Elections Are Over

[hblask 1]

I think there is something to be said for enjoying the moment. This really is a time for the country when the US has, officially, moved past race. It's just not an excuse for anything anymore. It's a marker of the end of the old way of thinking and the start of the new. Don't get me wrong, I'm not believe enough to think racism has been eradicated, but it is officially marginalized beyond significance. I am happy for all those people who have spent their lives feeling like the world is against them. It's always been possible to overcome that, but now, it's publicly and officially possible. There is no limit anymore. I can't imagine how that feels, but the crowds and the excitement for this victory give an idea.So now we've got a couple of months where we can enjoy the fact that we can see the end of GW's disaster, that a formerly racist nation has elected a black president, and that we have yet to see any crazy statist programs actually pushed through by Obama. I think we should take a breath and enjoy what Obama's victory means for a couple of months, before we are forced to cope with what Obama's means for America.

[Balloon guy 158]

If Ted Stevens wins and resigns then don't count on Palin departing from the national scene. Chances are she'll appoint herself to be Senator from Alaska.

Why would she demote herself?A governor is way more powerful than a senator

[Mercury69 3]

I think this bodes very well for the USA. I wish your country all the best as it moves into an era of...what exactly? I'm not sure, but it sure feels good.

[nutzbuster 7]

And yeah, I thought McCain's speech was extremely moving. I really felt for him tonight, I really did. I know, as does the rest of America, that he's a good, good man. He gives his all for this country, and that's a quality that we can all respect. He's given more than any of us can ever imagine. He's honestly an American hero, and somebody that I would like my (one day) kids to model themselves after. Would he have made a great president? I'm not sure. He certainly had the potential to be a good president. He simply made too many mistakes during his campaign and failed to set a consistent tone and have a consistent message. He was up against one of the best ever in a year that he as a Republican came in already as the underdog. Up until over a month ago, it looked like he could have easily been the winner. It's hard to say what would have been different had the financial crisis not hit has hard and suddenly as it did right before the election. But what happened happened. I hope "my friend" John continues to serve this country with dignity and continues to be an example for senators and average Americans alike.I thought both candidates this year were good. One simply proved himself to be extraordinarily adept politically.

Great speech and a great American. I just wish we had run someone else up against the messiah. Palin killed him. He picks Romney and today looks much different imo.The only good thing is that while this was a good/healing change in the mind of the world, it was not a mandate for this country. Obama will have a very tough go trying to install the most radical of his ideas, although he most certainly will get plenty of them thru.I wonder how long it takes before Farrakhan, Ayers and Jackson start shaking him down?The Obama watch begins....

[hblask 1]

He won because of peoples ignorance on the issues

As of yesterday, my M-i-L still didn't know that Obama was a member of socialist New Party. She didn't know that the Obama campaign had dropped their definition of "rich" from $250,000, to $200,000, to $150,000 (plus a key Democrat dropped it to $120,000), or that Obama had previously used some number less than $50,000 as his definition of "rich".She said it's about "compassion" -- as if taking money from local communities, sending it to Washington where bureaucrats take between 1/3 and 2/3 of it, and then send it back with strings attached that prevent localized solutions -- is somehow "compassionate".Yes, ignorance was a huge part of Obama's victory.(NOTE: most of the Obama voters who have discussed here obviously don't fall into that category. Most express deep reservations about him, but figure anything is better than a Bush clone -- a position I can certainly respect).

[85suited 0]

If Ted Stevens wins and resigns then don't count on Palin departing from the national scene. Chances are she'll appoint herself to be Senator from Alaska. Wrong per usual, There is a run off if he is elected and the expelled from the senate

[FCP Bob 1,321]

As of yesterday, my M-i-L still didn't know that Obama was a member of socialist New Party. She didn't know that the Obama campaign had dropped their definition of "rich" from $250,000, to $200,000, to $150,000 (plus a key Democrat dropped it to $120,000), or that Obama had previously used some number less than $50,000 as his definition of "rich".She said it's about "compassion" -- as if taking money from local communities, sending it to Washington where bureaucrats take between 1/3 and 2/3 of it, and then send it back with strings attached that prevent localized solutions -- is somehow "compassionate".Yes, ignorance was a huge part of Obama's victory.(NOTE: most of the Obama voters who have discussed here obviously don't fall into that category. Most express deep reservations about him, but figure anything is better than a Bush clone -- a position I can certainly respect).

Ignorant describes the vast majority of people who vote no matter who they vote for. Actually it describes the vast majority of people period. The average person just doesn't know a lot.PS, yes I'm an elitist.

[nutzbuster 7]

As of yesterday, my M-i-L still didn't know that Obama was a member of socialist New Party. She didn't know that the Obama campaign had dropped their definition of "rich" from $250,000, to $200,000, to $150,000 (plus a key Democrat dropped it to $120,000), or that Obama had previously used some number less than $50,000 as his definition of "rich".She said it's about "compassion" -- as if taking money from local communities, sending it to Washington where bureaucrats take between 1/3 and 2/3 of it, and then send it back with strings attached that prevent localized solutions -- is somehow "compassionate".Yes, ignorance was a huge part of Obama's victory.(NOTE: most of the Obama voters who have discussed here obviously don't fall into that category. Most express deep reservations about him, but figure anything is better than a Bush clone -- a position I can certainly respect).

Agree Henry. And if I hear anyone ever again race bait and say that we are a racist nation I'm gonna kick them in the teeth.

[irishguy 14]

I just wanted to add along with the OP that I respect the fact that Bush has been in the shadows through this whole process a lesser more egotistical man (cough Cheney cough) may have felt the desire to publicly state their endorsement and opinion. Also it is my understanding that he reached out to the Obama family last night and offered for them to come visit him and his family to get a feel for the whitehouse. While I don't hold his actions as the President in the highest of light I feel as though he is a man of good intentions and I respect the way he's handled himself in this unique situation over the course of the elections.Time will ultimately be the only real test of what kind of President Obama will be but I am hopeful and confident in his vision, his intelligence and his genuine love for his country and desire to make things better. Whether you agree with his platform or not I hope we can all see the positive message his election sends through out the USA and the world and I hope we can all take a moment to appreciate the fact that we are experiencing a big moment in history.

[Balloon guy 158]

Agree Henry. And if I hear anyone ever again race bait and say that we are a racist nation I'm gonna kick them in the teeth.

Does that mean we can use his middle name now?

[Zealous Donkey 0]

I think there is something to be said for enjoying the moment. This really is a time for the country when the US has, officially, moved past race. It's just not an excuse for anything anymore. It's a marker of the end of the old way of thinking and the start of the new. Don't get me wrong, I'm not believe enough to think racism has been eradicated, but it is officially marginalized beyond significance. I am happy for all those people who have spent their lives feeling like the world is against them. It's always been possible to overcome that, but now, it's publicly and officially possible. There is no limit anymore. I can't imagine how that feels, but the crowds and the excitement for this victory give an idea.So now we've got a couple of months where we can enjoy the fact that we can see the end of GW's disaster, that a formerly racist nation has elected a black president, and that we have yet to see any crazy statist programs actually pushed through by Obama. I think we should take a breath and enjoy what Obama's victory means for a couple of months, before we are forced to cope with what Obama's means for America.

This is an extremely good post. I knew there would be an effect like this but I think I underestimated how strong it would be. I think it is almost 100% symbolic, but just because is it symbolic doesn't mean it is not very powerful. Your second paragraph is as dead on as the first. It is a time for everyone to celebrate our country and what it stands for and what it has overcome. I think we can all do that for a couple of months, no matter our political views.

[85suited 0]

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this: The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing. The fifth would pay $1. The sixth would pay $3. The seventh would pay $7. The eighth would pay $12. The ninth would pay $18. The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59. So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day,the owner threw them a curve." Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. "Drinks for the ten now cost just $80. The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay. And so: The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings). The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings). The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings). The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings). The ninth now paid $14 I instead of $18 (22% savings). The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings). Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings. "I only got a dollar out of the $20,"declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man," but he got $10!" "Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!" "That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!" "Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!" The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill! And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

[FCP Bob 1,321]

Agree Henry. And if I hear anyone ever again race bait and say that we are a racist nation I'm gonna kick them in the teeth.

The US is a nation where a great deal of racism exists, as it does in Canada and in all countries to varying degrees.Don't stick your head in the sand and say that just because a Black man has been elected President it removes all residue of past or current racism. To paraphrase John McCain, Omaba isn't an Arab or Muslim, he's a decent Family man.

[Loismustdie 0]

Ignorant describes the vast majority of people who vote no matter who they vote for. Actually it describes the vast majority of people period. The average person just doesn't know a lot.PS, yes I'm an elitist.

Wow, turns out Bob and I think exactly alike.

[Loismustdie 0]

The US is a nation where a great deal of racism exists, as it does in Canada and in all countries to varying degrees.Don't stick your head in the sand and say that just because a Black man has been elected President it removes all residue of past or current racism. To paraphrase John McCain, Omaba isn't an Arab or Muslim, he's a decent Family man.

Actually, I think the shoe is on the other foot now. 96% of blacks in Ohio voted Obama. Wonder why?

[Zealous Donkey 0]

Ignorant describes the vast majority of people who vote no matter who they vote for. Actually it describes the vast majority of people period. The average person just doesn't know a lot.PS, yes I'm an elitist.

I like to jump on the elitists. I know elitists, some of these elitists are friends of mine. You are no elitist. I agree with your post.

[FCP Bob 1,321]

Actually, I think the shoe is on the other foot now. 96% of blacks in Ohio voted Obama. Wonder why?

Well since about 90% of Blacks voted Democratic for President when all the candidates were White that number isn't shocking and you're being intellectually dishonest by not also pointing that out. If Alan Keyes got 96% of the Black vote then your point would have more validity.My guess is that a very high number of evangelical Christians voted Republican, that doesn't make them anti-Black although I'm sure some of them are. Of course many Black people voted for Obama because he was Black just like many Catholics voted for Kennedy in 1960 because he was the first Catholic President.It's human nature to vote for those who you identify with.

[Zealous Donkey 0]

I just wanted to add along with the OP that I respect the fact that Bush has been in the shadows through this whole process a lesser more egotistical man (cough Cheney cough) may have felt the desire to publicly state their endorsement and opinion. Also it is my understanding that he reached out to the Obama family last night and offered for them to come visit him and his family to get a feel for the whitehouse. While I don't hold his actions as the President in the highest of light I feel as though he is a man of good intentions and I respect the way he's handled himself in this unique situation over the course of the elections.Time will ultimately be the only real test of what kind of President Obama will be but I am hopeful and confident in his vision, his intelligence and his genuine love for his country and desire to make things better. Whether you agree with his platform or not I hope we can all see the positive message his election sends through out the USA and the world and I hope we can all take a moment to appreciate the fact that we are experiencing a big moment in history.

One thing I was encouraged by last night was that he seemed to understand that it was the grassroots people that got him where he is, not Pelosi or Reid, or Howard Dean. He can at least make the case, if he so chooses, that he doesn't owe them anything. If he does that and is true to his campaign message, I think you may be surprised by support he will get from some republicans.edit.... but if he comes out and signs right from the get go the Freedom of Choice Act, and some disguised version of the fairness doctrine, then he will pretty much sabotage any chance of ever really reaching across the isle. As I promised in a previous post, I will remain cautiously optimistic for now.

[nutzbuster 7]

The US is a nation where a great deal of racism exists, as it does in Canada and in all countries to varying degrees.Don't stick your head in the sand and say that just because a Black man has been elected President it removes all residue of past or current racism. To paraphrase John McCain, Omaba isn't an Arab or Muslim, he's a decent Family man.

Of course racism exists, but don't stick you head in the sand either.If Obama had lost, a good many neighborhoods this morning would probably be smoldering.

[FCP Bob 1,321]

One thing I was encouraged by last night was that he seemed to understand that it was the grassroots people that got him where he is, not Pelosi or Reid, or Howard Dean. He can at least make the case, if he so chooses, that he doesn't owe them anything. If he does that and is true to his campaign message, I think you may be surprised by support he will get from some republicans.

How is the Speaker of The House determined because Pelosi makes me cringe and there must be better Democrats in the House for that position than her. She comes across as way too partisan and petty.

[Nimue1995 1]

Why would she demote herself?A governor is way more powerful than a senator

She's gunning for 2012.

Wrong per usual, There is a run off if he is elected and the expelled from the senate

Takes time for that election dear. And in the meantime Sarah can appoint anyone she wants including herself. Do you not think in a run-off that the person who's appointed wouldn't have a great advantage? And she's for sure gunning for 2012 like I said to BG. Anything that gets her closer to that is going to be in her sights.

I just wanted to add along with the OP that I respect the fact that Bush has been in the shadows through this whole process a lesser more egotistical man (cough Cheney cough) may have felt the desire to publicly state their endorsement and opinion. Also it is my understanding that he reached out to the Obama family last night and offered for them to come visit him and his family to get a feel for the whitehouse. While I don't hold his actions as the President in the highest of light I feel as though he is a man of good intentions and I respect the way he's handled himself in this unique situation over the course of the elections.Time will ultimately be the only real test of what kind of President Obama will be but I am hopeful and confident in his vision, his intelligence and his genuine love for his country and desire to make things better. Whether you agree with his platform or not I hope we can all see the positive message his election sends through out the USA and the world and I hope we can all take a moment to appreciate the fact that we are experiencing a big moment in history.

I watched President Bush's speech congratulating Obama on his victory. And BG you were right, like you, he was a class act.

[Zealous Donkey 0]

How is the Speaker of The House determined because Pelosi makes me cringe and there must be better Democrats in the House for that position than her. She comes across as way too partisan and petty.

I believe checky said he got an email, talking about Obama being a "grown up", and Obama used the word "immature" to describe the bitter partisanship bickering, Nacy Pelosi and Harry Reid are the worst of the worst when it comes to immaturaty and behaving childlike. (I know there are some republicans too) You are correct, there are, I am sure, much better Democrats in the house for that position. I believe it is filled by the Democratic Caucus, and they are very unlikely to make a change especially since they picked up seats in the house this election.

[El Guapo 8]

qft

I'll Quote You For the Truth!

have I made guapo vom yet?

No vomiting, but I couldn't sleep very well last night, that's for sure.

[hblask 1]

<Don't stick your head in the sand and say that just because a Black man has been elected President it removes all residue of past or current racism.

I was careful to point out that I don't believe racism has been eradicated, I just said that it's no longer an excuse for anything. President. It doesn't get any higher than that. Nobody is being held back anymore by anything other than their own imagination and drive.

[brvheart 1,758]

I wouldn't say that, but it's a decent size portion. Some of the guys on here are incredibly intelligent, then again, some incredibly intelligent people love socialist ideas, so it makes sense that could happen. I don't agree with it but whatever. I guess we are going to have to experience it first hand, and at that point I will feel no joy in saying "I told you so" because the damage will have been done.

This is sadly... exactly right.

GG Obama...Most countries in the world are already annoucing that they whant to tighten or restore relationship with USA. This is a great positive step for the peace in the world.Anyway, he has been fairly choosen by the people of America as the new president. If his politic is bad, you will change back in 4 years. If his politic is good, well...And if his politic is putting USA into a living nightmare, somebody already said on this forum that you were keeping weapons ready to bring back liberty and freedom against a dictatorial gouverment. Let's cross fingers that the democratic way will prevail.

I'm holding out hope that he will bring peace to the world and the middle east, and then the world will elect him president and he moves to Jerusalem to start his governing. Seven year terms seem about right.

I think there is something to be said for enjoying the moment. This really is a time for the country when the US has, officially, moved past race. It's just not an excuse for anything anymore. It's a marker of the end of the old way of thinking and the start of the new. Don't get me wrong, I'm not believe enough to think racism has been eradicated, but it is officially marginalized beyond significance. I am happy for all those people who have spent their lives feeling like the world is against them. It's always been possible to overcome that, but now, it's publicly and officially possible. There is no limit anymore. I can't imagine how that feels, but the crowds and the excitement for this victory give an idea.So now we've got a couple of months where we can enjoy the fact that we can see the end of GW's disaster, that a formerly racist nation has elected a black president, and that we have yet to see any crazy statist programs actually pushed through by Obama. I think we should take a breath and enjoy what Obama's victory means for a couple of months, before we are forced to cope with what Obama's means for America.

I'm happy about this also. I've never seen racism in Iowa (3% black) first hand, but I know it exists in various places. I'm just glad as a whole, it's a dead issue now. Obama's awfulness will have nothing to do with his blackness.

Great speech and a great American. I just wish we had run someone else up against the messiah. Palin killed him. He picks Romney and today looks much different imo.The only good thing is that while this was a good/healing change in the mind of the world, it was not a mandate for this country. Obama will have a very tough go trying to install the most radical of his ideas, although he most certainly will get plenty of them thru.I wonder how long it takes before Farrakhan, Ayers and Jackson start shaking him down?The Obama watch begins....

I totally disagree with this. How could you even wish that the republican ticket had two liberals? One was already too much. We messed up in the primary.Also Romney would have been hammered on Mormonism.

Ignorant describes the vast majority of people who vote no matter who they vote for. Actually it describes the vast majority of people period. The average person just doesn't know a lot.PS, yes I'm an elitist.

wow. this is the first post by Bob, that I've agreed with, in a long long time.