John McCain and Barack Obama have been going back and forth this week on various topics, but none more important at the moment than the economy.  With rising gas prices and the subsequent rise in the price of all products, taxes and the economy have become the issues at the forefront of American minds.  As both candidates claim varying levels of tax relief, normal Americans try to figure out what exactly the candidates are talking about.

Well, there’s no easy way to explain the differences in the positions of  Obama and McCain, as both are based on speculation and economic theory.  With that said, Obama essentially works off the platform that the relief needs to focus on the middle class, as he makes the rich and big corporations look like the enemy.  Its important for average middle class Americans and small business owners to get tax breaks, but Americans need to look past that simple comparison.

Here is a brief layout of the two Candidates view on taxes: (info is from their respective websites, and @ The Candidates.)                           

• Obama would let expire tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000. He acknowledges that additional revenue might be needed to achieve his health care goals, but says a large amount of money can be saved within the existing system.

• McCain says tax cuts work best in conjunction with lower spending.  McCain was one of two Republican senators to oppose the 2001 tax cuts, arguing that too many of the benefits went to the most fortunate at the expense of the middle class. He also opposed the 2003 tax cuts. McCain says he would not raise taxes, but that he would not go as far as to sign a pledge to that effect. He believes a repeal of the estate tax isn’t necessary.   

John McCain wants to extend the Bush tax cuts, which by the way have substantially helped middle class Americans, and corporate America. As you can see, he is concerned about the middle class as well.  But the idea that big corporations and the rich are bad for America is a slogan that is unfounded and just getting out of control.  If corporate America gets tax cuts, they make higher profits, which then allows them to pay all those middle class Americans more money.  Not to mention, all of Obama’s many big government ideas will cost the middle class Americans a pretty penny, as he has to pay for everything somehow.  

The point here is don’t get reeled in by the “rich is bad” slogans, because if you aspire to be successful, why wouldn’t you want to be paid for your hard work.  The people that seem to enjoy this rich bashing are those with a  lack of personal drive and negative outlook on life.  

Many of us would consider Barack Obama rich.

Why is that such a bad thing?  

Why is Wal-Mart such a bad thing?  

It saves all those middle class Americans money, yet its the very business model that many love to hate.  It makes no sense.  Wal-Mart doesn’t take away business from small business owners, it creates competition.  When did competition become such a bad thing? This is obviously my opinion, and if you have differing thoughts, comment.  

Before you blame oil companies for all our economic problems check this:

The U.S. Government takes 15% of each gallon of gasoline.

The oil companies pocket 4%.

Oil companies do all the work to extract, buy, and transport oil from nations all over the world.  The U.S. government does nothing. 

People all over the world use oil, or products directly or indirectly manufactured by oil, or its byproducts. 

In 1995 Bill Clinton vetoed a bill that would have allowed drilling in Anwar, substantially increasing our oil supply, and decreasing our reliance on foreign oil today.

The question is, which of the two Presidential candidates will best solve the issue of sky rocketing gas prices? 

The answer is neither. 

They both disagree with any type of drilling in the U.S., or extracting from the areas in Utah, Colorado, and the newly found areas in North Dakota.  These many areas are protected by the environmental fringe, but you pay for at the pump, and also pay more for all products, as gasoline fuels the trucks and planes that deliver our products.

McCain does have some initiates to increase nuclear power, therefore lowering power and utility costs, but how will he fight gas prices?  He won’t, unless he drastically changes his positions.

I am a strong proponent of the environment and working to protect it as mentioned in previous blogs, but drilling in Anwar for example, would only take up a very small portion of the region in Alaska.

The following is an excerpt from George Will’s Column, The Gas Prices We Deserve:
“ANWAR is larger than the combined areas of five states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware), and drilling along its coastal plain would be confined to a space one-sixth the size of Washington’s Dulles Airport.”

In addition he adds, “One million barrels is what might today be flowing from ANWR if in 1995 President Bill Clinton had not vetoed legislation to permit drilling there. One million barrels produce 27 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel. Seventy-two of today’s senators — including 38 other Democrats, including Barack Obama, and 33 Republicans, including John McCain– have voted to keep ANWR’s estimated 10.4 billion barrels of oil off the market.”

Drilling in Anwar, off the coasts, and where possible is the short-term solution to our rising gas prices.   Hybrid technology, electric vehicle solutions, and other oil free ideas should continue development as well.

Get more info at: www.anwr.org

For a visual breakdown of the Anwar region go to: http://www.anwr.org/docs/CloseupofareaIII.pdf

Also check out George Will’s article directly at: The Gas Prices We Deserve

Obama’s camp almost seems overjoyed at the weekend’s headlines, as any bad news about the war, the economy, gas prices, or anything for that matter, proves to be politically beneficial for him.  A campaign that can mark success on current problems, or our soldiers not winning a war just doesn’t seem right.  Sure the Bush Administration has made mistakes, as any administration does, but when a campaign can hedge its bets on failures of Americans you should question that campaign. 

We all hate the rise in Gas prices, but before you lambaste our American ethics, and our gas guzzling SUV’s, which by the way are selling like painted rocks, check this.   “Skyrocketing oil prices are largely to blame for the surge. Soaring demand in Asia and elsewhere ensures global supplies remain tight even as Americans cut back; recent figures from the U.S. Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration showed U.S. gasoline demand actually fell 1.4 percent over the last four weeks.”

Admittedly, things are not perfect.  Unemployment has risen, and foreclosures continue to drain the fleeting hope in our economy.  McCain has an uphill battle as he is ruthlessly compared to the Bush administration, therefore supposedly making him NOT an agent of change. McCain, I warn you now…  Before you throw your buddy, President Bush, to the dogs, understand many still support him.  The “many” you will have to win over if you expect to beat Obama. 

Anyone that heard McCain’s flat uninspired speech last Tuesday in New Orleans understands what I mean.  McCain definitely attacked Obama, but as he attempted to distance himself from Bush, the Louisiana crowd was very sparse in their applause, and probably forced at times by McCain’s cronies in the crowd.  It felt like some cheesy daytime talk show with production assistants holing up the “applause” signs. 

Part of the inherent problem with this election, is that American’s have changed the way they think.  As the government is sending most of us checks for no reason, just money to stimulate the economy, we complain.  People complain about not getting the checks soon enough, or because they didn’t get enough money, or that it’s about time because it’s their money anyway. 

This victim mentality has consumed us like a plague. Someone needs to turn that around, instead of feed it. Many Americans are tired of hearing how bad things are.  Don’t mask the problems, but speak about solutions and ideas.  Change is not an idea, it’s a slogan.  I guess that’s what the debates are for.  We’ll see.     

Quote above from: Obama Heads for Republican Turf With Economic Message

For more insight on gas prices, the environment, and American’s changing our ways just click: Senate Debates Global Warming Initiatives

Vanity Fair is not succumbing to the pressure of the Clinton machine.  In case you missed it Vanity Fair ran a piece in their last issue about Bill Clinton, implying his philandering attitude was again in full force, and actually mentioned Hollywood actress, Gina Gershon (pictured) by name. 

Bill was outraged and of course denied it; as he has before, and went on to call the writer, Todd Purdum, various names, including scumbag.  Despite all the Clinton denials and Gershon’s denial as well, Vanity Fair is sticking to their guns.  

Beth Kseniak, Spokeswoman for the magazine said, “The story merely examines the concerns of some of Clinton’s aides about reports of his behavior. We don’t believe that any correction is warranted.” 

To give you a glimpse of the juicy article, Purdum wrote:  ”Over the last few years, aides have winced … at more recent high-end Hollywood dinner-party gossip that Clinton has been seen visiting with the actress Gina Gershon in California.”   

First of all, this is not hard to believe with Bill Clinton’s past.  But what other politician in the country could get away with this continuing question of sexual promiscuity, and the seemingly intentional disregard for women?  All this and he’s married to a supposed champion for women’s rights.  And oh yeah, she’s running for President, well, now VP.    

In fact he told the Judge he wanted to be put to death and therefore become a martyr.  Mohammed was of course offered attorneys, but rejected them and even stated to the Judge, “Yes, this is what I wish, to be a martyr for a long time, I will god willing, have this by you.” 

There were also reports from journalists inside the courtroom that he was extremely mocking of the entire proceeding and laughed at many of the onlookers. 

This is very much a political issue especially in coming months, as two candidates, both in agreement on not using physical torture of any kind with detainees, will fight for the White House.  Obviously there is no place for torture in the U.S., however when dealing with terrorists of this magnitude and the chance you could save American lives, water boarding may be necessary. 

Mohammed has successfully showed us that just throwing a terrorist with this mentality in prison and threatening death, or taking away his freedom will not affect him.  He wants death.  He believes this will take him to a far better place.  So when dealing with someone who is unafraid and actually striving to die, the only thing that may work is torture with no end in sight, and no death in sight. 

Understandably McCain disagrees with torture, as he himself was tortured.  But as he speaks about protecting this country he must understand this could be a part of that.  Water boarding at Guantanamo will not be debated heavily in this presidential election because both candidates disagree with it.  But it is an important issue because it can drastically affect our safety as Americans, and how we are viewed around the world. 

We’re not talking about using force with normal captures, but with TERRORISTS. If you don’t agree with water boarding explain how better to deal with terrorists that may have information that could save literally thousands of Americans.  In my opinion this isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue, but an American issue.          

It does however relate nicely to my previous blog about Hillary as VP and how that whole scenario would work out.

(sorry, some idiot decided to advertise his website on this youtube video.  I dont endorse whatever it is)

The word from Hillary’s camp is that she’s officially going to drop out of the race on Saturday.  Although technically she is reportedly only going to suspend her campaign.  This will simply allow her to continue raising money to pay off her debt, and retain her delegates.  This is not the shock wave it would of been a couple weeks ago, as many in Washington were expecting this announcement as early as Tuesday evening.  

What is the current craze though is the discussion of Obama’s running mate.  Its frightening and downright shocking that the Democrats want Hillary to be VP.  This may round up all the Democrats, but not one single Republican, or independent would pull the lever for that ticket.  As mentioned in earlier blogs, Obama will appear weak the more he plays the victim, but if he chooses Hillary he will look even weaker.  

Any clear minded person would understand that Obama chose her simply because of the pressure applied to him from the party, and the political statement of a woman in the office and the idea that all women would therefore blindly vote for Obama/Clinton.  

As a side note, there was supposedly a 3 minute private conversation on the senate floor between Obama and Lieberman, McCain’s Independent friend, as pointed out at Obama on Clinton: We’ll be talking. That would be an interesting choice for Obama, although very unlikely and something I can’t see him doing.  

This process of choosing a Vice President is silly and tiring.  It all comes down to who they think can round up the voters that they otherwise wouldn’t, and many times that person is’nt the best candidate for the job.  Check out one of my previous blogs on what it would look like with Hillary and Bill Clinton running the White House as VP’s with Obama sitting in the oval office twiddling his thumbs, and therefore why he won’t choose her.   The Clinton Double Ticket.  

Part of the problem is that many still want to make it about the global warming debate, instead of solutions, and seem to enjoy the political division it brings.  Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, said “its clear that global warming is real,” and congress must act. 

Despite that ongoing debate, you can’t get around the fact that the two parties have different views regarding the role of governement.  Thats one of the foundational differences between Democrats and Republicans.

Democrats believe in government sanctions and policy, whereas the Republicans believe in the free market and less government. 

For example, GM decided they are closing 4 SUV and Truck manufacting plants, two in the U.S., one in Mexico and another in Canada.  The reason;  they are seeing massive reductions in the sales of SUV’s and large trucks, and they have to compete in the market place.  So, to compete they will have over 20 hybrid models in production to be released around 2012.  Not to mention, they plan on presenting the Volt in 2010, a plug-in electric car that can travel up to 40 miles without using any gasoline. Why?  Because the consumer wants it, and because the market place demands it. 

The rising gas prices could end up being a positive for the environment.  It will force the hand of the consumer to look at other options.

As far as government involvement, don’t think all these Senate reccomendations are cheap.  Republican Mitch McConnell called this 500 page bill ”a giant tax on virtually every aspect of the economy.”

What happened to “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” John F. Kennedy, DEMOCRAT.  As mentioned on a popular morning syndicated radio show this morning, the left would call John F. Kennedy a crazy right wing nut if he was saying that today.  Many pundits and politicians are claiming the Republican Party is off track, but what happened to the Democrats?       

In addition, everyone being interviewed that was close to him or worked with him is adamantly refuting his book.  Not to mention who will trust him now?  Even liberal democrats, who are his new best friends, won’t trust him tomorrow. 

So, congratulations McClellan, you made some money, you got your 15 minutes of fame, but you’ll have no friends, you lost any career in politics, and more importantly you lost all respect.  You’re a weasel.  

Most disappointing is that it again displays the dirty and deceitful side of politics.  It leaves many of us wondering if there are in fact honest people in Washington.  That should be the focus of criticism surrounding his book, NOT PRESIDENT BUSH.        

Will Obama pick Clinton as his running mate?  

Well, does Obama really want to be co-president?  Not with Hillary, but with Bill.  Doubtful. 

Finally there is some admittance that Bill Clinton may not be the savior and hero that liberals make him out to be, or at least remember him to be.  As Hillary is being discussed as a possible running mate of Obama, creating a sure win for the democrats, some are questioning that idea. 

One simple reason is that when you get Hillary you get Bill. Some of Clinton’s own strategists are skeptical that Obama would bring her on because of the package deal including her husband.    The package includes a former president that had sexual relations with an intern in the oval office, a president impeached for lying, a president that did nothing really of importance internationally.  A president that allowed the economy to ebb and flow as normal, admittedly with no real problems, but also didn’t really accomplish anything great.  And of course Obama would get Hillary.      

It seems Obama may fear that baggage, and also fear it could discredit his whole “Change”, or “Washington Outsider” appeal.  A former president doesn’t really fit in with those slogans.  

He won’t choose Hillary. Although you never know.