LAST EDITED ON Sep-19-08 AT 12:33PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Sep-19-08 AT 12:30?PM (MST)
30inchbuck,
"And what is Obama's position? All I see is "Change" - change to what?"
You made my point for me, thanks. Read the candidates actual policy positions. Both sides are guilty of relying on rhetoric at this point in the campaign. What are we and most Americans basing our voting decisions on? "Hope" "Change" "Fighting for the American People" etc... It appears that this is all they (McCain and Obama) think they need to convey in order to get people to vote for them and their respective parties, which is obviously garbage.
"On the 2nd admendment - it really is not about what he has the power to do but the judges that he would appoint."
There is currently a majority conservative bloc of 5 judges on the U.S. Supreme Court: Kennedy, Roberts, Scalia, Thomas and Alito. Most of the time they have and do block the other more liberal justices who are Stevens, Ginsburg, Souter and Breyer. And, Supreme Court Justices cannot be merely appointed at whim by a president, Supreme Court tenure is lifetime and only terminates at death, resignation, retirement, or upon conviction on impeachment. Furthermore, to appoint a Supreme Court justice a president's nominee must receieve a majority vote from Congress in order to gain confirmation. (I believe the Democrats currently hold a 2 seat majority in Senate now that the two independants have joined them.) So, it is just as important to vote for the senators who can essentially approve or deny any president's nomination. Justice Stevens is the oldest justice currently sitting on the Supreme Court and at 88 (I believe) he is the most likely to bow out during the next four years. However, as he is in good health and apparently still plays tennis, I think he would rather die than retire during a Democratic presidential term. Ginsberg is next in line at 75....It seems likely that someone will move from the court in the next four years but it's not a certainty.
Essentially, the Supreme Court's future in the next four years depends on (1) who is elected president, (2) whoever leaves the court, and (3) whoever can get Senate approval and be appointed. All of which are major factors that everyone should take into consideration when deciding on who to vote for not only for President but as your Senators.
You and I do have cause for concern regarding the Supreme Court's treatement of the 2nd Amendment as thanks to the conservative voting bloc, the D.C. gun ban was deemed unconstitutional by only a 5-4 decision of the justices.
"Obama's senate voting record on gun issues out to be enough to scare the chit out of anyone the owns guns."
"At least McCain and Palin has a position and not afraid to let it out."
Here is Obama's position and history on gun control. Cause for concern? Yes.
Ok for states & cities to determine local gun laws. (Apr 2008)
FactCheck: Yes, Obama endorsed Illinois handgun ban. (Apr 2008)
Respect 2nd Amendment, but local gun bans ok. (Feb 2008)
Provide some common-sense enforcement on gun licensing. (Jan 2008)
2000: cosponsored bill to limit purchases to 1 gun per month. (Oct 2007)
Concealed carry OK for retired police officers. (Aug 2007)
Stop unscrupulous gun dealers dumping guns in cities. (Jul 2007)
Keep guns out of inner cities--but also problem of morality. (Oct 2006)
Bush erred in failing to renew assault weapons ban. (Oct 2004)
Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
"By the way Palin has 10 times the experience Obama has so don't even go down that road. Community orginizer vs govenor of a state? enough said."
And here I will respectfully disagree with you. Palin was a city counselor in Wasilla, AK, a suburb of under 10,000 people for 10 years (1992 to 2002), and she has been the governor of Alaska for only half of a term, or 2 years... I won't even go into the comparison despite the fact that I probably won't even vote for the guy...
We should all forget the rhetoric and stick to the facts for our own good.
-Cody edit p.s. can anybody tell what the hell the "Audacity of Hope" means....I like that one the best.