McCain & GOP own this meltdown (house of representatives, health care, interview, Israel)

[walidm]

Originally Posted by JoeP

Investigation? This is the direct result of conservative ideology playing out. They wanted to let the children run wild and guess, we all know what happens when children run wild and now they act like it's a shock and a mystery as to why it happened.

Please express how the Conservative ideology is playing out in the current financial situation.

[quelinda]

Originally Posted by AksarbeN

It’s been an ongoing problem for the past 28 ~ 30 years with deregulation and removing control, Bill Clinton was in office for 8 years and everyone else was a Republican. Republicans failed to do anything to put the controls back in place, monitor the corporations, and check their books that would have prevented this and other crimes in business and corporations. Republicans wanted less government and less control for too long.

Government control to regulate and monitor has been the failure that allowed criminals in office and corporations. Republicans have held office for all but 8 of the last 30 years.

This deregulation policy is a STAPLE of the Republican party. Its what they've fought over since the Reagan era, for government to stay out of business and business will do the right thing and flourish. Instead, you leave the fox to guard the hen house.

Very interesting how the Republican platform of deregulation is coming to fruition and it is now highly apparent what a disastrous policy it has pushed on the American people for the last 30 years. Now all of a sudden McCain, who has consistently fought against deregulation and put forth no regulation bills that I know of in his several decades in the Congress, is for regulation. HAHA What a bunch of BS. Republicans, YOU HAVE BEEN PROVEN WRONG and you've damaged this country, hopefully not beyond repair with your ridiculous laissez-faire nonsense when its clear that GREED needs to be regulated.

SEC, an agency under the Bush administration, where the heck have YOU been in all this? Haven't heard a peep out of ya!

[jmking]

What on earth makes you think the Feds are better at doing any and all kinds of business better than those who are the experts? Agreed, if business are raping the public than it should be dealt with. And if it is a business that is essential for humans to survive than I'm all for regulation to a point. But not all business need to be regulated. Airline flights would cost a bundle and so would your phone bill if deregulation did not take place. Having said that there does appear to be giant holes that are being exploited by members of both parties to line their pockets.

[quelinda]

Originally Posted by jmking

What on earth makes you think the Feds are better at doing any and all kinds of business better than those who are the experts? Agreed, if business are raping the public than it should be dealt with. And if it is a business that is essential for humans to survive than I'm all for regulation to a point. But not all business need to be regulated. Airline flights would cost a bundle and so would your phone bill if deregulation did not take place. Having said that there does appear to be giant holes that are being exploited by members of both parties to line their pockets.

LOL my phone bill is far higher than it used to be before de-regulation. Have you noticed how much higher your electricity bill is after de-regulation and not all of that increase (I'm talking $300 a month) stems from the oil crisis that stems from de-regulation (seeing as there is NO shortage of oil on this planet right now, though there will if we keep this up..)? Have you noticed how the greedy unregulated financial markets are crashing and ordinary people are suffering because of their greed? Obviously the public needs to be protected, and in so doing, the companies that fight the regulation are better off too. Its like forcing your 2 year old (yeah I've got one ) to bed at bedtime. They resist but I know its for the best.

[jmking]

Originally Posted by quelinda

LOL my phone bill is far higher than it used to be before de-regulation. Have you noticed how much higher your electricity bill is after de-regulation and not all of that increase (I'm talking $300 a month) stems from the oil crisis that stems from de-regulation (seeing as there is NO shortage of oil on this planet right now, though there will if we keep this up..)? Have you noticed how the greedy unregulated financial markets are crashing and ordinary people are suffering because of their greed? Obviously the public needs to be protected, and in so doing, the companies that fight the regulation are better off too. Its like forcing your 2 year old (yeah I've got one ) to bed at bedtime. They resist but I know its for the best.

I do agree about electric cost being manipulated and needs to stop. Look what happened in California a few years ago--criminal I tell you! As far as phone cost, here again age is the difference here, I think. Years ago long distance calls were simply unaffordable. A long distance call from DC to Vermont, depending on the amount of time used, could cost hundreds of dollars. Back in the 70s, for example, if you made long distance call you made them short and sweet everytime. Now, who even thinks about it.

[quelinda]

Originally Posted by jmking

I do agree about electric cost being manipulated and needs to stop. Look what happened in California a few years ago--criminal I tell you! As far as phone cost, here again age is the difference here, I think. Years ago long distance calls were simply unaffordable. A long distance call from DC to Vermont, depending on the amount of time used, could cost hundreds of dollars. Back in the 70s, for example, if you made long distance call you made them short and sweet everytime. Now, who even thinks about it.

Oh I remember those good old days when long distance, and even "toll" calls to another county cost a fortune. But the decrease also stems from huge advantages in technology, such as calls through cable wires rather than only through Bell (member that company?) and less calls going through the hard lines since everyone's on a cell now. Also in the 70s we had monopolies and of course that never helps anything.

[wade52]

Originally Posted by JoeP

Neither McCain, W, Gramm, Palin or anyone else who advocated and supported the anything goes economic polices can act like they are not responsible for the current crisis.

They detest regulation and make sure that nothing exists that can help prevent these disasters.

Now thousands of hard working Americans will be out of work and the trickle down - yes trickle down will work as this crisis spreads and other hard working Americans lose their jobs and homes.

McCain can't deny this. McCain can't "reform" this because reform runs counter to what he and the party stand for on these issues.

This is the simple truth.

If they have any honesty about the their economic views, they would still defend them instead of pretending they weren't the ones who created this mess.

What you say is very true. The bad news is that in the end, it won't matter. Most people who vote in November will not make the effort to inform themselves before voting. The fact that the GOP has run America into the ditch will not register in their consciousness. The only "info" they'll pay attention to prior to voting will be campaign ads. McCain/Palin stand a good chance of winning. If they do, Americans will still wonder why things are going so wrong.

I fear that we (the public) may have become so distracted and stupid that our 232 year experiment in democracy will have effectively ended. America will become a full-blown (it's already close) corporatocracy.

[JoeP]

It's really pathetic that many voters will look the other way at what the GOP has done - which is apply radical idealogical foreign policies that have failed us and made us less safe, all while creating massive debt ( all while helping friends profit in billions of taxpayer dollars)... have failed to do anything proactive in real energy policy.... other than making sure that their friends profit more and that absolutely nothings gets done to break our need for foreign oil..... and of course, for decades the GOP with W and McCain most anyone else with an R after their names, proudly yelling and fighting for no regulations of any kind from consumer products to Wall Street.

And now we are ALL PAYING for their failed policies.

[walidm]

Originally Posted by JoeP

It's really pathetic that many voters will look the other way at what the GOP has done - which is apply radical idealogical foreign policies that have failed us and made us less safe, all while creating massive debt ( all while helping friends profit in billions of taxpayer dollars)... have failed to do anything proactive in real energy policy.... other than making sure that their friends profit more and that absolutely nothings gets done to break our need for foreign oil..... and of course, for decades the GOP with W and McCain most anyone else with an R after their names, proudly yelling and fighting for no regulations of any kind from consumer products to Wall Street.

And now we are ALL PAYING for their failed policies.

Sad isn't it.

[Wisteria]

And now we are ALL PAYING for their failed policies.

Sad isn't it.

Indeed, it is sad. But there's an up side -- get McCain elected!

The majority of Americans are not well-educated, well-read, or analytical. I don't think it's surprising that the biggest red states have the lowest educational achievements. Smartest State 2003-2004 Quite frankly, I think it could be a GOP conspiracy to keep the uneducated that way, and to pander to the lowest intellect. Just like school books have been dumbed down, so are many of our citizens. The last eight years have been awful for America. Any president in office will face challenges, but I'm sick and tired of hearing blame placed on everything from the weather, to terrorists, to WMD that never existed (oh, yes, I've heard, but they "might" be there, but we just don't know where…), to stupid people who took out loans they couldn't afford, although many really were strong-armed into getting one by persuasive lenders.

We live in a global society, we have global markets, and we are no longer an isolated country, although many Americans have never traveled beyond Mexico or Canada, if even those countries. Our educational system is dismal, so it's no surprise that many don't know where most foreign countries are or the names of those countries, nor what their policies are, and do not speak a foreign language (any other language besides English). Because we are such a large nation, many have not felt it necessary to be engaged in global politics or economics and to experience how we are an integral part of the world.

And although I am an Independent, I would like to see McCain become president and have a Republican Congress, and really see us dive further down. I am a realist, and realists may not like what they see, however, they realize that is what they are dealing with – it is reality. America needs a purging. No, I don't like that I will have to go down with the ship, too, but it would be satisfying to see another term with Republicans in power and see if they get us out of this mess without us owing the rest of the world our money and our first-born. Crashes will continue, we will fall further down in this global economic society, and as more and more people lose homes and jobs, as inflation increases, perhaps even a depression occurs, then there will be no one else to blame but themselves. I am so tired of people not taking responsibility for their actions, and that includes the leaders of this once-great country.

The minority of people who are in the upper income brackets will continue to prosper but the folks on "Main Street" will find it tough going. I say to bring back the Republicans! Seriously. They honestly feel that they have the answers, that McCain and Palin are well-qualified, and I, for one, would welcome a full Republican leadership and let them take the fall for what happens in the next four years. And if they wildly succeed, then all the more power to them – they will have proven themselves – with no blame toward others.

I have resigned myself to not retiring early, I know that I will not see a big return on the sale of my house, however, it is time that more people are hurt, driven into poverty, continue to lose jobs, and pay more for basic amenities. Only the rich will survive. And if the person on Main Street again re-elects the Republicans, it will merely show the world that America is no longer a great country, its people are terribly undereducated, and they only listen to sound bites and slander to elect a leader.

My hope is that at some point there will be a change in the qualifications required for someone running for president. I do not favor either candidate. However, I am tired of reading all the blasts against Obama since he has not even been in the Bush fold, while McCain has been.

I say to let us just plunge farther down. Let the Republicans rip to shreds what is left of America. I am older and I will die. What is left to our children and grandchildren, I can only hope that they will use it to be inspired to find a new way of leadership for America.

As far as I am concerned, and it is only my personal opinion, I don't really care who gets in, although it would be satisfying in some perverse way to see Republicans in, a Republican majority, have America fail even more, and then have them explain it away – there will be no Democratic majority or Democratic president to blame. I would rather they continued to have to grapple with the upcoming economic crisis and see how real change is necessary.

I am sick and tired of a president being elected by sound bites, slander, lies, and 30-second television advertisements. There is no substance. Let 'em have what's left. McCain deserves this economy and this election….whatever may befall us. I hope that we do survive, and if the ship's hull is all that is seen, maybe the folks on Main Street will finally realize that they need to break out life preservers and each man for himself. Or if they see a pilot (McCain) taking a dive to crash and burn that they will run for their lives.

Shaking out the shards of what is left will be painful, but necessary. I would rather see a Republican go down, than a new party president who will inevitably only garner blame for what went before. If McCain can really salvage and save America, strengthen our foreign relations, pay back our debt, repair our infrastructure, keep us out of war, and save the middle class, he will be a real hero.

Because I do not like these political threads, I am only making this one comment. I realize people will slam me, but I've summed up my opinion in one post...I don't want to engage in vicious rants. I rarely comment because people are so vicious and most of it is just clichés, sound bites, and put-downs. So, don't expect a reply from me, all I have to say is here. Feel free to discuss amongst yourselves.

I think it is logical to vote McCain. I don't believe a new president in a different party can salvage things. I think the Republicans need to clean up their own mess -- let them have it. I know from reading this forum that they fully feel qualified. So, let them have the White House, even though it might more appropriately be called the "Red House," since we are so far in debt.

I don't think people in the U.S. will ever band together until they are suffering through even worse hardships. Hardships tend to draw people together. McCain loves a good fight – he'll have a ball. They'll be toting guns and eating raw meat (just kidding). Just for the record, I used to go target shooting with a boyfriend, and he was really upset that I was a better shot than him. Oh, and having the majority of my relatives from farms, I ate lots of venison growing up, in addition to the rabbits, and snapping turtle, living off the fruits and vegetables on the farm. I don't live in an ivory tower, I live in the woods. I was raised in a church, sang in the church choir, and was also a Girl Scout! I am an anomaly, but I'm also highly-educated – so, I see both sides. If America is going down, I'd rather those who are responsible go down first and take the blame – Vote McCain!