The Debate:
I imagine that partisans both think their guy won. I thought McCain had a slight advantage; this was confirmed when I saw that “unbiased” news reports called the debate a draw.
I am in the camp of those who think Obama benefited from the debate more than McCain. His number one goal had to be to “look Presidential” or at least look like he was up to the job. I’d have to say he probably succeeded there.
McCain seemed to me to be the visceral or emotional candidate. Obama seemed like the controlled or programmed one. Obama was better on his feet than I thought he might be, but he pulled it off by using his talking points and standard responses. McCain seemed more genuine.
The debate left me more convinced than ever that if Obama is elected, he will rival Jimmy Carter as being the man most unsuited for the job. Obama will “rule by committee”. He has to. He will rely heavily on his advisers, because he just isn’t capable of decisive, independent action. On the other hand, McCain is certain of his own rectitude. I don’t see him putting too many decisions up to a vote. Perhaps there is something incautious or even dangerous about that, but I think leadership is what Americans really want, not talking points or position papers. That is McCain all day long.
Financial Mess:
If this is the last big issue George W. handles, it is quite apropos that the PR was bungled. How did the administration let the plan get characterized as a “bailout of Wall Street”? I realize that the underlying problems are quite complex, but like so many other things, Bush’s attempts to oversimplify things worked against him.
If there was any doubt about media bias, the fact that the media is covering up the Democrats responsibility for the sub-prime mortgage boom should eliminate it. How can it be that Barney Frank’s 2003 comment* scoffing about Fannie and Freddie’s problems isn’t on the front pages? And why is it that only bloggers can point out Obama’s connections to Fannie and Freddie?
Assemblyman Hoyt:
Frankly, if you aren’t smart enough to know that e-mails are not secure, you’re not competent to be in the New York State Assembly. If his lack of morality doesn’t disqualify him, stupidity should.
* ”These two entities — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — are not facing any kind of financial crisis,” said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. ”The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.”
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2 comments:
Repoman:
A few of my own random thoughts...
Before we continue to point the finger at Washington and Wall Street, let's stop and remember that when one points a finger there are 3 fingers pointing back at the self. Your depiction that "the vast majority of Americans" are somehow sober, frugal, bill paying on time and save fora rainy day type people is completely devoid of the present day reality. Those kinds of people are fading quickly as "The Greatest Generation" rides into the sunset. Americans want it now.
Americans are unwilling to save, unwilling to delay gratification. Americans take their kids to Mexico for "winter break" - why you ask -"Cause the kids work so hard." ( my ass, by the way) American do not tell themselves the truth about what they can afford. They lie on applications for mortgages- inflating thier income and attempting to hide their debt. America is a consumer, debtor nation.
I agree with Senator Graham - this great nation is populated with over stuffed whinners - who somehow think texting is communication and life without a $150.00 a month cell phone bill would be impossible . Self denial is not part of life's experience- to be an American it is almost unpatriotic to deny yourself - instead just put what you want on credit - to be paid latter.
The enemy is not Washington or Wall Street- they are a reflection. The enemy is us.
All the people "outraged" simply, please should - shut up and make sure thier personal and family financial life is correct- Because in the final analysis what is happening is profoundly sad. It is a failure of our financial sysstem that is every bit a threat to this nation as an armed attack on our soil. It is brought on by ourselves. You may dismiss Carter as a lousy President- but one thing we now need is for a leader to tell Am,erica to finally sober up. Liberty/ Freedom/ the very future of this nation hangs in the balance.
Finally- a a social liberal and fiscal conservative- I would insist that the banks with problems sell assets, be allowed to file the appropriate chapter within the bankruptcy laws, consolidate where possible. I would work to lower interest rates further to allow people to fight to stay in their homes, perhaps provide some kind of insurance to banks which they must pay for - but I would NOT put my kids in further debt to pay for the sloth and gluttony of their parents.
Anonymus:
I don't think we disagree to any great extent. We all spend too much and save too little. But most of us pay our bills on time. Fairly few expect the government to pick up the tab.
Not so, apprently for the Wall Street crowd. They want a bailout. Without it they wail, the whole economy will come tumbling down.
I'm not so sure. Lets not bail them out. Lets take our medicine, and, if its a recession, so be it.
Maybe, after its over, people will act more responsibly. Certainly, the lesson of the bailout will be the opposite. If we bail them out, why should anybody try to meet their obligations? At that point, we live in a socialist nanny state.
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