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Please try to convince me to vote for Barack. Tell me something he accomplished in the Senate or give an example of him going against his party to better the country. What committees did he lead in the Senate?
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Shows conviction. Shows that bipartisanship he claims. You can't convince me anyone of them believes in every single bill, policy etc. that their party touts.
[ Reply | Options ]well, almost every senator, dem or rep, voted for the war. he says he would not have. in the sehate and illinois legislature he worked on ethics reform bills with members of the republican party, and helped get them passed. apears to be rejecting pure race-based afffirmative action.
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Wikipedia doesn't work for you? The fact that he's the first candidate ever to not accept public financing for his campaign because he built his base on small individual donations doesn't impress you? That means he's not beholden to lobbyists or big corporate donations, unlike Mr. McCain. Also, he chaired the European Affairs committee on the Senate in addition to holding assignments on the foreign relations, Environment and public works and veterans affairs committees. Obama voted in favor of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and cosponsored the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act.[55] In September 2006, Obama supported a related bill, the Secure Fence Act.[56] Obama introduced two initiatives bearing his name: "Lugar–Obama," which expanded the Nunn–Lugar cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons,[57] and the "Coburn–Obama Transparency Act," which authorized the establishment of www.USAspending.gov, a web search engine.[58] On June 3, 2008, Senator Obama, along with Senators Carper, Coburn and McCain, introduced follow-up legislation: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.[59] Obama sponsored legislation requiring nuclear plant owners to notify state and local authorities of radioactive leaks.[60] In December 2006, President Bush signed into law the "Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act," marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.[61] In January 2007, Obama co-sponsored the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, which was signed into law in September 2007.[62] He introduced S. 453, a bill to criminalize deceptive practices in federal elections.[63] Obama also introduced the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007.[64] Obama and Richard Lugar visit a Russian mobile launch missile dismantling facility[65]Later in 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act adding safeguards for personality disorder military discharges.[66] He sponsored the "Iran Sanctions Enabling Act" supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.[67][68] Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries.[69]
[ Reply | Options ]I voted for him over H because he didn't take money from lobbiest- H totally sold out the healthcare companies she sold out
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np: nice post. and in case you want my opinion, here it is. no, it doesn't impress me that he didn't accept public financing. he didn't have to b/c he was getting money anyway. i'd be impressed if he had raised *less* than what he could've gotten from public financing. i think it shows that he inspires a lot of people, but it doesn't impress me. i think that if he gets into office, he'll have the same problems dealing with the power players that any other president would have. I also think he's spent the majority of his years in the senate on the campaign trail. if i was from his home state, i wouldn't be impressed by his voting attendance record, even if i agreed with the ones he was involved on.
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the fact that you are leaning toward the repubs says a lot. I guess you are happy with the shit hole this country is in because of them and the last 8 yrs. I won't waste my time trying to tell you something so obvious
[ Reply | Options ]Just as I thought you sheep!!! Nada to say about his accomplishments or as the case may be glaring lack thereof. Just vitriol!
[ Reply | Options ]no why should I try to sway you? You are an adult and can read. Do your homework, research and make up your mind. Why ask total strangers to try to sway you? You know why you posted? So you can stir up ppl on UB. You know who you are voting for. You don't need convincing
[ Reply | Options ]I am actually very open minded. But I have yet to see anything that shows me this man is capable of anything but a good speech. You all seem to have it all figured out and the down right ugly abuse of Republicans is actually quite comical. Don't you ever let the facts get in the way of some good name calling. You are elitest who think you know better than everyone else. Rarely do I see anyone make a calm and coherent arguement for why he should be President. None of you think for yourselves. You have been permantly scarred by your liberal Professors off to your liberal careers on one of the coasts!
[ Reply | Options ]you know, i have actualy treid to answer you colamly in other parts of the thread. but i disagree a bit with your basic assumption. dick cheney had tons of experience and had gotten a lto done before he became VP. and he did, IMO, a terrrible job. i'd rather have someone whose basic impulses are more what i agree with, who is intelligent nad calm and open.
[ Reply | Options ]Wow. There it is an admission he has zero. Please stop comparing him to others and just tell me why he is Presidential material. He is not! He has been pushed to the forefront by the media. Your candidate absolutely should have been Hillary! Your party has truely sold its soul to the devil. I just pray our whole country does not have to pay the price for the Dems getting it totally wrong this time around.
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NP: Love it that you put "open-minded" in the same paragraph that says "none of you think for yourselves." You mind redefining open-minded for us. You are an angry, angry woman. Are you angry because you know that the country is in shambles because of the Republicans? (BTW, I watched my parents struggle through the Reagan years and prosper under Clinton -- and this was before being "scarred" by my liberal -- the horror! -- professors.)
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Actually my life is pretty good. I don't think this country is a shit hole! I work hard to raise my family, my husband works hard to provide the best life possible. We do alot of charity work and instill good morals in our children. I could use more of my own money that my husband breaks his back for. But other than that I think this is the best country in the world. Shows how spoiled you are for calling it a shit hole. You want a shit hole go live in Iran!
[ Reply | Options ]first off LEARN TO READ..I didn't call our country a shit hole. I said the country was IN a shit hole..meaning horrible economic situation, a war that we can't afford, debt up the ying-yang, our dollar use to be strong and now it doesn't carry any weight at all...so before you start calling me spoiled (BTW I'm poor and bus my ass to work and so does dh), read things carefully. We weren't in this shit hole 9 yrs ago but since Bush, things aren't as dandy as it was. Things for the poor are just getting worse and only the rich are happy
[ Reply | Options ]Define "poor" please. Do you have a car? Do you have cable? Do you have a home? Do you go on vacation?
[ Reply | Options ]I have an apt, don't have a car, have basic cable, no vacation, live check to check, have $30 in the bank as of today until next payday (which is Friday). We are poor. We have a roof over our heads but can't afford things that most ppl can. OH and before you come out of your face and say oh why do you have internet..because it's our works computer and acct.
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Spoken like someone who has never traveled to any Arab country. You believe what the government tells you and I guarantee you never try to learn about other cultures and their viewpoints - I mean why would you have to? You live in the greatest country ever created which has been ordained by the only TRUE God and is righteous in all that it does. Give me a break. Bush has put us back fifty years - but you go and read your bible.
[ Reply | Options ]ITA. Besides, my husband and I came from very humble beginnings and worked hard to get where we are. Why should Obama take 50% of our earnings from us? We donate a lot to charity (stats show that repubs donate a much higher percentage of their income to chatiry than dems). We do not need the gov't to decide what to do with our money.
[ Reply | Options ]Really? Are you not getting 50% taken from you now (because we sure are). Obama is proposing a 3% rate hike and McCain is proposing a 2% rate hike for top earners. I'll gladly pay a bit more for a better country. If you want to just think about yourselves then you aren't very American in my book.
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I have heard his speeches. I want to know what he has done! What ethics bill and how did he get them passed.
[ Reply | Options ]how does any legislator get a bill passed? convinced people to vote for it. compromised as necesary to get the votes.
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sorry, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honest_Leadership_and_Open_Government_Act
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You know what, OP, if you were a voter in 1858, you would have certainly voted for Douglas over Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln was just an unknown state legislator who was also a pretty good speaker. OP, guess what, I'm voting for Obama because I agree with his vision of the future of America, and I believe he will make this country better because he can inspire people and his ideas are good. Aside from campaign finance reform, McCain has showed a willingness to sell out to his party on every issue of importance to me -- for example -- torture. He now opposes all the good things he used to work for. That's sad. I will take a chance on Obama because 4 more years of the same policies, which McCain absolutely plans to have -- cut taxes, etc. -- will bring us more of same.
[ Reply | Options ]On the 2 most important issues -- the economy and the war -- McCain proposes a plan EXACTLY like George Bush. If you like Bush economics, McCain is for you. But don't pretend he is anything different. The specter of the Republicans blaming everyone else for the poor economy is hysterical. Sure, they will change exactly what they've been doing for the last 8 years. Right. And I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale for you, too.
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So you're refuting that he chaired the European Affairs commission, has a degree from Harvard, taught constitutional law at University of Chicago for 12 years, was the first president of the Harvard Law review which is read and critiqued by the brightest minds in the nation, and was a community organizer? And Wikipedia doesn't count because you're too biased to actually check the references? Well, try reading his senate profile. Try reading CNN, timesonline.uk.co, The Economist, or any other myriad of the press reporting on his accomplishments. But don't come here and say that you can't find one good thing about him when you're determined not to.
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I was impressed by his recent trip abroad. I think Obama will work well with people around the world.
[ Reply | Options ]haha. this is by far the best argument for obama - our frenemies AND enemies (check out the pro-obama speeches coming from Iran and Hamas - it's all online) LOVE him, therefore we must vote for him! well, the german, the french and, not to mention the muslim, world all have OUR interest in mind, right? wow, the level or critical thinking of the lemmings is always astounding...
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Why don't you, OP tell us why you would vote for McCain/Palin - anti choice, anti civil rights for gays, fewer programs for our elderly and those in need, bigger defensive, higher deficit? I mean - how in the hell can you justify not raising taxes when we are 3 trillion dollars in debt? You think the world is with us? Well they aren't. Your big "defense" means jack shit - military power means nothing now - we are interconnected ECONOMICALLY (which your candidate claims to know nothing about) and one move by China will put us in third world country category. Hey, I'm voting for Obama but thank GOD I married a Brit so when the going gets touch and you are eating rice - I'll be in Europe living my life!
[ Reply | Options ]You had me with you until the end. I can't stand it when people throw in the "i'm outta here" comment. It's just blowing air and hypocritical. Signed dual national.
[ Reply | Options ]Oh I will leave - I've been an activist against everything Bush put us through, I've cried too many tears and I can't live here anymore if we have more Bush and his buddies ruining my home. If I was in NYC - OK but we just moved to Atlanta. DH has been wanting to move home and I resisted but if we get McCain/Palin in here - I will not longer resist. I'm GOING
[ Reply | Options ]You should go anyway, just to have the experience of living somewhere else, if you can. London is FORTUNE, but it's an amazing place, if that's where you'd be going. But you'll see that there are many drawbacks and ridiculous things there as well.
[ Reply | Options ]I have lived there - Spain for a year and London for about six months. I like it but the weather kills me and I like straight talk. I'm a NYer - I cannot get used to English. They speak in code, basically. I have an English mother-in-law - believe me that is work despite the fact that I love her.
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wow. have you seen the economic date coming out europe? it always has been and always will be much worse than the US. that's why everybody is flocking back to the dollar - they realized the EU sector and the asian sector are all much worse off. but please, enjoy your life in britain...if you can afford rice (it's about 4 times the price it is here).
[ Reply | Options ]Currencies are cyclical - and the dollar coming back was always going to happen when US products are more attractive because of the price. Our jobs aren't staying here, however. The economic data is not great in most of the western countries and I wonder why? Hmmm...have you seen the spread they have out in Dubai? So let's definitely just keep using oil and not looking to alternative energy sources so that we can stay in this rut. Great idea.
[ Reply | Options ]i don't see how exactly you ended up talking about oil, but since you started...let's just say that anybody voting for obama (dont know if you are, just assuming) should never, ever bring up that exact issue. it's the main reason millions of people are tempted to vote for the republicans.
[ Reply | Options ]The rising cost of oil has put a strain on every part of the global economy..and I don't think I need to explain how. Voting for the republicans won't get you more oil - it is a finite resource. Voting for the democrats will speed up renewable energy creation. This isn't the focus of my original response - I am OR for this thread. My point is that Republicans want big defense (SECURITY) and to drill for more oil - these are outmoded and will not achieve the goals that they used to. Our world is dependent on each other economically and thus we cannot just go and blow up our enemy. As for oil, drilling is short term and not even that useful as it will go back on the open market. See my original post - I have to take care of my kid and I'm not going to change anyone's opinion on this board.
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Hi OP. Good luck with your choice. Here are the facts: Barack has Written a total of 890 Bills and Co-sponsored Another 1096 since he started serving in the U.S. Senate.
[ Reply | Options ]^S.Amdt.159 to S.Con.Res.18 - To prevent and, if necessary, respond to an international outbreak of the avian flu. S.Amdt.390 to H.R.1268 - To provide meal and telephone benefits for members of the Armed Forces who are recuperating from injuries incurred on active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. S.Amdt.670 to H.R.3 - To provide for Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) refueling capability at new and existing refueling station facilities to promote energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. S.Amdt.808 to H.R.6 - To establish a program to develop Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels from Illinois basin coal. S.Amdt.851 to H.R.6 - To require the Secretary to establish a Joint Flexible Fuel/Hybrid Vehicle Commercialization Initiative, and for other purposes. S.Amdt.1362 to S.1042 - To require a report on the Department of Defense Composite Health Care System II. S.Amdt.1453 to S.1402 - To ensure the protection of military and civilian personnel in the Department of Defense from an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic. S.Amdt.2301 to H.R.3010 - To increase funds to the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program and to the Office of Special Education Programs of the Department of Education for the purposes of expanding positive behavioral interventions and supports. S.Amdt.2605 to S.2020 - Expressing the sense of the Senate that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should immediately address issues relating to no-bid contracting. S.Amdt.2930 to S.2349 - To clarify that availability of legislation does not include nonbusiness days. S.Amdt.3144 to S.Con.Res.83 - To provide a $40 million increase in FY 2007 for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and to improve job services for hard-to-place veterans S. Amdt 41 to S. 1 To require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged.
[ Reply | Options ]** First legislation, the HOPE Act, which increased Pell Grants to $5100, and later joined Senator Kennedy on the Higher Education legislation that passed July 20, by a vote of 78-18. That legislation also included funding for Predominantly Black Colleges to assist with counseling, tutoring and other needs of low income students. It also creates the Teaching Residency Act which will create a school-based teacher preparation program in high needs schools to provide each teacher with a mentor, content instruction, classroom management skills, a master’s degree and state certification, and a 2 year follow-up program. **The Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 is an act that requires the full disclosure of all entities or organizations receiving federal funds beginning in fiscal year (FY) 2007 on a website maintained by the Office of Management and Budget. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Funding_Accountabi... **The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act Authored by U.S. Sens. Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Barack Obama (D-IL), the Lugar-Obama initiative expands U.S. cooperation to destroy conventional weapons. It also expands the State Department's ability to detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction. Signed into Law on January 11, 2007. http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/chrisblas... **The 2007 Government Ethics Bill http://www.rollcall.com/issues/53_17/news/19664-1.html?... http://www.commonblog.com/story/2007/9/14/164837/331 ** The “Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-2125 ** S116 - Summer Learning demonstration project to provide summer learning grants and encourage new teaching methods. http://www.pasesetter.org/demonstrationPrograms/nasd.ht... and this one, moved out of committee just a few days ago: Obama's Global Poverty Act of 2007, passed out of committee just a few days ago WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) today hailed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's passage of the Global Poverty Act (S.2433), which requires the President to develop and implement a comprehensive policy to cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015 through aid, trade, debt relief, and coordination with the international community, businesses and NGOs. This legislation was introduced in December. Smith and Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) sponsored the House version of the bill (H.R. 1302), which passed the House last September. http://obama.senate.gov /
[ Reply | Options ]and for further reading try here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4678548
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Is experience really that important? Do content of character, consistency, motivation, dedication, willingness, disposition...any of it count for something? Some of us are doing jobs right now that we weren't experienced in, but have excelled.
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shared snacks are a cool idea for other moms to get tips on snacks. not only to the kids get to try different snacks, but some parents are very creative with them and can trade off recipes and ideas with other parents.
[ Reply | Options ]his vision for the country is the only hope. I don't see how anybody can vote for McCain. the poor guy should retire, he looks so tired and has no energy. I can't believe that all the republicans in the primaries chose him over other candidates, but that is not the point now. Obama is brilliant, compassionate, and he says what we all think but are afraid to admit. please vote keeping your children in mind. Do you want them to live in the country that is either hated or is looked down at by the rest of the world?
[ Reply | Options ]Imagine what this would do for an entire race of people. A Black president will tell our inner city black children that YES THEY CAN. There will be hope. One of the only Black Americans today who is a good role model. This is pretty major for our country and I suspect it scares the hell out of a lot of those old white men and their blue haired spouses.
[ Reply | Options ]His ethics changes in the US Senate were VERY unpopular with his party. His campaign itself was very unpopular with much of his party which wanted him to "wait his turn." He also had a history of working with both sides of the aisle (especially the Republican governor) when he was in the Ill. Senate. This information is out there if you really want it.
[ Reply | Options ]Well, as someone said quite well at the convention, it would be nice to have a government that believes in science. Believes in evolution. Believes that science might actually be useful to combat global warming, and enacts policies to make it easier for that to happen. At this point, I think anyone with children, who cares about the world they will grow up in, should be terrified of another 4 years of increasing income inequality -- the social fabric of this country is disintegrating, which will make it a more dangerous place
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