anybody voting in the primaries? and if so, for whom

[Divine Intervention]

anybody voting in the primaries? and if so, for whom?

Id vote for Ron Paul. Even if some of his policies might be a bit tin pot he is the only candidate that you dont think is on the take from big corporations and only interested in himself....a true patriot. id rather have him than Romney (Karl Rove & Goldman Sachs support him, what better reason not to support him then...oh except of course that hes a chameleon whod do anything for some votes ), Rick Santorum (too extreme christian, aggressive foreign relations policy) , Rick Perry (GWB v3?) Newt has never really struck a cord with me and Jon Huntsman hasnt really had much coverage here in UK, but the little bit i read seemed okay, but doubt hed be able to beat Obama...do any of these guys except Dr Paul want to solve the debt & deficit problem?

[Top12Gun]

The problem with Paul is that he's a total isolationist, and in this modern era, the US can't afford that. His fiscal and social policies are good.

I like Santorum. Paul has the best fiscal plan though. I'd vote for almost anyone over than Obama.

[Xavior]

Jon Huntsman and Ron Paul seem to me as the only reasonable candidates. Which is why the Republicans would never nominate them :p

[Divine Intervention]

The problem with Paul is that he's a total isolationist, and in this modern era, the US can't afford that. His fiscal and social policies are good.

I like Santorum. Paul has the best fiscal plan though. I'd vote for almost anyone over than Obama.

being Isolationist is THE ONLY thing US CAN afford to do. what it CANT afford to do is wasting hundreds of billions of $ which it doesnt have (borrowed money which you and future generations will be paying back) on wars that it doesnt have justification to be in. What it can do is stop funding both Israel and other countries which it gives aid to (military or what not) and let them deal with each other themselves. the soldier who was on CNN whos interview feed cut out was right, Israel can deal with Iran on its own. Its outrageous too that UK is sending Ark Royal to Iran....we should be sending it to Falklands to scare those peskie argies back into reality.

[Dogma]

I am definitely voting but for who I am not sure yet. AS far as the foreign funding, I agree with a lot of what you are saying Anton, but not about Israel. I normally don't discuss politics but a lot of what you guys are saying sounds good, but I have yet to decide who I think best represents my ideals.

[Top12Gun]

I would agree with almost everything but the bit about Israel.

However, I still think we should keep some SOF in the middle east, and here's why: Consider the massive snafu that recently occurred with Iran in the strait of Hormuz. We can't afford to simply stand by and watch a lunatic (who wants to wipe an important US ally in Israel "off the map") threaten our allies and our assets without responding - appeasement has been proven over and over to fail. The foreign policy Dr. Paul advocates would seem to be that we should just try to ignore this, and try and go about our business as if nothing's wrong. I agree, the deficit is enormous, and as part of th future generation that's going to be footing this rather significant tab, I have even more of a concern than you!!!

But we can't just drop Israel, if only for this reason alone: if Israel feels threatened, they won't hesitate to massacre those they deem to be the threat. Israeli military doctrine dictates that when confronted, the only possible course of action is overwhelming force. Not W's version of overwhelming force which isn't really all that overwhelming at all, but simply the use of absolutely any means to defeat the enemy. This means bringing bombs to knife fights. Going all the way back to Yigal Yadin, Israel's military has operated this way, and there's no reason to believe this wouldn't extend to nuclear weapons. In short, multiple military analyses of Israel's situational preparedness have concluded that they would nuke Iran if they thought there was a threat, and the US can't allow the massacre that would follow.

[MAGGIO]

Paul isnt a "good ol boy" so he wont win. I am sure a few of the others think some of the things he says are correct but they cant agree with him or it will cost them the election. if what paul says makes sense to us it makes sense to his counterparts too, but for some reason in this country those ideas dont get elected.

It will be romney vs. obama, and it will be neck and neck because romney isnt all that good of a canidate.

a vote for santorum is a vote against freedom

[Top12Gun]

Explain the bit on Santorum, please. :huh:

[BladeEWG]

I haven't voted for a winner since Reagan, looks like my streak will stay intact.
I like Ron Paul also, but he won;t win.
If he just had a bit of a personality it would be a chance.
I don't trust Romney at all, too slick for me.
Obama?well as Granddad uses to say"proofs in the puddin'" He had his chance and blew it.
Don't much care for Michelle either, she shows up to work at a food bank wearing $500 shoes?
Come on , way to fall into that elite role there.
no common sense at all for the lot of them.

[Top12Gun]

So who do you like, Blade??

[BladeEWG]

Honestly , co incidently I haven't "liked" anyone since Reagan.
I like Ron Paul, but he's not electable.
I am so sick and tired of voting for the lesser of two eveils in elections. I just might take a pass on it,
And I won't hear anything about my civic duty, my right is to vote for whom I support.
if I don't support them, then why vote for them?

[MAGGIO]

I haven't voted for a winner since Reagan, looks like my streak will stay intact.
I like Ron Paul also, but he won;t win.
If he just had a bit of a personality it would be a chance.
I don't trust Romney at all, too slick for me.
Obama?well as Granddad uses to say"proofs in the puddin'" He had his chance and blew it.
Don't much care for Michelle either, she shows up to work at a food bank wearing $500 shoes?
Come on , way to fall into that elite role there.
no common sense at all for the lot of them.

unemployment is dowm and retail sales are up.

the shoe thing is knitpickey. she is a mutli millionare just as many others are. maybe she should have worn keds. btw you had to have someone tell you how much teh shoes were, you didnt know and niether did millions of others untili their enemys pointed it out.

[BladeEWG]

You're right Mags, I didn't know until it was pointed out.
But thats not the pont, and I won't argue about your percieved"enemies" remark.

its a common sense thing, or rather the lack of it.
Be like me pulling up in a Ferrari to get a free meal at the soup kitchen.
Makes a lot of sense.
Just shows out out of touch our politicians, and their familys are.

Unemploment is not actually down, the people who are no longer eligible for unemployment have dropped off the charts.What chart do they show up on?
People like my brother who has been out of a job for almost 2 years, no longer get unemployment benefits. So he's wiping out his 401 and stocks to get by until he can take early Social Security.

Living in the now.
That should be the political motto I suppose.

[Divine Intervention]

unemployment is dowm and retail sales are up.

the shoe thing is knitpickey. she is a mutli millionare just as many others are. maybe she should have worn keds. btw you had to have someone tell you how much teh shoes were, you didnt know and niether did millions of others untili their enemys pointed it out.

Obama is the enemy. Enemy's enemy = friend! Ron Paul should run as independent if he doesn't get nominated.

[BladeEWG]

I don't think Obama is a bad guy, just over his head.
Regardless of how we may think we're and "advanced" civilization I think his electon had a more polarizing effect on the US then anyone thought he would.
But he made it, made history being elected, now he can go home.
We need someone that can work with all the knuckleheads in the senate and House and get things rolling again.
It sure "ain't" him

[MAGGIO]

someone that can work with all the knuckleheads in the senate and House and get things rolling again.
It sure "ain't" him

I agree but I think that is a republican issue as well as a democrat one. both sides blackballed each other and we the people are to suffer.

[BladeEWG]

Of course it is Mags.
Politicians just don't know how to play nice with each other, too many personal agendas.
Like i told my brother, aside from being beheaded,shot or run out of the country, theres a lot to be said for dictatorships ;)

[northbabylon]

Last i checked unemployment is way up, this was about 4-5 months ago though. And i know that unemployment in african americans have went way up. and other races have had a slight increase. So much for obama being the savior for some people?

Also, retail sales are not up. Maybe in mom and pop stores, but the only store in the last year that i know that has an increased is the dollar store name.

Sears is down roughly 25% walmart is down about 15% Target is also down, as well as home depot, lowes, and other companys.

[Will]

Paul isnt a "good ol boy" so he wont win. I am sure a few of the others think some of the things he says are correct but they cant agree with him or it will cost them the election. if what paul says makes sense to us it makes sense to his counterparts too, but for some reason in this country those ideas dont get elected.

It will be romney vs. obama, and it will be an Obama landslide because romney completely sucks.

a vote for santorum is a vote against freedom

Fixed it for you:)

[ranger2112]

I did not vote for Obama, not because I am some bigot, but felt his message was not mine. I am a fiscal conservative who has some social left leanings. I, upon his election, gave him the benefit of the doubt. The only campaign promise he kept, as far as I can see, is healthcare. A subject on which I have mixed emotions. Having the govt run 1/6 of our economy and the mandate makes it something I am NOT in favor of. He has to go, however, I am afraid of who is available to do a better job. There are bits and pieces from each candidate that I like. When it comes to it, whoever gets the Republican nod will get my vote. We cannot have another four with Obama. I mean, can it really get any worse?

[Will]

The only republican candidate that is remotely decent is Ron Paul. If any of the others win, you won't have a 2016 election, but the second Civil War.

And I REALLY hate Paul's economic policies, but everything else is pretty good.

[Xavior]

They won't allow Ron Paul to be elected.

[Will]

True, Netenyahu wants to keep his free money:)

[Top12Gun]

@Will: Refer, please, to my earlier post as to why we can't drop Israel as an ally. Also to the bit in the same one on why a policy of total isolationism simply cannot work. If it were Britain in the US's situation, perhaps you would feel differently. ;). Also, what's wrong with Paul's economics?? They're what I most like about him... He's the only candidate with a viable plan for US debt reduction. His tax policies would be excellent for small businesses, as well as middle income households.

@Devil: lol. Obama has been awful. Not even Romney could be worse, and that says something.

[Will]

Britain would never have backed Israel in the first place if we were still top dog;)

I am very much aware of Israel's defence strategy, the "Samson Option" as it's called. The "wipe Israel off the map" rhetoric is just that, words. Iran would not arrange a midnight sunrise on Tel Aviv just for the hell of it. They want nukes as a guarantee that they won't be invaded by the US. Do you think the Russians and the Chinese would seriously back them if they believed Iran was going to use a nuke on Israel?

As for Paul's economics, well I'm a socialist, so they aren't exactly my cup of tea, although wasn't one of them to get rid of the federal reserve? that one is ok :)

If I were American it'd be Paul (for the lulz and the foreign policy/anti police state ideas) and if I couldn't get him then Obama, in the hope that he'd go full communist in his 2nd term:)

[Top12Gun]

well I'm a socialist

Therein lies the rub. ;)

[BladeEWG]

Yes Will, but they should have renamed it asd I suggested to the "Sampson Option". which to me makes a lot more sense..go figure.
And would the US invade Iran? doubtful, tho they had more then enough reason to with the hostage takings.
Personally I was surprised they didn't.
In hindsight now, it would have made a lot of things different these days. if they did.

Russia, China and toss in the US and just about every country would back anyone if it was in their interests to do so.
It has nothing to do with fear of a war or any such thing, its strickly business in politics these days.

[Will]

The US may not invade Iran if it doesn't get nukes, but if they do get them, they are totally safe, unless Israel goes off the rails in which case we are all screwed.

[MAGGIO]

If Santorum's mission was to damage the reputation of the only electable GOP Candidate then mission accomplished.

[Scav]

As a european looking at the united states it doesn't really matter that much which candidate the republicans elect, as none of them have the skills needed in what is the american media frenzy/election. they either lack the means (paul / gingrich / santorum(people / money / points of view acceptable to 50.1% of the people) or the skills (romney(debate)). So none of them will be able to compete effectivly with Obama, who for most of us here in europe is still on the (far) right on many issues despite being a democrat.

The strangle hold between the House / Senate on the one side and the president on the other isn't working as it should (checks and balances), but only holding the US back with their constant factfree cuththroat battles that are not about content but appearance.

Perhaps the US should consider changing the constitution and change the role of the president to a more ceremonial role like it is in many other countries.

Personally i fail too understand the fierce resistance in the US to universal healthcare. Just look at the disgracefull way your NATION treats it's so called heroes, the soldiers, emergency workers (911) and such who are left footing the bill for healtcare they cannot afford due to injuries sustained for the good of the nation forcing them to sell their homes, stack debt on debt and eventually ending on the streets.... you can name them heroes as much as you want, but too me they seem more expendable assets that neither senate, house, president or secs seem to care about, as long as the economic interests of the likes of haliburton, exxon, blackwater and such are served....