Thoughts about presidential debate III

Well, this will be short and sweet, as we learned little more in this debate than in the previous two. The most dominating topic was the economy and the two candidates each presented their "new" plans this week.

In a nutshell, McCain's economic policies, including taxation, will look a lot like our current system, under the Bush Administration. It is often called "trickle-down," or, "supply-side." Essentially, the theory is, give the rich people all the tax breaks and they, in turn, will supply jobs and, therefore, money to the rest of the little people.

Obama's plan is, according to him, the anti-thesis of the Bush/McCain policy. His theory says, if you give the majority (95%) of Americans a tax cut, they'll have more money to pay bills and, more importantly, to infuse into the economy by purchasing goods and services at American businesses.

I, like McCain, am no economic genius. I'm not sure either of the two plans will solve our financial crisis very quickly. I think Americans are going to pay, for a long time, for the irresponsible decisions and spending by "the powers that be." However, the Bush policy has been in place for nearly 8 years and has proven not to work. I can see how it might have--had the government put more regulation and checks and investigations on the big businesses to which the tax breaks were given. For example, Exxon/Mobil has made record profits for the last 2 years. We're talking about 12 billion dollars this year. So much, that they gave a former top staffer who "no longer works there" a $400,000,000.00 severance. What?!?! That is outrageous, especially when, admittedly, Exxon/Mobil is not putting any of the money from tax breaks, into research for alternative/renewable energy sources. I'll find fault with that all day long. So, sorry McCain, Obama's got you beat this time on economic policy, even if it's by default.

Again, we've seen the personalities and what seems to be the true character of the candidates this last week and during Wednesday night's debate. How is Obama so good at staying calm and collected during all of McCain's attacks? I think he's doing the right thing--showing that he isn't quick to be defensively reactive. Rather, he's cool and thoughtful under the most stressful of situations. Great trait for a leader of the free world. McCain obviously does not like Obama. He acts like a cornered wolverine--always hungry, pissed, and pissed because he's hungry. He's not the thoughtful, sensible, cool-headed leader we need right now. These times are going to require intelligence, thoughtfulness, and reaching across party lines. Obama has vowed to have both republicans and democrats in his cabinet.

While both sides have run negative ads, I find McCain's side to be more troubling. He's making Palin do his dirty work--inciting hatred and violence at her rallies. When more than a handful of people at your rallies are chanting, "Terrorist," "Off with his head," and "Kill him," at your mention of the other candidate's name, you need to take the high road (Palin) and bring things back down to reality. Instead, the McCain camp has done barely a thing about it. I just saw on the news that a guy has an Obama effigy, hanging from his tree, a noose tied around its neck, and "Husein" written across it, as well as a Jewish Star of David on it's head. It's hanging above a McCain/Palin campaign sign. And this is not an isolated incident on the part of McCain supporters. McCain, you have the support of the KKK and other racist, White Supremacist groups. While you may not belong to these groups, if you fail to publicly denounce these acts, then you are as low as they are in my book. I had great respect for you as a senator and, more so, as a hero P.O.W. Throughout your campaign for presidency, whether by your slander of Mitt Romney or your low, half-truth lies about Obama, I've lost every ounce of respect for you. These are not the actions of an American hero.

Palin, you are every bit the Washington politician you claimed not to become. You've stooped to lower than low levels. You said nothing in response to the calls to kill Obama at your rallies. At least McCain had the decency to swipe the mic out of that crazy lady's hands and say, "No, Obama isn't an Arab. He's a decent man. He's not someone that people need to fear." Please, go back to Alaska and tend to your family. You have a teenage daughter who is pregnant and will need her mom, and you have a special needs child who will need far more attention from you than you'll be able to give if, God forbid, you became VP.

Mostly, I want a leader who is for the American people---all of them. I want a leader who will always choose peace, when war isn't ABSOLUTELY necessary. We've had 8 years of a president who was a C student. McCain graduated at the bottom of his class. Obama at the top. My choice this November 4th will be an easy one.