When can Barack Obama run for President?

[TrailBate]

http://www.alternet.org/story/23240/

excerpt from commencement speech:

What if we prepared every child in America with the education and skills they need to compete in the new economy? If we made sure that college was affordable for everyone who wanted to go? If we walked up to those Maytag workers and we said "Your old job is not coming back, but a new job will be there because we're going to seriously retrain you and there's life-long education that's waiting for you -- the sorts of opportunities that Knox has created with the Strong Futures scholarship program.

What if no matter where you worked or how many times you switched jobs, you had health care and a pension that stayed with you always, so you all had the flexibility to move to a better job or start a new business? What if instead of cutting budgets for research and development and science, we fueled the genius and the innovation that will lead to the new jobs and new industries of the future?

Right now, all across America, there are amazing discoveries being made. If we supported these discoveries on a national level, if we committed ourselves to investing in these possibilities, just imagine what it could do for a town like Galesburg. Ten or 20 years down the road, that old Maytag plant could re-open its doors as an Ethanol refinery that turned corn into fuel. Down the street, a biotechnology research lab could open up on the cusp of discovering a cure for cancer. And across the way, a new auto company could be busy churning out electric cars. The new jobs created would be filled by American workers trained with new skills and a world-class education.

All of that is possible but none of it will come easy. Every one of us is going to have to work more, read more, train more, think more. We will have to slough off some bad habits -- like driving gas guzzlers that weaken our economy and feed our enemies abroad. Our children will have to turn off the TV set once in a while and put away the video games and start hitting the books. We'll have to reform institutions, like our public schools, that were designed for an earlier time. Republicans will have to recognize our collective responsibilities, even as Democrats recognize that we have to do more than just defend old programs.

[felixatvtc]

I'm sold, too bad he'd be picked off faster then JFK

[Slider]

35 is the minimum age. How old is the guy?

Slider

[TrailBate]

He is 44

[Slider]

One of those lucky guys that appears not to age, I guess.

Slidet

[Mr_Cheeze]

What if we prepared every child in America with the education and skills they need to compete in the new economy? If we made sure that college was affordable for everyone who wanted to go? If we walked up to those Maytag workers and we said "Your old job is not coming back, but a new job will be there because we're going to seriously retrain you and there's life-long education that's waiting for you -- the sorts of opportunities that Knox has created with the Strong Futures scholarship program.

What if no matter where you worked or how many times you switched jobs, you had health care and a pension that stayed with you always, so you all had the flexibility to move to a better job or start a new business? What if instead of cutting budgets for research and development and science, we fueled the genius and the innovation that will lead to the new jobs and new industries of the future?


Blah, blah, blah. Let's see... with these two paragraphs alone, our income tax rates would have to increase by at least 30%. Oh, what's that you say? We'll just take it from the top 1% of wage earners? Well, now we're back on that whole socialism argument again. Let's punish the billionaires because... well, we can.

Everybody would like to be able to afford to go to college. They can't. Lifelong education? Paid for by whom? That's right... those with cushy jobs who don't need it? That's pretty fair.

Everybody would like to be able to be promised a new job when their old one is gone. Too bad it doesn't work that way. Government can't create jobs. People create jobs. As much as you hate to say it... rich people create jobs. But you want to tax the hell out of them. So they say, fine, I'll outsource those jobs to India.... make up for my loss in raised taxes.

The only part I sort of agree with is the funding science and research... but even then to a point. Can't be giving money to every wacko who thinks they can invent a nuclear fusion reactor in 10 years.

This is the same stuff that every "up and coming" Democrat comes up with. What's the difference with O'Bama? I'm not afraid to say it. He's a minority. So eveybody acts like he's got some fresh things to say. He doesn't.

Look, sorry to burst the proverbial bubble here. O'Bama might be a smart guy, and he might be a fresh face that excites the Democratic base. I realize you all think the country is being led down the wrong path by the likes of Bush and his ilk, and I wouldn't disagree. But socialism isn't the answer either. That only works in the NFL.

[TrailBate]

I expected as much from cheeze.

Why did you stop at "socialism"? Why not go straight for "communism"?

[TrailBate]

This is the same stuff that every "up and coming" Democrat comes up with. What's the difference with O'Bama? I'm not afraid to say it. He's a minority. So eveybody acts like he's got some fresh things to say. He doesn't.



Well, okay then. At least we know where you stand.

[Mr_Cheeze]

Yea? And are you going to deny the merit of my statement, or just try to paint me as a bigot for pointing out something obvious? I just think it's funny that every time a new up-and-comer hits the scene who happens to have dark skin, everybody gets so excited. It's the same thing with Deval Patrick and Condoleeza Rice, who has the triple advantage of being a minority, a woman, and a Republican. I'm not saying that any of them aren't necessarily qualified for anything. Just that their messages are no different than any other newbies within their respective parties. Some poeple have this notion that America is starved for a woman or a black President. No. We're starved for a good and honest person who is not afraid to step outside of the mainstream to take on everything that is wrong in this country, to hell with who's pissed off in what party. Unfortunately, that utopian candidate doesn't exist.

I know. You're all going to gang up on me now. Mr. Cheeze, the Grand Master of the KKK, Nemba division. Have at me.

[slapheadmofo]

Yea? And are you going to deny the merit of my statement, or just try to paint me as a bigot for pointing out something obvious?

Man, I wonder which it'll be...the suspense is killing me over here. KILLING ME I TELL YOU!!!!

[TrailBate]

Whether Obama was black, white or yellow doesn't matter to me. I first heard about him because there appeared to be a great deal of excitement about him, so I checked him out. In a non-sexual way. I think he says some great things. It has nothing to do with his race. There are other people of different races in government. If you are implying (which you seem to be) that the only reason people are latching onto this guy is because he's black (It may be true for some), then that's a very ignorant statement.

[GeepNutt]

Well he better not mess with the Bill and Hillary show in 2008 ....

Or else he may have to commit suicide in the park under a canon....

[Mr_Cheeze]

If you are implying (which you seem to be) that the only reason people are latching onto this guy is because he's black (It may be true for some), then that's a very ignorant statement.


I'm not implying that's the only reason, or even that it's why you specifically brought it up. But one would have to be ignorant in their own right to at least deny that it's a damned big reason that someone like O'Bama does have such appeal. My issue is that taking what he has said on the merit of its substance, it's no different than any other socialist Democrat. It's all the same doo doo.

[TrailBate]

So, Cheeze, you find black men appealing? Not that there is anything wrong with that.


Yep, more socialism. The same "socialism" that regulated labor so you don't have to work 90 hours a week with no break, forced to live in company supplied quarters( more attacks on the rich people! without them we wouldn't even have jobs!) . The same "socialism" that regulates child labor. (ask Delay about that one, especially the Mariannas). The same "socialism" that created Social Security that millions of Americans depend on.

[kernel crash]

"Well he better not mess with the Bill and Hillary show in 2008 ....

Or else he may have to commit suicide in the park under a canon.... "

Funny. I was thinking of the same thing. They'll find some way of deflecting attention away from him unless... Hillary and Obama for 2008!

[narlus]

We're starved for a good and honest person who is not afraid to step outside of the mainstream to take on everything that is wrong in this country, to hell with who's pissed off in what party. Unfortunately, that utopian candidate doesn't exist.


although not a total bullseye, mccain comes fairly close to that ideal. too bad W and his political cronies/powers sabotaged him.

[kernel crash]

"Yep, more socialism. The same "socialism" that regulated labor... "

Why do you have to go back over 60 years to cite your examples. Is there anything more current you can use?

[TrailBate]

We're starved for a good and honest person who is not afraid to step outside of the mainstream to take on everything that is wrong in this country, to hell with who's pissed off in what party. Unfortunately, that utopian candidate doesn't exist.


although not a total bullseye, mccain comes fairly close to that ideal. too bad W and his political cronies/powers sabotaged him.


Jon Stewart!

Or Dennis, from "Holy Grail"

I don't think McCain has been sabotaged. The only people going after him are the Neo-Cons. I can see him winning the Presidency

[TrailBate]

"Yep, more socialism. The same "socialism" that regulated labor... "

Why do you have to go back over 60 years to cite your examples. Is there anything more current you can use?



oh right, social security ended long ago, huh?

[sizlinseagulsoup]

It's the same thing with Deval Patrick


Maybe people like these people because they actually have good policies and are intelligent?

Naw, that can't be it.

On a side note, if Obama wins the nomination, I'll be voting Green Party again. I can't stand him.

[TrailBate]

On a side note, if Obama wins the nomination, I'll be voting Green Party again. I can't stand him.


Why?

[Rych]

Unfortunately, that utopian candidate doesn't exist.


He does, he's just unelectable. His name is Pat Buchanan

[Rych]

We're starved for a good and honest person who is not afraid to step outside of the mainstream to take on everything that is wrong in this country, to hell with who's pissed off in what party. Unfortunately, that utopian candidate doesn't exist.


although not a total bullseye, mccain comes fairly close to that ideal. too bad W and his political cronies/powers sabotaged him.


McCain is weak on illegal aliens and an enemy of the first amendment. See McCain/Feingold

[Mr_Cheeze]

Unfortunately, that utopian candidate doesn't exist.


He does, he's just unelectable. His name is Pat Buchanan




Hear hear

[Slider]

Unfortunately, that utopian candidate doesn't exist.

He does, he's just unelectable. His name is Pat Buchanan.

Hear hear


Whose Utopia are you talking about? One for white male racists? That's no Utopia I want to ever see happen. I'm guessing that at least 75% of the country would agree, which is why he's unelectable. I'd even take the war monger Bush over that ass hole.

Slider

[kernel crash]

"I'd even take the war monger Bush over that ass hole."

I'm surprise to hear you say that. Pat Buchanan was against this war right from the start. He never would have done it. He has more integrity than Bush and can put two intellegent sentences back to back.

[BG]

Maybe this will help.

http://www.realchange.org/buchanan.htm

BG

[Slider]

"I'd even take the war monger Bush over that ass hole."

I'm surprise to hear you say that. Pat Buchanan was against this war right from the start. He never would have done it. He has more integrity than Bush and can put two intellegent sentences back to back.


My reasoning is simple. I'll take an idiotic, pointless war in Iraq over a race war in this country. And make no mistake - that is exactly where ******* Pat would like to take us.

Slider

[Mr_Cheeze]

Because he would like to close the borders, you see, from the illegal aliens, amongst which are quite possibly some of those very Al Qaeda operatives that most of us since 9/11 are worried about. In Slider's skewed perception of reality, such a policy equals racism. He's entitled to his opinion.

The real reason Buchanon is unelectable is because he is brutally honest and says what he means, regardless of polls and Liberals' ridiculous firebranding.

[Slider]

Did you read anything in the link BG sent? He's a blatant anti-Semite, with strong fascist leanings. OVERT fascist leanings. And it goes way beyond that. He doesn't only hate immigrants, but a large part of our current citizenry.

His brutal honesty reveals very deep flaws, bordering on personality disorders, so it is a good thing he exhibits it.

Slider

[mtbtom]

He's a blatant anti-Semite, with strong fascist leanings. OVERT fascist leanings. And it goes way beyond that. He doesn't only hate immigrants, but a large part of our current citizenry.


...and not to mention his creepy mix of bible thumping Christianity and politics. I really don't understand how someone so seemingly committed to the principals that this nation was founded upon, religious freedom being one of them, is so willing to cram his religious beliefs down the throats of everyone else.

And to all of you llama's who are so up in arms over immigration ( illegal or otherwise ) - as you are riding around the woods on your $2000 bicycle, or driving around in your giant air conditioned SUV try to have a little compassion for the person who risks his or her life to come over here and pick oranges for less than minimum wage. You should be thankful your ancestors weren't turned away when they immigrated here.

[kernel crash]

"You should be thankful your ancestors weren't turned away when they immigrated here. "

My ancestors immigrated here legally. They followed the process and obeyed the law.

[Slider]

Well, so did most of the Jews that now live here, and many others. Doesn't seem to matter to Buchanan.

But you are missing the point. Buchanan wants to close the borders, very selectively. He's a racist, you see. There would be no legal immigration.

Slider

[Mr_Cheeze]

Did you read anything in the link BG sent? He's a blatant anti-Semite, with strong fascist leanings. OVERT fascist leanings. And it goes way beyond that. He doesn't only hate immigrants, but a large part of our current citizenry.

His brutal honesty reveals very deep flaws, bordering on personality disorders, so it is a good thing he exhibits it.

Slider




I read it. Just another "helpful" political so-called truth website. Funny how the author seems to have more dirt on right leaning candidates than the left. Furthermore, it seems that everybody has some kind of skeleton bringing their character into question. Sorry, but the credibility factor here rates at about 3 on a scale of ten. Like I said before, people don't like Buchanon because he doesn't worry about being politically correct or pissing off the wrong people. Most of those charges border on the ludicrous, anyway. He's a fascist because he called Hitler brave? I guess you cannot do anything but mention Hitler in a negative context, else be labeled a Nazi sympathizer. And to imply that the Israel and Jewish PACs are in the pockets of Congress. For that he's an anti-Semite. God forbid he defends his religion and stays true to his beliefs. Don't want to do that nowadays. You might just be labeled an extremist.

I can't wait to see what this guy comes up with for Hillary Clinton.

[mtbtom]

My ancestors immigrated here legally. They followed the process and obeyed the law.


That's not the point - there's a reason why McCain is "soft" on immigration, it's because the immigrants (illegal or not) are vital to the economy of his state. Since that's the case more them should be allowed in, legally ! Porous borders are a legitimate problem, however I wouldn't want a xenophobic nut job like Buchanan to define the solution.

[Rych]

I know, the Brazilian and Mexican illegals are only doing the jobs that Americans does want to do. That's only true because the illegals create a supply of cheap labor that drives wages down. These depressed wages make the "$h!tty" jobs less attractive to the gimmie girls who would rather collect welfare.