Brothers in Arms

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  • Posted By: dsbrown50 @ 08/18/2008 2:50:35 PM

    Consider who will be more respected by the leaders of the world when you pull the lever........... I strongly think the answer is: Obama

    • Posted By: josemarti @ 08/18/2008 2:56:38 PM

      Respected? On what grounds?

      • Posted By: summer4077 @ 08/18/2008 3:28:07 PM

        On the grounds that he already IS more respected and widely applauded internationally. He enjoys a 75% approval rating in European countries, which are most decidedly our biggest allies.

        • Posted By: josemarti @ 08/18/2008 3:33:52 PM

          Why do they "respect" him? What reason has he given them to respect him?

          • Posted By: TheVigil @ 08/18/2008 3:58:02 PM

            It's not up to you to decide what they think. You can talk all day about whether or not Obama "deserves" their respect - but he has it, irrespective of anything you've said. It's pretty arrogant of you to think that the rest of the world should respect a man or not based on your own say-so.

            Believe it or not, Obama's election would do more than anything else to help lower gas prices temporarily, due to his large foreign support - because the kind of approval rating he has abroad would almost certainly translate into at least a temporarily surging dollar upon his election. And the low dollar is a big, big part of the reason for current gas prices.

            • Posted By: careerdaytrader @ 08/18/2008 5:44:56 PM

              OMG you Democrats keep OUTDOING each other in STUPIDITY. I trade stocks, futures, oil and also Forex (foreign currencies for those too dumb to know).

              Currencies are MAINLY influenced by the interest rates of the host countries and their economies. If that country's economy is GROWING and exports increase that will increase that currencies demand.

              It's true that Oil was going up due to the falling dollar. But that being true doesn't translate to your conclusion. Obama's TAX INCREASES are NOT going to help the US economy! The Fed can't raise interest rates and the WHOLE WORLD knows this and thus Obama's win wouldn't strengthen the US dollar.

              So you may ask why Mr. Smarty Career Day Trader is the US Dollar going up?

              Easy - It was very oversold technically and its benefiting from the widespread sense that prices for commodities such as oil and gold are on the brink of a massive fall as traders gamble that a slowing global economy would lead to diminished demand. There's a commodity bubble and nobody wants to keep buying the HIGHS, all bubbles burst.

              • Posted By: TheVigil @ 08/18/2008 7:35:46 PM

                Currencies are also influenced by political conditions. Given Obama's popularity in just about every part of the rest of the world, the dollar IS likely to see a bounce if he's elected - your assumption that the "WHOLE WORLD" believes his tax increases will not help the economy is just that, an assumption, and more than likely an incorrect one (see my arguments below) - and if the dollar bounces that will - very, very temporarily - decrease the price of gas. I probably should have mentioned that it's not a long-term solution; only REAL economic growth will help that, but I have explained to you above why Obama's tax increases on oil company profits and the richest sectors of the economy will indeed increase economic growth.

                And as I said above, you have no understanding of the concept of X-inefficiency. The policy you're advocating will not grow the economy; the "growth" we've experiencing has been mostly on paper and is only due to a few companies (mostly oil companies') profits. In reality, a lot of the economy is hurting due to causes of monopoly and waste by large corporations - which is classic X-inefficiency. Your position is based on a predicate that companies use ALL of their profits efficiently and return 100% of them to the economy through increased jobs and salaries. In reality, what people ARE starting to sense is that companies frequently downsize even in times of economic growth, sacrificing customer service as a result, and instead increase CEO salaries through the roof, which has the effect of pooling the money in the hands of a very few. And First World economies are based on the purchasing power of the MIDDLE CLASS - not the rich - because the companies you mention *SELL* to the middle class. When their purchasing power drops, so do the profits of American retailers, manufacturers, and service providers.

                The oil company record profits, indeed, have been largely the result of a situation where one type of good dominates a particular market sector instead of one company. Alternative energy sources to oil have been routinely suppressed by the petroleum lobby - such as the electric car, solar panels, etc. - and this has caused a near-complete dependence of the American energy sector on one good, oil, when in reality a *freely competitive* energy market where oil companies aren't doing things like killing off the electric car would result in lower prices for everyone. You're not advocating free trade unless you advocate removing our massive petroleum subsidies and making it more fair for hybrids, electric cars, and solar and wind power to operate on a more level playing field.

                Go look up X-inefficiency and respond to that, and learn more about free trade before you start trying to win your argument with more ad hominem attacks.

                • Posted By: careerdaytrader @ 08/19/2008 1:26:02 PM

                  Let me ask you ONE question? Have you ever traded currencies? If so which ones and did you make any money doing so? What was your broker's name? I not only trade currencies myself I've written software to trade currencies and in fact that is my area of expertise. You do NOT know what you are talking about. All theory and concepts you truly believe but are pure BS.

                  The main reason for the US dollar strengtening now is Gold, oil and other commodities bubbles have burst. Same thing happened to the JPY (Japanese Yen) carry trade months back.

                  TO soften my stance a bit I'm sure that even the people who I'm calling idiots and morons due to their total lack of understanding of the economy and how disasterous Obama would be as a president, I'm sure you're good hearted and many are kind people. However you're decisions are no different than stealing money from me and other hard working Americans. It's hard, really hard, not to hate every one of you!

                  If Obama proposed a tax increase that was FAIR I would have 95% less problem with it. But raising the top income tax rate back to 39% AND raising capital gains taxes AND raising social security taxes (that alone will cost me $20k to $30k+ a year) pisses me off! The top 10% of the income earners already pay 2/3 of the taxes. I want CHANGE also, I want the lazy, undisciplined people to WORK HARDER! Now that's change I can believe in and America would benefit from!

                  • Posted By: Iconoblaster @ 08/19/2008 2:21:34 PM

                    I really feel for "careerdaytrader" (like others in his tax bracket) who weeps that Obama's proposed policies would cost him $20,000 more in taxes. I know people whose entire annual income is less than careerdaytrader's purported (anticipated) $20,000 marginal tax disadvantage, working people now down on their luck because the dangerous and difficult physical labor they performed for many years ruined their health...and that was honest work that actually produced something, like food they helped plant and harvest or homes they helped to build. I'm sure ol' daytrader works very hard scheming and juggling numbers, buying low and selling high... and what product does THAT produce for anyone else? When all is said and done, whether Obama's tax plans are ever enacted or not, ol' number-juggler daytrader will still have a standard of living far above any actual productive value his "services" created, especially by comparison to the working poor.

                • Posted By: TheVigil @ 08/18/2008 7:39:25 PM

                  Actually, screw the free trade argument - I'm sure you're just going to go off on Democratic regulation when it comes to that and derail the whole discussion. Just debate me on X-inefficiency. If you don't respond to that, your entire theory collapses.

              • Posted By: TheVigil @ 08/18/2008 7:37:03 PM

                By the way, why don't you go ask anyone who's paid for cable service in the last fifteen years about whether or not companies do a perfect job with the money they're given, which is the absolute cornerstone of your argument?

                Time Warner double-billed me for an address I'd moved out of last year for six months, hurting me badly by charging me six hundred extra dollars and more or less ignoring the three calls I made to them to state that I'd in fact moved, and then claimed that I couldn't actually have canceled my service at my old address because "someone was still making payments on it". And I'm not the only one who's received this kind of service, I will GUARANTEE that to you.

  • Posted By: lee226 @ 08/18/2008 3:28:57 PM

    Career day.....congress can only do so much when your president vetos and acts like a fascist...my way or the highway...the best thing congress has not done wa to impeach the idiotic cowboy.
    How does McCain expand the economy where the debts is the largest we have ever had.
    The GOP has not lived up neither ot their party conservative approach or common sense foreign policy.
    The foreing policy in the last 15 years or more did not view the fact the security and economics are virstually tied together with democratic advancement in other nation.
    We need someone with Brain Power this time not another warmonger but someone who understands the strategic power necessary to deal with Russia and the middle east without looking like imperialistic weapon selling capitalist.
    Get an education and get the facts, stop the lies, America was not founded by people like you

    • Posted By: careerdaytrader @ 08/19/2008 1:19:27 PM

      Is it just me or has anybody ever noticed that NONE of these liberals ever DEBATE the facts? The facts are like Kryptonite to them, they IMPLODE!

    • Posted By: careerdaytrader @ 08/18/2008 5:33:12 PM

      America may not have been founded by people like me but the GROWTH and jobs in this country are from people like me who had an idea, invested our own time and money to make them happen. That's why YOU have a job btw.

      Let me ask you some questions:

      1) Is the economy in a recession? While GDP doesn't show it I believe it will soon. We've lost over 1/2 million jobs this year and I predict the housing and banking losses haven't even begun to truly hurt the economy. I predict another 1.5 to 2 years+ of down times. No President or Congress can do anything to help or avoid this!

      So being in a recession what does Obama say he'll do. Tax big corporations and wealth individuals more! Wow of all the brain dead ideas that is the WORST.

      To call Obama intelligent just shows how completely BRAIN DEAD you and other Obamamaniacs are. Laughable if it wasn't going to hurt this country and probably even cost YOU your jobs.

  • Posted By: topcat2001 @ 08/18/2008 4:34:12 PM

    Careerdaytrader - as your title implies you have never produced any honest goods that can be exported. Its money launders like you and those real estate agents who are responsible for electing Republicans. The main reason I am hesitant to leave my 100K+ job(at a multi billion dollar company exporting billions of dollars) to start a company is because I will no longer have any healthcare. Even though I have never visited a doctor in the last 7 years, the risk of not having coverage is holding me back as a single severe illness can wipe out my savings.
    But you money laundering Republicans have no idea how a real good is produced. You think you can just circulate money and have the Chinese, Russians and Arabs pay for our debts.
    Barack is going to create 5 million jobs by enabling investments in alternative fuel industries and bio technology, just like Clinton and Gore did with technology companies.
    If you are looking for money circulating jobs that pay millions just to circulate paper money around you are likely going to be disappointed. That is a trick only the Republicans can conjure and now the entire country is paying for it.

    • Posted By: careerdaytrader @ 08/18/2008 5:25:33 PM

      LOL typical Democrat. Make up an opinion, BELIEVE IT! No wonder Obama fans don't care if what Obama says is the truth. They're just looking for Government hand outs. Free $1,000 checks, Free Health Insurance and I hear he is about to promise FREE BIG SCREEN TVs too real soon.

      This name is just an email address I setup almost 10 years ago when I was a full time trader. Last 6 years I still trade but also own software company that has over 1,500 customers and we do over 1.3 million NET income each year. It's the best software in the world and we are definitely in the top 50 fastest growing private companies in the US. But hey, don't let your OPINION get in the way of facts you dummy Democrat. LOL

      Afraid of not having health care? Simple, eat right, exercise, don't smoke, drink in moderation. Not a big deal. Millions of people don't have health care and I didn't either a few years ago. When I was sick I went to the doctor and PAID FOR IT MYSELF. Still much cheaper than health insurance. Only major illnesses make health insurance pay for itself and if you're in 20s, 30s, and even 40s most people don't need health insurance. Why should the rich, top 10% pay 2/3 of all taxes, give YOU free health insurance? It's just pure theft and you and others supporting Obama just shows your lack of morals and HARD work ethic!

      I have never money laundered but will be the first person to do so if Obama is elected. He may raise taxes but not mine. Fuc K him and the loser A sshole s who vote for him.

      Barak who does NOT support competition in schools, who HIMSELF sent his kids to private schools but won't give YOU the ability to choose your schools is somehow going to MAGICALLY INVENT an entirely new industry and create all these jobs. It's PURE BS and you are a total idiot for believing it. You are NOT smart enough to make $100k a year, I suspect from your post you make $25,000 to $32,000. A ha, got ya didn't I. If you made $100k for a number of years you should have a lot of savings and more than enough to pay for health care!!! Caught your LIE!

      Bush didn't hurt the economy, he helped it. He got us out of Clinton's stock market bubble and recession! Recessions are cyclical and happen every 6 to 15 years and there isn't anything ANY president or Congress can do about it you big dummy. My god how do you people believe anything the moron Obama spouts?

      haha he's going to create 5 million jobs. NOT HIM exactly but this new industry that he is predicting now will EXPLODE. I hate to break it to you but those industries EXIST now! Where are all the jobs at then?

      Thanks buddy for the laugh, feel sorry for you that you are such a chicken s hit that you are afraid to accomplish anything and leave your $32k job to start a business. What would your business be if you don't mind me asking?

      • Posted By: neos @ 08/18/2008 6:27:34 PM

        As Senator Obama said during the Saddleback interviews, people have to stop thinking that all the services we receive from the government are free. Taxes are services, and we, as Americans, have to decide what services we want, and this in turn will decide the tax rate. If instead of being rated 37th in the world in terms of health care, we want to be rated number 1, then we will need to pay for it. Either in taxes for a national plan , or pay-outs to insurance plans for those who can afford it. A sensible national health care plan along the lines of modern European nations will mean that our money goes for medicine and not multi-billion dollar insurance schemes. The catch here is that as a nation we have to be united and compassionate enough to care about all of our citizens. This is the catch that surely leaves you out - a mean-spirited republican who has gotten his and says to hell with everyone else. Oh and high taxes, per se, do not equate to to lower GDP. We lag behind in GDP per capita among nations who have higher tax bases than we do.

        • Posted By: careerdaytrader @ 08/18/2008 7:21:08 PM

          Here's another idea, Government that CUTS spending and thus there is no need for NEW TAXES. Wow, what an idea. Balance the budget and get rid of many wasteful spending programs.

          If anybody looked INTO Europe you would understand why that would be a horrible idea. Firstly many countries over there have unemployment from 8 to 14%! So at our current rate of under 6% that would mean millions of people would lose their jobs to achieve this, basically as a RESULT of this. Health insurance is VERY expensive because health CARE is very expensive.

          If Democrats want to improve health care why not address 2 of the biggest causes of illness and death? Smoking and obesity. Obama smokes himself! How is he ever going to address one of the major causes when he himself is soo stupid as to smoke??? What about Obesity? What about the Democrats getting so much of their funds from the legal establishment and thus they won't do ANYTHING to prevent reckless class action lawsuits and RIDICULOUS punitive judgements!

          If Obama had HALF of an idea to improve health care I'd listen to him and applaud him. But what he has is just the idea that if by promising free health care he can get elected and he wants that more than life itself all he has to do is pit the halves (rich) with the halve nots (most of the readers of Newseek and virtually all the Democratic party. I don't like thieves and Obama and his followers are nothing but thieves in my view.

          • Posted By: TheVigil @ 08/18/2008 7:51:15 PM

            It's too bad your understanding of economic theory as described below is so incomplete, because you actually have some good ideas in this post. Smoking and obesity are killing the economy through increased health care costs as badly as anything else. I personally think fast food and smoking ought to be taxed until the tax revenues match the true cost of the negative externalities (are you familiar with the concept of externalities?) to the economy caused by decreases in the public health.

            I'm not a fan of European-style or Canadian-style taxation, but in situations like this where the money of the country has largely pooled up in a very small sector of the population, taxation IS the right situation, for reasons of ending X-inefficiencies as I'd mentioned below. I wouldn't be advocating taxation if this were 2000 - taxes DO slow a genuinely growing economy without a lot of monopolies. And I won't be advocating taxation once the economy balances out again and more of the money is more equally balanced. My view on that is surprisingly centrist for a "liberal", or even Republican. But that's not what we've got right now; we have a lot of abuses of corporate power and semi-monopolistic situations going on that are hurting genuine competition, and we need to remove the amount of money that's roughly commensurate with the X-inefficiencies that have been going on (read: poor service and price-gouging) from those sectors that have been committing it.

            Want me to go "Republican" on you? I absolutely agree on serious reform of our litigation and tort law - things which "Democrats" usually regard as sacred (I'm not registered Democratic) - because it's hurting our economy terribly as well and being abused. I'd like to see asbestos litigation, tobacco litigation, and the etc. severly curtailed. Most people don't know that a lot of Halliburton's hardcore lobbying for military contracts had a lot to do with them getting pummeled by unfair and corrupt asbestos litigation costs resulting from their purchases of companies with a lot of litigation outstanding. Even as late as 2003, they were heading to bankruptcy, and asbestos litigation is absolutely corrupt at this point.

            I'd also like to see the power of a lot of the unions broken. The unions in the American automotive industry and their pensions have almost completely killed it at this point, and I think it's a terrible abuse of power.

            Just trying to prove to you that I'm not spitting a party line. I support ending abuses of the situation on both sides of the fence.

            • Posted By: careerdaytrader @ 08/19/2008 1:18:25 PM

              TheVigil WHERE ARE YOU? You offered me a debate and I answered your questions, now answer MINE.

              Typical Liberal, run from any fight or argument, just keep yelling their half baked ideas over and over and hope the mindless MILLIONS will accept it. You sound like the type of guy with all sorts of theories in your brain that you fully believe but which you lack practical experience such as running a multi million dollar company like I do. (Most companies have a 10+ PE ratio which means price of company is worth 10 times their income/earnings. Just clarifying for the majority on here who don't understand anything economic)

            • Posted By: careerdaytrader @ 08/18/2008 9:50:32 PM

              I'm glad we agree on so many issues. I also want litigation and tort law reformed. I also agree with another of your posts that we should NOT get into another war with Iran. I also want the Iraq war to end soon as well both because it is a drain on our economy and because either purposely or not the reasons for invading were invalid. But the point is we're IN there, lets win it and do the MOST for our future. Like it or not Saddam was evil and needed removed and in the long run a Democratic Iraq will add stability to the middle east. It appears the surge is working and we will be able to reduce troop levels soon.

              I do not believe in this X-inefficiency theory. For one all the research shows that competition REDUCES X-Inefficiency. Your argument only applies to monopolistic industries and the majority of industries in the US are not monopolies nor oligopolies. Small business growth is occurring now while large corporations are laying off.

              My point which NOBODY has disproven is that raising payroll taxes is going to hurt small business owners,
              higher taxes are going to hurt small business owners and it WILL result in fewer jobs.

              The housing and banking crisis will likely lead to another 1/2 million to 3 million job LOSSES. Nobody
              can do anything about this, time is often the only thing that allows these economic excesses to
              stabilize. Obama is NOT going to create more jobs he is going to eradicate them.

              We don't have the Internet economy this time around to save a president from a tax increase killing
              the economy. Clinton was lucky as any other time in American history those taxes would have
              been disastrous!

          • Posted By: neos @ 08/18/2008 8:05:49 PM

            First of all, I agree with you on the need to carefully and wisely use our tax dollars. Realistically, there are not that many high price items that can be cut. This sensless war in Iraq is certainly one. Balancing the budget is another excellent idea - accomplish this by deciding what services we want and than budgeting accordingly. Repulicans have simply tried cutting taxes while letting the government footprint and the budget deficit grow by replacing revenue (taxes) with borrowing. Task a good look at the national debt clock and imagine waht we could accomplish with the hundreds of billions we give away annually to service the debt. I have not only looked into Europe, I have lived there for quite a few years and I can tell you that your perceptions are not accurate. Parity of purchasing power measured through GDP per capita is higher in many nations over there than it is here in the USA, and that is a shame. And they maintain this higher standard of living while paying higher taxes - that is to say, while receiving higher services. There are many here in the US who play by the rules, work hard all their lives only to see their jobs shipped overseas and their futures put in peril. Their health care plans dissappear and they are left to fend for themselves in a work environment that is less and less willing to provide benefits. To thos who choose not to consider the facts our current employment level disguises well the truth that the jobs left to us are not in the manufacturing center, but in the service industries. As to your last paragraph - if you are not afraid to get your opinions all muddled up with facts, go to the Obama website and research his health care initiative.

  • Posted By: topcat2001 @ 08/19/2008 2:01:35 AM

    Careerdaytrader- you stupid uneducated moron, dont give me more of your stupid Republican lies. I work for one of the world's top software companies and have an MBA. *** like you cannot even set foot on our campus with your IQ and grammar. Yes, I make over a 100K and have several times that in savings just 7 years out of college but I choose to be a Democrat because I am not a selfish wretch like you who cannot look past his lil 2 inch d*ck.
    Careerdaytrader - is a newsweek id and not an email. It cannot have been setup 10 years ago because there was no user registration on the newsweek website you dumb moron. Keep dreamin up your fancy money makin schemes and working your lies till you die a selfish wretch.

    • Posted By: careerdaytrader @ 08/19/2008 8:28:21 AM

      The problem is that YOU are the uneducated one. Don't believe me that Obama's ideas will be disasterous for America, go read articles by economists instead of paid Obama newsweek editors. Ever notice on Newsweek Obama's web ads are on almost EVERY page? Coincidence? If Mc Cain was spending as much as Obama here they'd be spoon feeding.

      What do you think of today's Wall Street Journal

      I'd rather be selfish than a THIEF like you. You want to steal my money and other successful people's money. To me that makes you absolutely pathetic and I have zero respect for you. What good is your MBA if you are too chicken $hit to start your own company? From what you said YOU must be the one with the 2 inch d*ck and 4 ounce balls. LOL.

      What do you think of Today's Wall Street Journal Article? Oh I forgot you only read USA Today and Newsweek.

      Obama's Tax Plan Is Really a Welfare Plan
      http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121910303529751345.html?mod=googlenews_wsj


      Obama says we need to raise taxes to pay for the war, to pay for roads, to pay for education
      but as you read this article and UNDERSTAND his policies vs just chanting "OBAMA, OBAMA"
      then MAYBE I will believe you that you have half a brain and an MBA. I don't personally
      consider online universities adequate for MBA's but we'll discuss that later!

      I can't wait to see how his FOLLOWERS will try to spin this article!

      The tax credits he proposes mostly go to those who pay little or nothing in federal income
      taxes. Such credits are not tax cuts, they are NEW TAX WELFARE. He is proposing to create
      or expand a slew of government spending programs that are disguised as tax credits.

      FACT: Bottom 40% of income earners pay NO INCOME TAXES. Now under Obama's plan they will
      receive money.

      That's the reason so many on here call Obama a socialist.

      As many of you and also America HEAR of what he ACTUALLY plans to do, 99% of Obama
      followers haven't even read his policies or website fully, most will NOT vote for him.

      He is already far behind where Kerry was this time in 2004. Thank God!

      • Posted By: AskPlus @ 08/19/2008 11:40:24 AM

        Nope. Does not take much to see you are the one in need of a teacher and mentor. In the interim, perhaps you'll develop a kinder demeanor. I can see why he would think you are not someone with a successful career. Other than the fact that you actually use a job description as a user name.

        • Posted By: careerdaytrader @ 08/19/2008 1:05:41 PM

          I will be 2 billion percent MORE kind and caring once Obama gets defeated.

          It's really easy for you and most others here to vote for Obama. He won't HURT you in any way, other than way down the line and I think most people, especially Democrats, are SHORT SIGHTED thinkers and don't really care what happens to them 3 to 8 years down the line.

          Obama and all of you are trying to STEAL $200,000 to $250,000+ of my hard earned money. It's mine. It's not YOURS and its not Governments and I can do with it as I choose. Last year I gave $10k to charity and this year planned on giving $20k which depending on the election I may not. Another consequence of voting for Obama is that charities will collect a LOT less money. I believe they are much more effective at helping the poor and needy than huge government bureaucracies.

      • Posted By: pearsoncrz @ 08/19/2008 11:24:53 AM

        One error Carreerday-- you get a tax "credit" only if you actually owe some taxes.

        Obama's tax "credit" won't put a dime in the pockets of low income wage earners who already don't pay taxes because of the EIC and Childcare credits and the tax deductions they already get, unless he does away with some of those, of course.

        • Posted By: careerdaytrader @ 08/19/2008 1:01:08 PM

          This is what I'm talking about Obama supporters do NOT even KNOW what he is planning on doing.

          Believe it or not but this comes from the Wall Street Journal which I read every day.

          Check it out yourself, URL is below SECOND paragraph.
          http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121910303529751345.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

          "Moreover, the tax credits would mostly go to those who pay little or nothing in federal income taxes. His trick is to make the tax credits "refundable." Thus, if the tax credit is for $1,000, but the taxpayer would otherwise only pay $200 in taxes, the government would write a check to the taxpayer for $800. If the taxpayer pays nothing in federal income taxes, the government would pay him the whole $1,000."

          Don't let the TRUTH hit you in the A$$ on the way out the Door Obama AND his supporters! lol

    • Posted By: mightnotvoteobama @ 08/19/2008 8:36:29 AM

      EINSTEIN COULD NOT DO SIMPLE MATH ! DID THAT MAKE HIM A MORON ?

  • Posted By: pearsoncrz @ 08/19/2008 11:18:06 AM

    "We need a president who sees government not as a tool to enrich well-connected friends and high-priced lobbyists, but as the defender of fairness and opportunity for every American," the candidate said in his June speech. "That's the kind of president I intend to be."

    But his actions don't match his words. Away from the bright lights and high-minded rhetoric of the campaign trail, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has quietly worked with corporate lobbyists to help pass breaks worth $12 million.

    "It's an entire culture in Washington -- some of it legal, some of it not," the Democratic hopeful told a New York crowd in June, rallying support for his ethics reform agenda.

    But last year, at the request of a hired representative for an Australian-owned chemical corporation Nufarm, Obama introduced nine separate bills exempting the company from import fees on a range of chemical ingredients it uses in the manufacture of pesticides and herbicides. Nufarm's U.S. subsidiary is based in Illinois.
    While legal, Obama's bills on behalf of Nufarm and other companies are part of the special treatment machine Washington rolls out for special interests, say good-government watchdogs.

    "If you have a company...there's a whole factory set up to help you get these suspensions," said Steve Ellis, president of the Washington, D.C.-based watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense. "It's a pay-to-play system you have to rev up and work." Hire the right lobbyist, pay the right fee, and you can save millions, he explained.

    In Nufarm's case, Obama's staff met with a lawyer representing the company, Joel Junker, in person and on the phone several times, Junker told ABC News. Junker says he worked with Obama's staff to craft the nine bills and keep them moving forward.

    In a glowing financial report issued just two months after Obama introduced Nufarm's numerous tariff-lifting bills, Nufarm told its shareholders it was making more money than ever before in North America because it had increased its prices on its U.S. and Canadian customers, predominantly farmers.

    In particular, "price rises on phenoxy herbicides," a family which includes 2,4 D, "improved the profitability of those products, despite no significant increase in sales volumes."

    Economics aside, some medical researchers also harbor concerns over 2,4 D. Studies have purported to find a link between high exposure to the chemical and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer. Defenders of the chemical say it is safe, and note that even scientists who believe a link exists cannot explain how the chemical may cause the cancer.

    Only one other 2008 presidential hopeful has introduced more tariff suspension bills to benefit major corporations than Obama -- Longshot GOP candidate Sen. Sam Brownback, Kan. Sen. John McCain introduced none.

  • Posted By: SPORTLOCK09 @ 08/18/2008 7:45:11 PM

    Barack H Obama
    Dont dare say his name
    McCains playin politics
    Racisms your game
    A sip of the kool aide
    A heartwarming speech
    Edwards admits to his lies
    while your at the beach
    Michelle looks like Rambo
    black power she loves
    at the wedding were pigeons
    HELL NO to white doves
    So vote for Obama
    but dont say hussain
    you'll be labeled a racist
    by the legally insane

    • Posted By: TheVigil @ 08/18/2008 8:08:06 PM

      Get ****ed. The only reason most of the right-wing won't ever be labeled insane is that, like Nixon, they'll die before seeing a psychiatrist. They're afraid of them.

      • Posted By: HolyRoller @ 08/18/2008 10:54:44 PM

        Liberalism is an actual mental disorder. The desire to be seen as a victim........the expectation of deserving and receiving financial rewards for lack of achievement or effort.......and the utter lack of moral values......values that rationalize and condone the theft of other peoples earned assets, and allows the for murder of the innocents, with neither guilt or condemnation, is assuredly a disease. Or an overdose of Kool-Aide.

        NOBAMA!!!.

        To not believe this is even sicker.

        NOBAMA!!!

        • Posted By: WmRAllen @ 08/19/2008 9:16:54 AM

          The "victimization" rhetoric is not uniquely liberal-- quickly skimming the conservative perspectives expressed on this board should show you that. "Oh no, the scary liberal is coming-- he's going to be mean to us, because we're the white males and everyone's against us."

          Couple that with the "paranoid style" (and note that I'm not trying to apply a clinical definition here, just characterizing the rhetoric) in politics, where one's opponents become part of some great conspiracy, all-powerful "boogey-men" out to destroy your country, and the "patriotic orthodoxy" which remains insistent that there's only one "true America" and that any dissent obviously makes you something "other" (be it communist, socialist, or the "ist" du jour, a terrorist), and you have the basis of most of what I see in political rhetoric coming from the right wing these days.

          It's very easy, if you see things in black-and-white and don't wish to explore your own biases and inconsistencies, to say that the "Other guy" has nothing to contribute, and to demonize whole segments of the population. Some liberal policies I agree with, some I don't; some conservative policies Iagree with, some I don't. But, even if I fall more on the left side of the spectrum, I don't automatically assume that "all Repubs are insane"-- that doesn't help anything.

      • Posted By: mightnotvoteobama @ 08/19/2008 9:12:43 AM

        I'M A REPUBLICAN AND HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR PSYCH DIS-ORDERS DON'T BE AFRAID OF ME BECAUSE OF THAT BECAUSE AFTER ALL I NOW HAVE A CERTIFICATE SAYING I'M SANE DO YOU ?

      • Posted By: SPORTLOCK09 @ 08/18/2008 8:25:47 PM

        Vigil,
        Anyone who pays millions for a job that pays 130k is either legally insane or a crook. So i agree! But that goes for the Dems also.

    • Posted By: mightnotvoteobama @ 08/19/2008 9:09:26 AM

      OBAMA???S THE MAN THAT CAN BE SAID HE???LL TAX YOU AND TAX YOU EVEN IF YOUR DEAD! OBAMA???S THE MAN HIS SUPPORTER SAY IT???S TRUE! BUT ON U.S. ECONOMIC???S HE HAS NO CLUE... TAX, TAX ,TAX THAT???S ALL HE KNOWS ! HE DON???T WANT NO NUKE PLANTS HE???S AFRAID THEY???LL MAKE US GLOW WERE STUCK PAYING HIGH GAS PRICES ALL THE WHILE HIS MONEY GROWS AT HIS CONVENTION HILLARY WILL BE ON THE TICKET BUT COME NOVEMBER WE'LL ALL TELL HIM WHERE TO STICK IT !

    • Posted By: paulte @ 08/18/2008 8:36:50 PM

      Just love your poem! Michelle a black rambo! Right on!

  • Posted By: OldPhart @ 08/19/2008 4:08:18 AM

    Niether one is worth the time of day.
    Maybe I'll just write in your name.

  • Posted By: cferns1530 @ 08/19/2008 3:59:06 AM

    The similarities Howard Fineman draws are like saying Sylvester and Tom are the same cartoon character.

  • Posted By: LuvBama @ 08/19/2008 2:19:40 AM

    Obama will give us good jobs! He will give us health care! He will give us a thousand dollars from the oil companies! Obama will give us college educations! Obama will make the rich pay more like they should! That sound's pretty sickening and disgusting doesn't it?

  • Posted By: SlpAwy @ 08/19/2008 2:21:19 AM

    Honestly, who would call our currrent state good, or even decent, right now? Economically? Pretty bad and seemingly getting worse. MIlitarily? Coming up on 6 years of war...for what!!?? Disastrous. Foreign policy? Our image has been extensively damaged...not exactly desirable in such a growing global marketplace. Healthcare still needs a major overhaul, and the unflattering list goes on. In large part, this is due to eight years of Bush and his administration; an administration that McCain largely supported. McCain is now trying to distance himself from Bush. Most everyone is, and for good reason. Too late. If you didn't have the foresight to realize Bush and his simpleminded, irresponsible policies were not the answer and never were, then why should we believeyou now have the ability to competently discern right from wrong? Obviously we cannot be sure Obama will be the perfect man for the job, but it is an undeniable certainty the U.S. needs to move as far as they can away from Bush-type politics. McCain isn't nearly far enough.

  • Posted By: NoMcsame @ 08/19/2008 2:04:21 AM

    how come the 72 years old disable, cheating, warmonger, never used pc, don't know how to use e mail, D student, past, and so on and on n on n on n on can be compared to one of the brilliant, law prof, President of Harvard law review, elequent, influential, bright, intelegent, good looking, diplomatic, start from scratch rise to the top with out privilage. com on mr, FINEMAN You know better.

  • Posted By: LuvBama @ 08/19/2008 1:55:16 AM

    How can you say that Obama is not a party guy? I am a Democrat and I have been really following Obama since his key note speech at the DNC in 2004. Since then he has proudly towed the Democratic party line without crossing party lines even when he tpulled the wool over McCain's eyes with his vote against campaign reform on their co-sponsored bill. Don't tell me our next president is not a party guy. Viva Obama!

  • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/18/2008 7:02:17 PM

    The difference is McCrass comes from that awful class of Americans, the brougeois bigoted rich, and Obama comes from humble origins. Obama knows what it's like to grow and become influential. McCrass, like Bush Jr,, is a former playboy, a moron in school and a complete failure as a pilot.

    You want to elect another dim-bob to the White House, that's your voting right. But consider the disasters of the past 8 years before you hit that "McCain" ballot.

    • Posted By: careerdaytrader @ 08/18/2008 9:25:32 PM

      Some of you blithering idiots just don't understand that unemployment during MOST of Bush's term was LESS than during Clinton's. Facts don't prove your point that Bush was a bad president.

      • Posted By: ohhenryfactor @ 08/19/2008 1:31:18 AM

        Talk about a "blithering idiot". Understand this - once you've been out of work for 2 years, you are no longer counted. You also aren't counted when you have to settle for a job sweeping at Burger King. The unemployment and real wages are worse than ever in your entire life. McCain won't help unless cutting Google's, Roche's and GE's taxes will magically create jobs instead of profits.

  • Posted By: spicegirl @ 08/19/2008 1:28:44 AM

    Comparing Obama to McCain and finding similarities as you write is insulting. They are as different as black is to white???literally and metaphorically. Obama displays morality whereas McCain is grossly immoral so where is the comparison? Obama is bright and an intellectual whereas I would not even credit McCain with being street smart so where is the comparison? Obama comes from a poor background whereas McCain was privileged, where is the comparison? Obama is a faithful married man whereas McCain is a cheating husband to BOTH wives, where is the comparison??? Obama is a unifier, prefers negotiation to confrontation whereas McCain is a warmonger and wars and threats of wars stimulate him more than viagra. Obama is young and virile, McCain is old and senile so where is the comparison?

    Mr. Fineman I know you are not for Obama, never have been so it comes as no surprise to me to read this piece of garbage you wrote trying to identify similarities between Obama and McCain when it is crystal clear you should be contrasting and not comparing. Obama stands too tall and above the rest so you and sundry try in every way to whittle him down to size, and look at the extent you are prepared to go! Look at the stature of Obama in every sense and contrast it to the short tired old man with a life long chip on his shoulder by the name of John McCain. This is offensive!!! They are not brothers, never have been and never will be so cut the crap! We can see through your façade and what you are really trying to do but it will not work.

    You will have to come better than this Mr. Fineman and whilst I am on this subject let me compare your name to reality because you are NOT a fine man at all!


  • Posted By: ohhenryfactor @ 08/19/2008 1:24:59 AM

    Hey careerday, talk about "blithering idiot". You don't understand that after 2 years on Unemployment, the unemployed AREN'T COUNTED anymore... as if they give up. And those who take up jobs flipping burgers when their career is eliminated - that's called underemployed. It has never been this bad since the early 30s.

  • Posted By: bluegrass101 @ 08/18/2008 11:53:31 PM

    McFudd could not carry Obamas Cod sack unless the roller helped him.There is a very big difference between the two, right Rolls?

  • Posted By: TOMJ4 @ 08/18/2008 11:11:59 PM

    Calling a man leaning toward civility, constitution, and patriotic values not for leading this nation, may be you batter take 101 class for becoming a descent citizen of this country or just a drink vodka and shoot your self in your stupid head becuase we need this country and it's citizens become leader and supper power with humane and democtratic values

    GO OBAMA !!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Posted By: HolyRoller @ 08/18/2008 11:31:13 PM

      Typical obamamohammed...can't understand a thing they are saying.

      NOBAMA!!!

  • Posted By: S. Fleming @ 08/18/2008 11:05:22 PM

    This article is really uninteresting and poorly written. It speaks to unimportant qualities the candidates possess and concludes nothing substantive. I feel like I've just lost time I'll never get back while reading that article. It did not speak once to the candidates' positions on issues.

  • Posted By: S. Fleming @ 08/18/2008 11:03:57 PM

    This article is really uninteresting and poorly written. It speaks to unimportant qualities the candidates possess and concludes nothing substantive. I feel like I've just lost time I'll never get back while reading that article. It did not speak once to the candidates' positions on issues.

  • Posted By: HolyRoller @ 08/18/2008 11:01:20 PM

    Boy ya'll Kool-Aide Kids.......aka obamamohammeds, declare ANY criticism of your messiah as slander. Why don't you say what you really think....APOSTASY and HERESY.......

    FYI...Hussein's camp today basically ADMITED, he has been lying (par for the course with Barry)... about his reason for voting against banning infanticide, in Illinois. He had been saying it would restrict Roe vs Wade. They finally admit it would not have. They are trying to spin it, but it will not work. The proof is in black and white. The identical bill cleared the U.S. Senate with NO dissenting votes. Hussein killed it in committee in Illinois.

    Hussein out and out supported killing newborns. No other way to say it.

    I wish the MSM had the guts to ask this question...At what time did YOUR daughters receive human rights, Senator???

    He supports murder, in return for votes or money. As the hippies used to call our soldiers...BABY KILLER!!!
    Hussein "Barry Soerto" Obama is no more than a BABY KILLER!!!

    He is a Crook and a Fraud. And ya'll have fallen hook, line, and sinker...Idiots.

    NOBAMA!!!

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