Obama Opinions?

[glypo]

People don't consider policies though.

People seem to think Obama is the best thing ever, but some of his policies are a bit naff. Obama has talked against free trade, which should be a massive worry for us and the rest of the world. History has shown (Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act) that policies against free trade are very bad. The last time it happened it lead to the worst economic crisis ever and then the start of WW1. McCain is a big supporter of free trade, so with him there would not be this issue.

If I was an American, I probably would have voted for Obama. He has better tax policy for most. And Palin would have really put me off, I wouldn't have been able to trust a jesus nut like her. The world was not created 10,000 years ago, dinosaurs do exist and evolution is proven science - not a weak theory. Oh yeah, it’s a woman’s right if she has an abortion, not her decision. If McCain wasn’t a little too old, or there was a different VP nominee I think McCain would have been the better candidate.

We are facing a big economic crisis and now the president of the richest country is someone who has really come out of nowhere and has so little political experience. I just hope this doesn’t turn bad in a few years, or even months. Neither candidate is perfect, far from it, so I can’t see why everyone is so happy about Obama? I would have voted Obama probably if I was an American. But as a Brit, I can’t help but fear maybe McCain would be the better choice for the world and its economy.

Who knows, time will tell.

[c0sie]

Wow...deep thoughts Jason O.O

lol

[Juddy]

I think he is certainly a socilaist, and with Democrate control of the senate and house of representatives, he should'nt meet too much opersion in acting in a more liberal way.

But its promises of tax cuts for 95% of the population he might find diffecult to uphold, money needs to be spent and it has to come from somewhere.

He's got a tough job and he can only go one way now in public opinion, and thats down over the next few years, as he'll have to upset a few people. But lets hope he'll be remembered in 8 years as the man who changed modern world politics for the better ( which is about as far as our interests go).

But from M,L,K to B,O,B in 40 odd years, Mind boggling.

[glypo]

In the long time it took me to write the above (had emails to send in between) there was mention of socialism by Obama. I think this is a silly American fear. Americas fear socialism because of WW2 (Nazi) and Cold War (Soviets), although both of these parties got in power on the promise of socialism, none of them actually delivered it. They both turned into states which just took advantage of their powers and were mostly capitalist rather than communist. Calling Obama a socilaist though, as many americans seem to think, is so silly. Obama is centre-left, and McCain centre-right. Neither of the candidates were even just left or right, let alone far-left or far-right. I think that Obama is jsut trying to take America into the kind of systems Europe has had for ages.

Many places, including here in the UK have national healthcare that is free (taxed). It makes no difference if you are rich or poor, when you fall ill you will get treated. There is no fear of massive medical bills or huge insurance premiums, and the healthcare is pretty good too. The UK is certainly not socialist, yet we have had systems like this since the 50's. Sure, our taxes are very high. Obama won't copy things exactly, but just take the best bits of a good idea.

IMO the best president in recent times was Bill Clinton by far. He was young (47) like Obama is (he will be 48 when takes office) and is also Democrat (centre left) like Clinton is. Clinton left the white house with the US having a $550 billion surplus - that is a lot! I am not saying Obama will be anything like Clinton (I fear he won't be nearly as good) but there is certainly nothing wrong with being a little to the left in America (unlike here where Labour can't get any worse). Clinton also wanted to reform healthcare too, couldn't get the people to buy it. But if he thought it was a good idea...

[Alfonzo]

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

Interesting. Do you guys feel there is any danger of Obama changing the American system into socialism?

Doesn't make much difference to us non Americans. Your idea of Socialism is probably our idea of mild 'right wing' TBH. I don't know what he intends as a direction but the rest of the world is largely pretty weary with Bush and all his dumb ass nonsense. Obama is young, intelligent, talks a good talk. Maybe it'll do some good with the Iraq and Afghanistan, although regarding 'carrying the can ourselves' (Racingdwarf) - I don't think we could even if we wanted to.

Glypo is right regarding that Palin nutter. As a non-American let me make it clear to all the US Ooplers out there - we generally can't understand and don't like all that crazy Palin sh*t.

Anyway, good luck to you with the new Big Man, hope it works for us all

[c0sie]

Am I the only person who would do the Palin bird once the alcohol had kicked in?

[Alfonzo]

Originally Posted by c0sie

Am I the only person who would do the Palin bird once the alcohol had kicked in?

There's always one who lowers the tone

[c0sie]

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by glypo

People don't consider policies though.

People seem to think Obama is the best thing ever, but some of his policies are a bit naff. Obama has talked against free trade, which should be a massive worry for us and the rest of the world. History has shown (Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act) that policies against free trade are very bad. The last time it happened it lead to the worst economic crisis ever and then the start of WW1. McCain is a big supporter of free trade, so with him there would not be this issue.

If I was an American, I probably would have voted for Obama. He has better tax policy for most. And Palin would have really put me off, I wouldn't have been able to trust a jesus nut like her. The world was not created 10,000 years ago, dinosaurs do exist and evolution is proven science - not a weak theory. Oh yeah, it’s a woman’s right if she has an abortion, not her decision. If McCain wasn’t a little too old, or there was a different VP nominee I think McCain would have been the better candidate.

We are facing a big economic crisis and now the president of the richest country is someone who has really come out of nowhere and has so little political experience. I just hope this doesn’t turn bad in a few years, or even months. Neither candidate is perfect, far from it, so I can’t see why everyone is so happy about Obama? I would have voted Obama probably if I was an American. But as a Brit, I can’t help but fear maybe McCain would be the better choice for the world and its economy.

Who knows, time will tell.

I disagree with you, free trade got us in this particular crisis and something needs to be done in order not to let it go out of control again. Mc Cain a better candidate? That's like saying that bush was a good president

[glypo]

Glad you disagree, I like discussion.

But free trade did not get us into this at all. There is a massive difference between free trade and deregulation. Deregulation is bad, and it's Gordon Browns deregulation of our banks that messed them up, and the deregulation of Wall Street that caused this crisis.

How can free trade cause a crisis though? Free trade just means everyone is free to trade with each other. Of course, every country has their import duty though, but it's not the same.

The idea of restricted trade is to tax heavily certain items being imported to encourage people to buy products made in their home country. This is the basis of restricted trade, how can you get Americans to buy American cars - heavily tax the European and Japanese ones. In theory it sounds like a good idea. But of course the rest of the world suffers, so as the international market drops as a result, domestic markets also drop when trade is restricted. Whether we like it or not, all of our economies are connected. Of course, when trade restrictions are put in place by one country, other countries (the ones affected) put in place restrictions of their own to retaliate and soon enough the whole world is doing it and we are at a world war.

Google for Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, there is bound to be a good wiki article on it, a perfect example of how to turn a recession into depression. This shows the consequence of restricted trade, and it's something Obama is in favour of to "boost" the American economy. Therefore I totally disagree with what you said, Free trade is not responsible for the current mess. Free trade is in fact responsible for every boom the worlds economy has seen. I really think you are confusing it with deregulation - which I agree is bad to an extent, although there needs to be a certain amount of compromise.

And I never said McCain was the better candidate. I simply pointed pointed out that Obama is not some amazing hero as it seems the media and general opinion seem to suggest. Both candidates have their strengths, and both certainly have their weaknesses. I was simply trying to give a fairer picture of the real world situation.

It's all very well for you to say McCain would be like another Bush, but it's totally unfounded. Without at least explianing the logic behind your comment it appears as a meaningless comment with no real weight as an arguement. McCain has a great track record in politics and has done lots of good for America, IMO a far cry from Bush.

As I say if I was an American, I think I would have voted Obama. But I think it would have been a tough choice. Regardless of impressions, you can never predict the future. I just hope for eveyones sake Obama is the right guy.

[Stu]

It's strange to see the words 'USA' & 'Socialism' together - it's a bit like 'Ice-cream' & 'Gravy'.

I find it very hard to beleive that the people of the US will allow Lady-Liberty to be eaten away in the same way we have in recent years.

[Al3xis007]

dont forget america added to the sticky financial situation we're in. i hope this guy can sort out the mess the last doofus left

[DaveG28]

Originally Posted by smOkin

Agree, we should be able to vote party leaders in or out like the US.

Obamas a good thing, but change never happens overnight ...


ps. was 'gorgon brown' an intentional typo

Have to disagree, for myself I prefer voting in a government than a person, if we voted for the leader, what if his party disagree with him? a PM cannot make law, only the house of parliament, so he'd have no power anyway!?

Go down that road and we end up with a president, senate, congress etc. Personally I prefer our method, but I don't claim it to be "right", just my preference!

[DaveG28]

Originally Posted by glypo

Glad you disagree, I like discussion.

But free trade did not get us into this at all. There is a massive difference between free trade and deregulation. Deregulation is bad, and it's Gordon Browns deregulation of our banks that messed them up, and the deregulation of Wall Street that caused this crisis.

How can free trade cause a crisis though? Free trade just means everyone is free to trade with each other. Of course, every country has their import duty though, but it's not the same.

The idea of restricted trade is to tax heavily certain items being imported to encourage people to buy products made in their home country. This is the basis of restricted trade, how can you get Americans to buy American cars - heavily tax the European and Japanese ones. In theory it sounds like a good idea. But of course the rest of the world suffers, so as the international market drops as a result, domestic markets also drop when trade is restricted. Whether we like it or not, all of our economies are connected. Of course, when trade restrictions are put in place by one country, other countries (the ones affected) put in place restrictions of their own to retaliate and soon enough the whole world is doing it and we are at a world war.

Google for Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, there is bound to be a good wiki article on it, a perfect example of how to turn a recession into depression. This shows the consequence of restricted trade, and it's something Obama is in favour of to "boost" the American economy. Therefore I totally disagree with what you said, Free trade is not responsible for the current mess. Free trade is in fact responsible for every boom the worlds economy has seen. I really think you are confusing it with deregulation - which I agree is bad to an extent, although there needs to be a certain amount of compromise.

And I never said McCain was the better candidate. I simply pointed pointed out that Obama is not some amazing hero as it seems the media and general opinion seem to suggest. Both candidates have their strengths, and both certainly have their weaknesses. I was simply trying to give a fairer picture of the real world situation.

It's all very well for you to say McCain would be like another Bush, but it's totally unfounded. Without at least explianing the logic behind your comment it appears as a meaningless comment with no real weight as an arguement. McCain has a great track record in politics and has done lots of good for America, IMO a far cry from Bush.

As I say if I was an American, I think I would have voted Obama. But I think it would have been a tough choice. Regardless of impressions, you can never predict the future. I just hope for eveyones sake Obama is the right guy.

Completely with you, right down to the bit where I'd also probably have voted for him, but with some trepadation. Not afraid of the US version of socialism (its probably still to the right of our Tories!), but free trade for me is vital. For one, if he US protected their car industry I'm out of a job!!

I do have a sneaky feelig Obama wil be fine with free trade now he doesn't have the votes to win!!

[ashleyb4]

Aslong as he pulls the yanks out of iraq i dont car what he does.

A

[Lee]

Why do you want them out ash, they are there for a reason

[jimmy]

TO STEAL THE OIL AND MAKE YOU RICH LEE

[Lee]

Its quite funny that the oil companies control the price of oil to a point, when it is demand, they will hold back on production to keep the price high, but still make a lot of money. I personally dont see any advantage to bringing troops out of iraq, it will just end up being corrupt again and the rich getting richer, the way they work is, if you dont do what we say, we will set alight to an oil well

Which gets a bit warm

[James]

While we're moaning; well youre all paying a fair bit for your groceries but grain price (which basically effects most food prices) is currently £83/tonne and has been for about 2 months, this time last year it was £142.. Yet absolutely no reductions by the supermarkets in price, they increase it at the drop of a hat but wont reduce it when prices are lower.. Also their payment terms are now 90 days to suppliers, outrageous

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by Lee

Its quite funny that the oil companies control the price of oil to a point, when it is demand, they will hold back on production to keep the price high, but still make a lot of money. I personally dont see any advantage to bringing troops out of iraq, it will just end up being corrupt again and the rich getting richer, the way they work is, if you dont do what we say, we will set alight to an oil well

Which gets a bit warm

Maybe the whole point is that you shouldn't be there in the first place, in my book it's called invasion.