President Barack Obama

[tmash]

Well i hate the fact that nobody cares about the economy of Canada, when theres a financial crisis in America, a bunch of country starts helping the United States to get rid of their hole and everyone ignores Canada who is pretty much in the same hole.

And yet were the hand who feed the United States on so many levels (gas/electricity/drinkable water/food/paper) and we don't get any help back?!

God i don't understand how this world works sometimes.

what do you mean that everyone helps the USA? And Canada is actually in one of the strongest positions of all the economies right now.

[JHaul]

what do you mean that everyone helps the USA? And Canada is actually in one of the strongest positions of all the economies right now.

I loved your Obama posts man, I think McCain would have been worse then FDR for the budget in case you were wonder FDR caused the depression whereas smart presidents like Nixon, Regan and Bush Sr. had major surplus to their names

[Rocket-1]

what do you mean that everyone helps the USA? And Canada is actually in one of the strongest positions of all the economies right now.

Didn't the United States get hundreds of billions from overseas bank not too long ago?

And as far as Canada being in one of the strongest positions in economy right now.... your talking to a man who lost a heavy 6 figures in the past 5 weeks because of the economy, so would you excuse me if i have a hard time believing that.

[Bubbles_TPB]

I really don't think so.

You can't punish people for working, by making them pay higher taxes... so people who are lazy can keep sitting on their collective butts and get my money that I work very hard for. I went to school, had self motivation, and got my degree. It was not easy. I had to struggle to get the money for it, and I'm paying it off right now. But I did that so I could make a life for myself... not so I could be taxed and taxed and taxed so my hard earned money can go to the people who are bringing the economy down. What incentive is there, then, for people to work hard?

It's a flawed system. I'm scared for my country no matter who is in office. But I just don't agree with some of Obama's policies. And that's why I didn't vote for him.

I couldn't vote for a man who hasn't himself fought for this country. Who won't show respect to our military men and women... he would not shake hands with people who are currently fighting in the name of my country. He won't show respect to this country by placing his hand over his heart as he recites the Pledge of Allegiance.

Those reasons, along with some of my own moral reasons, are why I'm scared for my country.

And, just to comment on my first point, about the "lazy people." That probably came out a bit wrong. But as I said, it's a flawed system, and in my line of work, I see the holes in it every day. Those are the people that I don't want my money going to. I understand that people do need help. I completely understand that. I don't mind helping those people out. But others, that are abusing the system... those people make me sick.

It's the system we use here in Canada, and in many other countries which seem to be doing much better than the US.

[JHaul]

[KRod]

Larry -

We are all entitled to our opinion, no? Isn't that what voting and free speech is for? I already mentioned in this thread that I was no Bush supporter. He went about things in the absolute wrong way. But, I don't believe that people who have worked hard to make a better life for themselves should have to support those who are abusing the system. Notice I said "abusing." Not "using."

Also, as I mentioned earlier, my own personal morals are a huge part of why Obama didn't get my vote.

I trust you hope for the implosion I expected when GWB took power, but I warn you that Obama is no Bush, and he will succeed where the present administration has failed.

I would never hope for failure from any official that is representing my country.

[tmash]

I loved your Obama posts man, I think McCain would have been worse then FDR for the budget in case you were wonder FDR caused the depression whereas smart presidents like Nixon, Regan and Bush Sr. had major surplus to their names

Thanks, but actually Reagan and Bush Sr. had huge deficits. The current US national debt is almost all due to WW2 debt, Reagan, Bush Sr and Bush Jr. Clinton actually lowered the debt (accounting for inflation)

Didn't the United States get hundreds of billions from overseas bank not too long ago?

Those are loans. The US has to pay it back with interest. Any country can do this, it's not smart financial management though.

[newton-mtl]

Congrats to Obama & congrats to America reaching another milestone.

Utmost respect to McCain (pure class) but imagine Sarah Palin taking over the White House.. the horror, the horror!

[franck5890]

Yes, Clinton was very solid financially (ironically, it's always the Democrats who spend conservatively, the US debt is almost all thanks to Republicans)

But Obama is never going to implement all those plans. Anyone who thinks he will keep all his promises is kidding themselves. Obama is a very, very smart man, I'm sincerely hoping he is able to make balancing the budget a priority and run a surplus by the end of his presidency.

But how do you go about fixing so many problems without spending? There's going to be major cutbacks somewhere for that to work, and it's essentially going to have to come from social programs (which would be odd for a democratic and completely against his ideology) or it'll come as tax-hikes as you can't cut-back on an ailing health-care system or the miliitary (see next point). Millitary spending might be cut back a bit but not enough, and certainly not when you consider Barack has committed to reinforcing the Afghanistan mission.

If we're really going to see progressive change, there's going to need to be some heavy spending, and it'll need to be focused instead of wide-spread (lest the money go to waste).

[franck5890]

But I think the question a lot of us should be asking is if Mr. Wetsuit and Harper can get a good relationship going with the USA, especially considering the current economy. It's weird to see Canada's government to the right of the USA's, but hopefully they can get a good working relationship.

Gah, this is what's so laughable about the perception of Canadian politics. People think the Conservative Party is a true right-wing, true-conservative party. They're really not anymore. They're the most centrist of all parties, as the Liberal Pary has drifted quite left. I hope that Obama and Harper can get along well, as Obama is about as centrist as they come for democrats (one of the reasons I love the guy), and Harper's Conservatives are about as centrist as they come for "conservative" parties.

As for your point on the Canadian economy, I disagree. I think the economy is in a very precarious and volatile position at this point. Some short-term trends will disagree, but the Canadian economy still relies largely on the US economy.

[JHaul]

Thanks, but actually Reagan and Bush Sr. had huge deficits. The current US national debt is almost all due to WW2 debt, Reagan, Bush Sr and Bush Jr. Clinton actually lowered the debt (accounting for inflation)

You fly boys crack me up!

[franck5890]

Uh Mccain was never for a flat tax ... You probably should have voted for Bob Barr if you are against progressive taxation.

Oh and remember who was against Bush's tax cuts when they first happened: John Mccain.

Barack Obama has voted against middle-class tax-cuts and for breaks for big-oil companies lately too, don't forget that though.

[tmash]

But how do you go about fixing so many problems without spending? There's going to be major cutbacks somewhere for that to work, and it's essentially going to have to come from social programs (which would be odd for a democratic and completely against his ideology) or it'll come as tax-hikes as you can't cut-back on an ailing health-care system or the miliitary (see next point). Millitary spending might be cut back a bit but not enough, and certainly not when you consider Barack has committed to reinforcing the Afghanistan mission.

It's not going to happen overnight. But the first thing to do would be undo Bush's tax cuts. Going back to Clinton levels won't make the US a communist state The next step will hopefully be cutting back on all the vote buying subsidies that were implemented under Bush (I'm not too familiar with these, but I believe that's a huge part of the US budget issues). The military will probably take some of the hit, but the US is already preparing to slowly withdraw from Iraq, and even with more troops in Afghanistan, the net result should be favourable. It will take years, but hopefully he can balance the books.

And part of your post you removed (I think because you misinterpreted someone) I wanted to comment on. The American ellection system has its own series of flaws. What to me is so stupid is they have a system where they could super easily make the winner based on the popular vote, yet they have this ridiculous electoral college (Canada's system makes a popular vote much more difficult). Also, Elections Canada sounds like it is much more accurate and less corrupt than the American system. I voted in a riding that came down to like 17 votes difference I think, and reading about the re-count process made it seem like there was the utmost integrity. Also, corporations and lobyists are too much of the US system. In the US's favour, they actually vote for the leader instead of them being appointed by a representative of the Queen. The Senate and House are also less partisan, the senate is elected and actually serves a purpose, and having the executive branch seperate from the House is good in a lot of ways.

Really, neither system is very good. But both are stuck with archaic rules that are too difficult to change.

You fly boys crack me up!

wait ... was that sarcasm in your post?

[franck5890]

It's not going to happen overnight. But the first thing to do would be undo Bush's tax cuts.

That'll be tough when he's already partially committed to them though. I believe he's chosen at the very least to delay removing them as he said something about how they would ultimately end up in a tax increase at this time.

[tmash]

That'll be tough when he's already partially committed to them though. I believe he's chosen at the very least to delay removing them as he said something about how they would ultimately end up in a tax increase at this time.

well his taxes to those making over $250k is basically just going back to Clinton levels. However, I don't think you'll see any major changes until this financial crisis passes.

Barack Obama has voted against middle-class tax-cuts and for breaks for big-oil companies lately too, don't forget that though.

Those tax cuts though would have simply increased debt, I don't consider it reducing taxes when you shift the taxes from your generation to your children, you're just changing the method. The tax plan he is advocating now is shifting some of the burden from the middle class to the upper class, I don't believe it will affect government revenues.

And I'm not sure about the big-oil thing, I haven't heard about that.

[CareyPrice31]

Congratulations to Obama! Hopefully he does the best for the States.

[jl-1]

Hope HE can find OBAMA Bin Laden!

[tmash]

Congrats to Obama.

I thought the speech McCain gave after the loss was so classy.

I just watched this. That really reminded me of the old John McCain from back in 2000, not the new Mccain who would say anything to win.

Unfortunately with McCain, his time was back in 2000 (before Bush screwed him over with the robo-calls). This year wasn't his time: he's getting too old, he was following Bush, and he was up against the most charismatic Democrat since Clinton. Also, it seemed that just to shore up the base, he was forced to run on a very right wing platform since the party has shifted so far to the right, despite being a moderate his entire career. I'd originally thought "well he's just doing what he needs to do to win, once he's in he'll be a moderate". But what really disappointed me was when he picked Palin: politically it seemed like a smart move at the time, but no way was she ready to be president, and it was a purely political and horribly selfish move by Mccain (if he died while in office, he'd be leaving the US in her hands).. At that point I figured maybe the old Mccain was gone. In addition to become increasingly nasty and right wing, Mccain seemed to be loosing it, with his actions becoming increasingly erratic, it looked like he was heading towards a mental breakdown. It is a shame, he could have made a great president 8 years ago, but like others, was screwed over by Bush. Although I had originally backed Bill Richardson in the Democratic primaries and felt Obama was too inexperienced, he's grown on me, and I hope for the best.

[Twenty-Two]

I could have voted:(

I have dual citizenship. I thought that if I voted in the US I would lose my citizenship in Canada (or that something would happen to it). Because of certain personal situations I didn't have the chance to talk to anyone about this problem, and today I found out that I could have voted after all!

I could have made a difference. And I didn't.

But of course, congratulations to Obama, and hopefully our country is headed for the better!

[SK74_mtl]

Congratulations to President Obama on a hard fought victory.

[chrisjamessauve]

I knew he would be elected from day 1, when he announced his candidacy.

[tmash]

I have dual citizenship. I thought that if I voted in the US I would lose my citizenship in Canada (or that something would happen to it).

Just curious, but why did you think that?

[ruuvimeisseli]

America picked the right person.

There was an interview of a member of the k_k, he said he is going to vote for obama because he thinks obama will fix the economy.

[Twenty-Two]

Just curious, but why did you think that?

When I had mentioned I wanted to vote to some people, that's what they had told me.

I argued it because it didn't make sense to me, but then other factors got involved, I didn't look it up to see if they were right or not and I didn't register to vote. I found out today that what they told me is indeed incorrect.

I wish I had known sooner.

[Randy15]

Larry -

We are all entitled to our opinion, no? Isn't that what voting and free speech is for? I already mentioned in this thread that I was no Bush supporter. He went about things in the absolute wrong way. But, I don't believe that people who have worked hard to make a better life for themselves should have to support those who are abusing the system. Notice I said "abusing." Not "using."

Also, as I mentioned earlier, my own personal morals are a huge part of why Obama didn't get my vote..

Well I have no problem with that, I only came out strongly against your position because, quite frankly you were raining on my parade before all the votes have been counted, I was a bit emotional. With that said I totally respect what I'd call institutional voters, people who vote party lines no matter what, because I basically am that person. I vote from a moral position as well, my morals could never allow me to vote Republican no matter how wreckless I thought a Democrat would spend my money, yours are apparently the opposite. I still think your philosophy on the "hard workers" giving back to those "abusing" the system is a bit of conservative kool-aid, but I'd just as well agree to disagree. Discussing these issues on a Habs forum is a bit trite.