thanks rodger

Several things are clear:
* Americans have now got wise to Dubya and the GOP – that's a superb starting point!
* A change of direction for America is crucial
* Public opinion is deeply divided in terms of where America's new direction should take her and who should be steering the ship. Again, that's good – it shows that the American public is more politically aware/astute than in 2000 and 2004. People are no longer swallowing every line of codswallop dished up by self-serving politicians.
* Voter turnout is increasing with every election. This indicates an historic change in American politics. People whom had probably never considered voting before now realise that political participation is CRUCIAL to their wellbeing. Real political influence is being reclaimed by the ever increasing electorate and being taken out of the hands of self-serving politicians.

However, Americans seem to be missing a few points that others whom are not directly involved in the situation can see.
* Several times on this blog I have read that America is "the most powerful country in the world". This is no longer true. The Bush administration has sacrificed America's global credibility and much of the international community now considers America to be arrogant with a hugely inflated sense of its own importance. Without the respect that it once had in the international community America has lost much of its power and influence. America is no longer the most powerful nation in the world.
* America is in bad shape right now! The Bush administration's behaviour has isolated her from her old allies and many people outside the US hold the American people directly responsible for the war in Iraq and rocketing oil prices. After all, issues such as these are a by-product of the Bush presidency – and it was the American people who choose to elect him tooffice. America is financially bereft with a multi-billion dollar budget deficit, high unemployment – and she's teetering on the edge of a recession too.
* Americans now talk of the need for "change". The American people – not politicians – must ultimately identify what needs to be changed and how it should be done,and then vote for the candidate whom can best deliver those aspirations. This can only happen if people are honest with themselves. It takes a lot of soul-searching and ultimately some personal sacrifices. If you do this you may just find that the candidate whom is most likely to be deliver on your hopes is the one whom you had initially refuted. You may just surprise yourself.

Politics is not a game.

America need now move than every a President who's honest and will try to put our country back on a pathway towards finally getting something done in Washington. We can't tolerate another Presidential candidate whose hidden agenda is to just occupy the White House and tries to feed us manure policies.

I can not support someone with "all black all the time" views...and I am not voting for anyone with a name that they are not proud to display out front--his name is Hussein Obama.

I have taken the time to look past the clean and fresh image and research his church and what it stands for....not pretty.

My prediction is that at some point in the very near future someone is going to disclose the truth on this smooth character.....and he'll fade from view.

Edwards '08

There comes a point and time where "the same players equal the same result"

Clinton stated this campaign with standard "Clinton speak" – basically answering questions like Bill – with non answers....(look at her answer to supporting the Gov of NY licensing of illegal aliens...."I support the Gov" – then pressed you "support licensing illegal aliens?" – "no, but I support the Governors actions and would do the same thing" – "so...you support giving drivers licenses to illegal aliens?" – "no"

Replay the Univeral Healthcare v1 – (and nothing has changed for v2) – taxes will be raised – to as much as 50% (like they pay in Canada) – for a sub par healthcare system....this is why Bill Clinton – with support of this – lost the Democrats control of the house and senate for decades....the plan is Saul Alinskys plan from Hillarys youth....Saul was a Marix btw (read up my friend)

^^^^^^^^^^^ NO ANNIE the reason you didn't get Universal Health Care during the Clinton years is because the GOP and Newt Gingrich personally engineered its demise!!

"After Bill Clinton became president in 1993, Gingrich, then a Republican congressman from Georgia, orchestrated the defeat of one the new Democratic administration’s signature initiatives: a universal health care plan led by Hillary Clinton."

Does anyone have a clue what they are bashing Hillary for or are they all just the usual same old same old run of the mill hillaryhaters who leave goey slug trails of copy-paste everywhere they go??

HOWEVER GOTTA LOVE YOUTH VOTER USA = Youth Voter, USA January 13, 2008 6:18 pm ET
What it means to be a youth in USA!

Years of national public service = washington politics.
2 years of national public service = not washington politics

Obama tells me change is new, I agree (not knowing every election Presidential politicians talk about change and nothing changes).

Obama tells me to hope so i start hoping.

Obama tells me to change, so I change my parents since they are past and status quo.

My friends (fellow Obama supporters) tell me to repeat Hillary hate posts 100 times a day, so I do it. It's a change from my other work.

Obama tells me to convince my other immature youth friends to cheer for change, I do it.

Obama tells me to ignore experience, so I ignore my parents experience of knowing the world as again, they are past and status quo.

I ignore every old person who was served nationally as they are status quo. Your national service doesnt count in the new world of hatred filled starry eyed fairy tale following youths like me.

FINALLY A YOUTH WHO DIDN'T WASTE HIS EDUCATION

McCain has ALWAYS used that phrase and his bus is even called the "Straight Talk Express". Then along comes Obama and starts using it in NH and NOW even is using it in an ad airing in CA = In “Quiet,” Obama points to oil as both an environmental and a national security issue, and stresses his STRAIGHT TALKING credentials. (How new and refreshing NOT

So far he's channeled MLK and now Cesar Chavez "Si se puede – Yes we can"

Who is he going to channel next Confucius He certainly is a chameleon that's for sure. Never a dull moment!!

I'm personally disgusted and bored with the rhetoric and divisiveness already. Neither is matching the agenda I've endorsed–that of John Edwards.

They are BOTH –Party Hacks–who will promise everything–but give us only the same old tired solutions–that their biggest supporters (the special interest groups, lobbyiest–and organizations like the NEA, AARP, ACLU....) will allow them to provide (and their lawyers will probably draft the legislation). They will say and do anything t o keep the "big money " filling DEM Party coffers and war chests!

I'm for John Edwards–he promises to NOT be under the thumbs of the special interests–and still has not collected a "dime" from them.

Anyone who supports Clinton baffles me (and any literate person out there)

Then again, everyone seems to worship Al Gore at the moment, so let's go back and remember who Al Gore supports...that's right Clinton.

Forget it, I'm voting for Edwards. Enough of this he said she said. I went through that in Junior High.

"I didnt know that white women were discrimated against to the extent that blacks were and had "nightsticks crushed on their skulls" and faced "dogs and tear gas" , Hitlery is just trying to pander and act like she can identify. She came from priveledge and cant relate to the average American."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I take issue with this statement James, because you are clearly not old enough to KNOW what actually transpired during the Civil Right's Movement. It was NOT just blacks who stood up and protested and marched and "faced dogs and were tear gassed" and were knocked down and trampled!!! What is wrong with you people don't you ever engage your brains before you spout your hate and nonsense?!

IF you brainless wonders have absolutely no clue what went down during the 60's then shut the f**k up!! The rest of us are sick and tired of listening to you whine and snivel and flame everyone else's canidates! If this is an example of Obama's ability to be The Great Uniter - in the famous words of Kerry's wife = "shove it"

What is wrong with you people??? Don't be such tools!

It's embarrassing to watch you all in such a frenzied rush for the opportunity to fall into irrational fits of Obama-hysteria.

I've been embarrassed w/ Bush.

I don't want to be embarrassed with you, Hillary. The new you hasn't really improved. You seem to gain energy, but then you turned for the worse. Statements that you make really embarrass me. Maybe you are smart, but just work in the background and avoid embarrasing us.

I don't live during the MLK and JFK period, but I know they affected many people. MLK challenged the status quo. He is an inspirational speaker who moved many people to join his cause. Of course, it requires Congress and President to pass laws and bring it to reality, but it doesn't diminish what MLK means to these people. By belittling MLK's contribution to the cause, you are offending many people. It's by your words that you offend people. Obama has nothing to do w/ people's reaction to your comments. And when things don't go your way, your turn around and blame it on Obama. This is what I mean by not trusting you. Obama is a nice person in your own party and you are treat him like this. I can only imagine your gaffe in your foreign policy by saying the wrong thing that offend people. Right now, we might be upset at you, but in the latter case, we might have war.

Obama, on the other hand, I don't mind seeing him on my TV set representing this country, speaking honestly and intelligently, lifting the people's spirits up.

Then there is Mcain between him and Kenndey we will have open borders. Julina, former mayor. He has had his 15 min of fame , give it up.

Lets face it all the politicans all do the same thing bash each other and maybe all us voters will forget to ask the real hard question, like just what do you think you can do fro our country???. I have yet to hear any real plans or answers to the problems, and remeber the president can only do what congress lets him and visa versa.

Everyone needs to take a look at what each persons really stands for and not how much garbbage their team can throw out.

Just a thought

I'm voting for McCain, but I am very impressed with Obama and very disappointed and disgusted with Hillary blaming the Obama campaign for her own mistakes and misrepresentations. Shame on you Hillary.