Republicans really need a black candidate because

[SkyRock]

I call em the way I see em.

[Eagler]

I wish a gave a crap what happens in the Uk or Euro half as much as they seem to care what happens here

wonder what that means ..........

LOL LOL LOL

[Hangtime]

Score.

[Bodhi]

I've been working in the hood for 5 years now, and I believe in most of the people.  In a weird way, I think having a black president might be the answer, sort of a legitimacy to the people, like they actually belong and it's their tax dollars now that are getting spent.  But then again, who should that person be?  I don't like Obamatwit, he just looks to much like a weenie. 
Oh well, I have no answers for the problem but I do find many are good folks with good intentions and care deeply for their childrena and want them to do right and be successful .

I agree many are very good folks.  Then there are those that just do not want change, because change means effort.  You need to look past this being a "hood" issue, because it is not.  It is a problem that has swept across the entire nation from rural areas, suburbia, to mass urban cities.  People have flat forgotten that it is their responsibility to reach out and make that attempt at the American Dream.  Too many people are all to concerned with the next new cell phone, what kind of hip shoes or clothes, what cable they watch, to one upping their neighbors, that they forgot that they are responsible for their destiny.

That's the truly screwed up thing here.

[Tango]

I was hoping McCain would pick J. C. Watts as his VP choice. He would be the man I would vote for.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._C._Watts

[Elfie]

I was hoping McCain would pick J. C. Watts as his VP choice. He would be the man I would vote for.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._C._Watts

J.C. Watts played football for the University of Oklahoma under that cheater Barry Switzer, sorry....can't ever vote for a former Sooner. You see, I am a Cornhusker fan, the Sooners were our biggest rivals until the Big 8 merged with SWC teams and became the Big 12.

[Tango]

So you would let football decide your political choices? I live in Louisiana and can't stand LSU, but I wouldn't dislike a candidate that graduated from there if he was the right man for the job.

[lasersailor184]

I agree many are very good folks.  Then there are those that just do not want change, because change means effort.  You need to look past this being a "hood" issue, because it is not.  It is a problem that has swept across the entire nation from rural areas, suburbia, to mass urban cities.  People have flat forgotten that it is their responsibility to reach out and make that attempt at the American Dream.  Too many people are all to concerned with the next new cell phone, what kind of hip shoes or clothes, what cable they watch, to one upping their neighbors, that they forgot that they are responsible for their destiny.

That's the truly screwed up thing here.

Flat forgotten?  Not at all.


Why make any effort to advance and have a great life when you can do nothing and have welfare hand you the essentials and more?

That is how the democrats have made slaves of them.

[Yarbles]

That is incorrect.  I paid for my own education through student loans.  I completed payment of the loans seven years after college.  I went to both private and public universities and colleges.  Most of my friends are also in the same boat... ie. THEY paid for their own educations through hard work earlier in school (ie. scholarships) and working their way through school.

This is just anecdotal not empirical evidence relating to your own circumstances. The argument "I can do it so anyone can" is narrow minded and over simplistic. What many people would consider typically american especialluy when it comes to foriegn policy for example. I dont share such a genealistic view and see the USA as a land of diversity but in need of modernisation. It fails by its own criteria in the land of opportunity model. 

[Yarbles]

When Jefferson wrote that, he was living in the British Empire.  An empire that supported slavery.  An empire that beat the USA to outlawing slavery by a mere 30 years... or was it 40... 1825 +/- IIRC.

Cmon live in the real world you had overtly racist laws as long ago as the 1960's.

[Yarbles]

I am not against helping people.  I am against socialism and Marxists.  

It is when Socialists and Marxists preach their ideology of people relying on the government to take care of them that you get the problem that we have now. People become complacent with receiving government handouts. So much so, that entire generations of people choose to know nothing more. That is the fault of the socialists and Marxists in this country. They have created a population that is reliant on government handouts.  

Instead, look at social conservatives. These people believe in the simple fact that the Government exists to protect the Constitution and protect us from enemies foreign and domestic. They also believe that a person has every right to keep most of what they earn instead of giving it to those that choose not to work. That is not saying there should be no government aid programs, just that that aid be administered properly and justly.  

In the end, I think our Government has failed us in protecting us from enemies within. Socialists and Marxists will bring about the downfall of this country if they continue to grow unabated.

I dont agree that the ideology of Socialism and Marxism is to encourage dependency. The ideology is about social justice. There is much to agree with in what you say but if we look at basic human resourses it is a distortion of a rational selection process in finding the best man or woman for the job in allowing people to buy economic advantage for their children. The greater good of a society is served by a highly educated population competing in a fair labour market with equality of opportunity. A healthy population is essential with perhaps state healthcare and compulsory social insurance and help should also be given to those who cant help themselves. Perhaps we can agree that the real problem is finding out who they are.     

[Yarbles]

so yarbles.... why do you suppose that so many of your countrymen leave your socialist paradise and move to the US and so few Americans ever go to live in your country?

Every brit I have talked to who lives here now says it is 10 times better here.   I was in london.. it was just as big a crap hole as new york city.   as for your "free medical"  I saw more young people with rotting teeth than I could imagine.. that was what struck me the most.. that and how everyone smoked and of course.. the lousy weather.

lazs

Anecdotal have you evidence. The Uk experiences net immigration.

[Yarbles]

I know of many that do not wish to work.  Actual statistics... where are you going to find those. 

In the UK when we made people prove they were seeking work the number of people seeking unemployment benefit fell substantially. In overcoming dependancy for some there has to be a stick as well as a carrot. We then supported people on low incomes through benefits to make sure they were better of in work and could look after their families. In oreer to do this like you we had to introduce a minnimum wage to stop employers abusing the system.

BTW I run my own business and employ 2 people

[Bodhi]

This is just anecdotal not empirical evidence relating to your own circumstances. The argument "I can do it so anyone can" is narrow minded and over simplistic. What many people would consider typically american especialluy when it comes to foriegn policy for example. I dont share such a genealistic view and see the USA as a land of diversity but in need of modernisation. It fails by its own criteria in the land of opportunity model. 

It is no more anecdotal than you saying only the rich get ahead in this country because Mommy and Daddy paid for their education.  Furthermore, you take your views of US foreign Policy and try to tie that in to the fact that in the US, "Anyone can succeed if they try hard enough", as though it is just American Hooo Haaa. 

#1. America has and always will be the land of opportunity.  As I have said time and again, anyone here can succeed based on their willingness to work hard and consistently.

#2.  US Foreign Policy has absolutely nothing to do with the ability of people to succeed in this country.  If you want to argue that, go start another thread.  I am simply not in the mood, nor do I care about the opinion of a foreigner telling me how we should be conducting our foreign policy.

#3.  You can say we need to modernize and that we do not have opportunity, but that is close minded and based on you watching too much Spike Lee garbage.  This country is one of the top modernized societies.  We have areas where we could improve such as public transportation and such, but as a whole, it is very modern.  We have supported and developed other nations through our constant generosity, including your own, and rarely ever been paid back for that generosity.  That aside, this land still remains a place where anyone can do whatever they truly set their heart on if they are tenacious enough.

[Bodhi]

I dont agree that the ideology of Socialism and Marxism is to encourage dependency. The ideology is about social justice. There is much to agree with in what you say but if we look at basic human resourses it is a distortion of a rational selection process in finding the best man or woman for the job in allowing people to buy economic advantage for their children. The greater good of a society is served by a highly educated population competing in a fair labour market with equality of opportunity. A healthy population is essential with perhaps state healthcare and compulsory social insurance and help should also be given to those who cant help themselves. Perhaps we can agree that the real problem is finding out who they are.     

The very principle of marxists and socialism are disgusting to me.  It allows for people to just get by and for someone that is willing to put in the extra effort to be on the same financial standing.  That is just plain wrong.  If you choose not to put in that extra effort, than you should not benefit at the same level as someone who does.

An example being that some of my employees (I manage an aviation business) are willing to work harder.  They show up 15 minutes early and are ready to work by the time the clock hits 6:30.  Others choose not to be here until 6:30 and then spend 15 minutes getting ready to work after they get here.  These are also the same ones that are out the door at 5PM.  Care to guess who gets bonuses when things are going well? 

According to socialism and marxists, they should all equally share in the profit.

According to common sense, only those that put forth the extra effort deserve to reap the rewards in my book.