Will we get the President we want or the President we deserve?

It is an interesting question. The basis for the question is founded in the belief that many Americans are just too ignorant to take the time to learn the facts, get the candidates to focus on the issues instead of the distractions and taking their civic responsibility seriously. How many of us engage in political dialogue with friends, family, neighbors, the news media and other Americans on issues, or use the Internet as a means of extended conversations? Most of what is discussed are the quips and digs like "lipstick on a pig".

I believe we get the President we deserve. We are all responsible in some way or another. If we are disengaged when we could be engaged, we contribute to the problem. It is easy to talk to people who agree with us, and it is difficult to talk with those who disagree with us. But that is where it must start.

Last night I watched an exchange on "Service to our Country" where both McCain and Obama were asked questions as to how they would get the American people more involved in volunteerism. It was a thought provoking conversation where we got treated to more than quips and digs. It was an enlightening conversation where I wanted more. Ideally it would have been better if both candidates were asked the questions at the same time and given the opportunity not to explore differences but where they agree. It is what our country needs right now.

Did they get 38 million viewers? No, far, far fewer people watched it and that is the pity. I want to publicly thank the sponsors of the event, Time Magazine Editor, Richard Stengel, and Judy Woodruff of PBS, who were asking the questions, as well as their Corporate sponsors. We need more of this. Get involved and if you haven't seen it, read about it or check to see if it can be seen again. Contact sponsors to find out how more of these can be held.

Remember, when we get what we want or what we don't want, we get what we deserve. It's called Accountability!

Are you ready to exert your power in this Election?

They say Barack Obama is caught between a rock and a hard place regarding the weekend comments by Rev. Wright at the NAACP meeting and other media events. They want us to believe that even though Barack has admonished his former pastor's comments, the American people will blur them together including each of their positions with no distinction. When they still haven't made up their mind who to vote for, they will acquiesce and vote for Hillary. If that is so, then the American people will get who they deserve for President.

It is my firm belief that there is at least 30% of the American people who don't think at all. Those are the ones who still approve of President Bush's policies in Iraq and here at home. They are not worth discussing any issue with as they have drunk the Kool-Aid and now are zombies. Then there are about another 15-17 % that will vote for John McCain because he is a Republican. That gets John McCain to 45-47%. The Democrats have given a majority vote for Barack which gives him about 28% and Hillary has about 24%, with Independents the final choosers in the Fall Election. Many Independents have joined with Barack, as they see a new hope not seen since John F. Kennedy.

The only question that truly remains is the following: Are we going to let the media dictate the issues we talk about during the next 6 months? If so then we will decide the election based upon associations and distractions, rather than substantive issues like the war in Iraq, getting a better Energy policy that helps liberate us from the dependence on Middle East Oil and our own Oil companies, giving tax breaks for Middle and low income people and increasing the tax on the wealthiest, helping to solve the Social Security financial crisis by ensuring it is there for our next generation, paying down the National Debt, solving the home foreclosure and subprime loans problem for so many Americans, passing a GI Bill to help support the troops who have given so much for their country, and so many other issues on foreign policy to help restore America's greatness in the world. This is up to us, not someone else. Change the channel of your TV when you here anything that isn't real issue oriented, with the emphasis on the word REAL! When the media ratings drop, maybe they will do something better, like cover real issues. If you speak to others about the Primary, discuss issues, not distractions. Start speaking out about what you want this election to be about or we all lose. And when we lose, the rest of the world does too. Remember, only we can give power to Swift Boat ads when we listen to them and alter our positions as a result.

UPDATE:

I almost forgot this action. Anyone, in the remaining States to still hold their Primary, should help end this folly, by voting overwhelmingly for Barack Obama. That will at least stop the rhetoric till September.

Which single issue will determine the Democratic nominee and ultimately President?

It comes down to that single issue. Which issues do we select the next President on. Here are some choices and you can vote in my mini poll on the right side of the page.

• Iraq war
• Economic recovery
• Healthcare
• Immigration reform

There are several possible outcomes and the calendar plays an important role here as does which States are left to vote in the Primaries. Which candidates are the best match-up?

Let's take the first one: Iraq war. The best match-up is McCain versus Obama.

John McCain wants us to stay in Iraq until we've won and has supported the President's strategy. Obama wants to get troops out and was never in favor of the war in the first place. Hillary now says she wants our troops to come home but had voted to give the President the authority to go to war in Iraq.

Economic recovery: Best match-up Hillary or Obama vs. McCain

McCain wants to make tax cuts permanent and both Hillary and Obama want to let them expire so that the wealthiest pay their fair share. They also both want tax cuts for middle class Americans.

Healthcare: Best match-up? First you must decide do you want Hillary's plan which includes penalties for those that don't purchase health insurance and fines they buy it or Obama's which is similar to Hillary's except no mandates. Both want to look for ways to reduce costs but no one really wants Universal Healthcare where our taxes pay for the Healthcare system and the Insurance companies become extinct and not in business anymore as we know them. Johm McCain wants to manage costs down by dealing with the Insurance companies to get them to contain more costs. We have been unsuccessful doing this since Managed Care (HMO’s) came into existence 15-20 years ago, and I don't think any will be successful in working with Healthcare providers. The system doesn't work. But Hillary claims her plan is Universal Healthcare, and it isn't. Many will be disappointed no matter which person is elected on the basis of this issue, as all have problems.

Immigration Reform: All the candidates are basically the same on this issue. All want tighter borders and all want the current system to be reformed so that legal immigration is easier than illegal immigration. And all want those undocumented (Illegal entry) persons to get at the back of the line of those that have been waiting and to pay a fine to get on the path to return.

So as you can see there isn't much difference in who you vote for in the remaining Primaries unless the main issue is the Iraq war. If you combine the Iraq war and the economy there are clear distinctions between the Republican position promoted by McCain and the position of Obama. The choice seems like a simple one. The economy is tied into the Trillions of real dollars that will be spent in Iraq, on the cist of the troops there and the cost of taking care of the nearly 30,000 seriously wounded Veterans that are returning with so much need for help. It also contributes to the price of Oil which has gone from $20-$24/barrel to $105/barrel under this President. That is a fact and it is killing the economy.