Who said that intelligence is needed in order to vote?
The old saying goes that each presidental election is the most important election in a person's lifetime. In this case, the old saying is actually true. I predict that if Obama is re elected, our country will financially collapse in three years max. I'm not saying that it could still happen if Romney is elected, but I feel he will at least try to stir this country away from the fast approaching economic cliff. Anyways, since this election is so crucial, it's important that voters on both sides are informed and have at least average intelligence. Most Republican voters are very well informed on the issues be it economic, social and foreign policy. Democratic mainly progressive voters tend to be lets just say "ignorant". Even well noted Democratic Strategist James Carville said "80% of Democrats don't have a clue to political reality ". I would have to disagree with James on his figure. I believe it's 90% actually, but the rest of what he said is accurate. With 52 days left before the most important election our country has ever had takes place, radio show host Howard Stern decided to send someone to gauge the thought process of those who will be voting for Obama on November 6th.Get some popcorn,and be prepared to be entertained. These are the people times millions more who could possibly cancel out your well informed vote. Said isn't it?
posted by Alpha Conservative Male at 2:53 PM
29 Comments:
These kinds of interview sounds like they should belong on the "Jaywalk" segment of the Tonight Show where Jay Leno ask people such easy questions but cannot give the right answers.
This is similar when years ago when Howard Stern and Robin Quivers asked the same questions to the people of Harlem during the Obama vs. McCain campaign. Either these people are really clueless, or they just don't care just as long as Obama is elected president.
Stern did make it fair. He assumed that a lot of white Obama supporter would give similar answers if they were asked the same questions.
I would wonder if these same people were to go ahead and vote for a black Republican over a white Democrat in a presidential election? I know that the majority of black Americans do vote Democrat, but would they care?
Big Pop
CB;" I predict that if Obama is re elected, our country will financially collapse in three years max".
Effectively you're saying that 'one man' is going to cause the financial downfall of the richest and most powerful country on earth. A country that gained it's independence from it's once European rulers. A country that basically fought itself to unite the states to form a more perfect union. A country that fought two world wars to prevent an axis of world dictatorships.
This country has been through several financial crisis, and has rebounded from every single one. There were presidents that presided during good times, and there were presidents that presided during the bad.
My question is this... what makes you believe that if this president is "re-elected" a financial meltdown is imminent? Better still, why didn't you predict the financial meltdown before Bush was re-elected? Predicting a financial collapse is a pretty tough thing to do, yet you seem so sure with your assertion. Still again, since you're so sure, how did you miss 2007-08?
CB;"I'm not saying that it could still happen if Romney is elected, but I feel he will at least try to stir this country away from the fast approaching economic cliff".
You're not saying that it "COULD" still happen? What happened to the "WILL" happen? And you think that Romney would at least "try" to prevent it. There was a financial meltdown in 07-08, so you're saying that Bush didn't at least try? Honestly, I think you're being more wishful than predictive. Tyrone, you know that I know that you're part of the "Limbaugh hope that he fails" crowd. That's where politics are now in this day and age. No one will hold it against you if you're wishing the worst happens under President Obama. You're just doing the job of a naysayer.
Look at it this way... if President Obama wins a second term, when the term is over you can still claim he failed. The markets can go into the millions, unemployment can go to 1%, peace can come to the middle-east and everywhere else in the world, poverty, hunger and disease can be eliminated, and you can still claim he failed. And guess what? No one would care....
You will find just as many clueless individuals on the right, most who do nothing more than regurgitate the same rhetoric and talking point they heard on their favorite radio program.
Allen said: Look at it this way... if President Obama wins a second term, when the term is over you can still claim he failed.
I know this is off-topic but what are Obama's successes?
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I'll cue the Final Jeopardy theme tune for allen Frank. lol Obama is trying to run as if he is the outside candidate running against the incumbent president. Obama is the president, and it's his record he needs to defend, but he can't.
Beyond The Political Spectrum "You will find just as many clueless individuals on the right, most who do nothing more than regurgitate the same rhetoric and talking point they heard on their favorite radio program."
I disagree totally with what you said. It's just a fact that conservative voters are more informed on the issues. These people have a broad knowledge of American History, the constitution, economic and foreign geopolitical politics. If these people were asked to name their two United State Senators, they could name them along with who their representatives are. They know about the legislative process backwards and forward. It's easy to simply dismiss them as nothing but mind numbed robots who listen to talk radio, but that is far from the case. They listen to talk radio because the hosts of these show are aligned as well with the values these people hold. Talk radio shows aren't about reporting the news. The talk show hosts are commentators, and they get paid to present their position on the news.
That is the beauty about talk radio is that anyone can call up and either challenge the host or agree with the host. Also, when facts can cut through rhetoric, then they cease being "talking points". They are simply are just the facts. Wanting the government to cut spending is just common sense and not a talking point etc etc etc. What you believe in isn't talking points, it's your ideological core beliefs.
Frank;"I know this is off-topic but what are Obama's successes?".
First and foremost is the question; "Is the country better off now, than when the president took office?" I don't know what you think, but I can tell you what I hear "many" conservative pundits and Romney supporters say. They claim that the country is not. I've heard some go as far to say they would prefer the state of the economy in the fall of 2008 over the present economy. So, if you're one of those who think the economy in the fall of 2008 was better that it is in the fall of 2012, you don't need to ask anything. Just keep pretending it's not what it is, and make the rest up!
Next there's the question; "Is a president success measured by getting his policies, domestic and foreign political plans signed and sealed into law."
On this question I've heard conservatives clearly state- "For the first two years of President Obama's term he got EVERYTHING he wanted!". DUHHHHH? If I got everything I wanted from you, regardless of if you agree with it, like it, not like it, or hate it... In anybody's book, I'm a success!
Even though I can go on with what most sane people see as "success", I'll leave you with this not so small accomplishment of the Obama administration. "Osama Bin Laden is dead, and General Motors is still alive!"
Hey Tyrone, I'm hearing that conservative pundits are getting marching orders to kick off their "October Surprise" campaign. So I was wondering when you were going to post your "President Obama = Jimmy Carter" essay? I'd like to read your talking poin... uh, ummm... I mean personal thoughts and your method of attack.
You should host your own talk radio, Tyrone.
-Big Pop
Tyrone, your statement that 90% of the left didn't have a clue, was an incredible indictment of a significant portion of the American population.
Would you propose voter competency testing? There are calls from the right to have people tested in this way before voting. Proponents of this view feel this would preclude those who didn't have a clue from voting. I remember in the South, literacy tests were administered to blacks and were successful in preventing illiterate blacks from voting.
Do you feel that voter competency testing would produce the same effect on those you deem as not having a clue?
Oh boy...Your buddies Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and Drudge have rolled out their "October Surprise."
They're calling it, "Obama's Other Race Speech." In the video, then Senator Obama makes shockingly racially charged statements such as;
"No one should be denied work in this country because they can’t find public transportation in their neighborhood".
and!!!
"But we should do just as much if not more to invest in minority-owned businesses in our neighborhoods so people don’t need to travel miles away in the first place".
How dare him!!! Invest in minority owned businesses??? In "OUR" (Black) neighborhoods??? Why do we need black owned businesses in black neighborhoods when there's plenty of welfare checks to go around? Who does he think he is... And if that wasn't horrible enough, Senator Obama goes on to add this bushel of racist pieces;
“This is not to excuse the violence of bashing in a man‘s head or destroying somebody’s store and their life’s work, that kind of violence is inexcusable,” Obama continues. “But it does describe the reality of many communities around this country”.
"Inexcusable violence?" Where would Chicago be without inexcusable violence? It's just plain and simple racism to ask those black folks to start their own businesses and stop their violence! It's racist, plain and simple!
Tyrone, aren't you glad the right wing came up with this tape showing all the vile racist statements made by then Senator Obama? Wow, what a "game changer."
Allen, are you actually suggesting things are better off now than in 2008? More people are unemployed or underemployed than ever. There are less people in the work force now than 2008. At the end of 2008 (President Bush) our national debt was approximately $10 trillion. It's now $16 Trillion and counting. If that's your idea of better, than nothing I write will reach you.
Nice try on the speech, though; Allen. Way to tow the party line and claim the video shows nothing.
"No one should be denied work in this country because they can’t find public transportation in their neighborhood".
"But we should do just as much if not more to invest in minority-owned businesses in our neighborhoods so people don’t need to travel miles away in the first place".
When I was growing up and looking for work and later working, I never depended on public transportation. I depended on myself to get to and from job hunting or work; sometimes that meant I had to walk miles. Self reliance is a beautiful thing and teaches you a lot about yourself; not depending on the government.
This is America, Allen. There are countless minority owned businesses thriving in cities across this great nation. How much more or what does Obama mean by we should do just as much if not more to invest in minority-owned businesses in our neighborhoods? It's not the government's place (Federal, State or Local) to invest in small businesses. The best thing for the government to do is get out of the way (in terms of taxes and regulations) of businesses whether they be large or small - regardless of the ethnicity of the business owner.
Game changer, you say; Allen?
Obama: “Now here’s the thing, when 9-11 happened in New York City, they waived the Stafford Act — said, ‘This is too serious a problem. We can’t expect New York City to rebuild on its own. Forget that dollar you gotta put in. Well, here’s ten dollars.’ And that was the right thing to do. When Hurricane Andrew struck in Florida, people said, ‘Look at this devastation. We don’t expect you to come up with y’own money, here. Here’s the money to rebuild. We’re not gonna wait for you to scratch it together — because you’re part of the American family. What’s happening down in New Orleans? Where’s your dollar? Where’s your Stafford Act money? Makes no sense! Tells me that somehow, the people down in New Orleans they don’t care about as much!”
Really? Who are the "they" to which Obama is referring and why would "they" send nearly $110 Billion to Katrina damaged New Orleans areas six months before this speech? If "they" are a reference to President Bush, why would President Bush authorize $6.9 Billion for Katrina damaged New Orleans a few weeks before Obama made this speech?
"Osama Bin Laden is dead, and General Motors is still alive!"
The Navy Seals took out Osama Bin Laden based on information received through the enhanced interrogation techniques Obama deemed "torture."
General Motors is still alive because we (the American Taxpayer) are funding it's daily operations. Check the latest sales figures of the major car companies and you can see how "well" GM fares against the rest.
Frank;"When I was growing up and looking for work and later working, I never depended on public transportation. I depended on myself to get to and from job hunting or work; sometimes that meant I had to walk miles. Self reliance is a beautiful thing and teaches you a lot about yourself; not depending on the government".
First off Frank, when you say that "nothing you write will reach me", I have to reply that you're absolutely correct. I'm not saying so because I'm some sort of lost cause to your realities. I say so because we both have adopted our own idea's of how this imperfect world works.
Secondly, I applaud the idea of "self-reliance" and personal responsibility. However, to hear an American born black man that was born and raised in the late 20th century (30 to 40 years of age) claim that he was "self-reliant", it just doesn't ring with a solid amount of truth.
Of course we can't hold it against you that as a child your parents fed, clothed you and kept a roof over your head. We can't hold it against you that you went to public schools and received a free education with books and other learning materials, played sports on public playgrounds and parks while your parents used the fire and police services if you were in danger. Can't hold none of that against you...
You came to be self reliant when you, "waled miles" to hunt for work. Self reliance....Hmmmmmm? Let me ask you this. Where there roads and bridges on your "for miles" walk? Or, did you rely on the sword you made to cut through the deep brush? When you found "work", was it done at some one else's business? Or, did you sow the land with a mule borrowed from your father, tend the fields till harvest then cart the crop to market? My point is, how "self-reliant" are you if you're working for someone else?
Frank, I also walked miles at times to get to school and to go to work. From the ages 11 to 14 I had a 12 street-block paper route which took me about a mile from my home. The cold blustery Michigan winters ain't no joke. In Detroit (the car capital with no subways or city trains) public transportation has always been the least dependable and least desired mode of getting around. Frankly (no pun intended), I saw no "beauty" in freezing my a$$ off walking to and from work or school. I did it because I wanted the education from school, and I wanted the money from work.
Frank;"Check the latest sales figures of the major car companies and you can see how "well" GM fares against the rest".
Okay...I get it. Conservatives didn't like that the president bailed out GM and Chrysler... I totally get it. However, fortunately for all the workers in Michigan, Ohio, the other auto industry dependent states, and the economic health of the country in general, President Obama did the right thing.
U.S. auto sales stay strong in September.
"While Chrysler and General Motors reported increases over strong year-ago sales, Ford's results were down slightly. Toyota and Honda continued their comebacks, fueled by the popularity of their stalwart midsize sedans, Camry and Accord".
"Sales of the Fiat 500 rose 50.6% while the new Dodge Dart gained traction. Dodge dealers sold 5,235 Darts last month, up 72% from August. GM's passenger car sales grew 29%, with the Chevrolet Cruze rising 42.5% from a year ago".
According to the latest sales figures (FACTS) GM, like the other American auto companies, are holding their own and are continuing to grow. Yet you seem to have a problem with it? If you don't want GM to succeed, don't by a GM car. Tell your friends and family don't buy them. But if the facts and sales figures aren't going down like you want them to, don't pretend that they are.
I'm going to finish your statement here-
Frank says (with my finishing touch);
"The Navy Seals took out Osama Bin Laden based on information received through the enhanced interrogation techniques Obama deemed "torture", and gave the order to assemble a force, go into Pakistan (like he said he would order if Bin Laden was found to be there) swoop down on the compound where Bin Laden is, and kill him!
Back to the party line, eh Allen? Roads, bridges, streets, playgrounds, etc. They were around long before I was born and will continue long after I'm gone. Maintaining roads and bridges are part of the powers enumerated in the Constitution for government.
Whether or not you believe I was self-reliant is irrelevant. The fact remains that I was as a teenager and continue to be. If attending public school in your mind makes me beholden to public schools, we will always have a difference of opinion. Public education doesn't give you morals, initiative and determination to succeed. Those qualities were instilled in me from my Mother. She taught me that if I wanted something, I had to earn it; ie work for it - not wait for some gov't agency to give it or offer it to me. While I'm on the subject, it was always my impression that parents are supposed to feed, clothe, shelter and provide for their children until their children reached the age of independence (18).
"While Chrysler and General Motors reported increases over strong year-ago sales, Ford's results were down slightly. Toyota and Honda continued their comebacks, fueled by the popularity of their stalwart midsize sedans, Camry and Accord".
"Sales of the Fiat 500 rose 50.6% while the new Dodge Dart gained traction. Dodge dealers sold 5,235 Darts last month, up 72% from August. GM's passenger car sales grew 29%, with the Chevrolet Cruze rising 42.5% from a year ago".
Nice figures you posted Allen - too bad they don't support your summation on GM.
From Allen's link on Auto Sales: Toyota's sales for September surged 41.5%...Honda sales rose 30.9%...Ford's sales fell 0.2% Poor Ford, but I digress...Chrysler reported an 11.5% increase...sales at General Motors rose 1.5%
From the data in the link you posted, it would appear Chrysler and GM were lagging very far behind the other major car manufacturers; with the exception of Ford, of course.
On Bin Laden - there you go again Allen (to borrow a phrase from Reagan). The force was already assembled, ready to go and waiting on Obama to give the "Go" order. Their mission was to go in and capture Bin Laden, not kill him. Bin Laden choose to fight and subsequently lost his life. Even the most right-winged, die-hard conservative will agree it the right call to make - for any President.
Strange though, how you and the liberal media categorize the killing of Bin Laden as an Obama success. Strange because when Saddam Hussein was captured, the liberal media didn't call it a success for President Bush. In fact, CNN and MSNBC rarely if ever mentioned President Bush in association with the capture of Saddam Hussein, in spite of President Bush being the Commander-In-Chief. Stranger still how President Bush held one press conference about Hussein's capture and even stranger that President Bush didn't continually remind people of Hussein's capture.
frank;"Back to the party line, eh Allen? Roads, bridges, streets, playgrounds, etc. They were around long before I was born and will continue long after I'm gone".
My point exactly! As I stated, you were born in a country and a period in time where "self reliance" is propagated through, and supported by, beings, subjects, objects, achievements, actions, etc... that were here long before you were thought of.
My point is this... Self reliance is not a "politically conservative" value. Self reliance is basic and fundamental to human nature, it's something we all eventually grow into as human beings. Yet in a technologically advanced society, such as ours, "self reliance" in the literal sense of the term, is limited to all the comforts that were here before you were born.
However, what conservative politicians and pundits have done is skew the meaning of "self reliance" by politicizing the term to attack those they see as "government dependent" (a.k.a. the 47%). These politicians have convinced you that almost half of your fellow citizens are not worthy of being alive. Sure, there are moochers in America, people who live off the system (what little they're given). But that number is small...VERY SMALL! And no where near 47%.
Moreover, the present Republican nominee for president of the United States, made that claim! Do you really believe that Mitt Romney was ever "self-reliant?" Even in his "so-called business ventures" he relied on Billy Bain and other partners to get the money to start Bain Capital.
Before Mitt was born his father was a lobbyist and officer for the Alcoa aluminum company. When Mitt was 7 years old, his father was the president and CEO of American Motors. By the time Mitt was a teenager, his father was the governor of Michigan.
Mitt Romney grew up wanting for NOTHING! Mitt Romney never "walked for miles" to find a job, or go to school. If Mitt wanted to "work" in any capacity of his fathers ventures, all he had to do was tell (not ask) his dad. If Mitt wanted to go to France for 2 years, all he had to do was tell his dad. Yet you and other conservatives allows him to tell "YOU" to be "self-reliant?????"
And NO! I'm not envious, jealous, or attacking Romney for being born with a silver spoon, just as I'm not jealous of anyone born into wealth. What I'm saying is that it's disingenuous of conservatives (born rich ones) to claim they are or were "self reliant" when they "relied" on what their parents had before they were born.
Look at it this way... if you really believe you're "self reliant", the next time you have a steak dinner, explain how "self-reliant" you are when you didn't raise and slaughter the cow, grow and harvest the baked potato, cure the sour cream, grow the grapes and age the wine, or fashion the knife and fork.
Frank you ask me to, "Check the latest sales figures of the major car companies and you can see how "well" GM fares against the rest".
Well, I did, and GM is holding it's own (as I said) and selling cars. Two years ago GM was in 100, 200, 1000 times worse shape than it is today. Today 100's of thousands of jobs are still here. What that means is that PEOPLE, American people are working. They have jobs. Their not getting food stamps and a welfare check, their being...hmmmmmm, let's see... Ohhh, in your terms, they're being, "SELF RELIANT."
General Motors and the policy of a government bailout is not your enemy Frank. Your enemy is President Obama.
These politicians have convinced you that almost half of your fellow citizens are not worthy of being alive.
Where did this originate? I don't think any politician has inferred that 47% of Americans aren't worthy of living. Again, Allen; you (not me) are towing the party line.
On self-reliance, are you inferring that it is part of liberal ideology? To remind you, we weren't talking about Mitt Romney - we were talking about me. I could care two cents about how or where Romney got his money to invesgt and participate Bain Capital. Why do you?
Two things Allen:
1. GM is lagging farther behind the other major car manufacturers; save Ford (for September).
2. Two years ago GM was in 100, 200, 1000 times worse shape than it is today.
Thanks to taxpayer dollars, GM is still losing money at our expense. How you can infer that 1.5% sales growth demonstrates "self-reliance" while relying on taxpayer dollars (ie. gov't intervention) is beyond the scope of logic.
Allen, if GM was holding their own (being self-reliant); why are they shutting down production of the "environmentally friendly" Chevy Volt? While you're at it, can you explian how GM stock is up and it still owes the gov't $14 billion? Doesn't sound like GM is "holding it's own" against the other car manufacturers.
P.S. Still waiting on an explanation from you on this quote, Allen: Obama: “Now here’s the thing, when 9-11 happened in New York City, they waived the Stafford Act — said, ‘This is too serious a problem. We can’t expect New York City to rebuild on its own. Forget that dollar you gotta put in. Well, here’s ten dollars.’ And that was the right thing to do. When Hurricane Andrew struck in Florida, people said, ‘Look at this devastation. We don’t expect you to come up with y’own money, here. Here’s the money to rebuild. We’re not gonna wait for you to scratch it together — because you’re part of the American family. What’s happening down in New Orleans? Where’s your dollar? Where’s your Stafford Act money? Makes no sense! Tells me that somehow, the people down in New Orleans they don’t care about as much!”
Really? Who are the "they" to which Obama is referring and why would "they" send nearly $110 Billion to Katrina damaged New Orleans areas six months before this speech? If "they" are a reference to President Bush, why would President Bush authorize $6.9 Billion for Katrina damaged New Orleans a few weeks before Obama made this speech?
Almost $117 billion for Katrina damaged areas of New Orleans (areas where black people live). Why did then Senator Obama vote against waiving the Stafford Act for the victims of hurricane Katrina? Close 6 times the amount for New York after 9-11 and almost 5 times the amount sent to hurriacane Andrew damaged areas. Obama skipped or passed on that little fact.
Frank;"On self-reliance, are you inferring that it is part of liberal ideology? ".
Repeated from previous post;
"Self reliance is not a "politically conservative" value. Self reliance is basic and fundamental to human nature, it's something we all eventually grow into as human beings".
Frank;"Allen, if GM was holding their own (being self-reliant); why are they shutting down production of the "environmentally friendly" Chevy Volt?".
As my cousin told me, who works in the plant where the Volt is built, GM shut down the plant for a month to to retool.
GM recently dropped from Number 1 to the Number 2 auto maker behind Toyota. When GM goes belly-up, out of business and the only affordable vehicle you or I can buy has to be built in a foreign country, I'll become a conservative.
I think both GM and Bin Laden should be dead. Just imagine if you were the CEO of Ford and the government came in and saved your largest competitor just when you had them beat. Maybe shrink it down to make it more realistic. If you opened a pizza restaurant that was very successful, so you opened another and another and another. Before you know it you have taken all the business from Pizza Hut and they are ready to close their doors forever when Uncle Sam steps in and provides them billions of dollars to keep them open. That's not what America is supposed to be about.
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