Where’s the Outrage, Michigan?
First, yes, there was a debate and Sarah Palin said words like “doggone” and “you betcha.” I want my VP to be smarter than I am. Biden kept his cool even when Palin repeatedly said nothing. Good for him. Palin was less stupid than she usually is. Good for her. Still, Bush is very “dadgum” and “yeehaw” so I think I want to go with a little smarter ticket this time. Check my Shared Items over on the right and I will show you some good post-debate blog posts, if that’s what your interested in.
Anyway, Michigan, are you pissed that McCain just frickin’ abandoned you? I’m inexplicably upset about this. Michigan has no rich people or something so he’s not wasting his time there?
As in national polling, it appears to be Obama’s edge on handling the economy that has propelled him to the top of the polls in Michigan. In the Free Press poll, Obama held a 15-point lead over McCain on fixing problems with the national economy, and he had an even bigger, 20-point edge on the question of which candidate is “more likely to fight
for the concerns most important to you and your family.”
I’ve never agreed with a statement more. I think this is what it comes down to for me with Obama: he takes my concerns seriously. My concerns about paying for gas and groceries and college and a house and speech therapy. I just think Obama knows that we’re struggling here in the middle class, while McCain really has no idea. Does McCain even know anybody in the middle class? Does he know anybody who has had to choose between saving for retirement or going to college or paying for speech therapy or buying a house? Oh my God, I just started crying when I typed that sentence. I think I’ve found my true feelings about this election. I’m not really an economics type of girl; I tend to want to talk about race and gender and civil rights issues, but man, this economy bullshit is kind of a big deal. We’re working really hard. My husband has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a job with a major financial institution. I sometimes get paid to write stuff. We don’t have credit card debt. We don’t have a mortgage that we can’t afford. We don’t have a car payment. We budget a small amount each week for “spending money” and we go to the dollar theater and Subway for fun. And still we have to choose between several extremely important, quality-of-life things: speech therapy for our daughter, retirement, higher education, and a home. We’re paying for Maya’s speech therapy out of our ever-shrinking 401(k). I dropped out of school because we can’t afford to pay for it without student loans, and my post-college liberal arts job wouldn’t pay me enough to make it possible for me to pay off my loans. Maya’s speech has come a long way, but when we first got her evaluated last year, it was noted that she had a “moderate to severe” speech delay with motor planning issues involved. That sounds worthy of treatment, no? Our $12,000/year health insurance did not agree that it was worthy of treatment. I don’t know, I think basic communication skills are kind of helpful in life, but apparently because she’s able to chew and swallow her food, she does not qualify for health care coverage in this case. Do you want to know how much it costs? I’ll tell you: $58/week for a half-hour each week. Impossible. We have no debt, and still it’s impossible. Why is that? Gas and groceries maybe. The extra-curriculars that we pay for for our homeschooled kids are bargain-basement low-income rec. center prices. Some of them cost $5, none cost more than $25. We are not living high on the hog. We do everything on the cheap. I think the only “luxury” we have is cable and we were even going to get rid of that last year to save some money, but we decided that our homeschool needs make high-speed internet a basic necessity and it’s cheaper to get the internet/cable bundle. For “vacation” we visit our family and stay with them. We live on a budget. Every penny is budgeted. And Obama knows it. That’s exactly why he’s winning Michigan and that’s exactly why he should win this election. It makes me so upset that McCain won’t fight for Michigan because I think that means McCain knows he can’t help Michigan and we should all take that as a sign that he will not be able to help all of the people across the nation who are in the same boat as Michigan.
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
You make strong arguments. However, politicians may claim to know how the ‘regular folk’ are doing, but they are so far from regular folk that I doubt that they really know or remember, if they ever knew about making the choices you and Bry are having to make right now.
I think that both candidates want to do what is best for the country, as a whole. Do they know what that is? That’s another question. Can they learn? I don’t know. Regarding this economy (or any economy ever)…it is a product of more than the current or most recent administration. There are issues from the roaring 90s that spilled over and got paid for in the past 8 years. Does this president get a pass? Hell no. But, both sides tend to point to whatever indicators support their belief.
I want to vote for Barack; not because he is black or young or any other reason than I want to believe has new ideas. Even more, I want to believe he actually cares… but I don’t. I don’t believe any of these people give a shit. I am only 38 and much too young to be this cynical, but there it is. Will I vote for the Big O? Maybe…and that is more than I would have said not too long ago. I would have said McCain for sure. Now… I don’t know. See, the democrat propaganda is working: What if McCain dies in office? Not fair, really, to ask that. Sound agist to me. So, Mr. McCain, you want to work for me here at ABC Company. Well I won’t give you the job; you are too close to death.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I strongly disagree with the fact that Obama is so far from regular fold that he doesn’t remember. Strongly.
You betcha I’m ageist against McCain (I won’t point out how I will freely admit my -ism while some who refuse to vote for Obama because “there’s just something I don’t trust about him” do not admit theirs ;)). He’s not vying for a spot as a cog in some business machine; the job he’s up for is a little bit more important than that and he has no decent predecessor in place. It definitely gives one pause and we have to consider what it would be like if he died and left her in charge.
October 4th, 2008 at 8:38 am
OK… you’re right. we do need to think about who his replacement would be. However, not voting for McCain simply because he is an old white guy is agist, racist and sexist. Not voting for Barack because “there’s just something about him” is racist. Those -ists are general though; may not be true in specific cases. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people are willfully clueless about the consequences of electing either one. With no real substantive reasons, people chose either 1-the best looking, or most telegenic and charismatic candidate or 2-the candidate who is comfortable or ‘looks like me’.
So, let’s think about VP Palin. When she was first announced, I was a bit bummed. People had talked about Condi Rice being the VP pick. Then the ticket had race and gender ‘covered’. Plus, she is a strong, intelligent. woman. BUT, to me, picking Rice would have seem such a political stunt that her qualifications would be overshadowed.
Then Palin is announced. I thought “aw”. Then, she seemed charismatic, down homey; I like that. She was almost poster-girl fly over country, the perfect punching bag for the east and left coast folks (flute, beauty contestant, hunter…and you know Billy Clinton would totally do her).
Then, her laissez-faire attitude. See, Billy C (mentioned again Bill) didn’t know jack about foreign policy, or much else other than how to get some strange and run his State (more or less). But he prepared. He at least tried to look like he cared. When Palin seemed unprepared and downright foolish in interviews, that did it. She may not have the knowledge at her finger tips, but a little more prep would have been better.
SO… McCain=McSame as Bush? I don’t think so. I think he is sounding like that to try to get some Repub base back. I think Palin was a pick to garner more of W’s base. I was disappointed; I wish McCain sounded like the McCain of 2000. I think he is probably still more like that guy, but wish he would have shown it… How about VP Leiberman?
SO…Obama=evil anti-American socialist? Don’t think so. I was leaning against this guy because he is pro-government expansion. Socialized medicine, big spending, etc. THEN… we have had years of big spending, the mortgage business has been nationalized… and no one reports it as such. Freddie and Fannie… socialized; American taxpayer…on the hook for $700 billion in ‘toxic mortgages’. So… I suppose Obama couldn’t be any more ’socializing’ than what we have now.
So…maybe I am back to the Audacity of Hope… hope that this guy ain’t another politician. Now, just to work against that bit of racism still down deep, not really used or acknowledged, but that warns me against Obama cuz ‘there is just something I don’t trust about that guy’.
October 4th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I love where you write that that you were crying while typing that sentence. I know exactly what you mean. You go girl - because part of the problem with many politicians? They do not realize just how many of us have things to cry about that they can actually impact.
October 4th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Wow. Gotta little debate going on here.
I forgot what I was going to say.
Oh, yeah. WORD.
But, if you buy into the public school system, you’ll get those services for free. FYI. Maybe even if you HS but just use the services. You can do that. USE IT SISTER! You’re paying for it, anyway.
My husband wants to know if Wolverines are prominent in Michigan. LMK. Kay? Love ya. Bye.
He also wants to know if Trojans are prominent in Southern California. Huh huh huh. He said, “Trojan.”
October 4th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
@Allissa
Wolverines are no longer indigenous in Michigan, debatable if they ever were, still a bunch in Canada though, and we love the nickname. Trojans are very prominent in SoCal, but apparently not in the Palin household.
@Tony
Since there are only two major political parties, we are always choosing the lesser of two evils. We should never hope or think that Washington can ever fix our problems. Both parties and candidates always have flaws. When I study economics I get all excited about free trade and the the free market and let the market sort everything out, keep the government out. But, in reality it never seems to work that way. Without some regulation things always get jacked up and the middle class are the ones that get screwed and pay for it, cuz the politicians and the Wall Street dudes might get voted out and might get fired, but they already cashed in.
Me, I can be bought. I don’t believe in legislating morality, so I throw all that crap out of my decision making. Bottom line for me is the economy. I will admit that if I made over $250,000/year I would vote for McCain, but I don’t. So I am voting Obama. In 1999, right before the Dems/Clinton handed over the reins to W. I got hired by AT&T, it was a union job (which the republicans would ban all unions if they could). Since that time, I have worked on my degree to try to better myself. Now eight years later, and eight years of Bush, I get my degree and take a entry level job. My starting wage after accounting for my share of medical coverage is less than what it was eight years ago. That does not even take into account inflation. Plus, I have student loans that I have to pay back. Granted down the road I am hoping it pays off, but right now, one has to ask where does hard work get you in this country? So again, currently I am poor and need all tax cuts I can get, so I am voting Obama. Down the road if I ever make it big and make some decent money, screw all the poor folk, my vote will be red, cuz again I need all the tax cuts I can get.
October 5th, 2008 at 12:25 am
I had almost the exact same situation Bry. My UAW skilled trades job was cut and I ended up taking a 50% pay cut to change professions. And I love tax cuts too. But, at the wage I am now, I don’t pay taxes. I mean, they withhold a bit, but it all comes back at the end of the year. Overall, the lower 1/2 of AGI pays just about 3% of all income tax… 50% of this country pays in a total of 3% of the tax. The top 1% pays about 35% of all taxes. Of course, the top 1% have about 20% of the AGI of the country, so one would expect a large tax burden.
But you know economics. You know that many of the 250,000+ aren’t the ‘evil rich’ sucking at the marrow of the working man. Many are small businesses whose income flows to personal filings. While I believe that taxes are a way to redistribute money so that all of us have our basic needs covered, I know that you know targeted economic plans almost never affect just the targets.
And economics tell us about acting in self interest…. When I was getting back to school, I knew that I would need funding and a democrat seemed more likely to push for it… voila a vote for Bubba Clinton.
All that said, part of me is thinking that Congress will be democratic so maybe I should vote republican just so we don’t have one party in control of everything… that is almost always a disaster.
Although, last time we had all Democrats (beginning Clintons first term), they mucked it up so bad that they were voted out of Congress in Midterms in 1994.
Then Repubs all power 2000 to 2006… and they spent like Drunken Democrats… and were ousted 2 years ago. You remember 2 years ago? When this damnable presidential campaign started.
Obama… McCain… Obama… McCain. I dunno. Obama…maybe a uniter, maybe help show a new way to make this work again…or maybe another elite leftist who ‘just knows better than you how to spend your money’.
McCain… one time ‘maverick (or as maverick as he could be)’… maybe really sincere about reforms… esp. pork and elections. But, maybe he is too much like Bush…I don’t think so, but he has been sounding more like W for awhile now… to get certain votes? Or is he becoming more like W?
And of course, if I were a Michigander still, I would be pissed that a candidate decided my state was a lost cause. (just my lame attempt to get this post to resemble something on topic)… I would sick a wolverine on him..
I have in on authority that wolverines will ‘eat your face off man’.
October 5th, 2008 at 12:39 am
@Bryan You’re so funny. Except for the part where if you get rich, you’re voting red. That’s not funny. Besides, with me by your side, you’ll never be rich. And, I thought we didn’t have any student loans. Now I’m sadder. I wish we could afford ice cream to make me feel better. Premium ice cream, not that hydrogenated oils/high fructose corn syrup that McCain would have us all eating.
@Alissa Your excellent school district gives the services, but my district will not qualify Maya for services. She needs another “issue” to go along with the speech.
October 5th, 2008 at 12:47 am
@ Bry and Abby… ok, this ice cream issue is my deal breaker. If McCain is against premium ice cream, my decision is made! Seriously, student loans suck. I could buy a house with my student loans… no sh*t. No there’s a bailout I could get behind. I didn’t just take that money and pay myself bonuses and shit… I got educated (as did Bry) and am using that education to contribute to society….and I could be ‘bailed out’ for much less than 700 billion.
Meh… good thing I didn’t vote early. I am thinking I am not voting the way I thought I was.
October 5th, 2008 at 9:38 am
@Tony…”McCain… one time ‘maverick (or as maverick as he could be)’… maybe really sincere about reforms… esp. pork and elections.”
-I seem to recall McCain constantly telling me this and following it up with “I will never pass a bill with pork in it and if one passes my desk I will veto it and let the country know their names”. But, then along comes a pork-filled bailout bill and he suspends his campaign and runs to Washington to throw his full support behind it? Why is no one talking about this? If he wanted to turn the election on its head he should of stood by his promise with the 60% of us who do not like it and found a better, more creative way to fix this problem that does not cost so much. That was his moment to steal the show and he let it slip by.
In regards to small businesses. Any small business that has over a $250,000 taxable income is really making way, way, way more than that and doing just fine. We all know that businesses get mucho tax breaks. There are all kinds of ways for them to lower their taxable income. And besides as Obama points out, their tax rate will be the same as it was under Reagan.
October 5th, 2008 at 11:12 am
These days there really aren’t too many differences between red and blue ideologies. Both sides want to tax and spend. We should just call it purple and vote for the candidate that is going to spend tax dollars on domestic issues instead of supporting fellow mavericks and the military industrial complex.
My previous political beliefs were based solely on a brief study of economics. I have now realized the unregulated economic system results in disproportionate net growth. There are far too many ways to exploit the system and only the savvy and resourceful gain ground in such a system.
Confession – I make very close to $250,000 a year (my first year at this wage level). I just went to the grocery store and spent my LAST $26 on basic food items to hopefully get us through the rest of the week. How is this possible? I’ve changed jobs and moved around the country in search of better pay. I’ve been shit on and laid-off post Enron. I’ve accrued $150,000 in student loans and incurred a fairly significant amount of credit card debt paying for moves and resettlement costs as a result of my job decisions. My sacrifices are paying off, but I’m still paying dearly. I have a reasonable house that is well below the standard I could afford without so much debt. I don’t use credit “anymore.” I have a daughter that has speech problems. She no longer qualifies for public school services and I too cannot afford to pay for private speech therapy. Two of my three kids are in a very reasonably priced private school. My wife doesn’t have the energy to home school. BTW – I give the highest props possible to those parents that can pull it off. If we are going to change the way things get done in this country, it has to be one kid at a time.
My point in all this is simple. The majority of Americans have varying income levels; however we are all faced with the same problems. We live in a system that doesn’t work. There has to be a balance between what income levels to tax and where that money gets spent. We need a semi-regulated system that closes off loop holes and is flexible enough to change when deficiencies in the system are discovered. I’m voting for Obama even knowing my taxes are likely to increase. If this isn’t enough to convince you, Matt Damon says it best. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anxkrm9uEJk&NR=1