Obama - First Black President

[Dimmauk]

Obama quite literally has the weight of the world on his shoulders. By promising change he's set himself up for a major challenge that could very well blow up in his own face when he ends up stuck with problems outside of his own control. Take a look at Russia and their immediate demands and the man isn't even sworn in yet.

Also, the free ride Obama people frustrate me, but the good number of people claiming that Obama shouldn't have won because it means continued legalized abortion is just.... ugh. How have these people not heard of back street coat hanger abortion clinics etc. etc.? I've just heard so many people complaining about how the whole nation is damned because of the murder of thousands of babies that it's starting to drive me batty.

My parents voted for McCain solely on the abortion issue. They also voted for Bush for the same reason.
The free ride callers were trolling. Its the right wing that keeps talking about Obama the socialist and free rides for poor people. Its all Scare Tactic Bullshit.

The thing that is scary is the posts from people on Hotair, and other Right wing websites. The hate they have for Obama is amazing. I disliked Bush, but I never hated him to this extent.
The name calling that Obama gets (socailist, commie, marxist)seems as if since they can't call him a Nigger, they call him this instead. The hate behind the name calling is the same.

[Neosutra]

Ignorance always fails prey to prejudice.

[Tristam]

My parents voted for McCain solely on the abortion issue. They also voted for Bush for the same reason.
The free ride callers were trolling. Its the right wing that keeps talking about Obama the socialist and free rides for poor people. Its all Scare Tactic Bullshit.

The thing that is scary is the posts from people on Hotair, and other Right wing websites. The hate they have for Obama is amazing. I disliked Bush, but I never hated him to this extent.
The name calling that Obama gets (socailist, commie, marxist)seems as if since they can't call him a Nigger, they call him this instead. The hate behind the name calling is the same.

Exactly, Obama being voted in was a step in the right direction, but this election cycle exposed alot of problems america still has, especially with respect to xenophobia and education. Even though it was a huge electoral victory, I'm still not convinced much has changed in america, hopefully I'll be proven wrong.

[arus2001]

So, which corporations do you think will get their "raises" for all of the "profits" the Obama campaign generated?

My implication was that if people want to actually correlate reward to work, is the reward actually being fairly distributed to all those who brought it about? It's ultimately a more controlled form of sharing the wealth without the government influence, but the common theme is it still fucks the rich guy. At least, that's what they'd tell you because they always seem to have gotten there on their own merit.

Say company makes 200k a year. This year they make 300k, a gain of 50%. Instead of the big fish pocketing that extra 100k, would putting that 100k into upping all wages 50% for all people involved the next year yield a repeat or increased revenue? Couldn't a business technically stay under that 250k tax line up to a reasonable point if they instead circulated generously amongst their employees, hiring more as needed to further distribute and ease labor?

Granted, it's all theorycrafting, and some people might not like jobs where they make 100k one year, then 90k the next if profits were down 10%. It's not much of an off-shoot of commission sales, just more company oriented than individual. Socialist or Communist? No idea, but it at least suggests money is much more likely to change hands more often as workers are conversely motivated to bring home the proverbial bacon because it will have a direct impact on their bottom line.

Edit: Terminology came in while I was typing, so if it's commonplace, it doesn't really feel like it's practiced on the lower end of the job spectrum. Minimum wage, as we know, isn't really enough to allow people to get by on a 40 hour work week. Most often they can get a 10-25 cent raise after set intervals of time, but I'm not sure you could call that equal profit sharing.

[Churchill]

the obama campaign employed a good number of people and spent donations on a variety of things (advertising of all forms, travel costs, event costs, etc). do you have a point or is being a shitty bitter conservatard the new in thing?

The guy you're responding to actually brings up a good point.

[Cow_k]

I think the McCain concession speech was enough proof of the hatred alive in some of the far rightest members of the nation. It honestly is sort of scary and if I was Obama I'd be looking over my shoulder for awhile. Republicans have been routed this election and it's pushed a lot of people into a wall. When that happens you can usually expect desperate people to make desperate motions and that's what frightens me right now. Misguided passion rarely ends well.

Then again, gay marriage was beaten down all over the nation yesterday so maybe those ideals are still more popular than I knew. I love how we all celebrate about putting a black man into office especially after decades of persecution, but yet we still stomp all over homosexuals every chance we get.

[Beckwin]

no, he doesn't. he's bringing tired and bad vaguely objectivist talking points that've been fielded countless times over the election and shot down each time.

[bombard]

Well if we're going to play extremes, then are you arguing that rich people shouldn't pay any taxes and the middle class should be thrown into slavery?

No one's saying "taek all their moniez", but we have a huge deficit and are in dire need of reform in a number of fields. It's going to cost money, and we can't just keep taking out loans to do it. Leaving things as they are is not an option, and taxing the struggling middle class more is not an option.

The wealthy have, in one way or another, benefited from the American system more than the middle class. They are being rewarded for their hard work with money and financial security (if they aren't dumb with it, anyway...). No one is suggesting that we should tax them until they drop to the middle class. Removal of a tax cut is not going to suddenly take your mansion and revert it to a 2 bedroom-2 bath, nor is it going to rip the engine out of your sports car. You *should* feel obligated to give back to the system that allowed you to thrive in the first place. It's how America was meant to work.

I'm not advocating pure socialism, gogoMarx, etc, but pure capitalism doesn't work either. You need a balance, and the country as it stands now needs money. The country put you in a position to make the money you have now, and now, when it needs your help, you won't give a little more back? That is greed.

Assumptions get you no where. I give plenty back, community service, charities, etc. Giving back should be a choice, not the law. Shouldn't it be our choice on whom, when, and how much to give? I've always lived modestly (100k house, garage, 2 cars with wheels) and hearing you banter about fancy house and cars sounds ignorant.

I've served my country through charitable organizations in which I believe in (such as diabetes research, homeless shelters etc), being in the armed forces for 6 years, and by paying taxes and community service. I don't need someone telling me it's not enough and being forced to do more, or that my choice in charities in which I believe are not the correct ones. The taxes I pay already is staggering (I <3 NY), and yet I still find time and resources to give back whenever possible. A majority of small - medium business owners are just like me. I love leading, I love working, and I love making sure my employees get the best I can afford to give them. Matching pay insurance, 401k matching, bonuses, etc. I am far from wealthy, and considered slightly above middle class. I will be affected by these proposed new taxation policies and am dissapointed in them since I already have given so much and still continue to do so. I'm offended to be considered a 'rich' american because on paper my wife and I make more than 250k a year, when in reality we have enough for retirement saving, bills, paying for my wife to finish her college, and keeping a buffer 'just in case'. 250,000 is not alot of money anymore, and should not be considered wealth. What is the projected amount needed for retirement now, like 2-3 million to retire comfortable?

Alas, there is nothing I can do about it besides pay the man and complain. Grats to Obama on his win, and here's to hoping he brings together a better USA.

[lysol]

Uh doubtful those people were trolling. they were just ignorant people who truly believe obama is gonna end all of their problems without them putting in the effort. there are so many already that rely on government while they do nothing about it. I do feel bad about the other side and name calling of obama but they are just as ignorant. I hope he does a good job and hope he is ready because he will have the toughest presidency ahead of him outside of normal issues I'm sure obama will have more threats on his life than any other president to date.

[Norelco]

Who was the man who came out about 5-10 minutes before Obama and talked at the podium?

[ozz]

Uh doubtful those people were trolling. they were just ignorant people who truly believe obama is gonna end all of their problems without them putting in the effort. there are so many already that rely on government while they do nothing about it. I do feel bad about the other side and name calling of obama but they are just as ignorant. I hope he does a good job and hope he is ready because he will have the toughest presidency ahead of him outside of normal issues I'm sure obama will have more threats on his life than any other president to date.

Pretty sure they weren't trolling, people in my dorm were going crazy last night about how obama was going to give us all free gas and free money

[Dimmauk]

Pretty sure they weren't trolling, people in my dorm were going crazy last night about how obama was going to give us all free gas and free money

Why would they think that? Are they morons?

[ozz]

Why would they think that? Are they morons?

I don't know why, I had never heard it before last night but apparently a lot of people were saying it... and yes, my opinion of them is that they are morons

[Cephius]

There are always people who think they can get a free ride. There are always people who abuse welfare and government programs and will jump at anything they think will get them off easy. It is surprising some people think that some people would follow Obama because of that? Not really. I'd like to think these ignoramuses are a very small percentage of the actual voter population, though The rest of us care about working for real change in this country - knowing its not going to be easy, and certainly not free -and I think that's the vast majority.

[lysol]

Lol at the above post my thoughts exactly so many truly believe they are just gonna be "bailed out" although after the wallstreet bail out I guess ya can't blame em

[Dimmauk]

I don't know why, I had never heard it before last night but apparently a lot of people were saying it... and yes, my opinion of them is that they are morons

Yeah sounds like troll talk.

[Beckwin]

why do people like to talk about the mythological welfare queen so much?

[Acturus]

My implication was that if people want to actually correlate reward to work, is the reward actually being fairly distributed to all those who brought it about? It's ultimately a more controlled form of sharing the wealth without the government influence, but the common theme is it still fucks the rich guy. At least, that's what they'd tell you because they always seem to have gotten there on their own merit.

No, no, i understood the point you were trying to convey. I was merely lampooning it.

Seeing the length you've gone to elaborate, I apologize for being petty.

Have a hamster:

[ozz]

why do people like to talk about the mythological welfare queen so much?

Because they're not mythological?

[Tyche]

why do people like to talk about the mythological welfare queen so much?

Oh they exist. My sister is one of them.