Ba-rack My World

I'd vote for O'Bama if wasn't a psycho. I've seen too many interviews and debates to take him seriously. But you are right in that aren't many thoughtful contenders out there - and I'm not too sure the ruling parties realize that our generation is iching for a change. Perhaps O'Bam is a taste of things to come, just don't put him on my plate.

What exactly, besides his age and undeniably cool name, makes you like him? Because I haven't seen anything that makes him stand out one way or the other as a politician.

What exactly, besides his age and undeniably cool name, makes you like him? Because I haven't seen anything that makes him stand out one way or the other as a politician.

Josiah, I think you're right about Obama. When I listened to his speech at the Democratic National Convention, I almost thought I was listening to a Republican. There was little I disagreed with. It just confounds me that someone who believes the things he does calls himself a Democrat. Ultimately, what it comes down to is who you think can best accomplish the goals you have. Democrats believe in government sovereignty, but the Republicans tend to be less trustful of the government.

I (predictably) disagree with that characterization. The current administration has been nothing but government sovereignty, and their propaganda has been nothing but "Trust the government."

I think the difference is more a matter of where "goverment sovereignty" capital is spent. I think both Democrats and Republicans have clearly shown their commitment to a large and powerful federal government; it's more a matter of how/where that power will be channeled.

Not surprised you would disagree, Phil, but note that I said that Republicans "tend to" be less trustful of the government. Though a Republican, Bush has certainly seemed to stray from typical conservative thinking, and I think of the overreaching Patriot Act and the lack of budget cuts as examples. Funny, though, that becoming more of a centrist has not seemed to earn him any points with the Democrats.

*nods* Ok, sorry for jumping the gun, Robert. I'm still not sure I would agree even that Republicans tend to be more distrustful of government than Democrats, but that may be because of my acquaintance with the rural midwest Democrats. I'm no expert on what Democrats as a whole think, or Republicans for that matter.

It seems to be that Republicans and conservatives both favor more government intervention if it supports their ideology. For instance, wanting stricter pornography laws, constitutional amendments on gay marriage, etc. All of that is *more* government intervention, not less. Likewise with a more aggressive military and foreign policy.

Like I said, both parties seem to me to want more government; it's just a matter of where they want that government. It seems like a true limited-government philosophy can only be found in the third parties.