It will be interesting but the next president will be so handcuffed by budget constraints we are going to be in for a few years of grinding no matter who is elected. Basically it won't make a great deal of difference because the next president won't have a lot of choices.

Value judgements aside, Reagan ended the cold war but borrowed heavily from Clinton to do so. If you remember Clinton's first budget passed the house by 1 vote and the senate by a tie break vote cast by Al Gore. The reason: there was almost no pork in that bare bones budget and it lead to some of surpluses of the Clinton era. Now, to say Bush has borrowed from Obama/McCain is an understatement. Whatever pain the country endured in '93-'96 will be economic child's play to the austerity the next president will face.

Thinking of retiree issues, I can easily see means testing for social security as well as other entitlements, higher capital gains and corporate taxes, elimination of the Bush tax cuts, higher interest rates and higher unemployment. Perhaps only the current housing mess will save the mortgage exemption.

These things will have to happen as a matter of the coutry's economic survival and not a matter of politics or party, regarless of who is elected.

TomW: "Thinking of retiree issues, I can easily see means testing for social security as well as other entitlements, higher capital gains and corporate taxes, elimination of the Bush tax cuts, higher interest rates and higher unemployment."


Now I understand why my dentist told me at my last visit she has been traveling extensively and not worrying about retirement anymore, she's spending most of the money she saved for that day. She told me she has been so careful with her money all of her life and worked so many hours, (I can attest to the hours worked), and anyone with a retirement fund will be subsidizing everyone else's retirement. The USA has become the land of entitlement.

Her statement gave me goose bumpies because I read and I real a lot, particularly about SS and retirement, and Tom W's statement indicates the way many people are thinking. I think I'm going to forget about voting and go spend the money we scrimped to save for retirement. I wonder if testing for SS will empty quite a bit of The Villages and stymy future home purchases.

She gave birth to her fifth child in the spring and returned to work three days after. Her first is 18 and about to be deployed to Iraq. Her fifth is a little guy with Down Syndrome. She is quoted as saying "He looks perfect to me and has an extra chromosome". I really like that quote. It is a personal issue with me. I am glad she is pretty and a journalism major. I am glad she is a woman. I am glad Obama is black. This country is getting mighty good if you ask me, the four lead contenders for the top seat and we have a woman and a person of color and two Democrats and two Republicans. Now I need to decide who to vote for.

A new baby at home, with Downs Syndrome. I also commend what she says about the baby, but I feel her baby boy needs mommy at home during the crucial, nurturing first few years. Politics should come second. IMHO

Sarah Palin, thank God! Small town gal with small town values and brawn, that's guts for those who have no clue. She is a totally awesome pick by McCain and the conservatives are rallying. Maybe they will get their party back, sooner than they thought. McCain/Palin 2008!!! :hot:

Originally Posted by rokinronda

A new baby at home, with Downs Syndrome. I also commend what she says about the baby, but I feel her baby boy needs mommy at home during the crucial, nurturing first few years. Politics should come second. IMHO

I'm sure she knows what she is doing when it comes to her child/children. Her husband is a stay at home dad and they seem to be doing fine so far. They seem to have a lovely family.

Originally Posted by rokinronda

A new baby at home, with Downs Syndrome. I also commend what she says about the baby, but I feel her baby boy needs mommy at home during the crucial, nurturing first few years. Politics should come second. IMHO

Sorry Robin, but if I had written the above, I'd be accused of being a neanderthal chauvinist pig from the 19th century.

OMG! This kind of thinking astounds me. Do you really think she's ready to step in as President of the United States? Well, rationalization reigns supreme! IMHO, McCain just put all of his arguments about Obama in his hip pocket.

Sarah Palin? Really? 1rnfl

I'm sure his choice is to capture the Clinton supporters.

It is said he doesn't know her all that well.

That being said...

Muncle. My name is Rhonda not Robin, and I know that was not a slip, because you have called me that before and I let it go. I take it as name calling and won't stoop to that level. I know most, MOST women stay home for several weeks after a birth to bond with a child if they CAN. I hated, HATED to leave my children to go back to work at 6 weeks, but I HAD to. I was also VERY fortunate that I worked opposite my hubs hours and we never HAD to have a babysitter and never did. My hub is a fantastic Dad!! He worked all day and cared for our children at night since birth so we could put a roof over our heads and food on the table. I just really feel that the baby will not bond with her because she will be way too busy. It is just my opinion. I do not expect anyone to agree with me and I don't care if they do or not. I thought everyone has agreed to disagree. One other question, would PALIN be a great president if, God Forbid, something happened to McCain? I don't think so. To me, it is strange that a virtual unknown (until now) with very little political experience (PTA, runner-up Miss Alaska, and journalist don't count as political experience) was the choice! As I said before, LET THE GAMES BEGIN! I am going out now, and will not post in political again until after the elections. Have a nice day!! LOL BTW Peggy, you are soooo right!!

Isn't it amazing, Chelsea doesn't approve of the choice for Republican VP. Not one good word has been posted in this forum by Chelsea about any republican. Seems she has forgot it has been a democratic controlled congress for the last 2 years and nothing positive has happened. I am tired of the ranting and raving and have decided the best way for my vote to count is to vote in a manner to cancel yours out.

Muncle, If you knew Rhonda you would never call her Robin accidentally on purpose. She has spoken from the heart. Whether she is right or wrong is of no consequence. What matters is that she has never been mean to anyone on this board and treats all with respect. If you call her Robin in affection, forgive me. If you call her Robin to poke fun, I must point out that you would be hard pressed to find someone more caring, honest and kind than Rhonda. You know from prior posts that I respect you. I want to continue. :-*
As for Sarah Palin, I have much to learn about the lady.

Originally Posted by rokinronda

Muncle. My name is Rhonda not Robin, and I know that was not a slip, because you have called me that before and I let it go. I take it as name calling and won't stoop to that level. I know most, MOST women stay home for several weeks after a birth to bond with a child if they CAN. I hated, HATED to leave my children to go back to work at 6 weeks, but I HAD to. I was also VERY fortunate that I worked opposite my hubs hours and we never HAD to have a babysitter and never did. My hub is a fantastic Dad!! He worked all day and cared for our children at night since birth so we could put a roof over our heads and food on the table. I just really feel that the baby will not bond with her because she will be way too busy. It is just my opinion. I do not expect anyone to agree with me and I don't care if they do or not. I thought everyone has agreed to disagree. One other question, would PALIN be a great president if, God Forbid, something happened to McCain? I don't think so. To me, it is strange that a virtual unknown (until now) with very little political experience (PTA, runner-up Miss Alaska, and journalist don't count as political experience) was the choice! As I said before, LET THE GAMES BEGIN! I am going out now, and will not post in political again until after the elections. Have a nice day!! LOL BTW Peggy, you are soooo right!!

Seriously folks, don't you think McCain's pandering to women with this choice! His VP candidate is no Hillary and never will be. What a dog and pony show!! He doesn't have my vote.

armyone hit the nail on the head. We have had a Democratic congress for 2 years....what have they done...or maybe it would be easier to say what they haven't done. Yet, the media still blames the Bush administration for everything. They couldn't wait for a change in congress, well, we got it and what has changed?

Originally Posted by joannej

His VP candidate is no Hillary and never will be.

From a lifelong western NY resident......I see this as a GOOD thing !!!

Frank D.