The freakish size of Nancy Reagan's head.

[Jesusabdullah]

Oh god that's really sad.

Isn't it? My parents are probably upper-middle class as well, so they might feel a hit for all I know. I saw a chart once comparing the proposed tax structures of Obama vs. McCain, but I can't find it anymore. I'm looking for one with money figure tax brackets but I can only find one broken down by income percentiles. :/

My mom's always been ridiculously conservative. My dad voted for Kerry last election cycle over The War, but for some reason he fuckin' loves McCain. Of course, when Palin was added to the ticket, that sealed the deal for both of them. They came visiting about a week ago, and they had a "McCain/Palin" sign taped to the window of their van. o_O

[Ahaugen]

Frankly, the "trickle down" economic ideology is retarded.

you just have to remember: The only thing that really trickles down is piss.

[Killbert-Robby]

Therefore, its really not all that important to the job that they have served in the military.

Indeed, with all the staff involved, the President could get by with knowing pretty much nothing on the military. However, the fact that many people would rather have someone who's served as president makes sense. You're entrusting your country and way of life into the hands of a stranger. If he's proven that he's already fought for his country, put himself in a position where he was ready to be harmed for it, then of course you have more faith that he'll *keep* fighting for his country, so to speak. Its not a necessity, but its a definite perk, even if only from the PR angle.

[Komiyan]

Palin is horrific. She wanted to deny state benefits to same sex couples, which is just monstrous. Looking at her views, I'd expect her to have a monocle and a black moustache to twirl while tying people to train tracks. Looking at the policies of nearly every republican, none of this shit would fly over here.

As for people who don't think Obama will get anything done, what the hell will Mccain get done apart from act as an extra term for Bush?

[Paul Escobar]

My parents are probably upper-middle class as well, so they might feel a hit for all I know. I saw a chart once comparing the proposed tax structures of Obama vs. McCain, but I can't find it anymore. I'm looking for one with money figure tax brackets but I can only find one broken down by income percentiles. :/

Voila, McCain and Obama tax proposals compared. If this analysis is correct, only those making over $600,000 per year would get a tax increase from Obama. McCain would give tax cuts to everyone, but Obama would give bigger tax cuts than McCain to people making under $111,000 per year. According to Wikipedia, only 17.8 % of US households make over $100,000 per year. So the vast majority of US taxpayers would be better off with Obama's tax plan rather than McCain's.

On an unrelated note, I came across Mitt Romney's convention speech. He spent most of it railing against the "liberal" government in Washington. WTF. Does he think voters are stupid enough to forget that a Republican's been president for the last almost eight years and Republicans held a majority in Congress until 2006?

[Dr Legostar]

after living in canada i'm not so scared about tax changes in the U.S.

[Laemkral]

On an unrelated note, I came across Mitt Romney's convention speech. He spent most of it railing against the "liberal" government in Washington. WTF. Does he think voters are stupid enough to forget that a Republican's been president for the last almost eight years and Republicans held a majority in Congress until 2006?

Yes. Yes, they do think the American voting public is that stupid.

[Yeahduff]

It's not in the Democrats' interest to talk about Palin's crazy church. Yeah, it's ten times crazier than Barack's former church, but it's the crazy a lot of American's like. Obama gets flack for suggesting some people won't vote for him because he's black, so there's some perspective for you.

One of the biggest problems with McCain/Palin is that they refuse to talk to reporters. Considering that most of Palin's speech was written before she was being considered for vice president this quite problematic. We don't need this after 8 years of Bush secrets.

[Jesusabdullah]

Voila, McCain and Obama tax proposals compared. If this analysis is correct, only those making over $600,000 per year would get a tax increase from Obama. McCain would give tax cuts to everyone, but Obama would give bigger tax cuts than McCain to people making under $111,000 per year. According to Wikipedia, only 17.8 % of US households make over $100,000 per year. So the vast majority of US taxpayers would be better off with Obama's tax plan rather than McCain's.

That's exactly the chart I was looking for. Thanks dawg! :V

[Jkandra]

My Dad went to the Naval Academy in Annapolis with McCain. They were in the same class, '58. (My Dad was a bit higher in the class ranking, BTW) My Dad went to Vietnam as a Marine back in '64. He's talked often with McCain at tailgate parties and other alumni functions. The class of 58 alumni is very active. He and my Mom like to refer to them as "John and Cindy". Mom and Dad have lifelong friends deep in the Republican Party who are actively working for the McCain campaign.

However.

Unlike (we assume) how much of his class will be voting. My Dad will NOT be voting for McCain in November.

[KWill]

My dad tends to vote Republican, being an evangelical christian, however he's having second thoughts about McCain. He wasn't particularly pleased with Palin as a choice, mainly because McCain's camp has been touting the experience, foreign policy, and celebrity rap and then promote someone who's never held a national office (heck, never even held office in a mainland United State), hasn't owned a passport until about a year ago, and was runner up for Miss Alaska to vice presidential nominee. He might still vote McCain, though.

But I am slightly intrigued by this election. I mean, when was the last time a presidential election featured a shotgun wedding?

I'm voting for Harrison Ford.

That sounds like a joke but it's not. I want to vote for someone I would actually be happy to have as president, and I think having Harrison Ford be president would be awesome. And frankly, I don't think he could possibly fuck it up any more than any other guy. I think he'd do a better job than most politicians because he's NOT running and NOT just trying to be famous and in charge and have tons of power. Which is the reason why most people become politicians.

He wouldn't do it. Back when Schwarzenegger was elected, Harrison was in Berlin advertising for a movie and made comments that made it clear he didn't like the idea of actors running for or holding office.

really at this point i'd be happy with a president who doesn't authorize bombing my family's homeland. I don't feel i'm asking for much.

Don't worry Bill Clinton isn't running.

Ron Paul wouldn't bomb Serbia either...

As for people who don't think Obama will get anything done, what the hell will Mccain get done apart from act as an extra term for Bush?

One reason why I'm not entirely riled by this election is because whether McCain or Obama gets elected, something will happen regarding US involvement in combating Climate Change. McCain sponsored a rather nice emission trading bill that got smacked down before the Olympic Mascot could use its executive powers to veto it.

[Killbert-Robby]

I'm voting for Harrison Ford.

That sounds like a joke but it's not. I want to vote for someone I would actually be happy to have as president, and I think having Harrison Ford be president would be awesome. And frankly, I don't think he could possibly fuck it up any more than any other guy. I think he'd do a better job than most politicians because he's NOT running and NOT just trying to be famous and in charge and have tons of power. Which is the reason why most people become politicians.

He wouldn't do it. Back when Schwarzenegger was elected, Harrison was in Berlin advertising for a movie and made comments that made it clear he didn't like the idea of actors running for or holding office.

Yeah, but him not wanting to be in office is kind of exactly why she thinks he SHOULD get the job

[BrownEyedCat]

Like George Washington!

[Tellurider]

Exactly. All the people that are best for the position don't want it.

[Ahaugen]

Exactly. All the people that are best for the position don't want it.

with good reason. do you really want Bill Orly or one of his annoying producer-stalkers hounding you night and day?

[Dreamaniaccomic]

Exactly. All the people that are best for the position don't want it.

Heck, that was one of the main themes of "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe." They end up meeting the guy who actually runs the galaxy, and for the specific reasons that he neither wants the job nor the power it brings, he is clearly the best person for said job. I guess the logic is that if you never wanted the power in the first place, you will use it much more wisely and carefully.

[Ahaugen]

a little history on the woman whom McZombie chose to be his VP from The Seattle Times

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/p ... in070.html

scary stuff

[Yeahduff]

Exactly. All the people that are best for the position don't want it.

Heck, that was one of the main themes of "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe." They end up meeting the guy who actually runs the galaxy, and for the specific reasons that he neither wants the job nor the power it brings, he is clearly the best person for said job. I guess the logic is that if you never wanted the power in the first place, you will use it much more wisely and carefully.

It's a funny thing to say, but confidence and motivation are typically good things in an executive. But don't let me keep you from talking yourself out of political engagement.

In a related story, anyone who's turned off by the polical process and feels it's nothing but mudslinging has a clear vote in Obama this year. The Republican party is the party of insults and half-truths, pandering to worst of us, long on punchlines but short on answers. Not to say Dems are squeaky clean, but take a look yourself. Compare the convention addresses of Biden and Palin. You'll see how one works a few jabs at the opponent's policies in while explaining ideas, and how one works in a few vague policy ideas while viciously and dishonestly attacking the opponent's name. Note how the RNC is so eager to roll one robotic chant after another.

A vote for McCain is a vote for dirty politics. Unfortunately Americans have been clear that that's how they like their politics.

[Dr Legostar]

Exactly. All the people that are best for the position don't want it.

Heck, that was one of the main themes of "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe." They end up meeting the guy who actually runs the galaxy, and for the specific reasons that he neither wants the job nor the power it brings, he is clearly the best person for said job. I guess the logic is that if you never wanted the power in the first place, you will use it much more wisely and carefully.

It's a funny thing to say, but confidence and motivation are typically good things in an executive. But don't let me keep you from talking yourself out of political engagement.

In a related story, anyone who's turned off by the polical process and feels it's nothing but mudslinging has a clear vote in Obama this year. The Republican party is the party of insults and half-truths, pandering to worst of us, long on punchlines but short on answers. Not to say Dems are squeaky clean, but take a look yourself. Compare the convention addresses of Biden and Palin. You'll see how one works a few jabs at the opponent's policies in while explaining ideas, and how one works in a few vague policy ideas while viciously and dishonestly attacking the opponent's name. Note how the RNC is so eager to roll one robotic chant after another.

A vote for McCain is a vote for dirty politics. Unfortunately Americans have been clear that that's how they like their politics.

after watching clinton and obama go at each other i'm not sure i believe the democrats are less insults and half truths.

[Yeahduff]

You ain't seen nothing.