what are the issues that you care about and how does romney deliver on these issues. if you'd like to include how obama does not deliver on those issues that'd be great.

in no way am i looking to argue. i will issue no combative responses whatsoever.

9/24/2012 8:45:49 PM

Obama is more likely to raise taxes

Romney is less likely to support gay marriage or abortion

aren't those about the only issues that matter to mainstream media defined republicans?

9/24/2012 9:03:11 PM

Quote :

"aren't those about the only issues that matter to mainstream media defined republicans?"

that's why i'm asking people their thoughts individually.

9/24/2012 9:24:29 PM

Please don't forget:

The nomination was stolen by Romney. There is not a single person who likes Romney for reasons other than

1) He's not Obama
2) They were told to back him by the executives of the republican party

9/24/2012 11:24:50 PM

for most you can trim that list down to #1.

9/24/2012 11:35:12 PM

Quote :

"Obama is more likely to raise taxes"

But isn't Obama proposing to just raise taxes on those making more then $250,000 a year? Low to mid-income families would not see a tax increase correct?

9/25/2012 8:37:26 AM

That doesn't make it right, just like it isn't right to let the truly wealthy off the hook with loopholes and 15% rates on the majority of their income.

9/25/2012 8:48:57 AM

Mane if that problem was fixed we wouldn't have to raise taxes on anyone.

9/25/2012 9:14:51 AM

-federal spending
-domestic energy policies
-foreign policy

Those are my big reasons for wanting Obama out.

[Edited on September 25, 2012 at 9:20 AM. Reason : big 3]

9/25/2012 9:20:04 AM

I'm not sure that Romney is gonna be a helluva lot better when it comes to deficit spending, though. He'll cut some things, spend more on others, and then take in somewhat lower taxes to pay for it all.

Inflation is a tax, too, so when you're running massive deficits, you don't gain that much by cutting taxes and making it worse. Spending is what matters more.




...and what's the problem with Obama, foreign policy-wise?

9/25/2012 9:34:02 AM

Anyone who thinks that modern Republicans are better at controlling spending hasn't been paying attention these last couple decades.

9/25/2012 9:39:40 AM

Quote :

"...and what's the problem with Obama, foreign policy-wise?"

Here. Let me field this one, since I've asked the conservatives in my office the same question.

He's weak on Muslim terrorists, except of course for OBL and all the drone strikes. And he's letting Iran develop a nuclear weapon by not applying any new sanctions on them, except that he did. And he blew off Benjamin Netanyahu for a meeting except he didn't. Oh, and he let Egypt democratically elect an Islamist government.

Personally, I think their problem is that we don't have Israel's cock down our throat quite as far as when a R is in the White House.

Quote :

"Anyone who thinks that modern Republicans are better at controlling spending hasn't been paying attention these last couple decades."

Silly you, wars and massive increases of government intrusion in the name of "national security" don't count.

[Edited on September 25, 2012 at 9:54 AM. Reason : .]

9/25/2012 9:46:58 AM

Pat,

I'm also concerned about deficit spending but I have little faith in the GOP to be fiscally conservative. The bailout was initiated by Bush. Obama just continued with the plan. I'm certain that had a republican president been in the White House these past four years more stimulus money would have been poured into the system to try and revive the economy. I really don't see much deference in monetary policy between the two major parties except for taxes, in which Romney wants to cuts taxes for everyone. I think this is the wrong direction as trickled down economics does not work. As a country we have to do two things, cut spending AND increase taxes to reduce the deficit. At least Obama is will to raise taxes on those making over $250k.

What are your issues with domestic energy policies?

What are your issues with foreign policy? I actually like Obama's approach to back off on the hard line nation building and anti-Muslim agenda.

9/25/2012 10:30:03 AM

1) Obama has actually grown the federal government at a lower rate than any President since before 1932. If you're talking about the deficit, then that was a result of massive unemployment and reduced tax revenue before he even got into office. He actually has a pretty decent spending record. His stimulus money went to shore up state budgets so that teachers, firefighters, and police officers wouldn't get laid off and to things like bailing out the car companies (which was without a doubt a net positive for the country). Also, 1/3 of the stimulus was a tax cut during the recession. If you're talking about the deficit (which is large because of reduced revenue), then that's going to take awhile to fix. That's just a fact unless you have Ron Paul style budget slashing that would turn the US into a wealthier version of Greece.

2) Foreign oil consumption has fallen every year he has been in office. Despite all the energy problems the country faces, the conversation still begins and ends here because it so disproportionately affects so many other policy areas. Foreign policy, economic policy, science policy, etc.

Has Obama fixed everything that was wrong with the country in 4 years with a shitty Congress who has refused to work with him on anything? No.
Has he put the country in a better position than we were in 4 years ago? Yes.

9/25/2012 10:50:15 AM

Romney has seemed to back off the "are you better off than you were four years ago" thing and rightfully so. Clearly the vast majority is better off. From job creation to retirement savings to housing it's a yes.

The question is do you think we could or should be even mor better off.

9/25/2012 11:04:52 AM

That's a good point. If Romney's team didn't think it was a question of "Are we better off?" they would be absolutely hammering Obama on it 24/7.

9/25/2012 11:11:29 AM

Quote :

"1) Obama has actually grown the federal government at a lower rate than any President since before 1932. If you're talking about the deficit, then that was a result of massive unemployment and reduced tax revenue before he even got into office. He actually has a pretty decent spending record. His stimulus money went to shore up state budgets so that teachers, firefighters, and police officers wouldn't get laid off and to things like bailing out the car companies (which was without a doubt a net positive for the country). Also, 1/3 of the stimulus was a tax cut during the recession. If you're talking about the deficit (which is large because of reduced revenue), then that's going to take awhile to fix. That's just a fact unless you have Ron Paul style budget slashing that would turn the US into a wealthier version of Greece."

See, this is where I think the GOP propaganda machine has just taken a turn for the worse. "He's a big spender", "He is increasing the deficit"... I mean really? How can you truly honestly believe that considering how Bush set him up and how he is cutting spending.

9/25/2012 12:57:58 PM

WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG W/ YOU PEOPLE?

ONE OF THESE POSTS IS A RESPONSE TO MY ORIGINAL QUESTION.

Quote :

"-federal spending -domestic energy policies -foreign policy Those are my big reasons for wanting Obama out."

so i was hoping for more of an explanation. what are your personal opinions on these issues and what is the romney/ryan ticket saying about them and how close are you to agreeing? that's my question.

9/25/2012 1:06:30 PM

A family member of mine is voting for Obama. From the conversations we've had and the forwarded emails she sends me, here's what I think are her reasons for supporting Romney

1. He's Republican
2. He's not Obama
3. "He may not be Christian, but at least he believes in something" (and then she proceeds to forward me emails about how obama is a muslim)

[Edited on September 25, 2012 at 1:15 PM. Reason : ^i to would like to see what you think Romney will do in these areas, because i haven't heard it]

9/25/2012 1:13:40 PM

Quote :

"That doesn't make it right, just like it isn't right to let the truly wealthy off the hook with loopholes and 15% rates on the majority of their income."

I feel like this is a reasonable position, even though I don't entirely agree. So I'm gonna push you on it, just for shits and giggle-cakes.

Is there an income amount (real or imagined) that can only be obtained unethically? Is there a certain line of wealth that can only be obtained through corruption or immoral behavior? Would you draw a line, and where would it realistically be? Let's talk real numbers, here.

9/25/2012 1:31:40 PM

guys, i don't want to hear two sentences about what your sister thinks, and i don't want to argue about money. i just want to hear peoples' views. please stop.

9/25/2012 1:37:42 PM

that sounds combative.

9/25/2012 1:38:44 PM

I don't have a sister. I was just offering what I've gathered from a Romeny supporter I know, since it doesn't look like any Romeny supporters are going to give you straight answers.

9/25/2012 1:45:57 PM

I've got a question for them also.

What exactly do you take issue with when Obama said small business owners "didn't build it themselves"

Do you actually disagree with his point or did the way he said it just rub you the wrong way?

9/25/2012 1:46:21 PM

^^ my point is that everyone knows people don't like obama b/c he's black and a democrat. but those are barely political stances. i'd like to hear someone's, anyone's, actual political views and how romney/ryan address those.

9/25/2012 1:50:56 PM

Every election roughly half the population votes Democrat and the other half votes Republican. Now I understand why the Republicans get one percent of the vote – the richest one percent. That other 49% someone will have to explain to me. The facts about what the Republicans have done to the middle class are beyond reasonable doubt, and yet their base refuses to see it. The monied elite in America are dragging a bag filled with your future down the steps, and your reaction is "Hold on there, that looks heavy. Let me give you a hand getting it into your trunk."

-- Bill Maher.

9/25/2012 1:58:06 PM

i know. the thing is, I think those are the biggest reasons people support romney. it has very little to do with his political stances, except that he's a republican. but i do appreciate this hread. i would like to hear from people who actually support some of his political stances (or just hear what those political stances are, because honestly, i haven't heard much about his stances, he's not very forthcoming with them)

9/25/2012 1:58:59 PM

Well, since nobody is offering up anything, I will just offer up what I have heard:

"This administration just isn't getting it done"
"Private industry is what built this country, and he is destroying it with taxes"

9/25/2012 2:05:21 PM

I know I'm not meeting the thread criteria with this post; that having been stated:

My dad's told me that he's afraid that quantitative easing will cause interest rates to rise. He has a fairly healthy asset to debt ratio, so I'm not exactly sure why, personally, that's such a primary concern of his.

I suppose he's worried about the effect that increases in interest rates would have on his 401k. However, if that's the case, I'm not sure why he dislikes Obama so much; if anything is better off now than it was four years ago, it's the stock market.

Basically, he feels that Romney will not allow the Federal Reserve to issue new currency (I think).

[Edited on September 25, 2012 at 2:30 PM. Reason : Your second attempt probably should have gone to The Lounge instead of Chit Chat.]

9/25/2012 2:24:52 PM

Conversation with coworker:

"I just feel like the Obama administration has been slipping all these bills through the backdoor and bypassing congress"

I didn't really push much further because he was starting to annoy the shit out of me, but it was a different complaint than most of what I'd heard.

9/25/2012 2:28:58 PM

Quote :

"Obama is more likely to raise taxes Romney is less likely to support gay marriage or abortion "

i'm quoting myself, but for reasons that are close to being factually accurate (eliminating questions of Obama's citizenship/religion/aggressiveness of his foreign policy), this is about it

honestly, i'm not sure Obama backers have many more issues they can point to as to why they support his reelection

our system of governance is controlled by two parties who are intentionally vague on almost all policy matters as a part of a strategy to narrow the conversation as much as possible. we can speculate as to why that is, but it's certainly not for the benefit of any citizen.

war on drugs. civil liberties (indefinite detention!). education. iran/israel (one country has signed the UN's nuclear non-proliferation treaty and has yet to be proven to violate any of its terms and the other has not signed the treaty and is known to already possess nuclear weapons).

i'm sure this thread, filled with different people with varied interests, could come up with all sorts of specific issues and policy matters they care about, but don't feel are discussed.

the simple question this thread asks is really a great one because it helps point out how bankrupt the political process is, at least for what it supposedly aims to achieve.

9/25/2012 2:54:43 PM

^ Sure we do:

Health care reform
support for higher educaiton
support for green economy
support for diplomacy over war in iran

9/25/2012 3:11:12 PM

I get the feeling that Romney is more likely to raise taxes, at least on the majority of Americans. That's what all current indications point to.

9/25/2012 3:17:57 PM

Quote :

"the simple question this thread asks is really a great one because it helps point out how bankrupt the political process is, at least for what it supposedly aims to achieve."

thank you, thank you.

and thank you (very much) to the people who PM'd me answers. this is a perfectly acceptable alternative!

9/25/2012 4:37:05 PM

Who PM'd you answers? Are their political positions seriously so weak that they can't even admit them?

That's what pisses me off about Republicans more than anything. They can't back up their political beliefs with facts or reasoning, but they'll rip on "liberals" all day about making decisions based only on emotion. It's fucking ridiculous.

9/25/2012 6:47:05 PM

9/25/2012 6:47:48 PM

^^ some people just like to play it close to the vest is all. ain't no thang, putting too much on the internet can be a problem sometimes.

9/25/2012 6:52:53 PM

Seems like a bullshit excuse from some dipshit cowards.

9/25/2012 6:57:15 PM

White people do not like to talk about their political affiliations. It's a secret. You ask a white guy who's he votin' for, like, "Hey, Bob, who you gonna vote for?" "Dave! Dave! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Take it easy. So I was fuckin' my wife in her ass, right? And let me tell you, it was something else." "Yeah, yeah, but who are you gonna vote for?" "Dave! Dave, come on with the voting! I'm trying to tell you about fucking my wife in the ass, and you're asking me all these personal questions."


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ2dquaHO7Q

9/25/2012 7:28:54 PM

honest question for romney supporters...how do you live with yourselves?

[Edited on September 25, 2012 at 7:48 PM. Reason :  ]

9/25/2012 7:48:00 PM

Quote :

"That doesn't make it right, just like it isn't right to let the truly wealthy off the hook with loopholes and 15% rates on the majority of their income."

My problem with this statement is the people who make less than 250k don't give a shit if it's right or not. So it still doesn't answer why anyone making less would vote Romney.

9/25/2012 7:58:14 PM

Well, I didn't care who won, I was going to vote libertarian either way.

However, I'm not so sure anymore...I'll probably still vote libertarian, but I have now actually found a reason to support Romney:

Quote :

"But here is one issue Obama is almost certainly going to be worse: Bail outs of states. States will start seeking Federal bailouts, probably initially in the form of Federal guarantees of their pension obligations, in the next 4 years. I had thought that Obama would be particularly susceptible if California is the first to come begging. But imagine how fast he will whip out our money if it is Illinois at the trough first?"

A Republican president is not going to bailout a democrat run state. And it just so happens that republican run states tend not to be on the verge of bankruptcy.

But other than that I don't see any actionable differences between Romney and Obama.

9/26/2012 11:03:35 AM

republican run states receive more federal money than democratic run states

9/26/2012 11:07:29 AM

How is that measured? does that money go to the state governments directly? Or does it go to individuals, NGOs, or other entities that reside in said states? Or is that a combination of both?

9/26/2012 11:33:29 AM

Quote :

"honest question for romney supporters...how do you live with yourselves?"

I want this elaborated upon before answering.

9/26/2012 11:44:46 AM

Quote :

"republican run states receive more federal money than democratic run states"

And therefore democrat run states should cheer if Republicans ever argue the Federal Government should give away less money.

9/26/2012 2:17:22 PM

^ that argument makes no sense when you consider the audience are people who think some redistribution is a good thing

9/26/2012 2:24:58 PM

You should post the PMed answers from the Romney supporters with their names removed.

9/26/2012 2:25:53 PM

Fuck that, call them out. If you're dumb enough to support Romney you deserve to be humiliated.

9/26/2012 2:36:27 PM

What if you have enough money to benefit from a Romney presidency? Does supporting him still make you dumb?

Note: I didn't PM anything.

9/26/2012 2:43:59 PM