Can the issues facing the next President be solved in four years?

For the most part: no. But he’ll give it a good try and hopefully make a lot of progress!

(Number 4 will be helped tremendously if we elect Obama.)

EmpressPixie like your assessment on #4 :-)

No President will create a Utopia. Once one problem is solved, I promise there will be another.
1.There will always be poor (the economy)

2. There will always be war in some part of the world and a President will have to evaluate or involvement or non-involvement

3. A war on Terror is like the war on drugs. One person can create terror. That issue will never be resolved

4. I think Obama will instantly give us back some credibility in the world, but there will always be those that hate us. We are king of the hill and we all know how that game is played.

5. American Idol will probably get their attention back no matter WHO is President!

Thanks Judi. Good answers.

@Gambit: I like my assessment too, but it is also the honest truth. I read something this morning that said something like 70% of the world wants us to elect Obama.

In other news: I have GOT to stop reading so much gosh darned news. I’m desperate to cite sources at this point and have read so many source points that I have no idea where to start the search for backup.

No! I found some sources and it was not 70%, so strike that. But it was good. It was polls in 70 countries. Some info here and here. I like the second link better because it has pretty, easily read graphs.

But basically? More people in a lot of our key allies want Obama. So if we elect him, we get a bit more credit in their eyes.

EmpPix thanks for the links.

Most likely not. But the fact that he is making a valient and truthful attempt will motivate others and boost morale so we “feel” as though things are improving.

Perception is reality.

I, for one, truly believe Obama will try his absulte best to make progress, no matter how incremental.

Can’t say that about Mr. McCain.

Plus – I’m hoping for 8 years.

Thank you cprevte

Politics is a continuous game. Nothing is ever solved. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just the way things are.

1. The Economy: Sure….go buy stuff. The economy will heal itself.
2. Iraq and Afghanistan: No, we will not force democracy on tribal muslims, and we will never leave. We’re still in Korea, aren’t we?
3. Terrorism: No, to quote Golda Meir, (replace “Arabs” with “militant muslims”) “Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us. ” As long as they believe that they earn their way into paradise by killing infidels, the only way to stop them is to kill them all.
4. How We are Viewed by Other Countries: Don’t much care.
5. Nielsen Rating for American Idol: huh?

jholler had to throw in American Idol so the topic wouldn’t be too serious. Politics can be such a downer. Thanks

We need to fix: 6. Education, and then in 30 years people who espouse views like: ”(replace “Arabs” with “militant muslims”) “Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us. ” As long as they believe that they earn their way into paradise by killing infidels, the only way to stop them is to kill them all.”, will be too few to make a difference, and then our children can start checking the other issues (and new ones) off the list.

Hoosier, I’ve earned that viewpoint. Let me know when you’ve contributed to the bounty you enjoy.

Does my time in Iraq count in your book? Personally I don’t think it did much good at all but aren’t you supposed to respect it anyway? But yes my bounty is all hard won honestly, so take notice.

I think there will be huge resistance to Obama’s programs, but there will also be
opportunity for people who are talented and motivated and have been sidelined.

We’ll also all get all tweaked because he won’t be able to do the things he’s talked about doing.
His budget is shot, etc. but we won’t forgive him.

@Hoosier, the practical reason that it would be good if we regained the respect of other countries is that we need allies. Don’t we? Look at what happened in
Iraq. Everyone but the Brits pulled out.

Hoosier, don’t pull the “respect me cause I went to Iraq” card on me, I spent 12 months doing route clearance on Tampa.

We need trade allies more than war allies, we might just have fewer enemies altogether then. Respect and wars of aggression do not sync.

@jholler Please explain that.

@susanc,
I’ll concede that’s a valid reason to care what they think of us.

explain what? Route clearance on Tampa?

No, why your time there makes you a better person than me. I presume it’s why you said- “Hoosier, I’ve earned that viewpoint. Let me know when you’ve contributed to the bounty you enjoy.” before you knew I was a Vet. Or were you referring to your job as a socialist firefighter?

The new president will have to be Franklin Roosevelt on steroids, with some Mahatma Gandhi and Florence Nightingale thrown in. And I think James Howard said that…..

explain to me how you can have spent time in Iraq and NOT feel animosity toward a religion that espouses killing you as a way into paradise, please. I personally don’t like folks trying to kill me, and tend to harbor some resentment for it. What did you do in Iraq, btw?

“socialist firefighter”... Heh heh, clever.

Yes I feel the animosity to religious people who want to harm others, right now.

I did exactly what I was told, just like you.

Yes, we all pay your salary, firefighting is a socialized service. Maybe you would like it privatized?

There are privatized fire services, Rural Metro is one I can think of right now. As a firefighter, that would probably benefit me monetarily, but it wouldn’t be the best thing for my community. I seem to be contradicting my own viewpoints, don’t I? Maybe I consider emergency services through a different lens than I do other professions…we don’t exist to turn a profit, don’t have shareholders….I wonder why I feel this is ok for fire, police, EMS, military, etc, but not for non-emergency healthcare? I’ll have to think on that, but it does feel right. I’ll hit you with a “great answer” for making me think.

It took us a long time to get us into this mess, and it will take a long time to get us out. We’ve been in debt as long as we’ve been a country, and unless every man, woman, and child wants to pony up several thousand dollars a year for the next four, we’re not getting out of that one so fast. And being in debt kind of scuttles any plans for a quick economic recovery, whether you’re a family or a nation.

The environment isn’t even a problem that can be fixed, especially not in our lifetime. It can only have the bad effects somewhat mitigated. It’s not on the list up there, but it, too, has a lot to do with the economy. If we can’t keep “feeding the world” with cheap corn and wheat (and have to start importing to feed our own people), that puts us in a bad economic position.

Other countries would see us in a better light if we stop being the neighborhood bully, which means getting out of the business of attacking other countries. Two birds, one stone, for this one. If we can stabilize Iraq and manage not to attack anyone else on the way out, this might be done in four years.

Terrorism would, I hope, go down if we are better viewed by the world. Remember, we’re not attacked for “no reason.” Some of the reasons we can fix (like “get the heck out of my country, intruders!”) and some we can’t (“Infidels!”). Some of it will always be there, but hopefully it won’t be egregious.

TV – dunno, don’t watch it.

@ EmpressPixie – Here is a pretty neat international summation
So I guess number 4 could be.

I would suggest number 3 is a variable that couldn’t really be cured for certain no matter who is in charge. We could only hope to contain it, minimalize it.

1. the economy is complex. Hugely complex. Given what is wrong I believe it will take more than one term to fix the crisis and balance the budget

Fixed in 4 years? Not in 100 years! Are you kidding!?

1. The Economy – Greedy bastards caused this mess, all over the world. The DOW went from 14000 to near 8000 in the last 3 weeks or so. It was a needed adjustment. What is your definition of fixed? If your definition of fixed means greedy, immoral, idiots (REpublican, Democrat, and all the rest) get what is coming to them for being so irresponsible. Then I say it is closer to fixed now then it has been in recent history. We are in a cycle…there is no fixing. There is only adjusting to reality.

2. Iraq and Afghanistan – Forget Iraq and Afghanistan! We have much bigger problems. Isn’t terrorism the reason we are there? I suppose we could get all our political and military ducks in a row and march them out of these 2 countries, but what will we leave behind? More terrorism…funneled and concentrated into our area of most recent occupation.

3. Terrorism – Terrorism is not a war that will be won politically. It is not a problem that can be fixed by governments. As long as radical Islam hates Jews, Christians and Infidels, it will not matter how much land we give them, or how muchmoney we give them. I am sad to say the only fix for terrorism is for “the real God to step up please!” I think we will see that soon enough.

4. How We are Viewed by Other Countries – Can we kiss some foreign butts? Is that what they need? Is that how America became what it is? Uhm no…I think not. We dragged are feet getting into World War 2 because we did not want war. But we came to the assistance of our allies. Namely Britain, because there were FASCIST EVIL PIGS trying to EXTERMINATE an entire people. Namely the Jews. So…hmm…let’s see…Radical Islam wants to exterminate the Jews. Our options.
1. Kick their asses with brute force until they realize that God is on the side of freedom and love.

2. Go talk with terrorists about rainbows and unicorns and how much we “love” each other in this wonderful humanitarian globe.

Hmmmm…I will choose number 1. Even if that means I die for the cause. Thank you VETERANS for committing to something bigger than yourselves, and bigger than pansy socialist agendas.

5. Nielsen Rating for American Idol – I love American Idol. It’s real life. Who is Nielsen?

Can Barak Obama fix this? HAHAHAHAHAHA….he is the gasoline on the fire of humanity’s last cookout. Thanks Obama…for nothing.

Can McCain fix this…uhm…no…McCain at best can buy a few more years for patriotic Americans to squander what’s left of their over inflated assets.

Then the end will come.
THe end begins with global economy.
Is followed by global government.
And a temporary cessation of war.
But it will not last.
THe depravity of humanity does not know how to exist in peace.

WHo will fix this? God. His name is Jesus Christ.

watchman220: You had such a head of steam behind that rant you almost, ALMOST, sold me (I was caught up in the moment).

…but then my brain turned back on.

hehe….well what stopped you? Jesus? Was that it? If you don’t believe it, then just wait until you see what happens with Israel.
When some famous politician brings a 7 year peace treaty to Israel and it sticks…we have 3.5 years from that point in time before all hell breaks loose on earth. And then shortly after that GOd’s Wrath. And then at the end of those 7 years. Jesus will set up his kingdom.

It’s all in scripture.

The prophecy of Israel returning to their nation has already been fulfilled in 1948. THat is a matter of history.

But yet again I digress…sort of. The point is…this is way out of control of any president, not matter how much time you give him / her.

Watchman220: You’re pulling our collective leg here, right?

lovin some watchman! Rant on!

It’s funny that you would say that. And it’s funny that I know when I tell you I am serious about the previous post. ABout Jesus…you will think I am a fundamental christian nutcase.

Truth be told I am a Jesus Freak and I do not expect many to understand for what we are heading. Because they simply don’t want to think about it. Or whatever.

But if you doubt my words, then look at scripture. Revelation. The Book of Daniel. Matthew 24.
It may not be this term…or this man.
But we are heading towards global economic distress of unequaled measure.
Never before has a global cooperation of economies and banking ever been so close to seeming like a reality.

Private world bankers slash the prime interest rate in coordination with one another.

Governments around the world are guaranteeing funds based on no gold standard or any standard.

The US is printing more money than ever! Which they promised they would not do. Because it would cause inflation.

Government bailouts of banks and other high level financial institutions in unprecedented amounts of money.

THe dollar is strong today because other countries economies are failing.

What happens when they all fail to the point of no return. No one lends money to anyone because it is worth nothing and no one trusts what the other says the money is worth.

Enter global economy…the rest is a slippery slope to global government, ripe for a takeover of biblical proportions.

“The self-fulfilling prophecy is, in the beginning, a false definition of the situation evoking a new behaviour which makes the original false conception come ‘true’. This specious validity of the self-fulfilling prophecy perpetuates a reign of error. For the prophet will cite the actual course of events as proof that he was right from the very beginning.”

Have you heard that term before, self-fulfilling prophecy, do they teach that one at bible college?

haha…the point of prophecy is that it is told before hand. Before it happens. So I am making it clear to where we are going with this in a global nature. If you are jumping in at this point and seeing what I am saying is happening now…is proof…
That does not make me a self fulfilling prophet because you have never heard it.
The point is…we are going towards a global economy. Just watch! and then see what happens next. Global government.
Just remember then, what I said right now. And then you will see it is not a self fulfilling prophecy, but an actual fullfillment of real prophetic statements that the bible has foretold.
Not me. Not me. Not me.
Scripture.
Read it for yourself. If you do not believe me.
Funny how some people want to believe things like Nostradamus..cause it has no stigma of the name Jesus attached.
But Jesus Word is the only 100% accurate prophecy of the future history of the world.

is it bad that im laughing my ass off right now?

I don’t care what you think, if that is what you think. @uberbatman.
I don’t expect you to understand.

@watchman: “Kick their asses with brute force until they realize that God is on the side of freedom and love.”

Is that irony, or are you saying that God would be against your plan?

You should put that on a t-shirt :)

If God is against my plan. Then so be it. Will the real God please stand up?
But whose “god” is telling them to kill people with suicide bombs. And telling them to kill infidels wherever they find them. Allah.
My God says, forgive them.
But my God also says there is a time for war. and for peace.
America holds up freedom of worship as a constitutional right.
Islamic radicals proclaim that we should convert to Islam or die.
Gee…sounds kinda harsh. I say defend liberty and freedom of religion. Do you have a problem with that? They made it America’s business when they attacked Americans on American soil. SHould we sit here and wait for them to do it again?

Or perhaps we should talk with them about “peace and love” while they are running planes into some more buildings…or blowing up some kids and innocent civilians with a suicide bomb strapped to their chest.

Oh wait, but how can we talk to these people…when they keep blowing themselves up! Hmm… Like I said…will the real God please stand up? And when He is done being patient with the stupidity of humanity, God will stand up…and His name will not be Allah.

Is it too late for me to point out that religious dogma has no place in a thread about politics, government, and the economy?

way.

I like your answer jholler. But truly, politics, government, and the economy are merely human institutions that are tryingto deal with the primary flaw of humanity. The depravity of humanity is beyond the institutions of men to help it out of trouble.
Even our great democratic republic, which is under great threat by the way, is still a flawed creation of humanity.

Think about this!

A country where the ideals of tolerance are protected by constitutional law, will defend to the death the right of people to disagree with each other over religion. The religion that debases itself to the lowest common denominator, even still has the right to exist in this country. And we bleed for this right. When exactly does our country draw the line on how much we will tolerate from a “religion” that does not tolerate other religions? To the point of death!

Christians will insist that Jesus is the only way. And they have the right to believe it. Live it. Preach it. But they do not have the right to force anyone to convert to CHristianity upon penalty of death.
This over-zealous and absolutely unnaceptable behavior was sponsored by the catholic church and the government of Rome. But we are America.

Now we see this same over-zealous and unnaceptable behavior sponsored by a rapidly growing segment of radical Islam. Whether they be peaceful here in USA or not…their book is the same here as it is in Afghanistan or in Iraq or Iran…those who follow the QUran, seek the destruction of the infidel. THe infidel is anyone who will not believe as they do. They seek to kill you…when they have enough power to make war on a population, this is the method of conquering they employ.

Radical Islam is growing. If you do not see that. You are blind. ANyone. So these things all contribute to all the PROBLEMS AND ISSUES THAT CAN NOT BE FIXED BY THE NEXT PRESIDENT IN 4 YEARS.
Again they are out of control of all these events. No man can stop this progression. Only God.

@watchman
And we have the same book the crusaders had. Radical fundamentalism is radical fundamentalism weather it’s wrapped in a Koran or a Bible. Both preach hate and intolerance, and both have provoked violence. Both books have inspired thousands to kindness as well. I tend to believe the Bible, and if I am to inspire anyone else to believe as I believe I think it will be by feeding lambs and tending sheep, not by hate mongering.
Radical Islam IS growing, because desperate people feel they have nothing to loose, not because of a verse taken out of context in the Koran.
I have several Muslim friends. All of them hate what Bin Laden did. All of them love peace.

The next president has the job of leading in a secular world. As a Christian it is not his job to convert the nation to his beliefs, it’s his job to protect our right to believe as we see fit. The president won’t change anyone’s faith, but he may be able to inspire hope. I pray he does. Now abide faith, hope and love.

@ watchman -The only reason radical Islam is growing right now is because of extreme overreactions by Christian Fundamentalists.

Divisiveness in all forms is the enemy of God.
What about Jesus’ message to love your brother?
How about turning the other cheek?

What about these quotes, don’t they speak to the core of God’s message?

This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.
Mahabrata 5:1517

What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. This is the law: all the rest is commentary
Talmud, Shabbat 31A

Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
Udana-Varga 5:18

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:12

None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.
Number 13

Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.
Baha’u’llah

As for the topic, I don’t think anyone could solve the problems, but I think that Obama will move things in the right direction.

I’ll say it again. The difference is in how each religion’s prophet/messiah instructs his believers to act toward nonbelievers. Yes, the inquisition was an atrocity, and BOTH sides committed horrors during the crusades, but look at the root; read the holy texts. Understand abrogation and the principle of nasikh as you study the koran, and keep in mind that it is not presented chronologically, this is important. My “Word of God” tells me to love nonbelievers and be a Christlike example to them. Their “Word of God” tells them to offer nonbelievers 3 choices: conversion to islam, a dehumanizing tax (jizyah) and lower class status for the privelege of keeping your own faith, or death. That’s a big difference to me.

Jesus said that he came with a sword!
9
Matthew 10:34 NIV
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Luke 22:36 NIV
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
You can find scripture to justify anything, and the radical Islamists have done the same thing.

I guess my main poinitis…far beyond this election, or these national wars we fight. It is beyond economy. It is the failing of humanity.

I have always been saying in my time, that I believe the last days are coming. Now I am really seeing the groundwork laid as never before.

The beginning will happen with economic chaos. FOllowed by restoration of order by nationally backed and nationally partial or filly owned banks. Essentially governments run by rich bankers with an agenda.

Then we will see a cooperation, due to some catyclysmic event or war, that requires us to give up more of our national, and constitutional rights.

Socialism and redistribution of wealth is the tip of the iceberg. We have just begun the real descent into chaos.

I hate to be a doomsayer…but it will get worse before it gets better. I actually would see the fulfillment of these statements as a divine confirmation to me that the gospel whichI believe is actually true. And Jesus is who he said He is.

What politician could ever compete against the whole force of humanity and the plan of God?

So why worry? If it is the plan of God, so be it.
I personally believe that this is the dawn of a glorious age.

Watchman;
I know that end times theory is very interesting, but if Jesus said only the father knows, then, as a Christian, believe him! Spending to much time trying to determine the end times detracts from the real mission. Get into Bible study and learn Jesus heart. You need to know him so well that if he were here you could finish his sentences. You need to be able to recognize him in what ever form he may choose. You also want to wear your heart so he can recognize you. How did Jesus interact with the Romans? That’s how you should interact with non-Christians. Don’t be afraid. He told you that several times in Scripture, God is in control. I probably should have PM’d this. If it goes any further I will.

Judi, have you read the context of those verses, or did you just pluck them out and decide they mean Jesus advocates violence? In Matthew, most believe this is a warning that God will mete out punishment that is due those who openly reject His message, that we are not to. The scripture from Luke is akin to telling a friend about to go hiking in Alaska they might want to bring a shotgun cause there are bears…He was sending them to preach where He knew they would not be welcome, and wanted them to be able to defend themselves. (Of course this is my opinion, my interpretation, but it is taken from the surrounding context, not a single verse.)

I was making a point that anyone can take a verse out of context to justify anything. I know that I have been instructed not to be afraid. I’m trying to be obedient.

I don’t consider myself afraid, just vigilant and distrustful. I’ve bought my sword.

“If this goes any further…”

Judi, really, COULD this go ANY further off topic. Really?

@watchman: “Socialism and redistribution of wealth is the tip of the iceberg.”

We’ve been redistributing wealth as long as we’ve had a tax system. In the last number of years, though, we’ve been redistributing it from the poor and working-class and back to the rich. Why is it when they want to give the workers a tax cut, everyone is so aghast at “socialism” even though it’s nothing new?

If you’re upset because Obama’s suggesting tax cuts with no way to pay for it, be my guest – that’s what I don’t like about it, personally. But to say that it’s redistributing the wealth (and that it’s different somehow from what came before) is to ignore what taxation is.

Yes we already redistribute wealth. And Obama wants to do it even even more. That will not fix the problem. The problem is simply…people. People get off your butts and make your way.
Sure use the foodstamps and healthcare that you can while you are poverty level. But don;t sit there for 15 years….soaking it up. Be a giver to the community. Not a taker, as far as it is possible with you.

Government should have absoutely no more part in sayign anything about who gets money taken from them and who gets the money.

Government should step off.

issue facing the president…sheesh…to me it seems we are asking the wrong questions. Still.

The best question is why is all this happening, but I know this goes deeper than most people want to dive. Inevitably it delves into religion, faith, God, and the nature of humanity.
Sorry…it just does.

So let’s redistribute less. Like we used to. Before social security became the beast that it now is.

Judi, I appreciate your concern. And believe me I am solidly grounded. But if you as a Christian can look around and not be very interested and perhaps even concerned for your dear ones at this time, than I am not quite sure if you are paying close enough attention.

I AM concerned! I see my fellow Christians hate and fear mongering and remember the words “even the elite will be deceived.” He was talking about spiritual elite, not college educates north easterners. I wonder if they are forgetting the heart of Jesus, and it makes me very sad.

Even the “elect” will be deceived. Not “elite” And elect refers to either true believers in Christ, or the remnant of the Jews. Either way, they all become believers in Jesus. I tend to think it means true Christian believers.
And I am not fear mongering or hate mongering. But we can not continue to ignore a radical segment of people that truely are hate mongering and carrying our physical acts of violence because of how they believe.

This radical Islamic element combined with the perfect circumstances of a distraught economy, are certain to be used by America’s enemies to bring in an event that will have us begging for a strong leader to take over the chaos.

ANd even the “elect” might believe that this strong leader is the way to humanitarian success. I for one am watching very closely.

It is the nature of being a Christian to be persecuted. What we in America experience is bliss compared to Christians in other parts of the world. I have no fear of persecution because I serve an awesome God. This life is only a blink in the scope of eternity.
Bin Laden Got exactly what he wanted in 9/11. He got us to engage. A war on terror is impossible to win unless you give up all the liberties we hold dear as Americans. A war on terror is not won with guns. It is won with food, shelter and prosperity. When people have something to loose they won’t be so quick to die and to kill. Desperation and hopelessness causes terrorism. It allows idiots like Bin Laden to exploit young men who see no hope in this world. Bin Laden wanted an nternational war and he got it. We played right into his hands.

Watchman, after the Clinton reforms, it’s pretty hard to sit on welfare for 15 years.