I’d like to keep this as objective as possible, so if you have a major problem with what somebody posts please take it to G.D. or the Pit. I’m curious why people are voting for whoever they’re voting for this election.
I’m voting for Obama. My Big Three are:
1- An end to the war in Iraq
2- A firm commitment to independence from foreign oil (which I have no illusions can be accomplished in 4 or 8 years, but the ball does need to start rolling)
3- Replacement of any SCotUS justices who retire or die in the next 4 years with pro-Choice/socially liberal justices
Feel free to give more than three if you choose (but not 15).
Censorship in the media. I can understand, and possibly get behind regulating sales to minors but I’m immediately wary of anyone who wants to “tighten” the government’s watch on violent television or “keep an eye on” music or video games (or whatever else).
Willingness to outright break the system, just to see if it works. I know people are going to be hostile on this one, but I think the best way to innovate is to see what breaking the current system does. Sometimes it gets us into a mess, other times it solves a crisis in an unexpected way. Obviously I’m not advocating making rash decisions, logic should be involved, and things that can cause, say, global thermonuclear war should be given (a lot) more thought when it comes to this philosophy, but I think the principle itself is a good one.
Willingness to see a fault and change your stance. I know there’s a difference between this and being a flip-flop, but a lot of politicians seem to believe they have “strong views” if they hold their position steadfastly and seem to be afraid of being branded a “flip-flop.” I blame the public for this of course, but it’s important to see that they can say “okay, I goofed, here’s the new plan.”
I know I only addressed once concrete issue, but to me adaptability due to the unforeseen is more important than any single banning, regulation, or idea except the one above. Of course if my disagreements with their concrete concepts are too numerous the presence of 2 and 3 don’t matter, but overall those two have more weight than actual issues.
A health care plan, that while not mandatory, will allow anyone to buy into for a reasonable monthly premium without the possibility of being turned down.
An end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and no future war in Iran, which leads to talking to other nations like Cuba, Iran and Syria without immediately resorting to sanctions and war… no more axis of evil.
Tax changes on the super wealthy… and yes I think $250K is a good basis for determining who is “well off”… note that last year I earned a bit over $250K and so will pay more tax under Obama than McCain.
I’m not allowed to vote, but I hope you’ll appreciate a foreign perspective.
An end to Guantanamo Bay, with the associated imprisonment without trial + torture.
Otherwise, how are America and her allies supposed to lecture other countries on human rights?
An end to the war in Iraq and a serious attempt to sort out Afghanistan (where there was a reason to invade).
We used to have a great respect for the US as a leader. In a dangerous World, we desperately need a leader we can support. Bush has an appalling reputation abroad.
An end to the politics of Bush / Cheney / Rove. (This is the sort of party who spread repulsive rumours about McCain in Carolina. Now he’s their nominee! :smack:)
Er, whoops forgot candidate, if the election were tomorrow I’d vote for Obama. But I’m of the camp of “I’m effectively undecided until the second I submit my ballot, if I suddenly get a telepathic contact that Obama burned an orphanage for kicks I reserve the right to change my vote, as well as for other, less horrific reasons.” Basically I consider myself an undecided voter. I know this makes me a “moron” for some reason (I still don’t understand why undecideds are considered morons), but I believe that I shouldn’t say I’m going to vote for someone when there’s any conceivable amount of time for me to find out something new about someone’s character or platform.
As for my points and how the candidates fit.:
It’s hard for me to find policies on this, maybe it’s a non-issue, maybe I’m just terrible at searching. The best I could find was Kotaku | Gaming Reviews, News, Tips and More. which doesn’t address McCain, but Obama seems to believe it’s a company/parent thing which I enjoy. In contrast I heard (possibly nothing but rumor and scuttlebutt) that since McCain is good friends with Lieberman, and a key republican demographic like Lieberman and are effectively apathetic to McCain he may “endear” himself by adopting his stance against violence in movies and games. The only stuff I can actually track down just say “the committee, chaired by John McCain will have a hearing on the issue.” This isn’t particularly helpful.
I’m not sure, I can’t really think of many politicians in history that have really, truly done this (maybe you could make an argument for the New Deal, which basically said "what the hell, let’s try it, it goes against everything done before but we’ll do it!). But I keep it there as something important. (Anyone feel free to point out examples for me)
Again, not sure, these are kind of nebulous qualities. I know I’m a terrible person and probably shouldn’t vote because I don’t know all of the pertinent minutiae and all the subtle moves the candidates have made, but again if anyone knows of any examples for either major candidate point them out please. Like I said, my searching ability sucks and I’m effectively undecided.
ETA: To clarify: Point it out just means point it out, don’t hijack the thread debating it please, it’s interesting and I don’t think Sampiro wants a debate.
I don’t get a say in this, but if an outsider’s view is acceptable then this:
A USA that is keener on dialogue with the rest of the world (perhaps this would give them a higher moral ground when other countries invade each other).
A USA that takes the threat of climate change much more seriously (it’s about the one thing I’d really love them to be leading the world in).
A USA that keeps religion well out of politics (everything from saying God Bless America all the time to thinking condoms don’t help the fight against HIV).
I liked what I knew about McCain before the presidential run, but he seems to be pandering to the more objectionable voters recently. If I could I’d probably go with Obama, but I am more than ready to be hugely disappointed by him in reality (briefly believing that Tony Blair heralded a new era has taught me a lot!).
It’s hard to narrow it down to a few issues, but I’ll do it.
Foreign Policy. That includes the War(s) in the Middle East, relations with China, relations with Mexico, NAFTA and free trade, and immigration policy. I want a president who can communicate to and work with other countries to achieve mutual international goals, a citizen of the world as well as of this country.
The Economy. Specifically energy policy and tackling the issue of global warming, investing in green industry to create new jobs and reduce our dependence on oil.
An end to social conservatism. There is no excuse for the fact that homosexuals don’t have full civil rights in this country. There is no excuse for abstinence-only sex education in schools, or creationism as science. It’s embarrassing that any government would sanction these things.
A solid commitment to moving away from fossil fuels, and a solid stance on providing monies to support sustainable energy sources.
I don’t want us to be the world-police anymore.
Get us out of the middle east.
UHC
I want to be able to see right through Washington: Transparancy.
Strengthen the US in all field of scientific research, bolster our commitment to research and development of cleaner fuels and sustainable resources. [this goes with #1]
1.) A restoration of and refocusing on social programs, including but not limited to public healthcare. I’m pretty firmly in the “have” category, myself; I have health insurance, I have food, I have shelter. And I think that everyone else should have these things. If we have to pay for it on a society-wide level. . .that’s okay with me. Taxes aren’t inherently bad.
2.) Judicial appointments. Sorry, but I don’t believe that expanding the rights of others is judicial activism; it’s interpreting the constitution in a modern context–one that isn’t mired in old prejudices and–dare I say it–superstition. I also believe that the current administration has done a really, really good job of cutting the balls off that branch of government; it needs to be restored.
3.) A return of our morals to the foreign policy stage. I want to be able to proudly say, “my country doesn’t torture; my country respects the human rights of all beings; my country doesn’t wage war under false pretenses.” Right now, I can’t do that. I don’t just want it to stop; I want whoever is named as president to be able to outright say, “this is wrong. We fucked up. We’re sorry. We will not do it again.”
ETA:
4.) Preserving the environment in as many ways as possible. We get just the one planet. I want to see acknowledgement of and action against global warming.
