Interactive Graphic: Swing States on the 2008 Electoral Map

The tax credits McCain is going to give to OIL companies - is this spreading the wealth?

I am a Republican voting for Obama. It is interesting to see so many people saying that Obama is a socialist. Do you even know what socialism is? I am quoting this from a few articles. Socialism involves collective ownership of the means of economic production and similar institutional "sharing of the wealth." Nothing Obama has proposed comes close to that. Instead, the Bush administration is virtually nationalizing the banks because of the bad economy. And the masses don't even realize this. This is socialism.

What McCain calls socialism is actually modern taxation policy- taxing the wealthy at higher rates than the poor. It underlies most of US tax policy.

Debating in Michigan during the 2000 primaries, McCain warned: "There's a growing gap between the haves and have-nots in America, and that gap is growing, and it's unfortunately divided up along ethnic lines." That same year, McCain said on "Meet the Press": "Many studies have indicated that . . . the people who need . . . the relief most are working middle-income Americans and that's what I want to give to them." In an ad, he promised: "There's one big difference between me and the others - I won't take every last dime of the surplus and spend it on tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy." Socialist!

In fact, McCain is such a socialist that he voted against the 2001 Bush tax cuts, complaining that they unfairly favored the rich "at the expense of middle-class Americans who most need tax relief."

McCain has been sounding the traditional Republican tax-cutting theme, trying to convince voters that Obama wants to increase taxes and spread the wealth like a socialist. He is too!! The centerpiece of his health care plan is a $5,000 tax credit to families. This goes to people regardless of their employment status. Socialist!

If Obama's plan is "socialist" because it means a bit more government involvement in health care, than America already has socialized medicine for the elderly (Medicare) and the poor (Medicaid).

Independent analyses of the presidential candidates' tax proposals show that those who make less than $250,000 a year would not see their taxes raised under Obama's plans. Further, Obama would generally cut taxes more than McCain would for households with incomes less than $100,000 a year. I don't know about you, but my family doesn't make $100,000 and so definitely no where near $250,000. And, if you believe that Joe the Plumber's business that he wants to buy nets $250,000, I have some swamp land and bridges I'd like to sell you for cheap.

McCain would cut taxes generally on par with Obama for those making $100,000 to $250,000 a year, the analyses found, but those making $250,000 a year and above would typically pay less in taxes under McCain.

light 7 do you really know how pethetic and desperate u sound. I think not!!!!! Another example of a hater.........

OK! #1 How are you going to compare Barack to Hitler! I mean let's get a reality check for all you people who only see WHITE & that is what live by and will die by. I am not sure what ELECTION you have been watching but Barack is for CHANGE for all (HUMAN KIND). It is simple minded people like the one's who are ignorant enough to post your HATE on this website. I mean seriously GROW UP! If you have not noticed there is no such thing as one RACE! If you are going to complain about the taxes being raised why don't you try taking time to READ and go over all the views of both canidates before you start passing on your ignorance. Barack has stated that he has not served in the war and we all no that. Barack has stated that he is not overly qualified when it comes to WAR. Then you have Mccain who has it out for what happened to him in the past and he will continue to promote this war even if it takes 100 years! Are you SERIOUS! If you are going to complain about tax dollars then you need to look at what has played a KEY role as to why the U.S. is in the economic distress. I think I know the name (BUSH)! Why would you want someone in the office that agrees with 90% of Bushe's views? I mean isn't that what got us in this mess to begin with? Instead of being ignorant to the issues and being blinded by the fact that one of the canidates happen to be a Black & White Man (Yes) did we forget that he is not just ONE RACE! Let's focus on the fact that this country needs change & without it we will never be the land of the free. Bite on that .....

Here here! Obama knows that without the middle class, there is no enterprise. The Bush reign has managed to all but remove the middle class. Another 4 years or Bush think alike and we'll be looking at not only a recession, but a repression of an entire economic class. This isn't about Democrats or Republicans people, it's about existance. So all you middle class republicans think long and hard before you hit the polls.

Rhino it looks like you might have been hurt while serving this country... How can you blame this on Clinton? the Bush's and Regan... An actor... had this country for some what 20 years or so and one is still trying to clean up the mess that the other made... I servied this country as well in one of the many agencys that are now under one name... THAT IS A BUSH MISTAKE AND A BUSH MOVE. I WAS LEFT IN COUNTRY TO DIE BY THE BUSHES... So what if someone choose's not salute the flag of this country isnt that what the flag is all about? If you really wanted change then you should have voted crossparty's and written in your vote for OBAMA/PALIN and kept this country in hands of the youth were it belongs... I am not looking foward to the world we would live in if another Regan/Bush prototype got there hands on this country... I really would move to Canada or hell even Russia at this point... Hell even a vote for McCain/ Biden would screw this all up... GET OUT THE OLD AND GET IN THE YOUNG AND NEW... Just ask MR Gingrich who did nothing but screw us all dry...

From the beginning, I knew I'd support the Demos for this race. Whether it be Obama or Clinton, I knew I had to support their cause and our ultimate cause, as a country. In all, we need to unite...as a community, as a country, as a human race. I know some of the things that divide us is our beliefs. And there are cut and dry beliefs that we uphold...such as abortion, the war, gun control, taxes, the economy, etc. And I realize that we are all from different cultures living in this wonderful country...America. Only the Native Americans can really claim their true American roots...as most of us are from 1st, 2nd, 3rd generations of people from all over the world. We need to get over the past...but learn from it. We need to strive to make change and at the same time...do so by coming together...as a solid COUNTRY! Whether it be Obama or McCain...we need to live in peace.
Obama...I feel can help us achieve this. His campaign was natural and from the heart. He may have ideals that many may not agree with...same with McCain. But ultimately...I view his vision as something that can accomodate the Country, and help bring unity. On the religious standpoint...I am against abortion...and I pray all the time that women do not have to go through that...but I am not one to make their decisions...I know that it is ultimately up to them...Who am I to judge...she will have to live with that decision. So, call it ambiguous, but that is my standpoint. But I don't understand the hiprocracy of McCain and Palin, to be so against killing of unborn babies...but are able to support a war that has already killed 5,000 Americans, our brave soldiers, and countless innocent people of the countries at war. ? That, I will never understand. I don't understand how Palin can sit there and shoot up a dear or any animal for that matter...I understand if use the meat to eat...but to kill for sport ? I will never understand...BUT I DO NOT JUDGE! To each his own. I just know that Obama has proven his skills and his ability to withstand any circumstance that may come his way. Unfortunately, McCain and Palin, unable to help me understand their mission, throwing negative attacks, ducking the questions...and not able to talk about issues...SCARES ME TO THINK THEY COULD POSSIBLY LEAD THIS COUNTRY. I honor your work, Mr. McCain, but see you as more of an advisor...NOT A LEADER. So, just enjoy the rest of your life with your beautiful wife, and leave the leading to the utmost capable LEADER...Obama.

OK. I guess that a LOT of people haven't done their homework with each of the candidates policies.. Obama is going to RAISE taxes to those who EARN MORE THAN 250,000 PER YEAR, now if you make THAT MUCH, then yes, you should be worried. McCain is lowering taxes, but to you and I, who make under that amount, a tax break is not much, but to the rich, it is thousands of dollars saved in taxes..... Now who should benefit more the rich or the regular people out there like me?

As I told my eight year old after we went trick or treating. Now we have to go over to all the lazy kids??? house and give them some of your candy because they did not want to put in the effort and dress up walk around for themselves She looked at me and said how is that fair. I say to all that want to vote Obama How is that fair?

I would have to say that yes, Bush did inherit some of the long term effects from the Clinton admninistration, however, after 8 years, there is too much gone wrong that is fully at the hands of the Bush admin. Look at the economy for instance, unemployment was down a gigantic measure from what Bush left us with now, not to mention we weren't wasting billions of dollars fighting an endless war in Iraq under Clinton. We all know Bush Jr.'s actions in Iraq were merely finishing the undone work of Bush Sr. There were no weapons of mass destruction, it was merely to put Saddam Hussein out of power. Why was this never done to Castro since he was "such a big threat to the US"? Hell, Castro is only sitting a stone throw away from the US mainland, whereas Saddam was sitting in the middle east, far far away from being able to touch the US. Anyways I have now strayed from our main topic, my apologies, my main point in this discussion is that you cannot place any formidable blame on the Clinton administation in comparison to our current economic and foreign problems. You can blame Florida for not letting Gore have what he earned, and you can cry all you want those who complain about this world when you are the ones who voted for BUSH!

Man, where do people get these ideas? Its clear they do not listen to the candidates with a reasonable ear; their mind is already in drive heading in the direction they think it is, rather than follow the map the candidates are laying out for them. "Sharing the wealth" is a metaphor, people! As a fairly successful person, I have always chosen to "share" my successes in many ways, mostly in my time and money. But I also know that I am lucky to enjoy good health care, dental care, and all the other trimmings that our society decides comes with certain levels of "success." Regardless, health care for all people is of great imortance to me. Ending these wars and using some of the ten million dollars a month it costs us in other areas is of great importance to me. "Spreading the wealth around" means many things. But if you want an excuse to raid your neighbor's 'frig or steal someone else's college credits, go right ahead. I am sure there will be conservatives helping you do it, and then helping you blame the liberals, too.

The rhetoric I see here is typical of the unintelligible thinking politicians have spewed to the masses. Calling Obama a socialist is a weak statement. The most patriotic citizens should be very critical of the direction our country is heading. Our current politicians have run this country into the ground. We are hated around the world for being arrogant imperialists forcing our ideology onto other cultures. We are living in times where we must think critically and intelligibly and not be reactionary about our U.S. foreign policies. We as a country need to stop thinking in terms of Democrats vs. Republicans but as human beings. To blame one group over the other is pointless because that does not solve anything. We need solutions not rhetoric.

For those that are pro-democratic....truelyredwhite&blue....you might want to learn how to spell when you spew word vomit like that. Its not just the republicans to blame its Bill ("define oral sex") Clinton and as far back as Jimmy Carter that are to blame for the economic crisis also. They lifted restrictions and looked the other way when Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae "cooked" their books and as part of the deal "encouraged" the subprime lending and reverse mortgages to lend to those that under the old 20% down times could not otherwise afford. There's a reason for those restrictions and requirements. To prevent what we are in now. And to think that your taxes will NOT go up. Well WAKE UP! The tax cuts we are benefitting from are expiring 2010 and your taxes will go up BACK to the pre-Bush cuts. And re-distribution of wealth?! That's a crock! It sounds great when it's OTHER people sharing their wealth but when they come to YOU for your share and contribution what will you do? Balk I'm sure! Vote with education and justification of your vote and NOT because you'll be a part of history!!!! Think people! Say goodbye to Capitalism and say hello to Socialism. Obama's home state tried the universal health care and after 7 months stopped because the state government could not afford to with alot of folks no longer carrying and paying for their own health care when the state provides FREE health care. DUH! So do you think THAT will work as a National plan? Don't think so!

Rhino, you are an idiot! Learn how to spell George Bush has been proven a liar, remember that WMD thing. George Bush has already run this country to the ground or are you too stupid to realize that. I am not a republican or a democrat, I vote for the person who I think will do the best job, period!!!