November 6, 2008
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Who Bought The Presidential Election ...
Way back in time, when days were getting longer, and we were getting out our light weight clothes, my best friend said, "I'm really impressed with this Obama guy. He's getting a lot of money from small donors."
Still entrenched in my hope that Hilary would get the nomination, I didn't want to hear it. But as the days rolled by and it became more and more clear the direction this thing was headed, I started to listen. And I heard something that inspired me more than anything I can ever remember in American politics. I heard the sound of average people. Small people. People who would never be invited to pay $1000 for tough chicken at a campaign dinner. I heard the whisper of their wallets opening.
I heard the sound of single moms slipping a $20 into the coffers with a "bless you". I heard the sound of teachers' keyboards clicking like so many cicadas out of season, sending off $50 to the candidate who embodied the hopes they cherished for their brightest students. I heard the quiet breath of a million people who didn't argue, attend rallies, or shout slogans. But they made a statement that can be measured today.
I have been cynical about money and elections. I remember being depressed in 1999 when I read about George Bush's "war chest" of money. Gold gathered from oil interests and Wall Street tycoons. I knew he would have resources to put his face in front of us non-stop until so many would vote for him just to make it all go away. I despaired of "the people" ever being relevant to a Presidential campaign.
But as I listened to what was happening, I started to hope. That's the danger of being a cynic you know. Cynics are hopeful people trying not to be hurt again by the cut of disappointment. And with hope, I did something I haven't done in twenty years. I made a donation to a political campaign. And I bought a tee shirt, and a bumper sticker, and then my bff got in on the act and gave me a gift of three Obama buttons.
So it was with a laugh that I read the little banner at Newsweek.com a minute ago. "Did Barack Obama buy this election?"
No. I can tell you who bought it. I did. I did along with everyone who realized that for the first time in our lifetime, we mattered in the political process.
You know why I believe "bottom up" works?
Because the American people just proved it.
From the bottom up, we bought ourselves a campaign. We elected ourselves a President. We got a guy who isn't beholden to special interests or big money. We got a guy who ran the most expensive campaign in history because we gave it to him and said, "Run, Run, Run - carry the baton for us."
There's not much chance that I could call the White House next year and say, "Hey, I donated $50 to your campaign, can you meet with me?"
And that's the way it should be.
Oh, yes. We can.
So what's next?
Those of us at the bottom need to look around at what we did. Because we can do it again and again and again. We live in a nation where Ayn Rand's rosy ideal of the industrialist has been tested. Alan Greenspan was so enamored of her vision of the hero who carries everyone on his back, who makes products better, and cheaper, not because it makes him wealthy but because that's what industry giants do - that he spent 18 years guiding our economy more and more in the favor of his mythical hero. Well, it was an ideal. But we don't live in an ideal world. The people at the top don't take care of the people at the bottom. Its the other way around and always has been.
We have a nation to rebuild. We, the people at the bottom. Those of us who are close enough to the poverty line that we can see it from our front porch will be the hands, the ideas, and the action that rebuilds our economy. We'll do it little by little. No one is going to hand it to us. No one is going to buy us a shiny new economy to replace the one that got broken.
We don't need them to.
Comments (114)
This is a point of view you don't hear too often! Good for you!
Well said, and so true. When my republican sister complained about "where Obama must have gotten all his money" I told her basically what you said here, that he got it from every day folks like me. I donated twice, $25 each, bought a yard sign, and made smaller donations to 3 other hard fought senate races in states other than my own. I've never felt motivated to donate to a political cause before now. And if I had more money, I'd have given it too.
This is incredibly powerful, especially the last few paragraphs.
It does make me sad that poor people spent their last savings on Obama or any candidate and that money goes to the television producers and radio stations and media outlets. But I still believe - yes we can!
How funny. I mentioned Ayn Rand in my Nov. 5th blog, and I was also discussing the election. I am almost a little creeped out by that similarity. What a person for both of us to pick. (Twilight Zone theme song...running through my head...)
Wonderful post! I love reading what you have to say!
This was the first time, ever, that my dad contributed to a campaign. You just put into words all the things he must be feeling. This is wonderful. Thank you.
i loved reading this.
I also donated to Obama and it was the first time I ever gave money to a political campaign. I bought a shirt and a bag lol. I donated twice actually...once during the campaign and then towards the end before the election. I did because I believed in him and since I couldn't really get out to volunteer I wanted to show my support in other ways...and donations seemed like the best way to do it. I was also proud of his campaign and his accomplishments and I wanted a piece of history so I bought a lot of things to keep and pass down to my children. Being an African American it is a big deal in our community...hope took on a new meaning and so did change...and it inspired me...so I wanted to keep something to remember it by. I also got one of his books because I was interested in learning more about his background. So, I don't want to just give to political campaigns, but I want to give and support people whom I admire and believe deserve my support so I don't feel bad for doing it.
Thank you! I bought $65 worth, by the way, and I was also one of those people who has *never* before given to a political campaign.
ever seen "The Manchurian Candidate"? Either see the 1962 version (more film noire) with Lawrence Harvey or the newer one with Denzel Washington ... it's that hidden money (big money) that will be pulling the strings on the puppet Obama ... it happens ... and it's happened ...
He can rally the masses ... but can he really "lead" a country? Time will tell ... watch your wallets ...
I love how you write. I would attend your lecture or take your class. You are a teacher and a spreader of the word. You know the word. Wonderful blog. I just like the heck out of you.
Terri, you'll be encouraged to know that the campaign office where I volunteered has put their workers on notice. This is not the end, it's just a beginning. We can - and will - change our communities and this nation for the better.
Wow, I never thought of it like that. I think that is very powerful though, because me and a lot of Americans have grown cynical due to the amount of special interests and lobbying that influences the government... and the Michael Moore films don't help either! Haha. It would be delirious of me to hope that a scandal won't pop up with Obama, but I still hope he can keep that clean image... because it would shock me is he did not.
Another AWESOME post! RIGHT ON SISTA!! <3 SuZ
we made several donations to the campaign too (first time donors! woo hoo). and were resplendent in our yard signs (one was stolen), tshirts, stickers, and bumper sticker. hub is trying to get me to take the bumper sticker off but i just can't do it.
I'm glad you responded to that "Who Bought...." which is popping up all over. Your answer was beautifully stated. And it simply isn't true that the one who spends the most wins. Kerry outspent Bush, so it has to be the message, the belief that in the long run prevails over everything else. My most fervent hope is that those who supported Obama will realize the extent of the fiscal problem and give him the time he needs to effect change. Things may not be as rosey as we would like them four years from now but that is when he will need our support the most. We did not get in this mess overnight and a quick fix isn't the answer. Let's keep the faith for as long as it takes.
bill
Amazing how many of my own thoughts and deeds have been echoed in these most eloquent words. I can't praise this post enough.
Apologies if I've sounded arrogant just now. Truly, I'm capable of praising posts I don't agree with, but it's not as satisfying as when I agree with every single word, as now.
Yes We Can, and Yes We Did, and Yes We Can Still Keep On Doing What Needs To Be Done.
I bought it, too. I spread the wealth around, too - I contributed $ to the national and state Democratic committees, our local committee, and to some other political organizations who worked hard to support progressive candidates for the House and Senate. Like you, I am proud of the fact that so many of us contributed to the process.
I'm here because of be the rain's recommendation. It was a good one.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. I'm thirty-four years old and up until now, I've never felt happy with my vote, with my ability to get "my" candidate into office. I am so hopeful now of the future, where just a week ago I was dreading it. I am so... relieved. And I keep thinking... what can we accomplish next time, now that we've done it once?? We can do anything! We can't let "them" make us feel like we're nothing any more.
Bravo
Thanks for this blog. I hope people keep visiting and sharing how much of a "share" they bought in this campaign. For me, I sent $600 in 4 parts. I also gave countless hours over the last three months, driving many of my friends and family crazy! It was OUR hard work and hard-earned money that afforded Obama to spread OUR message or hope to cities far and wide in this country. All U.S. citizens deserved to hear his message and the opportunity to be part of this movement to recapture our hijacked nation.
Very inspiring, and very true. What a well-written post!
Hubby and I were discussing this very thing last night after a coworkerd of his complained that Obama bought the election. Great post!
I bought it too. I maybe sent over time $100 in small donations via credit card and then volunteered here and there during the past month. And he took no PAC money! I'm not sure if others were in this situation but I got little to no junk mail from him either.
I am an optimist who hasn't been disappointed enough. I will be disappointed if China owns this country, then again maybe I'd better take out another citizenship....
We won't see weapon makers melt their guns into plowshares but I can dream too....
I applaud a lot of women as quite reasonable. But it will take a majority of the nation to make things right.
Excellent post! harmony0stars and heidenkind recommended you and I'm so very glad that they did. It would be great if you could get your article published... or sent in as a rebuttal to the Newsweeks article.
So, so true. Never before have I felt like one person could make a difference, one vote can actually count. But because people believed in this man and this election, we are seeing it proven that the voice of the ordinary, average people.... well, it counts. We have more power than we gave ourselves credit for. I think this is one reason Obama will succeed as President - he gets Americans INVOLVED. He wants them to take responsibility, take action. And we've already done so much... if we can recognize our accomplishments, we will realize we are capable of even more.
Finally, i have 1000 credits!! here ya go!
This is an inspiring blog.This is the first time I ever contributed to a campaign! I love the way you expressed this. You should be writing somewhere else, maybe you are? I mean you should get paid for it...
Thanks for letting me read it for free!!
Love and light.
rosemoss
I am glad I contributed as well
Yes WE can!
well, now i only have 27 credits!
every time i try for a survey, they say it rejects me! jerks.
@spazmom40 - I'm getting eliminated from surveys as well,
You just found kind , Terri , I have compared America to a rock . I have just read your excellent post and now I can add : the foundation of this rock is those "people of the bottom" whom you speak .Large foundation .
Love
Michel
I danced in the streets when they announced Obama the president elect. Smile. Judi
Welcome to the generation that cares and is not afraid of it's government.
I'm cynical also. I do wish he had to account for millions that some think may have been illegal and from overseas. Only Republicans are held accountable. I notied that everywhere on the net, like goggle, whatever you were searching for you got an Obama ad.
@nannaruth - The Federal Election Commission has a website where you can see where the donations to candidates came from, You can see where contributions to Barack Obama's campaign came from here: http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/mapApp.do?cand_id=P80003338 - Contributions have to be reported and only US citizens may legally contribute.
Well said! & true!
great, nicely written and very true
yes we can!
Great post, I sincerely agree. ...and I'm really starting to get annoyed with Newsweek.
~1~
It's definitely a new day for all Americans. Well said!
It is cool to see people part of the electoral process.
I disagree on Greenspan, I don't think he was wrong. He didn't take capitalism far enough for it to work the way it should. Of course that wasn't his fault.
Wow. This really moved me!!
Thank you so much for this post!!
I wish everyone could see this as you do!
the question becomes you spent money on a president, but will spend money on agency or are the ones helping people in the bottom, did u know charities struggle during election years, because people donted to elected officals, just a point to keep in mind
Absolutely true and very well said. Thank you!
beautifully and eloquently written. i agree that this would be great to get published somewhere.
AMEN! I didn't have any money to give BUT I gave my vote..At first I was for Hilary then I did the search button and asked what DOES McCain and Obama stand for I read and read till my eyes saw nothing but words for the first time we mattered and that makes me proud..SOME people are like we've made the biggest mistake or where all gonna regret what we've done or the worlds coming to an end..Or they give Obama names like MLK Hitler the Anti-Chris Satan and so forth..I finally mattered and yes that NIGHT I cried joy because of what AMERICANS had just done I cried for thoes who are barely making It the single mothers who have lil money to keep a decent roof over there heads food In there bellys..The rich have It made but for the first time rich poor upper class middle class we mattered are voted mattered..I have been able to say I'm PROUD because most of my friends dislike Obama and they love McCain/Palin..So I wasn't able to tell anyone how I felt because of the stupid looks I'd get for mentioning Obama or my friends through FB would cut Obama down..I actually got mad for the first few days over what people where saying then I just throw up my hands and washed em of everything..I'm HAPPY Obama's taken action before his In office his gonna changes us whether some are ready or not..There gonna hold there tounge when Obama does what he says I hope he rethinks the Freedom Act for Abortion other then that and gay marriage I'm on board I think States should have a right to ask whether or not your for or against It..His giving us a choice Instead of putting words Into our mouth his giving us a voice a choice..
Good post. Very interesting and true perspective.
"We'll do it little by little. No one is going to hand it to us. No
one is going to buy us a shiny new economy to replace the one that got
broken. We don't need them to."
I love this right here. We are strong, we are powerful, we can do what it takes and take care of ourselves. The blame for the failures does not rest on one person alone...but all of us. And we all share in the success. Brilliant.
@CurtisandSara - You raise an interesting point, but I have a different perspective. Having spent most of the part two years as the Program Director of a non-profit organization, and now contributing as I can to another, I am intimately familiar with the financial situations non-profits face. I don't believe they were ever in competition for the dollars given to political campaigns.
People who financially support non-profits give their money to those efforts first and then to political campaigns. People who gave only to political campaigns this year were never likely to have contributed to non-profits.
Motivating.. but sadly. Obama took government money also to support his campaign while McCain took only donations from people.
Although many people did donate $ to Obama (lots of Palestinians), he used government money, my own money even though I did not support him (I'm not going to argue my political beliefs anymore about why I am against him, he's president now.. my president now)
That's exactly what I said in a similar response ... OBAMA BOUGHT THE ELECTION, ALL RIGHT!!! ... with my money, and yours and yours and yours and yours ... GOBAMA!!!
@heykiddoesurveys - gently and respectfully, you have it backward. Because McCain took government money he was limited in his fundraising and spending. Obama has been criticized because his refusal to accept government funding left him free to receive unlimited numbers of donations and he was able to outspend McCain. Please see the Federal Election Commission website for further information regarding 2008 campaign funds. http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/mapApp.do?cand_id=P80003338
AMEN!
This was an amazing election, I really hope we maintain the momentum we started.
Bless You!
-M
I was almost dreading what you'd say when I read the title, but this is one of most inspirational posts I've read in a long time. Obama should hire you as a speech writer!
Good stuff. As one filled to overflowing with hope right now...THANK YOU for what you bought.
Great post! This was the first Presidential election during which I was old enough to vote, so I was very excited. It was very interesting to hear that regular people like me were donating money.
-- Jedi Master 713
great post! great view on the election! Obama has united America again, I slept well after finding out he won the Presidential election. He has not even done anything in office but he has already changed our future forever. We should all be proud of him and ourselves in this moment of history.
we shall see...
something to note, george w. bush raised a little less than $40 million more than his opponent in '04. contrast that to the $279 million more that Obama raised than McCain. when Bush was able to raise more money, it was the evil influence of money in the elections. When Obama raises nearly twice the amount that Bush did, it was a "grassroots" effort. just sayin'....
because "bottom up" partly contributed to Obama's campaign's ability to raise a record-breaking amount of money for the 2008 presidential election that does not "prove" that it is sound economic policy, neither does that necessarily translate to a better opportunity of success for all americans.
the way i see it, a rising tide raises all boats. growing the economy and creating wealth offers a opportunity and quality of life for ALL americans.
part of the problem was that government got too big in freddie mac and fannie mae. if the major banking and investment companies wished to remain relevant, they had to buy into the new rules the government wrote. then fannie and freddie bottomed out. had the government not been involved, these entities on wall street could have been allowed to fail.
and what do you do about the big corporate giants in GM, (Ford) and Chrysler? they took huge losses last quarter. they employ hundreds of thousands of people with even more on pensions. for every one autoworker manufacturing position, there's seven and a half other jobs that are related to it accounting for million of american workers. was it corporate greed that got those auto makers in the situation we're in today? what are americans driving these days? also health care is the primary cost of doing business for these auto makers as well.
if the people on the so-called "bottom" had an idea, they wouldn't be at the bottom. theyd be entrepreneurs and start a small business, the engine of our economy. if the people at the so-called bottom were putting their hands to use instead of sitting on them (e.g. union workers who get paid to play cards at their factory), they wouldn't be at the bottom either.
I am all for middle-class relief. but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater and start blaming the so-called rich, the industrial giants for america's current economic malady. this isn't the worst economic crisis since the great depression; this is the worst economic crisis since the carter administration.
I am cautiously optimistic for the next administration. there are a whole host of issues to deal with and with a democratic majority in both houses of congress and one sitting in the executive branch, it's go-time. let's go america.
EXACTLY! That was refreshing.
Quilt.. with all due respect, Obama has had a large portion of his political life underwritten by "big money" and the standard, deeply entrenched political bullies, unions, corporate donors.. please consider the following:
"In Obama's eight years in the Illinois Senate, from 1996 to 2004, almost two-thirds of the money he raised for his campaigns -- $296,000 of $461,000 -- came from PACs, corporate contributions, or unions, according to Illinois Board of Elections records. He tapped financial services firms, real estate developers, healthcare providers, oil companies, and many other corporate interests, the records show."
quoted from http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/08/09/pacs_and_lobbyists_aided_obamas_rise/
you're a very nice, good-hearted woman.. we could really use you back here in the real world, where people question their leaders and hold them to their record not their hype, fixing our political problems will require a sophisticated citizenry, not a group of voters that puts all it's hopes in a single leader
peace.
obama bought the election - he bought it with CHANGE.
Nice post, but how much of the money donated to the presidential campaigns could be pumped into the economy to resuscitate it? I'm not saying that people donating to their desired candidates are wasting their money, but all of that money is only heading towards the press, some manufacturing, and TV. Imagine if people were willing to pay that same amount for veteran's bills, improvement of alternative energy, and cancer research? We're basically pumping money into propaganda to further "brainwash" us into "donating" more money to the candidates' campaigns (which really goes to more propaganda).
I loved what you wrote. I was just going to read and move on, but I was compelled to leave a comment.
Nope, didn't "buy" any myself, and still don't buy it. But, America is a great country and she will survive this current foray into alternate reality, also.
Bravo and double kudos to you, there's an excitement toward the future today that not even the economy can completely supress.
This is an interesting 'election' post.
I yet have to meet a political candidate (whom I can vote for, because I don't live in the US) to actually donate for his/her campaign.
The same positive and inspiring feelings and experiences, exactly. Wearing a shirt today at work (it's a casual environment) after not pressing any of the wounded "We got bamboozled" buttons last week. Strong post.
Great post!
Just for fun, some pretty wealthy political action committees and institutions had a strong hand in funding his campaign:http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00009638
And most of the money came from donations large than $2,300, rather than miscellaneous small amounts: http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/donordemCID.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00009638
That doesn't make him a better or worse candidate. It's just a fact of American politics that you can't get elected solely on a sound platform. Money must flow abundantly.
I do have to admit, that yes, he won because a lot of people came together and voted him in. It wasn't as big of a landslide as people would like you to believe. He won by less than 3% in many, many states. The American people are very easily fooled by smoke and mirrors. Words like "change" and "hope" that have positive connotations. When it comes to the white house, you can't elect someone who "hopes" to change things. Change itself isn't necessarily good. If he burns down your house, you better believe it's Change you can believe in. Just not change you want.
We all know America is bad. We get it. If your house is a mess and the paint is feeling and there are stains on the carpet and termites are eating through the support beams, would you call "ACNE Construction" to come through and fix things, when so little is known about them and all we've seen is a couple tv ads?
If your car breaks down, obviously something is wrong, and you're not happy with it the way it is, but would you just trust any mechanic, especially when he promises to fix and doesn't tell you what exactly he's going to fix and can't promise you an estimate on his bill.
America is messed up. We know this. Everyone does. Virtually no one is completely happy with the way America is right now. Changing things without a solid plan is a horrible idea. The sold ideas he does have are to create a larger government that eats MORE taxes, not less. Especially, off the Intelligent rich people who provide the capital(cash investments) to create jobs. The top 20% pays 75% of Federal Income taxes in America. The bottom already is paying next to nothing. Companies can't expand without loans. Those loans fuel expansion in businesses that provide jobs. If America continues to increase taxes on them, they will find more worthwhile investments else where. Even outside of the country. THAT is the kind of outsourcing that could destroy our economy. Not moving some call centers to India and clothing to well, virtually every country not know as the United States of anything.
Let's look at socialized government in health care. Let's take a look at nationalized health care. Everyone pays taxes, the taxes pay for health care. Everyone, rich or poor, gets health care! This is a great idea in theory. When I first heard of the concept, I believed it was a very, very good plan. America is stupid for not inacting this! When I started to divulge into the realisms behind the impacts of the logistics of putting such a plan into action, I began to realize how much damage socialized health care really would cause. First and foremost, the cost of it in America would be huge. It would eat up 1/6th of the federal budget. This kind of increase would have to come from more taxes. Much larger taxes. This would change the taxes structure immensly, worldwide. Many companies would start shifting assets and incorporating else where. Some businesses and business owners would simply shut down as the cost of staying in business would rise beyond their income. The excess in taxes, as well as the taxes bestowed to us by collapsing businesses and former American entities, would also bestowed to us. If you're paying 50% of your salary to taxes, but you and your illegal immigrant neighbor up the street can now go to the same doctor, are you okay with it? Speaking of that doctor... When was the last time you went down to the County public health facility? I've only gone once, that's all I needed to know I wouldn't want to go there on the regular. Those are public hospitals of the future under nationalized health care. Not the shiny hospital we all visit. No no no. That hospital is more than likely also publicly funded as well, and that the reason why it's so shiny and new looking.
Nationalized health care will cause a huge ripple effect in the nation beyond what I've already mentioned. Beyond the taxes, we also have to look at the effect of the qulaity of doctors in the future. If the government runs the healthcare system, it will be like anything else the government runs, the DMV, Social Security office, etc. If you've ever tried to do anything at either one of those, you'll know what I mean. The government will start capping salaries. Doctors making 1 million+ a year will be told they aren't allowed to make that kind of money. Again, in theory, this seems logical. Why does that rich guy get to make all this money so he can have a mansion and ferrarri instead of just a huge house and mercades? What does he need all that for? Well the answer to that question, is because he's good. He either specializes in something very difficult and expensive that took years of experience, and education, or because he's just a really great doctor and people are willing to pay him extra money because they like the experience or health care he provides that much more than anyone else. A Brain surgeon is a perfect example. Do you want the doctor just out of medical school who only has 6 surgeries under his belt and you're going to be lucky #7 for him? When the sweat is dripping off his forehead before you're getting your anastegya you'll appreciate that you chose the 58 year old guy who has got 25 years of experience working on this stuff before. You'll also appreciate that he only hires the best help, and that the nurse has 18 years of experience as well as having raised 3 kids of her own, so she knows how to handle stresss and intense situations.
So yeah, if people are willing to pay extra to get the experienced surgeon, it makes sense now huh? So what happens to this surgeon when he can't earn his extra salary, and is told he has to move to a lower salary? He says forget this, and moves to something else. Perhaps he has invested well and pulls all of his money out of the market and moves to Florida, or Puerto Rico or something. Suddenly, you take a field that is already being hit hard by retirement in the baby boomer generation, and you give them a huge reason why to retire and suddenly we have an all new kind of disater. Suddenly we have our shortage of doctors and it becomes, well, epidemic(WordChoice?). A lot of the young lazy people in America aren't pushing and inspiring to become doctors. Many of the poor doctors who finished 5th to last in their school are the ones who are going to become our doctors. scary, but yes, you will become lucky #7, for the guy who finish 7th to last in his class.
Finally lets look at the next ring out in our healthcare disaster. What else comes with the nationalized health care plan? Socialized medicine as well! Why are we spending Hundreds on prescription pills? Most seniors can't afford this stuff. Wal-mart has run a great ad campaign advertising that they care many prescriptions for only $4, but what they don't tell you is that those prescriptions are simple things like tylenol or advil. I can write a whole book on the problems with Wal-Mart America... Hmm.... Perhaps that will be my next book.
The real problem is the lawyers and frivoulous lawsuits. By lawyers, for example Obama. Frivoulous lawsuits have led to doctors needing insurance. Most doctors spend about 40% of their salary on insurance because of frivoulous malpractice lawsuits. Doctor goes in to take out a liver, and amputates your leg, okay, you deserve to get some money out of that claim. Better believe he's going to pay to have the liver taken out too. Sure half a million will make the pain go away, but unless you're Ronaldo, you don't deserve 300 million because of it. If he goes in, and leaves a surgical tool in you, you deserve to get a little something for your suffering, not a huge 35 million. Thats of course what you get for being lucky #7 though, right? Amazing how many questions people ask a mechanic, or the number of times they read a label on cereal but coudn't even tell you what school their doctor went to for their MD or when he even got licensed.
@just an Economist... -
BTW, just to comment on what someone else wrote, Yes, Obama a democrat being in office means the alignment of the Government completely in the favor of the democrats. This is never good. Whether its democrats or republicans, no one organization or group should have complete control over the government. This is not what the founding fathers wanted, nor is it good for America that one organization has complete control and say over what happens in our beloved america.
i respect how you feel, but the reality of our economy has no likeness at all to libertarianism.
Excellent post! Yes! You bet, we can, we did, and we will again! I have been active and vocal my whole life, and especially the last eight years, jumping up and down, and exhorting apathetic friends and family, even my wife. I have been shouting into the well, and all I ever heard was myself and the frogs...it's a lonely feeling...But I don't feel alone any more. I am so proud of us, ALL AMERICANS, we are awake at last! Red or blue, we did the job, and once again the reigns of control in the most powerful nation in the history of the world change hands peacefully! I think Obama's got the potential to be one of the best presidents ever; on a par with Lincoln, and Washington and Roosvelt, and if it takes my money to buy men like him a presidency, I'll get out the check book every time!
This is a point that hasn't been thoroughly assessed since everyone became obsessed with the race issue. Well said, Obama is in office because of his appeal to all of us and making people believe that their $10 and their one vote could and would make a difference.
Amen!
I love John McCain.
i know my comment isn't going to distinguish myself from the rest of the amazing (sigh) comments that i see here in response to your post, but i need to comment none-the-less. i got goose bumps many times as i was reading this. it brought tears to my eyes (for the hundredth time since 11/4), to read exactly what i've been thinking and feeling. i, too, contributed to obama's campaign. i, too, was a first time donor--i donated several times actually (usually after watching mccain or palin speak
). thank you for putting such an eloquent voice to this perspective. very, very well done. m&m
YOU bought the election? Wow. I hope you at least used a coupon.
YES WE CAN.
i wasn't an obama supporter, but i, too, was amazed at the overwhelming support and funding he gained.
very awe-inspiring!
"The people at the top don't take care of the people at the bottom. Its the other way around and always has been."
WOAH WOAH WOAH hold up there.. Just so you know, the top 5% of American's pay 60% of American taxes. The higher earners are the ones that pay for welfare, scholarships, financial aid, etc. So don't you dare say they don't take care of the people at the bottom. That is wrong on soo many levels.
Anyway, people shouldn't expect others to care for them. They should put in the effort and take care of themselves.
w00t!!!
Wait, am I reading this right? Are you actually PROUD of the fact that money buys votes in this country? 'Cause personally, I think it is sick that we judge candidates not by their merits but by how much money they can raise. Regardless of who it comes from.
Oh God the people of America scare me. Obama is America's Hitler. .... seriously.... You think I'm kidding you? Remember, Hitler was ELECTED chancellor of Germany by the people. He made a lot of great speeches and had people spouting his love in no time. A lot of people really seem to like Obama!
...but why?
He speaks well? He doesn't blunder when he speaks? Being president isn't about making promises that lack substance.
answer this question to yourself, or out-loud or to your friends and family(2 questions actually).
What EXACTLY is Obama going to do?
and
HOW is he going to achieve it?
...... don't know? It's okay, I've asked dozens of Obama supporters this with no real answers.
I'm not surprised you don't know the answer either.
We all know that America isn't happy with the way things are. The economy has been better. "What to do with the banking industry, what to do with the automobile industry, and what we're going to do with bail outs?" is a question on many of our minds. What are we going to do about social security? What are we going to do about the war on terrorism in the middle east?
Obama's stance on these topics? Who knows? Who cares? It's going to be CHANGE!
(BTW, Obama's time table to getting out of Iraq is similiar to most others).
America is unhappy, but electing a Lawyer/senator who doesn't know what he's doing because he promises to change things, that's just down right stupid.
Then again, it is the American Public, and there is a reason why we have to elect people to make these decisions for us.
FANTASTIC POST.
Yes You Did!
love it! Right on!
@halie -
I wonder how Obama is going to "recapture our hijacked nation"?
He is already planning to use Executive Orders, the Democrats have control of Congress and he voted for the renewal of the Patriot Act and FISA (so he'll have those handy too).
What is he going to do with this tremendous amount of executive power that he will inherent?
If we really are now a nation of "Yes We Can"ners, then what are we going to do if he DOESN'T do what he's promised?
Do you have a clear idea of what you want from Obama as president?
If and when Obama begins running again (in about 2 yrs) and he has all of the same powers, tax cuts and wars as President Bush does now, are you going to campaign for him again?
Either he's going to do something really awesome for us (which still won't entirely justify his ridiculous amount of power) or we're going to have to do something ourselves to change things (including limiting the power of the executive branch).
Will you donate your money and time to change America if Obama won't/can't do this himself?
politics.... he got my vote not money. unless democracy is not what I think it is.
Well said!
@ai_moon - Thanks so much for your question. It's a very good one. While I don't agree that Obama has too much power (I am thrilled we have a Democratic majority in Congress, as Obama will need their support to make the changes he has promised), I do feel that we cannot afford to go back to the complacent populace we've been. One absolutely incredible reward we (those grass roots "ground crew" who worked so hard to get Obama elected, which includes myself and my many new friends) have gained are obvious in the relationships we have built in our own communities and in the newfound knowledge of our own political power as individuals and as collective groups.
From the first week that I began volunteering for Obama over three months ago, I realized that something incredible was happening. I knocked on doors for him at first a little nervously. My neighborhood is "well established" and solidly middle class. I was sure my job would be tough. But it wasn't! People were welcoming me into their homes, talking with me, some as excited about this intriguing candidate we had and others not so excited. But all of my neighbors who I spoke with were friendly and willing to talk with me. I was amazed at the relationships I was building. Now, three months later, we have a strong network in our own neighborhood of political activists. We know our own power, as we "took down" our neighborhood, as I promised we would three months ago. It is truly an amazing feeling. Not only did we win our neighborhood for Obama, helping to hold our own in our city and win Virginia, we also ousted Representative Thelma Drake, who has long been in the pockets of Bush, personally hosting parties that dripped with money and were enjoyed by Bush and Rove alike.
We took back our city and we helped take back this country. And we have regained our power as involved citizens. I thank you for your question because this one thing is the most rewarding outcome we have all achieved through this election. As a nation, common people now know that each of their votes count and each of their voices is important. The truth is, anything a President does in the name of his people is ultimately the responsibility of us all, as we elect our representatives. We are responsible, and we have the power and obligation to speak out against injustice--even if that means being critical of the man we just worked to elect. In some ways, I think that's why Obama ran for President, because we had all become incredibly complacent, and he realized that he, too, was responsible for what happens in our nation, he too, was responsible for every injustice by our current President. I hope his courage can be an example to us all and that this election has left an enduring mark of our own civic responsibility.
@just an economist - You'll be unhappy to learn that I read through every one of the policy/position statements that Obama drafted as well as the ones McCain drafted.
His ideas are well thought out, sane, and centrist. I voted for the man because of his ideas.
are you kidding me?
@radicalramblings - No, you read it incorrectly. I'm proud of the fact that Obama's Presidential campaign was paid for by people who gave in average of $80-something dollars in opposition to the way that it's been done here for ... ever. I'm proud of the fact that he ran a campaign of relevance to average voters and that he built a nation-wide coalition around his ideas rather than telling us that the people who didn't support him were Anti-American, terrorists, socialists, etc.
This Blog was my response to the charge that he bought the campaign. He didn't. He persuaded millions of people that his ideas were right and then those people contributed the money that paid for his campaign in the end.
@mellowandmindful - Thank you for your kind comment.
@nowyourereallylivin - I must beg to disagree because I think you misunderstood my statement. The engine of the American economy is and always has been middle class spending.
The people at the top don't make our economy run, but they do profit disproportionately which is why I said that it's the people at the bottom who "take care of" those at the top.
I wasn't talking about who pays taxes, I know that the top income earners pay a lot of money in taxes. But if you want to go there, look at what people pay as a percentage of their income, on average for the top income earners it's about 27% (according to SOI at IRS.gov.) For the people in the middle it's closer to 40%.
(See Warren Buffet's quote "Buffett said he makes $46 million a year in income and is only taxed at
a 17.7 percent rate on his federal income taxes. By contrast, those who
work for him, and make considerably less, pay on average about 32.9
percent in taxes - with the highest rate being 39.7 percent.")
The wealth gap between rich and poor in this country is appalling and
it's getting wider. Real income (wages versus costs of living) for the people in the middle has
fallen over the past 8 years.
6.37% of the people in this country receive 1/3 of the income. The bottom 20% live in households that make less than $20,000 a year. Of course the people at the top pay more gross taxes, they are the ones who are getting all the income.
Maybe you have a suggestion as to how those 20% can dig out a toehold to accumulate wealth? The three things that have been traditionally held out as the answer to moving up from poverty are hardwork, education, and relationships. These people are already working hard, they can't afford higher education, and traditional relationships with financial institutions are denied them because they have no assets, no credit worthiness ...
I stand by my original statements and will clarify them this way. Supply side economics do not work. When the people at the top have in increase in income, they keep it. They move jobs offshore to increase their bottom line. They make decisions which reward them in the short term at the expense of long term economic growth. When the people in the middle and at the bottom have an increase in income they spend it, they create new businesses, they employ more people. The only way to really grow our economy into the future is to do it from the ground up.
@halie - While your story sounds very inspiring, I fail to see why electing Obama is in and of itself a good thing if he doesn't do anything for us. Especially if he doesn't do anything to change the many executive powers that Bush got for the Presidency. You didn't mention why it doesn't bother you that Obama will continue many of the bad Bush positions on what the role of the President should be and what powers that position should have (FISA, Patriot Act, enacting war with no congressional declaration, Executive Orders). Some of the very things that Obama voted for are exactly what ENABLED Bush to be such a bad president.
You said you now have a community network? What is the next goal of this network?
@ai_moon - Did you see the news report that the Obama transition team is already preparing executive orders to undo executive orders issued by Bush? I think it may be a little soon for any of us to be sure what he will or won't do. It looks like he's going to do something though ...
@quiltnmomi -
no, link?
Uh, and frankly this is a little disturbing that you should say this, " I think it may be a little soon for any of
us to be sure what he will or won't do. It looks like he's going to do
something though ..."
Anywho, back to the original point: Is he going to do anything about the executive orders themselves? I didn't like Bush exactly because of his virtual control of all of the Government. Executive orders in part ruin the checks and balances system. If Obama is really for the people, then why not let their elected representatives legislate?
@ai_moon - I got my info from tv news but here's a link: http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/09/obamas-transition-chief-bushs-executive-orders-review/
As for my comment disturbing you, I meant it as a response to your assertion that "You didn't mention why it doesn't bother you
that Obama will continue many of the bad Bush positions on what the
role of the President should be and what powers that position should
have (FISA, Patriot Act, enacting war with no congressional
declaration, Executive Orders)."
You seemed awfully certain that he was going to continue those things, but there's no evidence at this point that he will. I just meant that before we get mad at him for doing or not doing, maybe we should wait until January 21 or 22? Until then he doesn't have any authority to change anything Bush has done, all he can do is plan.
@quiltnmomi - You're right, I've assumed, and I shouldn't do it.
What I should have said is, "Why doesn't it bother you that Obama, (who voted for the Patriot Act and FISA, who plans to use Executive Orders when he is President, and who wants to stay in Iraq for atleast another 16 months and Afghanistan for who knows how long) has made NO PLANs or annoucements or promises to repeal the Patriot Act, FISA or Executive Orders themselves?
What has Obama done with the power he has had in the past (State Senate, US Senate) to justify his having more power?
Excellent post.
Spot on! I didn't have time to read the many comments, if someone already has said this, please excuse. The Chronicle of Philanthropy published a report, "How People Give" [charitably] and the demographics, in general are no suprise....but some validate your message - the working poor outgive the middle class.....single moms give more than single men making >$50k. I donated for the first time, got a tshirt, bumper stickers, signs etc and not just money, my time as a democratic PCO for my legislative district. I am a single mom to a 4 yr. old and I just dragged him all over with me but he proudly knows who Barack Obama is and I am proud to say I bought this election for my son and for other children like him that are our future.
wonderfully said, thank you
Very eloquently written. This was just the breath of fresh air and reason that I needed after just reading a blog by a young woman who still believes that Obama is infiltrating our government to do the work of terrorists and argues that Bush is the best president since Lincoln. She then, of course, disabled comments. ;o) How frustrating!
Suprised u had the time to answer back thanks. Believe when I say it does affect non profits, we put the down turn in our budgets, but that being said I do agree several give to campaigns that would not give to non profits.
@Aloysius_son - i agree. This is very well thought out and true which explains the reaction last Tuesday.
just an economist
Anyone else really scared by the fact that she(and millions of Americans) have voted Obama into the white house because " I think it may be a little soon for any of
us to be sure what he will or won't do. It looks like he's going to do
something though ..."
That would be the definition of change (Become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence).
Now is that change going to be GOOD for America? Who knows? Obama isn't promising Change that is GOOD for America. Just Change you can believe in. He'll raise your taxes, and then you'll believe he changed things right?
Seriously, would you spend $100 on a mystery box? You don't know whats in it. Could be the keys and title to a new Mercades, could be a box of pencils. That's Obama for ya!
Don't know what he's going to do in office, but I'm sure he'll do something for us right?
Well, I'm sure his pastor of the last 20 years will help with his insight.
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hehe. this is great! It's too bad that the only way to get anything in America is to buy it, but then I realized, I bought the president of the united states of america with $20 and one vote
HAHAHA If I had the choice between a LITERAL mystery box and John McCain, I'd pick the mystery box.
I'd put more thought into this analogy, but it's pointless because you are going to judge Obama on his affiliations no matter what, rather than actually READING his plans.
Also, I have no problem paying taxes if they are going to pay for things i think are important.
@Rick kellermann - o_0 It may ease your mind to know that I read every word of the positions of the Republican and Democratic platforms as well as every word of both John McCain and Barack Obama's websites. I listened to and read speeches. I observed their behavior as though I was interviewing them for a job.
The comment you quoted was in direct response to a commenter who spoke as though what Obama will or won't do can be completely known in advance, that person understood my response and agreed that making such an assumption is unwarranted at this point.
Everyone is welcome to comment here. But your comments will be better received if you can be specific and discuss rather than hysterically quoting dead soundbites and demonstrating that you have no idea what you are railing against.
Bravo!
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