How Does Election Affect Huntsville? (Madison: houses, layoffs, buyers)

[BKOTH97]

Originally Posted by Keeper

When was the last time there was a big RIF at Redstone and/or MSF? Were they all during democratic presidency? I know the ones that affected my family that was true. Of course, that was back in the dark ages.

Most of the discussion thus far has surrounded Obama. So, what would a McCain Presidency do for the area? Today, McCain said this when asked about NASA funding:

"Presumptive Republican White House nominee John McCain said Thursday he would like to see a manned mission to Mars as part of a "better set of priorities" for NASA that would better engage the public.

At a townhall event in Florida, the Arizona senator was asked about funding for the US space agency's shuttle program, which is due to end in 2010. He said he "would be willing to spend more taxpayers' dollars" to continue the program but argued that NASA must do a better job of inspiring the American public, as when it sent a man to the moon in 1969. "
from: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080606111510.5jnz56gu&show_article= 1

So, we know that MDA is going to get cut by Obama based on his previous quotes and posted positions, but a McCain presidency would most likely leave MDA alone while at the same time putting more funding toward NASA.

Interesting....

[Reactionary]

Charles - here's a list of top employers in Huntsville / Madison County:

Huntsville Alabama USA - Top Overall Employers

Many of the 14000 federal jobs are MDA. Most of the major defense and aerospace employers (Boeing, SAIC, Northrop, etc.) rely on MDA contracts. IIRC missile defense is the number one 'industry' in HSV, something like 20% of the economy (I'll look for a link).

[rnc76]

I am less worried about the local economy than I am the overall US economy. I have a bad feeling that the total lack of financial common sense in this country (uncontrolled consumerism, credit card debt, crazy mortgages, CEOs getting 100 million dollar bonuses, massive federal debt...) has finally come to a head. I fear that no matter who the president, we all could be in for hard times ahead. Perhaps that sounds like a doomsday scenario, but I fear that is where we are headed. Locally, many seem to think that Huntsville is insulated from much of the US economy. To a degree, I think that is true. But if things get bad enough, it won't matter, federal programs are going to be cut drastically across the board.

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by rnc76

I am less worried about the local economy than I am the overall US economy. I have a bad feeling that the total lack of financial common sense in this country (uncontrolled consumerism, credit card debt, crazy mortgages, CEOs getting 100 million dollar bonuses, massive federal debt...) has finally come to a head.

I don't understand how people can continue to downplay the staggering $9 trillion-plus federal debt. And Washington continues to add to it every year; it has been several years since the gov't only spent what it took in. If (and that's a BIG if) we were able to budget $100 billion a year toward paying off the debt, it would still take over 100 years to pay it off, even with today's low interest rates. Think about that for a while, it is mind-blowing.

Something's gotta give, folks.

[Reactionary]

rnc76 and jsherman9901 - IMO Government fiscal policy is John McCain's strong suit. He doesn't take pork barrel earmarks and is known as a budget hawk.

Part of his loss in the 2000 Primary was because he wanted to pay down the national debt instead of cutting taxes. He has accepted the tax cuts, because he has a record of not raising taxes.

Part of his platform includes paying down the national debt (http://www.johnmccain.com/informing/issues/4a3ab6fe-b025-42b1-815b-13c696a61908.htm - broken link).

[ionlife]

who would be the best running mate for either party?

[Southlander]

You guys are gonna get thrown out of Alabama and into the political forum!

[ionlife]

Haha--actually, I've thought a lot about it and I'm pretty sure that the person who becomes president, regardless of party, will be presented with reality (McCain probably knows more than Obama due to his years of experience, but Obama is a smart man so he'll learn fast) and that will dictate the way they run their programs. Much of what is said and done is to get elected--on both sides of the fence. Heck, I noticed that as soon as he got the nod/win/and announced his victory, Obama was happy to wear a flag on his lapel. I figure if he'd bend on that--

Things that make you go hmmmm

C

[Keeper]

Sorry folks but in order to stay on the AL forum the topic has to be about the appropriate forum. If you want to discuss the presidential election in general you need to go to the Presidential election forum.

[zenjenn]

Ok, I tried to follow Keeper's advice and I visited the Presidential Election forum and I think I threw up a little in my mouth reading the majority of posts there. It's like the worst of the California forums in terms of the sheer spew of constant posts, but of a generally much lower quality.

The Alabama forum is SO much more palatable.