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August 28, 2008 at 6:01 pm #632672
AnonymousInactiveSo, the political debates have deteriorated to the point of name-calling I see…….
August 28, 2008 at 6:07 pm #632673
JoBParticipantNewResident,
I wouldn’t presume to tell you how to debate.
i simply told you that I would have more respect and be less dismissive of your posts if you actually said what you think and defended why you think it than displaying a defensive posture while claiming that others are intolerant of opposing opinions.
it is your own intolerance and unwillingness to defend your opinions that causes the reactions you get.
You have had fair warning… i have decided to treat you as the adult you are with the right to choose how people will respond to you.
If you don’t like the policies your republican party has propagated, it is your responsibility to say so..
and until you do, we can safely assume that you agree with those policies.. especially when you defend them.
Many of these policies show a distinct lack of empathy.. and a total lack of responsibility for the welfare of the people they govern.
There is a reason this president is leaving office with such a low favorability rating.
So why would you replace him with another who will simply continue those policies?
go figure. beats me.
August 28, 2008 at 6:18 pm #632674
ZenguyParticipantCharlaBob Yeah, I meant kooks of course.
The GOP platform does lack empathy, not so much for what it says as what it does not say and if you say nothing, you are signaling agreement.
August 28, 2008 at 6:25 pm #632675
beachdrivegirlParticipantEmpathy-
Identification with and understanding of another’s situation, feelings, and motives. See synonyms at pity.
The attribution of one’s own feelings to an object.
I think when you look @ the definition of the word empathy it truely is hard to say that one party or person does lack empathy. They may just view someone elses situation differently then you do. and maybe, just maybe, they feel that they have the better solution (although different) than you do.
August 28, 2008 at 6:30 pm #632676
ZenguyParticipantI certainly agree that an individuals perspective affects how they view things.
I would be interested in hearing how the GOP plans to deal with the most vulnerable in our society. Most of what I read did not deal with it at all, which is why I drew my conclusion.
August 28, 2008 at 6:53 pm #632677
JoBParticipantZenguy..
i think you have to agree that the most vulnerable in society need to be dealt with at some governmental level to formulate a plan.
if you deny that they exist or blame them for their own vulnerability you don’t need a plan.
and i suspect that assumption fits even the sticktest definitions of lack of empathy.
August 28, 2008 at 7:04 pm #632678
WSMomParticipantMy husband has suggested that I’ve brainwashed my children into being democrats for life. I really don’t think it was me, I think it was the actions of the Bush admin that has made an unfavorable impression on my kids. My now 14 year old is a good mimic, I remember eight years ago at the dinner table talking about the upcoming election and he says, here’s my impression of George Bush…”I say what I say, the United States has gots to be free, I say what I say” (said with a six year olds idea of a strong Texas accent). We laughed but were confounded that a six year old could recognize W’s idiocy and so perfectly mock it when the rest of the US was voting for this man. Every once in a while we ask him to do his George W. impression, it still cracks us up.
August 28, 2008 at 7:20 pm #632679
villagegreenMemberJoB – “i simply told you that I would have more respect and be less dismissive of your posts if you actually said what you think and defended why you think it than displaying a defensive posture while claiming that others are intolerant of opposing opinions.
it is your own intolerance and unwillingness to defend your opinions that causes the reactions you get.”
Perfectly said.
New Res – “I’m tired as well, I’m tired of being the big, bad, unsympathetic Republican simply because my views and opinions differ from yours.”
I’ve tried this before on another post (with no response), but tell us what your views are and I bet people will be much more respectful. Tell us what specific policies John McCain has put forth that you support and why. What (specifically) in the Republican platform do you feel shows empathy towards the vulnerable in our society?
Give us some specifics along with some reasoning to back things up and you’ll still probably be disagreed with by the majortiy of people on the blog, but at least you’ll have some specifics to debate rather than the tired back and forth of who feels more dismissed.
August 28, 2008 at 7:54 pm #632680
ZenguyParticipantThe one thing I do like in the Repub platform is that they have acknowledged Global Warming for the first time. How long have Democrats been championing this cause??? Twenty, thirty years??? I guess that is why we are called progressives.
August 28, 2008 at 8:18 pm #632681
beachdrivegirlParticipant“i think you have to agree that the most vulnerable in society need to be dealt with at some governmental level to formulate a plan.”
I dont think that anyone on the Republican party insists there isnt a plan. Their plan just differs from the Democrats on the major issues. For example with healthcare both parties recognize that thier is a need for more affordable healthcare; however, each party has their own plan for getting there an supplying it.
August 28, 2008 at 8:23 pm #632682
beachdrivegirlParticipantI want to reiterate that i am not in support of McCain or Bush. i am an Obama supporter; however, i think that just b/c their policies and stances on issues doesnt mean i personally think theat they lack empathy.
August 28, 2008 at 8:25 pm #632683
ZenguyParticipantThe Republicans had control in both houses and the Presidency up until two years ago why the lack of action on something we all agree needs to be dealt with? I know what I think the reason is.
I also disagree with giving people tax credits to get insurance as this will not help the marginalized that cash their pay checks at check cashing places or the homeless.
August 28, 2008 at 8:59 pm #632684
AnonymousInactivevillagegreen – My apologies that I had not responded to a request of information from you in another post.
I have explained my views before on this forum, but have no problem doing so again.
First of all, I believe that I am more Independent than Republican.
I am pro-choice, I am absolutely NOT religious, in any way, and I feel that EVRYONE should be treated the equal and have the same opporunities, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc..
Where I align myself with the Republican Party is in the sense of big government. Whereas Democrats believe (typically) that the government should be responsible for taking care of every citizen, Republicans don’t. Republican’s believe in every citizen taking responsibility. THIS is why, in my opinion, the Republican Party DOES have empathy.
I do not believe in lowering standards to make everyone equal. I truly believe that only results in holding people down. (Why give more if less is expected of you?). Of course, my opinion on this issue has, repeatedly, been construed as racist, unsympathetic, etc..
I believe McCain has a more thought out plan and clear-cut solution to most issues, whereas, Obama seems mostly vague to me:
Competence vs. Honesty
“I think what we need right now is honesty with the American people about where we would take the country. That’s how I’m trying to run my campaign. That’s how I will be as president.”
Oct. 30, 2007 Barack Obama
“Americans who expect their elected representatives to execute the responsibilities of our office with competence and integrity are often disappointed. They are disappointed by our failure to address the big problems facing our country, and make the necessary changes to government to meet those challenges…
If I’m privileged to serve our country as President, I will hold my administration to standards of conduct that will strengthen rather than diminish the people’s faith in our integrity.”
May 21, 2007 John McCain
China
“Japan has been an outstanding ally of ours for many years, but obviously China is rising, and it’s not going away. They’re neither our enemy nor our friend. They’re competitors. But we have to make sure that we have enough military-to-military contact and forge enough of a relationship with them that we can stabilize the region.”
Apr. 26, 2007 Barack Obama
China and the United States are not destined to be adversaries. We have numerous overlapping interests. US-Chinese relations can benefit both countries and, in turn, the Asia-Pacific region and the world. But until China moves toward political liberalization, our relationship will be based on periodically shared interests rather than the bedrock of shared values…
Some Americans see globalization and the rise of economic giants such as China and India as a threat. We should reform our job training and education programs to more effectively help displaced American workers find new jobs that take advantage of trade and innovation. But we should continue to promote free trade, as it is vital to American prosperity.”
Nov./Dec. 2007 John McCain
Felon Voting
“I support restoration of voting rights for ex-offenders. I am a cosponsor of the Count Every Vote Act, and would sign that legislation into law as president.”
Dec. 2007 Barack Obama
“This is a State rather than a federal issue, because the Supreme Court has held that States may prohibit felons from voting, and most States do. The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution specifically recognizes that the right to vote may be taken away if a person commits a crime…
The right to vote should be restored to felons only on a case by case basis after they have served their full sentences and have satisfactorily demonstrated that they have turned over a new leaf.”
Aug. 20, 2008 John McCain
Obviously these are only a few issues and their respective thoughts, however, you can read and compare yourself at:
http://2008electionprocon.org/?gclid=CNWn96aqsZUCFQsQagodDH3Ckw
August 28, 2008 at 9:16 pm #632685
KenParticipantThe McCain campaign is upset about the backdrop of the DNC using the columns of the Lincoln Memorial (and btw 80% of the public buildings in DC) as well as this shot from the 2004 GOP convention.
http://www.johnmccain.com/McCainReport/Read.aspx?guid=4f134705-a793-4725-8987-1b1fb09a9b4c
And Hunter calls it what it is.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/28/154959/237/1009/577658
ohhh ohh and actual issues to dissect when I get through with this tedious data entry project I am trapped in…
August 28, 2008 at 9:18 pm #632686
JoBParticipantNewResident,
you are right that republicans don’t believe in big government when it comes to services for the people… one look at the response to Hurricane Katrina.. both the immediate response and the follow-up illustrate the failure in that position.
However, they do believe in big government when it comes to corporations… one need look no further than the latest bailout of financial institutions whose profit seeking policies put the entire mortgage industry at risk… and millions of homeowners out of their homes.
We, the taxpayers, pay for our government.. it seems logical to me that we should get something for our dollars.. the very least of which is disaster relief.
what we have actually gotten from the republicans the last 8 years is more government and less service.
As a taxpayer, politics aside, that just looks like a bad deal to me.
August 28, 2008 at 9:32 pm #632687
beachdrivegirlParticipantAugust 28, 2008 at 9:44 pm #632688
AnonymousInactiveBDG – I got McCain! Thanks for the link.
August 28, 2008 at 10:02 pm #632689
ZenguyParticipantI do not believe that Democrats think that the government should take care of everyone, but rather there should be a safety net if someone truly needs it. Like insurance, you pay in hoping not to need it, but it is there if you do.
I am not sure what we have with the Republicans is bigger government as much as big government contracting. The draining of the treasury to pay Haliburton and others to run the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and tax credits to companies that outsource jobs to other countries. We were on the way to paying off our National debt and less than eight years later we have the biggest debt ever, with no end in sight.
Fiscally I am pretty conservative. I view paying taxes as an investment in my country, but I want the government to use the money wisely of course. Recent history shows that the Democrats have been much better about balancing budgets, creating jobs and improving the economy, Reagan and both Bushes spent us into the ground.
August 28, 2008 at 10:16 pm #632690
AnonymousInactiveZenguy – I respect your position.
I’m curious to read the facts (“Recent history shows that Democrats have been much better about balancing budgets, creating jobs and improving the economy…”) that you are relying on.
Care to share?
August 28, 2008 at 10:31 pm #632691
ZenguyParticipantI read politics on an almost daily basis…is there a twelve step program for that? This is just information that I am aware of from reading that much. I think we can all agree if the economy is doing well, people are employed and paying taxes the government has more money to pay off debt. This is what happened in the Clinton era.
I did find this graph http://zfacts.com/p/318.html that pretty well states my point, Reagan took office and the percentage of debt to GDP went up, Clinton took office and it started to go back down…Bush II, I do not even think I need to go there.
August 28, 2008 at 10:32 pm #632692
RSMemberI’m not on the fence, but I do love quizzes! I also like the political compass test that shows where you fall on both the economic and social axes of the political spectrum. http://www.politicalcompass.org
August 28, 2008 at 10:39 pm #632693
AnonymousInactiveThanks, Zenguy.
How would you, then, explain the decreases displayed on that graph during Eisenhower’s, Nixon’s and Ford’s terms?
August 28, 2008 at 10:46 pm #632694
ZenguyParticipantI would characterize them as “old school’ Republicans that truly believed in small government and fiscal restraint. That all changed with Reagan.
August 28, 2008 at 10:49 pm #632695
JoBParticipantahhh. the difference between what they say and what they have done…
August 28, 2008 at 10:53 pm #632696
AnonymousInactiveThat’s interesting, Zenguy. Thanks for sharing.
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