes or no vs. present.

Since you missed it and was obviously ignored it the second time, I'll repost the link that outlines in detail the specific real-world issues with Obama. No "Obama is an Islamic terrorist" stuff here, just some details about how he got to where he is and why the concept of Obama as an agent for change is a laugh, unless by change you mean supporting the Kennedy/Pelosi idea of big govt. progressive change. Try reading it this time. You may actually learn something about the candidate you support (noting, by your own words, that you are ignorant about his legislative record and political history in Illinois at the state and federal levels):

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,246098.15.html

Here's a sample:

Several months before Obama announced his U.S. Senate bid, (Emil) Jones (Ill. Senate president) called his old friend Cliff Kelley, a former Chicago alderman who now hosts the city's most popular black call-in radio ­program.

I called Kelley last week and he recollected the private conversation as follows:

"He said, 'Cliff, I'm gonna make me a U.S. Senator.'"

"Oh, you are? Who might that be?"

"Barack Obama."

Jones appointed Obama sponsor of virtually every high-profile piece of legislation, angering many rank-and-file state legislators who had more seniority than Obama and had spent years championing the bills.

"I took all the beatings and insults and endured all the racist comments over the years from nasty Republican committee chairmen," State Senator Rickey Hendon, the original sponsor of landmark racial profiling and videotaped confession legislation yanked away by Jones and given to Obama, complained to me at the time. "Barack didn't have to endure any of it, yet, in the end, he got all the credit.

"I don't consider it bill jacking," Hendon told me. "But no one wants to carry the ball 99 yards all the way to the one-yard line, and then give it to the halfback who gets all the credit and the stats in the record book."

During his seventh and final year in the state Senate, Obama's stats soared. He sponsored a whopping 26 bills passed into law — including many he now cites in his presidential campaign when attacked as inexperienced.

It was a stunning achievement that started him on the path of national politics — and he couldn't have done it without Jones...

So how has Obama repaid Jones?

Last June, to prove his commitment to government transparency, Obama released a comprehensive list of his earmark requests for fiscal year 2008. It comprised more than $300 million in pet projects for Illinois, including tens of millions for Jones's Senate district.

Shortly after Jones became Senate president, I remember asking his view on pork-barrel spending.

I'll never forget what he said:

"Some call it pork; I call it steak."


And just to touch on this point specifically:

Quote
I know that's common of a typical Republican, however I was trying to give you the benefit of doubt because you seemed to be asking sensible questions.

I am a true, independent voter. I have voted in the past for Democrats at the presidential, gubernatorial and state and federal legislative levels. Didn't vote for Bush, even in 2000. Still might not vote for McCain or Obama (but again, that doesn't really matter in Illinois). Voted for Paul in the primaries. I am currently looking at a potentially bluedog-style democratic candidate as an alternative to the piss-poor RINO in my state congressional district, to the point of agreeing to participate in one of her e-mail issues committees on issues like the 2nd. So, the Republican tag doesn't really work on me.

I see the entire system system as fundamentally broken, particularly for the demands of the 21st century. The Democratic and Republican parties are just different sides of the same big govt. anti BOR coin. We need a smaller govt. focused on the BOR first with money removed from the equation. Since massive, immediate change is not likely, we have to incrementally take back our govt. a piece at a time the same way it has been taken from us. McCain MIGHT represent an incremental step in that direction if he can at least enact some reform of govt. spending and campaign funding. Use the veto pen, and use it often. But it is only a "might" because McCainFinegold was an anti step in that direction and the challenges to real reform are monumental. But, he might. To contrast, Obama wont, based on  his big govt. proposals.

Charon
« Last Edit: September 08, 2008, 01:22:37 PM by Charon »

Offline bongaroo

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #116 on: September 08, 2008, 01:20:30 PM »
... CrotchItch's ...

It humours me that Laz and Hang have to always resort to name calling.  Like they never got past that lesson in 1st grade.
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Offline moot

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #117 on: September 08, 2008, 01:54:41 PM »
You and Larz sit around crying about socialism so tell where is it? Give me an example of how our govt is being taken over by socialism.
I don't sit, I don't cry.  You on the other hand get caught up in the retarded "I'm not crying, they are".  You're wrong about me, and then brag about being right.. When in fact you're wrong.  That just kills any credibility.  Can you understand that?   
Second, you don't know socialism first hand.. Don't tell me about socialism.  I've seen it and lived it first hand, I know its french incarnation like the back of my hand.  I could also go on about all the things that I've seen from around the world, first hand or from second hands I know are beyond suspicion, and accounting for biases I've recognized in them..  I could but it would take dozens of posts just to begin with. Have you been under a rock your whole life? 

Quote
Yet you sit back and claim Big Business isn't taking over America..

Where did I claim that?  I didn't.. See what you just did?
Quote
Yet you obviously haven't looked around.. That very individualism you talk about doesn't even exist in the corporate world. Take a drive across this country and every town looks the same.. It's like they roll out the map with pre placed Walmart's, GaP's, Import one's, best buy. Gone are the little guys the small town stores that made each town or city different. Now America has been steam rolled by corporate America.
Wrong.

Quote
Just look at the current banking problems it's just like Enron.. The rich CEO cook the books lie until it all collapses then the govt bails them out screwing over the tax payer and shareholders. Think any of these  guys ever spend a day in jail??? Hell no they won't.

Straw man, red herring.

Quote
Hell it don't even stop in America we are exporting it.. The world is no longer being ruled by colonialism but being taken over by capitalism. In which if it were a "real" free marketplace it wouldn't be a bad thing.. However these massive corporations are backed by our govt one could easily argue the entire war in Iraq was for big business.

Socialism.. is great if it's for big business with the Republican party, but try to get affordable health care for the tax payer and it's evil socialism of course.
You're full of it.  I'm not wasting my time replying to you again...
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Offline Bodhi

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #118 on: September 08, 2008, 01:57:50 PM »
I've taken more than my fair share of personal attacks from these trolls. Lard personally attacks me in every post he makes to me. So don't get all uppity on me about personal attacks until you say something about theirs.

No I think it is funny coming from you and very hypocritical considering you turning people in for calling you a "crock-of-****).  You're all for the rules when they suit you, but all for breaking them when it suits you.
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Offline moot

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Re: obama's earmarks
« Reply #119 on: September 08, 2008, 01:59:02 PM »
moot, this is more of a philosophical question than political (I guess), but what makes you so sure you're right?

<S>

Yossarian
I've actualy written such a thread opening post a few times.. But it's long as hell and I'd always get bored near the end.. It has to be airtight or it's not worth wasting readers' time with.  Right now I sure don't have the patience for it.  Maybe once my life settles down again I will.
It's all very, very simple.  Just a few basic principles applied very diligently.  All the political arguing is really just the tip of the iceberg.
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