I should probably have a post explaining who I am for anyone who cares. I’m a married father of two. I’m a third year law student, with a job secured for next year with a large Atlanta firm. Therefore, I’m still poor, but with brighter horizons. Now for ideology:
Philosophically: I’m a post-modernist. Which doesn’t mean much to anyone, but I’m a reader of Wittgenstein and the post-structuralist movement. In short, I believe in the power of words and narratives to bridge the gaps of human misunderstanding. I believe that there are no Truths, there are only facts and faiths.
Religously: I’m a Catholic. Square this with post-modernism and you understand me.
Politically: I’m an independent. I have never voted for a Democratic president, and I voted for Bush in 04.
I believe in the power of free markets, but I understand that market failures are more than inconvenient theoretical necessities, but are real failures that hurt individuals and the country as a whole. I support the War on Terror, and I supported its neo-conservative refocusing on Iraq. I supported Bush’s immigration plan. I supported Bush’s Social Security Reform, though not in all the particulars.
All that being said, I am voting for Obama. Why?
I believe we need to refocus the war on terror which has floundered on nation building. I believe in increased government spending during two conditions: economic or military emergency and market failure. And we have both. I believe in a graduated income tax, which has always existed, and I think it should be more pronounced at a time when wages have stagnated and prices are rising. I believe in a reversal of de-regulation policies, especially in the financial sector, which I believe a mostly responsible for our current economic crises. I believe in universal healthcare, because there is an enormous market failure in the healthcare industry. I believe in fair trade, not free trade. I believe in the Constitution, which has been roughshod over during the last eight years. I believe the US should not condone torture. And lastly, I do not trust John McCain.
5 comments:
Help me understand your vote for Obama...because I thought everyone was for "refocus" as soon as the country could protect itself. I have only heard of nation building not being reported, and I don't believe nation building in 5yrs or less exists. I thought Obama was for decreasing military spending. How will Obama change the graduated income tax as wages and prices fluctuate, and are you for changing it back at some point? I thought Obama and his party have been the ones for de-regulation. I thought universal healthcare in other countries left a lot to be desired and though imperfect we have one of the best healthcare systems in the world. I thought McCain and his party was for strict interpretation of the constitution. I thought McCain would be perfect for your torture policy. I thought everyone trusted McCain over the guy that just showed up in-between the last election. I just didn’t see where your vote for Obama factored in and where your distrust in McCain comes from, especially when HE is the one constantly working across the isle.
Funny you should support someone who disagrees with your support of the constitution and says it is fundamentally flawed ,yet YOU DON'T TRUST JOHN MCCAIN !!!!! (sounds like somebody's drank the kool-aid to me)
americanfreedomwriters,
The constitution is fundamentally flawed. It is also the law of the land. These two things are not incompatable. The constitution has been amended over 20 times (one of those time was to end slavery). And why must disagreement = drinking the kool-aid?
rjackson,
Long answer to each point:
"I have only heard of nation building not being reported, and I don't believe nation building in 5yrs or less exists."
I think the current administration has failed miserably in nation building. Whether or not it should take 5 years, I think we should be in a better place right now than we are. Just think back to the first 2 years: battles b/w State and Defense over reconstruction = lost time that cost us the next 3.
"I thought Obama was for decreasing military spending."
There is lots of room in the military budget to cut, without affecting our ability to wage the War on Terror.
"How will Obama change the graduated income tax as wages and prices fluctuate, and are you for changing it back at some point?"
Good question. The tax code should always follow the money. The percentage taxation can remain relatively stable, but the income steps that decide what a person pays changes every year to keep track of inflation/cost of living changes.
I" thought Obama and his party have been the ones for de-regulation."
Well, de-regulation was an 80's republican concept which all politicians took advantage of (regardless of party) because it cost nothing, benefitted campaign contributors, and the effects were not immediately realized. They have, over the long term, been shown to fail in most industries (see Airlines or Financial systems).
"I thought universal healthcare in other countries left a lot to be desired and though imperfect we have one of the best healthcare systems in the world."
Those are both true. All healthcare systems leave something to be desired. But no country that has instituted universal healthcare has subsequently quit it. This is a tricky subject because of all the issues, and I'll post on it later.
"I thought McCain and his party was for strict interpretation of the constitution."
The republicans have violated the constitution by overreaching in executive power, wiretapping, violating habeus, etc.
"I thought McCain would be perfect for your torture policy."
McCain voted against a bill to limit the CIA to the Army field Manual, after saying he supported it.
"I thought everyone trusted McCain over the guy that just showed up in-between the last election."
One word: Palin. I trusted McCain right up to the point where he made the biggest decision of his life and screwed it up. I've always liked McCain, but one of the benefits of a long campaign is that it shows you how an executive would act in office. My judgment thus far: McCain would be petulent, derisive, overreaching, and dangerous.
Just my judgment.
These things don't make a strong case for Obama though. How does it go from picking Palin to petulant, derisive, overreaching, and dangerous? She has more experience than Obama while being a Washington outsider, I think that’s what made McCain’s pick plausible.
I disagree with you on:
- Palin
- McCain on torture
- wiretapping, habeas and the etc.
- de-regulation. In regards to the more recent housing and financial crisis.
after re-reading, I misconstrued your refocusing comment.
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