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Subscribe to RSSMany of the journalists covering this year's presidential campaign are deeply embedded, spending months following the candidates as they crisscross the country, hanging on every debate nuance or poll number fluctuation.
But for the reporting team of Robert Wallis and Jennifer Wallace, it was their view from a distance and their experience witnessing elections in other countries that made them seek out the voters of Florida. They wanted to learn more about what they perceive to be an increasingly polarized landscape of political opinion playing out on the airwaves and in the voting booth in America.
Robert Wallis / Panos Pictures
"I like Obama as a person but I don't like his politics," says 77-year-old Carrie Johnson of St. Augustine. "I'm a Republican. I was raised in a household that believed in paying your own way."
Photojournalist Wallis wrote in an email to NBCNews.com:
The idea for this project came from work I did in Russia in the mid 1990s. I covered the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 90s, as a photographer working for Time Magazine. In 1996 Russia held its first ever presidential election. Instead of following the candidates as part of the media pack I decided to step off the campaign bus and talk to ordinary Russians about the momentous changes their country was facing. There was an extreme polarization of opinion in Russia at that time involving the choice of whether to try and hold on to vestiges of their old system or to fully embrace free-market capitalism.
As an ex-pat American living abroad for more than 25 years I have watched the growing polarization in American politics from afar, particularly after the election of President Obama to his first term in office. I decided to come to Florida to take a "vox-pop" approach to a presidential campaign once again. Florida is a key swing state and was at the forefront of one of the most controversial elections in American history in 2000. I was born and raised in Florida so the project was also a return to my roots.
Robert Wallis
"I voted for Obama last time, partly because he stood for a new racial tolerance, and I will stay with the devil I know than one we don't know," says Armando Rivas Senior, seen here with his son, Armando Jr."
The reporting duo describe their process:
We found our subjects by chance, at football tailgate parties, at restaurant counters, in beach parking lots, after church services and outside gun shows, among other places.
After speaking to dozens of voters, writer Wallace reflected:
As a British journalist, I was struck by the repeated mention of God in people's comments. Religion does not feature in British politics, but in America it is an issue, influencing the debate and palpable at campaign rallies where pastors will offer a prayer before speakers come to the platform. I was also interested in hearing the heated opinions about healthcare, coming as I do from the country which created the National Health Service, the world's largest publicly funded healthcare system, in 1948. In Britain, the NHS is often referred to as the "third rail", so dear to the nation's heart that, despite its cost, no party can conceive of abolishing it.
In the end, the reporting team found that voters shared divergent opinions, but could agree on one thing -- they want the truth:
A repeated observation we encountered is that the media is so politicized that it's hard to get a sense of the objective truth any longer. While people on the right accuse the mainstream media of having a liberal bias, those on the left often characterize it as being controlled by corporate interests. Nevertheless people were generally friendly and eager to speak with us if they felt their own point of view was being honestly reported. We did not challenge statements that were made to us in order to encourage people to voice their opinions freely.
Robert Wallis / Panos Pictures
In the key battleground state of Florida, divergent opinions separate voters with just over two weeks until the election.
More politics slideshows:
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Hahaha - crappy journalism! You managed to find people to overstate love for Romney. Hey - the 18 year old on the beach lives on daddy's money anyway; brain-dead and assuming she will have choice and contraception forever!
That's not crappy journalism. That's how many Floridians feel and think. There are reasons why people would vote for Romney. The people they chose to offer their opinion were simply stupid.
Perhaps they just want to make sure they will have jobs someday. Obama has openly said he cannot create jobs. He also cannot control gas prices and food prices. Is there anything Obama can do? The color of his skin is not going to fix the economy and its time people realize that. They must look beyond the covers to find someone capable. Yes Romney is wealthy and the last time I checked that is a good thing and not a crime when you achieve it through hard work. The tide is shifting because people are beginning to realize there will be no jobs under Obama. He does not want America working again.
Romney/Ryan 2012 Save America First!
Anyone who claims that any political head can manipulate gas or food prices needs to take an economics course. Unless the president is controlling production, demand, the weather or the cost of tractors - there is little that can be done.
Flip....Flop!
It's apparent that the majority of these people interviewed were low information voters who receive their education from their parents and the media.
It's amazing how closed minded people have become.
In a free market society as most of you stinking conservatives insist America is, any attempt to control gas prices or industries would be met with horror. So here is a republican wank villainizing Obama because there is little he can do in that area. What he has done is give more freedom to those in the middle and poor and give the country the right conditions to prosper. What the republican Mitt Romney wants to do is take us back to the conditions that caused the worst recession since the great depression. He is not to be trusted as he changes his story at every stop.
Larry, hard work? The only callus that Romney has is on his tongue from lying. He has never worked a day in his life.
PEOPLE OF FLORIDA ALERT!!!!!!! Watch Obama 2016 which i believe is on payperview now.
THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR YOUR DECISION!!!!!!
IF WE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA VOTE THIS GUY IN AGAIN WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE!!!
WATCH IT AND THEN TELL ME HOW YOU FEEL!!!
How sad...those folks with the me, me, me self absorbed mentality are actually expecting ONE PERSON to make their lives bright and happy.
The comments from some of those interviewed are pretty darn scary and narrow-minded.
The misconception of society about Obama is baffling. If he was a communist why would he take chances in saving the biggest corporations in the world some of which came to benefit Mitt Romney? He saved the worlds largest banks from collapsing and you can not find more money hungry capitalist as US banks. To make the matter worse, the banks main share holders are those who are barking against Obama despite having rescued their interest in banking industries. Many who take pride in being "Republican" ripped great profit thanks for Obama he saved many of the US large corporations from going belly up through "bail out loans":- most are repaid back to the treasury with profit. For every one car manufacturer saved millions of jobs in the supply chain was also saved.
If you thought any of his ideas were "communist" you should know a bit about England. As the worlds leading capitalist than the US, they did not back down from expanding social services. What I never understood is why the republicans are against "education".
Reading some of these peoples reasoning of why they are voting for Romney just shows you The Dumbing Down of America by Fox Noise, I almost puked on my computer when I read that Robme would get the deficit in order. Jezzz they dont even have a clue. If Robme gets in to office Dubya will look like the good ol days compared to the soup lines that Robme will put in place. Middle class you have been warned, If you vote for Romney kiss your middle class lifestyle away. Obama is moving us in the right direction, He is stopping both wars, unemployment is going down 80% of the world has a favorable outlook on the United States and Obama, and just 8% like Romney
Obama/Biden 2012 Your Middleclass lifestyle will depend on it
Watch 2016 which is a bunch BS GOP propaganda ? Just do your own research on an unbiased media, like the internet and come to your own individual conclusions. I did, that is why I know its BS. When you depend on others to influence your thoughts and opinions, then you become ignorant. A very high number of the GOP base follows this ideology. And I'm an independent, who voted for Bush the first time around.
Why is it that they found the most ignorant people in Florida for this photoblog?
My oh my, what a bunch of fools. I don't think I saw one quote with any intelligence or rational thought.
The reason why republicans are against education is because an ignorant populous is easier to control. Look at the intelligence of Florida people for proof. No history, geography or civics means no understanding of what, why, where or their civic responsibility to the US.
Antistupidity<-----------Floridian hanging his head in shame. Not all of Florida is this ignorant, unfortunately much of Florida is.
Of course they went to the bastions of ignorance and right wing strongholds St. Augustine, and Boynton Beach. The dumbing down of Florida started in 1986 with Bob Martinez and was heavily reinforced by Jeb Bush, it is now complete, and it shows. This used to be a fun friendly place to live. Now it is just a bastion of ignorance where the wealthy come to play. 80% of the reefs have been destroyed, the Everglades have been badly damaged, all by big business's greed and pollution. The idiots in charge pump down Lake Okeechobee and the canals every time a storm threatens, radically dropping the salinity in the shallow waters and killing the reefs and then complaining about water shortages. Water shortage in Florida is an oxymoron created by the morons who overbuilt Florida and are attempting to place the populace in servitude, and the education younger people now receive does not give them the ability of critical thinking and analysis and it shows, so now they blindly follow without ever questioning.
Bill Clinton was not wealthy when he went into office but he sure is now. Same will go for Obama after he leaves office. So some one please explain to me why Romney is evil because he made his money BEFORE he ran for office? So is it only politically correct to be wealthy if your a democrat after you've served in public office?
John..and Obama has? Obama is turning himself into a 1%er while attacking 1%ers and his voters are falling for it. He is laughing is a$$ off all the way to the bank as he buys his $35 million dollar house in Hawaii. He can't create jobs for us, but he certianly can spend his millions on himself instead of helping out the poor like all of his supporters think he is doing.
I also find it interesting that personal wealth was not an issue with dems when Kerry and Gore were running for President.
An episode of Bill Moyers, very informative and a must watch for the left, the right and everyone in between. It's on the plutocracy and is well worth the hour, pretty much breaks down the current financial and political climate.
http://billmoyers.com/episode/full-show-plutocracy-rising/
Ummm 'Sparkly?' Doesn't 'building a house' involve 'jobs?' Did the massive unemployment and welfare turnout just pop out of thin air when Obama became President, or are you that obtuse? Kerry is 'rich' because he married INTO money (Heinz family business), and Al Gore's wealth has come from real estate holdings, lucrative speaking fees and the stock options from his tenure on the board of Apple. Romney already had 'daddy's' $'s in his pocket, and had no fear of losing his job as president and ceo of Bain Capital, as the owner of Bain himself said Romney could 'have his old job back WITH incentives and be paid retro-active for the time he was away' if the Capital side of Bain didn't work out. Of course you already know the Bush family 'money tree.'
As an Independent who live in the West Coast of Central Florida, I don't know anyone who is voting Republican...Some will vote Democrat, but no one is voting Republican (Local,State or Federal) .
Polls are such a waste of time..They don't tell you the Who, What, When or Where of the Poll. My neighbor get's the Poll calls everyday..I have never had a call..Why? I don't have a land line and I don't give my number out...
fantom dog, using your logic..google who many jobs romney has provided through his wealth and investments. And, you justify Kerry and Gore's wealth not being an issue because of where the wealth came from??? What a silly argument you have given all around. Again, dems are making issues out of Romney that they consider non-issues with their own ilk. You only prove my point.
@Jason, as an independent living in Orange County California, I don't anyone who is voting democrat. And I did get a poll call. Which only proves to me that the polls are slanted. People doing the polling do know that area code 949 (mine) is a pretty conservative area. If they add that poll to the polls they are taking they are getting a pretty conservative poll slant, unless they have compared it against area code 310 (los angeles).
fantom, also, Obama knew what he was getting into when he ran for office. He asked for the job. He begged for the job. He got the job. If he didn't want the challenge or know how to deal with it without blaming others, he should have just stayed in the senate.
So my fellow Republicans and Undecided voters, I'd like to offer you an opportunity to spell out your plans to move this country forward without using the typical Republican talking points...please give me specifics. I don't want to hear about a "5 point plan" because that's the "big picture". For instance:
1. When you cut taxes on the rich (those making more than $250,000.00 a year) will you be shifting the tax burden to the middle class and below? If you say no...where will you make up revenue besides massive spending cuts? If it is through spending cuts, please specify which programs you plan to cut!
2. Are you going to force the military into to buying weapons systems they aren't even requesting? Unnecessary defense spending, especially when the military isn't asking for it, is bankrupting this country. Fighting two wars, one we didn't ask for, is bankrupting this country. Did Republicans think about that before we went to war in Iraq? Not only did we lose money waging that war...we lost human lives on a lie! What are Republicans going to do to fix that one glaring problem?
3. Are you going to remove all financial regulations instituted after the great "Collapse?" What are you going to do when the financial industry goes back to its predatory practices and causes another collapse? Regulations exist for a reason. I agree that there are regulations that need to be looked at because the circumstances have changed. However, if there is a regulation in existance, it's because people were physically hurt, the environment was damaged making it uninhabitable, or corporate greed caused people to lose their livelihood.
4. Are you going to cut Medicare and Medicaid? How about going after Medicare and Medicaid fraud? The money you recover on fraud or waste will pay for Health-care reform. Those that commit the biggest fraud are those in the medical industry. Why not police the industry - health care should not be about profit - paying for a service yes and some profit - but not solely about or for profit? Throughout history we have seen that profit drives corruption and fraud.
5. After seeing the multiple benefits of Health-care Reform...should you actually repeal the law...what do you propose in its place? How do you plan to cut down inflationary health-care cost? Insurance costs? How do you plan to protect the American people from greedy pharmaceutical companies?
6. If you don't like the health care insurance "mandate", why aren't you pushing to end all insurance mandates, i.e. auto insurance, home insurance etc? It's the same thing. Better yet, if you're never in an accident, why not establish a law that gives a percentage of our money back because we didn't file a claim? In the end, insurance is just giving money away.
7. Are you going to end Social Security as we know it? Why? Why not go after those committing Social Security Fraud? Why not put Social Security in a lock box...you can't use those funds other than for the welfare of our aging society? Every year we have a surplus in Social Security receipts, the problem is the Federal Government uses the surplus. I propose a law where the surplus is transferred to Medicare and Medicaid only.
8. The biggest enemy of small business is big business. What is the Republican Plan to help with small businesses? Reducing taxes? How about getting our products overseas? How about applying tariffs on imports or in lieu of tariffs, how about enforcing trade agreements and reducing the trade imbalance? How about regulating businesses like Wal-Mart, Kmart, etc., in such a way that they have to buy America before they buy China, Taiwan, Japan or Korea? Making American products to priority will put people back to work. You pay for quality - what you shouldn't have to pay for is a product that breaks down after a year and the need to replace it over and over again.
I have many more questions and concerns...and Republicans provide very little in answers or substance, other than a so called 5 Point Plan!
Also see attached link. Great post here as well. Hats off!
http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/14/14430929-campaign-surrogates-say-obama-has-crucial-task-in-second-debate?commentId=71053409#c71055447
It's very telling that Mr. Romney is avoiding Governor Rick Scott of Florida. I know he's preparing for the debate but, still, Mr. Romney is running on a Tea Party platform and who better than to discuss these issues with than Gov. Scott. How about Marco Rubio? Is there an association issue...i.e. Mr. Romney wants to appear as a moderate in order to appeal to the Undecided and some Democrats and that's why he is avoiding Mr. Scott and Mr. Rubio? Interesting.
Maybe it's time for the Tea Party to realize that Romney wants nothing to do with them. He views your plans for this country as draconian at best, and a threat to the success of our country. Maybe the Tea Party needs to use their vote on Ron Paul.
Obama never denied being a 1%er. He's just willing to pay more in taxes. Like all people making millions of dollars should be.
Obama supporters are so ignorant that it's not even funny .. all you do is pick at Romney .. you really need to educate yourselves on what your golden child has actually done to destroy this country .. not what he "says" he wants to do(that's all BS to get you on his side anyway) , but what he has actually done!
Mike, I never accused obama of denying his wealth, that's my point. It's his supporters that ignore it while condemning wealthy republicans.
Double jeopardy, every politician does that. Ask Jeremiah Wright.
ROFL! Birth certificates - Claiming he's a muslim - HE'S GUNNA TAKE YER GUNS!
Hypocrite.
Nope wrong again. I dont condem wealthy repubs. I just condem the ones who think they should have to pay a less % of their money than I do when I make less than $100K/yr. Just as I dont condem wealthy dems or indy's. But the only ones here trying to correct it are the dem's.
Mike, Obama only wants to pay more taxes in order to get reelected. I guarantee you that once his Presidential term is over (hopefully sooner than later) Obama will do all he can to pay as few taxes as the law allows, just like Romney and most every tax payer I know does. By the way, I bet Romney donates more to charity in one year than any of you crying libs do in a lifetime. I'm for a flat tax where all citizens pay income tax on every penny of income they have. That includes everyone from the successful business owners to those on welfare. Now tell me Mike, do you pay more taxes than required by law?
Mike, then you need to go after Kerry, Gore, the Kennedy's. You think they are trying to fix it when they are dodging it too? No Mike, I am right. Obama supporters clearly ignore Obama's wealth and attack Romney's. Again, it is amazing to me that wealth was not an issue when Kerry or Gore were running for President and now it is because a wealthy repub is running.
That is the problem with lib's, Most of the posters here have that attitude of we are smarter than everyone else. The funny thing is then they try to tell us that they are for the middle/working class, Can't you people see!! Those are the same people you are calling stupid. WTF Oh I get it the average American is to stupid to know what is best for them so you just want to take the liberty to decide for us. Wow how gracious of you all. But no thank you I'll do my own thinking thank you.
Now go ahead and prove my point.
"That is the problem with lib's, Most of the posters here have that attitude of we are smarter than everyone else."
That's because - as studies have born out - we ARE smarter than everyone else! That's why we don't fall for the false promises of liars like Romney/Ryan.
I think most libs have been embarassed by MTR's comment. MTR definitely proves your point Richard.
Bryan-2475629,
Please enlighten me! What has the President done to quote, destroy, unquote this country? I've been asking for specifics for a long time now and all I keep getting is the typical Republican talking points. What policy, that's been put in place by President Obama, has had an immediate or long term, negative effect on you or this country? There is only one answer that I can think of - the Federal Deficit. But before you open your jib...I don't recall one Republican raising a stink when GWB raised the Federal Deficit. If there was one or two...they were definitely a minority in your party.
__________________________________________________________________
Lanikai Ron - I'm glad you brought up taxes - thank you. When will you ask your Candidate to show his taxes for the last 20 years. Could it be that we will find two truths:
1. Your Candidate actually pays less than 15% in total taxes annually, and
2. His taxes will reveal that he was on Bain Capital's payrolls in 99' 00' & 01
_________________________________________________________________
sparklystar - the one problem with your argument on Jeremiah Wright - he isn't in office and isn't running for office. But you already knew that.
After reading those comments you can't help but wonder about Floridians. The Southern states are just crazy. Romney has been around for quite a while and has made points yet NONE OF THEM know what they are. Obama is a socialist? That's just stupid. Redistribution of wealth? You haven't been doing your homework. These folks don't know ANYTHING other than soundbytes. We are weeks away from the election and they literally don't know ANTYHING about Romney or the President. I was raised a Republican so I'm going to vote Republican? (LOL) Way to go buddy. You just raised your hand and told the world you don't know ANYTHING. You're the equivalent of that dumba@@ who said Obama was going to pay their bills in 2008. (LOL) Do us all a favor and pick up book.
the reality is most voters are uniformed. Secretly they will share how they feel but in public- such as the example of the older school teacher who is supporting romney - will never be honest and state how they truly feel; they don't like the black guy and will find any reason to not vote for him again, even if it's in their best interest to do so. I mean, do you really think Romney or any republican for that matter cares for the school teacher? I'm sure she is part of the union.
And, don't get me wrong as this goes both ways, but, when i see middle class folks voting against their best interests it tells you a lot about the future of this country...
I found that amusing also. Support the guy that will cut you staff in half and give parents vouchers for private schools at the public tax payers expense.
PEOPLE OF FLORIDA ALERT!!!!!!! Watch Obama 2016 which i believe is on payperview now.
THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR YOUR DECISION!!!!!!
IF WE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA VOTE THIS GUY IN AGAIN WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE!!!
WATCH IT AND THEN TELL ME HOW YOU FEEL!!!
If they do pick up a book hopefully they will pick up the one that will tell them how Mitt Romney has outsourced American jobs and approves of 99 cents an hour labor.
The woman who was too dis-interested to vote in 2008 is upset because her life didn't get better?
? ? ?
I guarantee she knows NOTHING about this Administration that put laws in place to PROTECT HER.
Former New Yorkers Frank and Florence Watson were leaving the West Palm Beach gun and knife show. Talking about the upcoming presidential election Frank says, “The Obama administration has done everything they can to destroy jobs. America can have all the oil it wants without importing one drop. It's in the ground but the entire Democratic Party is blocking drilling with all their regulations.”
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Ok, uninformed Old timer retiree here's some religion from the informed:
The problem is this: While increased oil and gas drilling in the United States may create good-paying jobs, reduce reliance on foreign oil and lower the trade deficit, it will have hardly any impact on gas and oil prices.
That's because the amount of extra oil that could be produced from more drilling in this country is tiny compared to what the world consumes.
Plus, any extra oil the country did produce would likely be quickly offset by a cut in OPEC production.
"This drill drill drill thing is tired," said Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service, which calculates gas prices for the motorist organization AAA. "It's a simplistic way of looking for a solution that doesn't exist."
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the real solution- which no old timer wants to hear (because they do not care about what can be accomplished 20+ years from now) is alternative energy (wind, solar, nuclear, gas, etc) are the way to achieve all of the same AND drive costs to US consumers down...
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As for 2016 i did not see it (i'm actually busy running a medium sized business) but I did see an great parallel documentary of Obama and Romney. I trust frontline
Dear WakeUpPeople-514229 I am another old timer retiree who has worked for about 45 years and owned and operated several small businesses. The old timer's points are correct and yours are laughably ignorant. More oil produced and consumed in and from our own country reduces reliance on foreign oil and will eventually lower prices. Wind/Sun and other alternative energy will come when they are economically feasible. Our country has worked for over 200 years letting the free market drive innovation and production. If you like socialism so much-trot your butt to a socialist country where government drives everything. I'm sure North Korea would love to have you. Regarding whether you have watched the movie 2016; why I am not surprised that you haven't. MSNBC is on, maybe you should get back to it.
Dear god. Yes, we should believe you and not the quote from an actual analyst of that market who relies on being able to do that as his job!
Please explain how more oil being produced in the US will substantially reduce prices when it is sold on the world market?
And, btw, I've read reviews of 2016 that show how it has used supposition (i.e. Obama used to know someone who thought x so he must also think x) to make it's tenuous claims. It sounds ridiculous. I won't watch a propaganda film.
I read all the comments from FL swing voters and came away thinking of that cliche, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."
Each potential Romney voter sounded like empty headed seals flapping their fore-flippers for fish from the Romney chum bucket. We could have gotten more intelligent commentary from kindergarten kids in PS #34 in Orlando. Most who favored Romney sounded as it they were in the 47% that Romney said he couldn't be bothered with. Then there was the loon T-party responder who made insane accusations that Obama was a Communist. Talk about a bunch of people shooting themselves in the foot!!!!!
Forget the voter ID capers. It would be beneficial to the entire country if the state of FL required IQ tests as criteria to vote in their state. If you think not, just read all the answers from the flapping seals.
Old Mike: Here's a news flash. Wind turbines supply the nation with 22% of its energy right now.
Rob80-4249854
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Thanks for beating me to the punch. These are the people we are dealing with in this country. I love it- socialist society- I'll have to assume good ole mike did not attend public school as a kid nor did he ever participate in any city-run athletic programs or.......should i even suggest he was in a play or two (you know those socialist plays...).
Old Mike from Texas, if you dislike 'socialism' so much, please forward ALL future S.S. payments to me, I'll like them for you and even send a sympathy card and a pound sand cake.
WakeUpPeople...............so if you don't vote for Obama you are a racist? Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet. That's convinced me to vote for Obama. Great argument you put out there.
Dear Old Mike from Texas: Perhaps you are too old to understand this: No matter how much domestic oil the USA produces the price at your gas station will always be dictated by world market prices. Really free markets mean that domestic oil will always sell to the highest bidder (and that could be China). Do you really feel that the USA should subsidize domestic oil production and at the same time prohibit exports to the highest bidder ?? Go take a course in Economics 101.
It seems senility has set in.
Notice how many people are voting for their own special interest? Why do people not see that Obama has made many promises yet has failed to deliver on most of them? I keep hearing this "Trust the devil you know, and not the devil you do not know." So they admit they believe Obama is the devil. They do not know Mitt Romney so they cannot say honestly he is the devil. Mitt Romney became rich by working hard and helping companies straighten themselves out to stay in business. Some he could not straighten out. Let's all hope he can straighten this country's economy for the sake of everyone.
Romney/Ryan 2012 A better tomorrow.
Ok Larry.....Clearly you understand the levels of government so I will ask you this question. Which group has more power regarding the economy? The President of the United States or Congress? You see if you're going to hold Obama accountable then do it the right way. I vote based on my pocket first and frankly the easiest thing for me to do was look at my 401K before he took office and the years AFTER he took office. If you did the same you would also see you've MADE MONEY under this administration. If you took a look at your portfolio you would see success, not failure. That said, MONEY isn't everything. There are other issues. State what those issues are and why you're voting for Romney. The whole President diddn't do anything is just silly at this point.....The economy is better. He's bombing the hell out of terrorists. Romney should be running on things are better but I can do better. Not the oh the POTUS hasn't done anything nonsense. That's reserved for dumb conservatives.
Everyone has a different story and mine is the fact that when Obama was elected I was laid off from my $50,000 a year job. I could not find work so I went back to school without loans and paid for with my retirement funds. At the age of 54 I achieved a Bachelors Degree in Business with a 3.8 GPA. Still people would not hire me. I finally landed a job after a year of searching desperately at $25,000 per year. So if I look at my pockets I realize this president is not cutting it. Will Romney? That is an unknown but a path we must take to find out. I knew when I was laid off that tough times were coming and this president is not concerned about that. He is only interested in special interest groups. As a country we must leverage every option we can to become a nation of producers again. Those who say nay are dead wrong as American ingenuity is second to none. Time to roll up our sleeves and damn the torpedoes.
You're right Larry, I will vote my 'special interest' just not the way Obama supporters want me to. I don't care what his skin color is, I don't care what his religion is, I don't care if blacks vote for him because he's someone they can relate to more than the white guy.
All I care about is that my Health insurance premium has gone up $150 a month, my payroll taxes will go up 2% come January 1, 2013 and my Social Security tax cap has been raised and I will be paying more on that one too come next year.
My special interest is that I can keep my job, pay my bills and be able to go to a movie once in a while (they don't take food stamps there). those last four years have been stressful not knowing from one day to the next if my future will end right now. I have to treat my stress related heart burn with over the counter meds because they keep raising my deductible.
Once we 'dumb conservatives' give up the struggle and join your rank, GOP 503710, you'll see, what you call benefits and I hand-outs, drop drastically. But then, that will give you more ammunition to keep blaming us over and over. Don't worry, there will be the politicians that will keep feeding you the buzz words you can keep regurgitating.
Anne,
I think you are absolutely correct. Your personal concerns also happen to coincide with the concerns of our stumbling economy. Do not worry as:
"Tough times do not last but tough people do." -Unknown
I am a Conservative first and foremost. I believe in paying my own way and hail from a family that knows what working sweat is. God Bless America.
So you were in favor of doing nothing in health care? Were you also a fan of i insurance companies denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions? Yeah - no thanks.
Right - because only conservatives work for a living. You may want to take a look at a national fed tax map and which states receive more money than they pay. Well over 50% are red states.
In the first place Anne is a liar, cost of health care has actually risen at a slower rate then it did under Bush. The fact is if she pays to much, the insurance companies are bound by law to refund any profit over 20% to its customers. As far as taxes, look at the republican house for that problem, not the president. He is not raising your taxes and as a matter of fact lowered them when he took office. The misplaced hatred of this president in both Anne and Larry I suspect to be racial, even though they deny it. But their objection to President Obama is not based on fact at all. I am convinced he has done everything within his power to fix the economy, and has actually turned it around by the numbers not emotion.
PEOPLE OF FLORIDA ALERT!!!!!!! Watch Obama 2016 which i believe is on payperview now.
THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR YOUR DECISION!!!!!!
IF WE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA VOTE THIS GUY IN AGAIN WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE!!!
WATCH IT AND THEN TELL ME HOW YOU FEEL!!!
President Obama went in thinking he would have a congress that would work with him not against him. That is why he thought he would get things done. Then the far right and the tea party became government obstructionist. That is why he has not gotten a lot done. He has tried that is more then we can say for that republican congress with the 13% approval rating.
GOP503710 regarding who has more power, when both the House and the Senate is controlled by the Democratic Party, as it was the last FOUR years of the Bush administration, and the first TWO years of President Obama's Administration, then there is no doubt that a large degree of accountability must be placed upon the heads of the Democratic Party, of which, President Obama is a part of.
maggiemay - the Democrats controlled both the House and the Senate for SIX YEARS!! Try another excuse because that just doesn't fly.
I'm making about 4k a year more now than I was in 2008. My wife just got a new job and is making about 11k more than in 2008. We are, personally, 15k better off in wages than in 2008. My health insurance contribution also just went down, because of 'Obamacare' and the restriction on the percentage of expenditure on things that aren't directly health care. It was right there in the letters I got from the insurance company themselves and then my employer.
Aside from the fact that is not totally accurate... there's this thing, it's called a filibuster....
Larry: Yes, Romney made himself wealthy by liquidating ailing companies then firing all the employees. How about that company in Freemont, Illinois? Yep, Romney's Bain Capital company made the employees build a stage outdoors to make an important announcement. Turned out the announcement was, "You're all fired." But first Bain Capital made the employees train the new Chinese workers so that they could get their promised severence pay. Bain then allowed the company American flag to be taken down and the Red Chinese flag to take its place. And you want a man who is strongly associated with a company like Bain to be your president?!!!! I certainly don't and neither do people who have done their homework on Romney. Tread lightly and carry a sensible vote.
Holy uninformed batman. Amazing that you are in the service and have zero understanding of our government.
Stopped reading there. Mississippi has nearly a quarter of their entire population living at or below poverty levels. Get a @!$%#ing clue.
Mike , Do you get paid by the hr or is it piece work? And does the DNC have another job waiting for you after this one plays out?
Just and observation I bet you are an avid bicycle rider, What 10/15 mi per day?
Why is it that the people voting Romney are using logic and facts regarding the economy. And people voting for Obama are just talking about how Rich Romney is and how he must be out of touch... All i hear is the regurgitation of rhetoric that the media has been telling these uninformed people. How about voting for Obama because of Obama's policies or accomplishments? And if you cannot find any well maybe its time for a little change.
Right - because 18 year olds muttering about socialism and communism are basing their decision on logic and fact. 10 e-bucks says not a single one of those jeopardy contestants could even spell communism.
Or maybe Mike, some of them that are graduating can't find first time jobs.. Maybe they can spell communism but, are pissed because they just put themselves into DEBT for the next ten years but can't find a job.. It's happening.. You have these schools preaching about sucess rates and acquiring a rewarding career.. Yet, no JOBS to go into once you graduate.. AWESOME..
The real change needs to begin with that obstructionist congress,the tea party and Grover Norquist. When we change that Obama will do fine.
So its the governments job to find them jobs? Bull@!$%#.
I graduated in May 2002 (which if you cant recall was months after 9/11 when new employment numbers plummeted). I remember attending a job fair at Bryce Jordan Center where thousands of employers were supposed to be there but only dozens attended.
I found a job and so did my entire class of engineers. So yes - if those kids spent half as much time pursuing employment as they did hypothesizing why Obama sucks because YOU cant find a job - they could have a job. Rocket science I know.
The mayor of my city is far richer than Romney. Unlike Romney, he understands the other side.In NEW YORK CITY it's hard to avoid people who are different. In this city you're going to come across people of all walks of life.That's what makes this city so great!!!
What is really disturbing to me is the fact that so many of these people are voting race and not with knowledge. You can watch any of these polls and you will see that so many are just voting obama because hes black. Then you have a few older black people who were raised up to work for whats right and produce a days work for a days pay. You got t osweat a little to get it and then you really feel better for it. We need all people to look and search deep in their souls to see what it is we really need for this country. Do we want more independence or are we going to settle for someone giving us that pacifier when we cry.
I am voting Democrat, but it's not because Romney is so rich, it's because I am truly worried about the social changes the Republican party wants to bring forward. Romney has only shown that he will give the Tea Party extremists whatever they want and give away my rights in the process. Sure, I get people are disappointed, but I am not blind enough to ignore the fact that the Republican's main goal has not been jobs, but a four-year campaign against the President. They want to win at all costs and they have bet against the American people to do it. Think about it, over 100 new pieces of legislation to limit abortion, but nothing to spur job creation. They are more interested in limiting reproductive choices than creating jobs. I don't count on the government to give me a job, but I depend on the government to defend my freedoms.
And I know a crap load of people who arent voting for Obama because he is black. And millions of white people will be voting for the white guy. Whats your point?
And if you say to prove that blacks are voting for Obama based on his skin color - I say there are people voting against him because he is black.
The point is just in the polling Statistics, 56.4 % of whites are voting for Romney 90.2% of blacks are voting for Obama.
so if you are white and you are voting for Mitt Romney will that be because he is white. dont you think you should search your soul as well and honestly ask yourself why are you actually voting for Mitt. He has constantly lied about all his position and changing is view based on the politics of the time. This is the man who called 47% of American victims who also said he was looking for any opportunity to attack the president on foreign policy not necessary on policy differences but rather to capitalised on the politics. He one said he would sign a bill that will eliminate roe vs wade but now says will not, he once said it does not worth all the effort to go after Osama bin ladden but accused the president of being weak on foreign policy. this is the man who put all his finances in foreign countries in order to avoid paying required taxes but expect the the common people to pay their fair share. this the man who said let detroit go bankrupt when Americans needed some help. So, why are you voting for him if not because his white just like you. ignorant is colour blind but fact is fact and Obama have being trying to move the country while the republican from day one decided to block every initiative to move the country forward. Would that be because he is black? You would not be retarded enough to think so but it is the fact. The republican do not want him to succeed because it clear that the presidency is not meant for some elite but rather to all who can dream and has the will to achieved it. OBAMA to win. A vote for Obama is not because is black but rather is because on policy he has the best one.
This are the facts:
1. Equal pay for Equal work
2. No life term cap on the amount of care you can get from ur insurance
3. No pre-existing condition to disqualify you from getting insurance
4. Children can stay on their parent insurance until 26yrs
5. Student loan is secured and middle management fees is cut out to reduce cost
6. Osama bin Laden is dead
7. the stock is high now than he it has ever been 20yrs
8. your 401k is higher than it has been in last 8yrs
9. Irag war is over and troops are coming home from the Afghan war.
10. Wall street that almost ruin the world economy is now properly regulated stop such madness from happening again.
11. Oil production in USA is highest it has ever been in 20yrs.
what has Mitt Romney said he would do different? Well, who is voting because of colour or race? I think people like your ilk are the one voting on race while projecting such ignorant on others who voting for the president based on facts not lies.
And in the 2004 election 100% of voting whites voted for a white guy. And Im pretty sure that close to 100% of voting blacks voted for a white guy too in 2004.
And lack the ability to compose a coherent thought whilst employing critical thinking.
Dont you have a klan meeting or something to attend? How about a tea party rally? That seems to also be the bastion of informational ignorance.
Here's my two cents, not that anyone cares, but since you are all spouting your opinions, I guess I can too:
I read EVERY caption on the pictures. There were some who clearly, as Obama supporters, stated they were voting for "the devil they already knew", meaing they were voting for Obama. The three students together- one even stated he was voting for Obama- are being bashed for stating their opinions. These are the leaders of tomorrow folks; you created them. One person stated point blank he voted for Obama because of racial tolerance. Wow! That in itself is racist but I am the first person stating that from the caption.
I am not a racist, first and foremost. I am not rich or have a designated party that represents me- as of last Tuesday, I was undecided. I am no longer.
This is no way, shape, or form lets you know who I am voting for but I am tired of people finger-pointing and saying RWNJ and Democraps. Personally, it shows what a terrible high-school mentality the adults in this world have anymore. Our kids are screwed.
PEOPLE OF FLORIDA ALERT!!!!!!! Watch Obama 2016 which i believe is on payperview now.
THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR YOUR DECISION!!!!!!
IF WE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA VOTE THIS GUY IN AGAIN WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE!!!
WATCH IT AND THEN TELL ME HOW YOU FEEL!!!
PEOPLE OF FLORIDA ALERT!!!!!!! Watch Obama 2016 which i believe is on payperview now.
THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR YOUR DECISION!!!!!!
IF WE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA VOTE THIS GUY IN AGAIN WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE!!!
WATCH IT AND THEN TELL ME HOW YOU FEEL!!!
MD-444582
1."Equal pay for equal work"
You lost me at the FIRST talking point.. So, your telling me that "Joe do nothing" collecting 6-7 hundred dollars a month on welfare, not to mention foodstamps, fuel assistance, housing, health insurance, cell phones, and now internet access, is equally getting what he worked for.. Not everyone can afford the luxuries some of these "system people" have.. It's a family business for some and that number isn't going down.. They get on welfare because they are "destitute".. I believe everyone has a hard time once in awhile.. Shyt happens.. If you need help, I am right there for it, but eventually you get on your feet.. They should have a one and done policy.. If your on aide and you have a child(ren), and you're "needy" the state helps you get on your feet. However, anymore children born into that household aren't provided for.. They have something in this state a called a "family cap" they should do it in EVERY STATE..
This is the race issue right here>>>>>
seriously
Under obama 6 trillion more
in debt middle east in a turmoil border guards killed by one of his projects
ambassador killed from lack of proper security Under obama a greater divide in
AMERICA under obama a new tax that will hurt middle class citizens the most
(obama care) under obam a total lack of transparency. Under obama the division
of races has tripled. obama 1st president to win because of his race obama
causes 1st presidential candidate to lose because of his race(mccain) possibly
second candidate to lose because of his race. That is the true picture of the
lawyer in the white house DO YOU REALLY WANT THIS AGAIN
Chris 2051162: Get off the air with your repeated moronic comments.
One big huge fox news talking point with zero validity. Its people like you who are the reason for the intellectual decline of our country.
So covering your children until they are 26 is tantamount to paying ALL their bills?
A republican buddy of mine said the same thing - that when his kids turn 18 - thats it - out of the house and on their own. When I asked him to give me a reason it was so bad to allow them to continue to have insurance - he said they need to learn responsibility. Thats fine and all - but dont come pissing and moaning to me when your son becomes ill at 19 years of age and goes bankrupt before he's 20 because he doesnt have insurance.
Sorry you hate your children that much.
...and there are those of you who think because Romney has wealth that he will help you get a job...DO NOT MAKE ME LAUGH! He made all his money by screwing everyone in his path and if you are too ignorant to see that..than you deserve what Romney will do to your way of life.
Typical Lib name calling no fact
Ann Marie,
Democrat rhetoric pure and simple. You obviously watch too much television. Most rich people do not become rich by screwing other people like they are J.R. Ewing. They usually become rich because they happen to be smart and are not afraid to work hard. There are exceptions to everything but the largest sample happen to be honest and law abiding folks. I am poor (formerly middle class) but hope to climb the ladder again. I do not want heavy handed government standing in the way to stop my progress. America was a great country where you could succeed as far as your ability and determination could take you. I want that again for this country. This is why I am voting for Mitt Romney.
Further strengthens my point... You only attribute wealth to greed, you don't bother thinking of the thousands of jobs created, and many charities that benefited from his generosity.
Gotta any supporting information to that claim?
PEOPLE OF FLORIDA ALERT!!!!!!! Watch Obama 2016 which i believe is on payperview now.
THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR YOUR DECISION!!!!!!
IF WE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA VOTE THIS GUY IN AGAIN WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE!!!
WATCH IT AND THEN TELL ME HOW YOU FEEL!!!
seriously
Under obama 6 trillion more
in debt middle east in a turmoil border guards killed by one of his projects
ambassador killed from lack of proper security Under obama a greater divide in
AMERICA under obama a new tax that will hurt middle class citizens the most
(obama care) under obam a total lack of transparency. Under obama the division
of races has tripled. obama 1st president to win because of his race obama
causes 1st presidential candidate to lose because of his race(mccain) possibly
second candidate to lose because of his race. That is the true picture of the
lawyer in the white house DO YOU REALLY WANT THIS AGAIN
Now Ann Marie, you know that's not true. Solyndra, bankrupt, right? Romney had nothing to do with it going bankrupt, right? Companies go bankrupt everyday. Are we going to blame Romney for every bankruptcy in this country? You are ridiculous and that was a truly ridiculous statement!
It's funny that the majority of the people interviewed were in south Florida......I wonder why that is ? Yet the majority still would vote for Romney? Very interesting.....In my opinion 77 year old Carrie Johnson has it right.....
And Obama has done what? Don't spew the same ole well he can't fix what took Bush eight years to create. Obama had two years of total control and couldn't do anything. I voted for Obama four years ago, I have never voted a straight ticket. One who votes a straight ticket because that is their party have never read and researched what they vote for. I will say President Obama has done nothing to improve this countries economic status. Nothing bothers me more than seeing a neighbor going from decent pay to receiving government assistance to feed their families. No Mr. Romney isn't middle class, but if you think President Obama is then you really need to do some research. Romney/Ryan 2012!
So when people are successful - its do to their own mettle and ambition. When they fall into hard times - its the governments fault.
And if you actually do think that Bush played no role in our economic situation you truly are a parroting partisan hack. Go google Glass & Steghall and start there.
Who controlled congress in the late 90's? I forget.
And I said to start looking there - never said Bush repealed it. You seem to need some remedial reading help here kid. Bush did increase leverage limits on Banks in the early 2000's so yes - his fingerprints are on this disaster.
Let me guess... it was the CRA that caused the meltdown? ROFL
If you do a little research, you'll find that the Democrats did not control the Senate for two years. It was only a few months.
people just look at the record, if romney was so good, why cant he win in mass. where he was such a great gov, why cant he give one straight answer. now lets get on whats really important, romney just hired 17 of the defense advisers who gave george bush all his great advise. all romney is talking about is going back to war, thats what happens under rep adminstrations, think back under every recent rep president and this one is talking about the same thing, listen tonight and you will see that your sons (not his) will be on some front line soon. and i never will trust someone who cant show his taxes but wants to control yours and also if you look closely , at all his fundraisers they have signs in the lobby that say (no recording devices allowed) they are hiding what they really feel about you and people are not even looking at this. look at all of the flipfloping and evasive answers that this man os giving you, we have had this bull in front of us before. dont fall for it and if you realliy want to know about romneys tax plan and why it wont work go on (ben stein/fox & friends) on google and see why it can never work and how even the people who come on fox know that they have to say what fox wants
Actually - you appear more of a bigot than who you were directing that at. You people are clowns.
Edit: "too stupid to make intellectual choices because you are too lazy to learn anything."
And you ARE an intellectual? ROFL!
And you are what race? I notice how you zeroed in on Daniel's race and did not once mention the point of his post which is that Romney's foreign policy and defense advisers are the same people who advised George W. Bush; and we see where that got us.
Just because a black person votes for Obama does not make them racists. Just like a white person voting for Romney does not make them racists.
The racist person is the one who only sees COLOR OF SKIN. You can prove me wrong by replying to this post with a defense of Romney's policies, if you are able to discern which position he has right now since he changes his mind based upon what group he is speaking to.
SayitaintSo-628660, The promotion of Black and white couples seems to be the rage today in the media. Black or white do not like it. They never will.
Hi Dummy
Sorry - Im white as can be if not too white. I dont tan in the summers - Im either white or sunburnt.
And some whites vote for whoever is running against Obama because HE'S NOT BLACK! See I can type caps too.
The same healthcare that he is horrifically running from these days?
And unemployment was originally 5.3 and dropped to 4.7 - which trailed national trends of decreasing unemployment claims. A turnip sitting in a leather chair would have accomplished the same.
Florida the state that elected Governor Rick Scott the biggest Medicare CROOK in the history of the United States. You can tell these people anything and they will believe it.
Still to this day I just can't understand how in the hell the people of Florida elected Scott. If you tell people something long enough and you have the money they will believe anything you say. What's next, ? Pedophiles rights ?
Let's get America going again. Romney and Ryan for new start up. We need jobs and an economy that will make our Country what it once was.
If Mitt gets in maybe he will pay for your airfare to get to China where all the jobs will be sent that he has created.
Mitt is catching a little heat in Illinois right now. Bain Capital is closing a highly successful tech plant in Freemont, Illinois. The company earned over two billion dollars, has over a hundred high paying tech jobs and is moving it's business to.........you guessed it...China. Instead of paying American workers a real salary, they're going to pay the Chinese pennies on the dollar. Hey, don't get mad. It ain't illegal.
everyone needs to wake up, every policy that romney is bringing up is a bush policy except the one where bush wanted to put social security in the stock market (where would your money be now) he is hiring all bush people doing all bush agenda, you have everything bush except you dont see bush . Romney is a shell of the tea party who will do anything to have is family name as have been a president. ask yourself, why hasnt any of his five!!l sons even went to one of our wars, why cant he show his taxes, why cant he give one straight answer and the final one is that this man is still a major stockholder in BAIN capital, bain capital is right now in southern illinois about to ship 170 auto jobs to china, over the last two years they have had the workers at this plant training the china workers on how to do there jobs and now the plant is moving all the equipment over there and the most glaring part of this is that this illinois plant is profitable very profitable, why is romney who is going to get tough on china not stopping this move, dont give me that he doesnt work for bain anymore, because he is still the major stockholder in the company and he can stop anything they do. this man only works for the dollar and his name. everyone needs to check into this illinois company, the workers are following the romney campaign all across the country and they wont even give them an answer about why there jobs are leaving, but mitt is going to get tough on china, yea right
Yeah, we will be talking about Romney if he wins, supply side economics always ends badly, it takes a democrat to fix the economy after the republicans mess it up. And that is exactly what Obama has done.
Care to identify and name those policies that have caused a negative downturn to the economy?
i dont want to go on black and white issues, i want to go on issues that matter to my family and where they will be in the coming years, i have a 12 and 10 year old boys, i want them to have jobs in the future, our economy is finally coming back after having to endure two unfunded wars, and no plans on getting money in our nation coffers, wake up people trickle down doesnt work, bush did it and we went broke, and now you only give this man four year to try to undo all this damage with a congress who wont even pass the bills that will bring forth more economic gains. lets think about the jobs bill that congress stalled this bill will rebuild roads and bridges, think about how many jobs that will be made. the bill that outraged me the most that was stalled was done last month, it was a paid for 50 billion VETERANS job bill, PAID FOR 50 BILLION JOBS BILL FOR VETERANS!!! WHY WOULDN'T THEY PASS THAT, they also stalled to automatic increase for veterans in their cost of living allowances. this is called sabatage and i dont care how (capt kirk) pronounces the word (joke) it is still sabatage. people dont vote by skin color vote by results, the country is on the right track, thats why obama uses the work forward, if you go back you will have bush # 3, look at all of romneys plans and if they arent the same as bush's, then you will not hear from me again, do some research and get back to me, go to google and look up (ben stein on fox and friends ) and hear the reality of what romney's plan will do from and republican economist, who had to fear for his life of getting out of the fox studio for telling the truth. GET BACK TO ME
No Danial Buford is telling it like it is. You are the liar who is backing a liar and that fits, right? Oh, and it is Bush's fault compounded by two things the Norquist pledge and the republican obstruction of congress.
PEOPLE OF FLORIDA ALERT!!!!!!! Watch Obama 2016 which i believe is on payperview now.
THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR YOUR DECISION!!!!!!
IF WE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA VOTE THIS GUY IN AGAIN WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE!!!
WATCH IT AND THEN TELL ME HOW YOU FEEL!!!
Actually, if you are going back you'll be going back to Obama. Obama will be inheriting his own failures. Right? And that crap about congress picking on poor little barry is a crock.If you think hiring more IRS worker or more Wefare workers will help the economy then I got a bridge I'd like to sell you.
It's the social issues for me. What surprises me is how many Republicans disagree with the social platform of their own party but plan to vote for them anyway. I don't understand why they think all Democrats are either incompetent or evil.
There's not a President or any politician who wants our economy to be worse. More so there's not nearly as much that a politician can do to affect the economy as the business people and companies who actually create it can.
What the politicans can do is take away a woman's right to chose. They can ban gay marrage. They can disenfranchise elageable voters. These are concrete powers of the government. Create a job? Change a gas price? That's abstract at best and a lie at worst.
Why are you changing the subject? We aren't talking about what a President should do or the Constitution. We are talking about what they can do. I will agree with you though. The President should stay the heck out of any and all social issues. Their job is supposed to be foreign policy. Congress is supposed to decide social issues. But the power of the Presidency has grown a lot in recent years.
ZP, you can feel social issues are important. Many people do. But what you are totally missing is that Republicans dismiss the social aspect of the political platform because they know individual choice is personal, and is not the province of government or party, so they don't feel constrained by what any party "platform" says.
Of course, that begs the question of why there are social aspects to the platform at all. And the answer is, solely to counter the Democrats. To make sure that while we promote a society that protects life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we need to keep in mind the value of life, the limits of liberty and the need for the opportunity (not guarantee) of happiness for everyone. And that these concepts aren't political issues but human rights issues. And that people are the drivers of these standards not government.
Alternatively, Democrats embrace the role of government and the part it plays in their everyday lives. So they need to have a party platform incorporate and reflect social issues in their platform because these are cornerstones to their view and use for government. Without such differentiation, a big part of the Democratic message for government is missing.
But know this, despite your view that these more personal requirements need to be embraced in a political platform to be "valid", the real truth is any social concept must be embraced by people first, before it can take root in law, and then it is only incorporated when its required to recognize the value of the result.
The fact that you have an opinion different from your neighbor's puts you more at home in the Republican Party because you can believe as you wish, act as you wish and no one will force you to do anything differently.
In the Democratic Party, you either go along with the rhetoric the group has established, or you don't fit in. There is no compromise, except for ideals - where horse trading must occur to get a number of sliver issues incorporated into the Democratic world view to enable a large enough coalition to be sustained. To me, if I were having to buy into unrecognized sliver issues solely to ensure my issue gets recognition and support, that would be unpalatable.
The stuff you cite as risks to you are not. Politicians will not take away a woman's right to choose. It's akin to taking away the self-defense theory in any death case. There will always be exceptions. As to gay marriage, there is a difference between religious and civil unions. if this is a protected constitutional right, and I think it is, it will found as such. Disenfranchising voters? Sure, I can't expect to cash a check, use a car, or get a senior discount at the corner drug store, so it's a huge inconvenience to actually demonstrate who I am when I vote. Right now the courts are giving the benefit of the doubt to millions of elderly seniors who aren't in a position to easily get government ID's because they want to facilitate voting. But we both know, in the internet age, the time will shortly come - probably when someone gets around to dealing with immigration issues - when this very reasonable "obstacle" will be seen for the ridiculous red herring it is.
Thanks for your post. This is insightful and intelligent and honestly something I've been looking for, for a long time.
Your right that individual choice is personal. And you say politician's won't take away a woman's right to chose. But once upon a time our government took away peoples right to get drunk. We live in a nation that has helmet laws and even laws that mandate things like warning labels on hot coffee.
I don't fully fit in with the Democratic party. I don't fully fit in with the Republican party either. I'll agree that perhaps in the Republican party a persons right to be an individual and have a dissenting opinion might be more respected.
But a stated goal of a many of Republican legislators is the repeal of Roe vs Wade. Another stated goal of many is the amendment of the constitution to forbid marriage between two men or two women. Since I do believe in individual choice I cant support a party that is so aggressive in expanding the power of government in a person's life. I feel that if the Republican party had a strong enough majority in the appropriate branches they absolutely would do these things.
Having said that Governor Romney has been moving back toward the middle lately and I'm hopeful that should he be elected he would lead from the middle as well. Even though I disagree with many Republican stances part of me thinks that we might be better off with him as president simply because our government might be more effective. Though I wouldn't put it past the Democratic senate to stonewall every bit as hard as their counter parts have in the past few years.
Seriously you mean people have a right to get drunk. That is the most ridiculous statement I'vr ever heard. You do not have the right to get drunk YOUR RIGHTS END WHERE MY NOSE BEGINS in other words if you get drunk and start calling me names or otherwise violating my rights or anyone elses as drunks usually do. Their is no right to get drunk.THEIR IS A RIGHT TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY.
You make good points. The winds of change do certainly impact the political process. And it's really hard to see anyone exactly fitting into the mold of either party.
But I generally try and look at what people are doing more than they are saying. Because talk is cheap. And I agree with you that there is a clear gap between what the political parties are saying and what they are doing and this makes all the difference.
There you go. If you take your own poll on the photo blog and the reasons they are voting, Odumbo is gone. Too bad fiesty and bev are not here to give us odumbo talking points. Odumbo has failed. Period. Romney with his background will take this country in a better direction. I promise you that. All you have to do is look at his past. No questions there that he is an upstanding individual to say the least. He cares about people and doing what is right as well as bringing smart business sense to the equation.
They could not get past the pictures they were only hunting comments to start thier crap on.
Scary!
PEOPLE OF FLORIDA ALERT!!!!!!! Watch Obama 2016 which i believe is on payperview now.
THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR YOUR DECISION!!!!!!
IF WE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA VOTE THIS GUY IN AGAIN WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE!!!
WATCH IT AND THEN TELL ME HOW YOU FEEL!!!
The promise of goodies to buy your vote works. This is what the democrat party has done for many years now. When we get to a society that completely relies on government handouts, they win. They will own you for many years afterward. Do not let this happen for the sake of your liberty and freedom. You can make it without governments handout. Do not ever let anybody tell you you can not. This is what the democrat party is all about. Control, Control and Control. I have not heard one thing from odumbo in the last 4 years that was uplifting. He has created division between people of race, class and morality. You people that vote for him are blind if you do not see this. Is this really what you want. WAKE UP PLEASE.
I believe our President would have had more jobs to his credit if the Teapublicans would have passed ONE of the many jobs bills he put forward! The last one to help the military get jobs after they return that was voted down really told me that this party has not one concern about the American People and to deny our military a way forward to get a job? Just totally unacceptable!
Every politician will promise things and many do not make many of those promises. President Obama said that he realized once he was in office that it was more difficult that he thought. I think he has accomplished a lot for women with the Lilly Ledbetter Act, ordered the successful killing of Bin Ladin, passed the Health Care Bill that has helped many people that have pre-existing conditions, young adults living at home which has cut out the corporate waste to hospitals and was deemed constitutional by the Supreme Court.
Although Romney has said he would leave the pre-exisiting conditions and young people on his health act, I don't believe a word he says, he flip-flops too much and can't remember what he was for after he was against something. He is all about big business and one has to wonder what he has promised people like Sheldon Adleson. They think they can buy this election! (Adelson is being investigated by the Feds I believe so it will be interesting to see why.)
I thought it quite humorous that one of the people they interviewed that lived in a communist country made it clear that by no means that Obama has made this a communist country. True that he has a different world view but I think that's why he is much more likable and can relate to common people more. Romney comes off as a coroporate CEO Bully like Donald Trump! He sure stuck his foot in his mouth about Libya. A Romney Presidency will put this country back 50 years, most likely cause a war with Iran, Syria or Russia (because Teapubs are only happy when we look like the big brawny military of the world and can spend, spend, spend even though the Pentagon says they don't need it! 2.4 Trillion!!!)
The Auto Bailout was a good thing too. Had they gone into regular bankruptcy without the bailout, they wouldn't have had the money from investors to prop them up like the government did. It sure made a difference to those people who's jobs were saved because of it not to mention the jobs that are related to the car industry.
It sounds to me that some of the Floridians are not very well informed and they are only going by sounds bites. What a shame that some will vote for Romney, a guy that may know how to run a company ( well, some companies, then sell them off to China) but he is clueless with foreign policy (look the $$s he made of himself this past summer.) He will continue to make millions in his many off-shore accounts while leaving the American people to fend for themselves, after all, he's not worried about 47%.
Obama/Biden 2012 = the economy is coming back.....
Always the ole "they must not be well informed" when it is against you pick. Unbelievable. Maybe, just maybe you are the one that is not well informed. Ever thought of that.
What else does Romney know how to do? If a war breaks out, what will he do. When crime goes up because only the rich will work , what will he do? ask yourself these questions. When senior are robbed of the money they should be getting and you have no Social security after Romney, what will you do?
I'm paying more for health care now than I ever did. When can I expect to pay less as President Obama promised? I noticed now that apples are cheaper because they are more plentiful now. If we drilled for more of our own oil, wouldn't the price come down? I heard Iran only pays about 50 cents for a gallon of gas. They have a lot of oil. And if we supplied our own oil, couldn't we stop feeling obligated to the ME? Some one posted that we get 22% of our electricity from wind. The actually number is closer to 3%, a big difference and another attempt to lie to the people to push an agenda.
All the left gives you are ideals, not facts. It would be a wonderful world if no one in the world was racist or hated chritians, or hated Jews. But be fair. Is racism and intolerance only a Right thing? If you answer yes, it is only a Right thing, then not only are you a bigot and intolerant, you are also a liar.
And I don't know about you but I wouldn't want Abbie the bum as president. You keep saying that Romney can't possibly understand how a person making $50000 lives. So, we have to find someone who is a failure in life to be president so he knows how 47% of the population lives? That would certainly eliminate the Obamas wouldn't it? But you think Obama's "giveaways" and stealing money from people who actually earned it are better than actually going out and earning it.
We have no pride anymore, no shame.
Well I don't want no dumb phone for my vote.
I want cash! See me on E-Bay!
In my eyes, msnbc regularly fails to act with journalistic integrity as their "infotainment" all too often is masked as journalism. But this article is the exception. It does a great job at fairly portraying what an array of people think and feel about the presidential race in Florida and how their views will affect their vote.
Just goes to show you that blogs and tweets and Internet fodder - while relevant as the opinion of 20 somethings - doesn't tell the entire story. By speaking to a variety of real people in Florida about their personal thoughts and issues, the tea leaves can actually have some meaning. Really excellent job.
The question is: just how fast can you do similar reporting in other states?
Just to add to the 2016 video. I watched it. It is not a movie bashing obama. It tells of his life story. His travels before the presidency, his family, their beliefs. Interviews with family members etc. The main story line is for you to figure out and that is with his internal thinking/beliefs. It is scary to say the least and yes it is opinion based. But, based upon common sense, you will see what he could possibly do to achieve his beliefs.
I would not wish his way of thinking on anyone of us that live in the great United States of America.
Oh, and do not take my flag and just immediately take me as a tea partier. I am an independent voter that believes in liberty and freedom above all else. Period. Although I think the tea party has been ms-construed. They are for less government and balanced budgets. Not everything else that has been spun about them. I think the intelligent people on this board now this.
Awesome!, I was beginning to wonder who are these swing voters being polled, after reading this article, 80% of the people being polled are Republicans, they vote Republican all the time so Obama is better than what's polled. Nov 6Th ----Obama 12!
I feel sorry for you, they don't have any room on the blog at FAUX? You may hurt on the morning of Nov 7th?
If you are undecided on who to vote for, take your time and search the facts. Stop read what the media is putting out today. Look back at Bush first term, Look at the mistakes he made, then look at his second term and what corrections he made as stated in his book. They look at President Obamas first term and what needed to be cleaned up and the new things that came up at the same time. Now look at what did not get cleaned up and search why. Then look at both Romney and President Obama. Now, with the things that need to be cleaned up, who can handle all of it. Jobs, Health care, all the countries at war, including our men out there fighting. Businesses, High taxes, our elders with social security and your future. Who can take down people trying to kill us. Countries with bombs being made, who can handle them. This election is not just about jobs alone. It’s a Presidents job to keep us safe and handle a world of other stuff. If you stop today listening to the media and do your own research, then you will know who you researched and choose on your own. With the money that has been donated to both sides, the rich businesses do have money to hire folks. So I think jobs is not a problem. But you might think different. If some are hired and some are not, will our crime rate go up or down or stay the same. I like the fact that the three democrats running to be President four years ago are working together to keep us safe. (Biden, Obama and Hillary). But you might think different. Ask yourself different questions and then get out and vote.
Great post Denise. Good solid advice for every citizen.
There is daylight between Obama and Romney in terms of policy. The undecided voter is just someone who really doesn't care.
John in Battle Creek . . . think you can manage a post without calling someone a liar? It must be so great to have a lock on the truth about everything and everyone. But, you seem so frustrated in that world all by yourself. Maybe you and the current (but not for much longer) President should maybe just go get a room. You can whisper sweet truths to each other all night long.