Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Obama

[Professor S]

I stand corrected, Dyflon. Those platforms from Obama aren't vague at all. I am now completely comfortable that someone with almost no experience to run the the most powerful and influential nation in the world on four fucking paragraphs that have no detailed policies or plans to implement them.

Questions:

IRAQ: How will Barak pull us out of Iraq? What if the insurgency increases its rate of attacks and gets empowered by the announcement that we're leaving? Does he have a contingency plan? Who does he plan on working with in his compact? What are his plans in dealing with Iran's goring nuclear capabilties? Dos he view Iran as a possible threat? The dems haven't had to answer much about Iraq or terrorism in their debates so far, and they will be hard pressed on the subjects in the general election.

Healthcare: How will he better regulate healthcare companies? If they are regulated, what is the estimate cost of privately bought insurance once the entire structure is reformatted? Under the public plan, what choices do the American people have? Can I choose my own doctor? Will drugs be price fixed? If drug companies and health care innovators are guaranteed government money and there is no profit motive for innovation, who will create the innovations needed to save lives in the 21st century? How does he think the government can do a better job with Healthcare when every time it's tried its failed horribly (a legitimate question)? What about torte reform? Does he want to place a pain and suffering cap on lawsuits so that malpractice insurance can reach reasonable levels and that cost isn't passed on to the consumer?

Economy: The whole of his economics platform is a $500-$1000 tax break? Thats the most pathetic platform I've ever heard. What about repealing the estate tax that rips hard earned family wealth from people just because they died and in essence taxes the same money twice (my family lost my Grandmother's farm because of it. They had to take out a second mortgage to pay $100,000 in taxes). What about dropping the corporate tax to levels consistent with the rest of the world so that companies will stay or move into the US instead of leaving ot shipping jobs overseas? What about simplifying out tax system so regular people don't have to hire someone to dig through all the new laws and regulations? Will he also tighten tax law so that people who owe, pay, and don't hide in tax shelters (exactly why raising taxes on the rich does nothing to increase revenues)? How would he address the Real Estate situation? What would he do to promote US ownership businesses and slow down the pruchase of American companies by foreign investors?

Education: I agree that focusing on testing is a mistake in education, but the solution isn't throwing more money at it, its fixing the problems. State programs already fund failing schools beyond local tax means, and that has never stopped them from failing. The real problem is that the areas that need the most education place no value on it. Here's a microcosm of the problem: Glen Mills Schools - Its a publicly funded school for troubled youth, and it works. 98% of the students graduate and never commit a crime again. The school also offers FREE COLLEGE TUITION to any graduate who wants it. Less than 2% take them up on it. You would be better off taking to money and starting a public awareness program that illustrated the power of eduction to someones future.


I know what you're saying: People in general don't think this much about elections... but the New Media DOES. Pundits and reporters will be digging for secrets 24/7 and asking questions that the American people should be asking themselves. Barak will have to be more substantive.